Financial Issues: Tuition, Fees, Loans, & Scholarships

Tuition

Tuition Deposit

Some graduate and professional schools at the University of Pittsburgh require tuition deposits to secure the admitted student's place in the incoming class. These deposits are non-refundable and are applied toward the student's first term tuition costs. The schools that require deposits and the specific amounts are as follows:

Full Tuition

Graduate students enrolled for nine to 15 credits during the Fall and Spring Terms are considered full-time and pay a flat tuition rate. Students enrolled for one to eight credits are considered part-time and pay for individual credits. Students enrolled in the Summer Term also pay for individual credits, regardless of how many credits are taken (The Katz Graduate School of Business is an exception: full-time MBA students pay a flat rate in the Summer Term). See Deferred Payments and Payment Adjustments sections below for information regarding tuition payment plans.

Tuition rates are school specific. Students pursuing two degrees or a degree and a certificate simultaneously must list one as the primary academic program and may list the other as a secondary academic program on the registration form; students are billed at the tuition rate of the primary academic program. Please refer to the tuition rate for the school in which you are enrolled. The University's tuition chart is online at http://www.ba.pitt.edu/irweb/tuition/tuithmpg.htm .

Residency/Reduced Tuition

Students who reside in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania may be eligible for reduced tuition through state appropriations (see Eligibility for Reduced Tuition below). Eligibility is determined by criteria outlined in the University of Pittsburgh Guidelines for Determining Eligibility for Reduced Tuition Rates, available online at http://www.bc.pitt.edu/sfs/paycenter.htm#TF .

Eligibility for Reduced Tuition

Assessment of full tuition or reduced tuition is based on whether the student is a permanent resident of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Full tuition is charged to non-residents. A student who has lived in Pennsylvania for a continuous period of 12 months before enrollment in any institution of higher education in the state may be eligible for reduced tuition. The student must be a citizen of the United States or have an immigrant or permanent visa. For a student less than 21 years of age, both the student and parent(s) or legal guardian(s) must meet the residency requirements for eligibility.

Financial Obligation of Students

The University of Pittsburgh has the right to withhold services if a student defaults on any financial obligation until repayment arrangements have been made that are satisfactory to the office or department to which the debt is owed.

Fees

Mandatory Fees

The following are mandatory fees assessed to students each term (current rates are available online at http://www.ba.pitt.edu/irweb/tuition/tuithmpg.htm ):

Special Service Fees

These fees may be charged for University transactions that are processed beyond deadlines, due dates, and specified time limits.

Course Fees

Certain courses have fees associated with enrollment in the course. These courses are identified in the Schedule of Classes and Course Descriptions. The Schedule of Classes is online at http://www.pitt.edu/~srfsweb/crinPgCrsInfo.htm .

Program Fees

Certain graduate and first-professional programs have fees associated with enrollment in the program. These are typically fees for equipment or required insurance. See the Schools, Departments, and Programs section of this bulletin for more information.

Financial Aid

Financial assistance for graduate students can be provided in the form of teaching and research appointments, fellowships, traineeships, tuition scholarships, and loans. The type of aid available depends on the school or program to which the student is admitted; students are encouraged to contact their school directly for more information about the types of financial assistance available. Admission to graduate study does not necessarily carry any implications concerning the award of financial aid.

Teaching and Research Appointments

Students may receive financial support as teachers or researchers in their respective programs. In these positions, students are either teaching assistants (TAs), teaching fellows (TFs), graduate student assistants (GSAs), or graduate student researchers (GSRs). These appointments are generally for two terms at a time; guidelines covering these appointments and their current salary ranges are available through links from the University's Graduate Studies Web page at http://www.pitt.edu/~graduate/ . In recognition of academic merit, the University offers TA/TF/GSA/GSR scholarships including tuition, fees (excluding the student activity fee), and individual medical insurance coverage. TAs/TFs/GSAs and GSRs can also purchase family medical coverage (for spouse and/or dependent children) by paying the difference between the premium costs for the individual option and the family option.

The University's policy concerning Teaching Assistants and Teaching Fellows, dealing with appointments, reappointments, terminations, benefits, and responsibilities, is contained in the University TA/ TF/GSA Policy Statement, sent to all new Teaching Assistants. The University's policy concerning Graduate Student Researchers is contained in the University GSR Policy Statement, sent to all new GSRs. The Teaching Assistant/Teaching Fellow/Graduate Student Assistant Policy Statement can also be found on page 28 of this bulletin under Rights and Responsibilities, and the University Graduate Student Researcher Policy Statement can be found on page 27.

Students receiving these academic appointments must follow the relevant University policies as they apply to faculty and staff of the University of Pittsburgh; see Rights and Responsibilities section of this bulletin for details. For more information on what teaching and research positions may be available in a given program, see the relevant information in Schools, Departments, and Programs.

Teaching Assistants (TA)

Teaching Assistants (TAs) are graduate students who have not qualified for an appointment as a teaching fellow. The duties of a TA might include teaching recitation sections, monitoring quizzes, assisting in laboratory instruction, or participating in related activities involving undergraduate programs. Full appointments usually require approximately 20 assigned hours per week.

Teaching Fellows (TF)

Teaching Fellows (TFs) are graduate students more educationally advanced or experienced than a TA, typically holding the equivalent of a master's degree. The salaries for TFs are slightly higher than those for TAs. Full appointments usually require approximately 20 assigned hours per week.

Graduate Student Assistant (GSA)

Graduate Student Assistants (GSAs) are graduate students who perform duties to assist in the educational or research mission of the University, but do not teach classes, recitations, or labs. GSAs might assist a faculty member in library research, editorial duties, or similar academic tasks. Full appointments usually require approximately 20 assigned hours per week.

Graduate Student Researcher (GSR)

Research grants funded by government and private agencies provide a variety of full- and part-time research positions for graduate students. Most, but not all, of the GSR positions, which are also referred to as Graduate Research Assistants, are in projects that are directly related to the thesis or dissertation research of the student; all provide the student with valuable research training and experience.

Fellowships and Traineeships

There are a variety of fellowships and traineeships available from the University of Pittsburgh and many other organizations that provide funding to students needing financial assistance and/or showing evidence of academic excellence. These awards may include a stipend, a tuition scholarship, health care coverage, or all three. Among the fellowships available from the University to students across a broad range of disciplines are the following:

Provost's Development Fund

This program is intended to provide financial support and development opportunities for women and disadvantaged students pursuing the doctorate or professional degree that would qualify them for an academic or administrative appointment. Financial assistance will be made available on the basis of need and merit. Any U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is enrolled in or admitted to a graduate program at the University is eligible. Ideally, the candidate would be in the advanced stages of the PhD program so that support for one year would complete the program. Applications are available from the Office of the Provost, 801 Cathedral of Learning, or online at http://www.pitt.edu/~cedeno/pdfapp99.html .

Owens Fellowships

A bequest of Samuel T. Owens Jr. makes fellowships available at the University of Pittsburgh for needy students who show promise of high academic achievement. These fellowships carry an annual stipend of $2,000. The fellowships may be used in payment of tuition, books, and living expenses during the academic year for which the award is granted. Owens Fellowships are not available for a single term. Application forms are available in the University Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, Masonic Temple, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, (412) 6247488. The deadline for application is usually in April.

For more information on specific fellowships and traineeships available to students in a particular program, see the Schools, Departments, and Programs section of this bulletin.

Scholarships

Scholarships from the University of Pittsburgh are a form of merit- and need-based financial aid. Outside scholarships are also applied toward tuition and other mandatory educational expenses. Scholarships do not have to be repaid.

Stafford Loans

Stafford Loans are long-term, low interest rate loan programs available to degree-seeking students enrolled on at least a half-time basis. The amount of the loan is dependent upon financial need, but for a graduate student it could be as high as $18,500 per academic year. While there is no deadline for applying, Stafford Loans can take as many as 60-90 days to be approved; therefore, students who intend to start graduate school in the Fall Term should start the loan process no later than May 15.

Financial aid application procedures are outlined in the University of Pittsburgh's Financial Aid Booklet and online at http://www.pitt.edu /~oafa. Information on Stafford Loans is available online at http://www.finaid.org/loans/studentloan.phtml ; the University's Graduate Admissions and Financial Aid site ( http://www.pitt.edu/~graduate/admissions.html ) includes links to loan information for graduate students.

Lifetime Learning Tax Credits

Taxpayers are eligible to claim a non-refundable Lifetime Learning Credit against their federal income taxes for the qualified tuition and related expenses of students who are enrolled in eligible educational institutions. Through 2002, the amount that may be claimed as a credit is equal to 20 percent of the taxpayer's first $5,000 of out-of-pocket qualified tuition and related expenses for all the students in the family. After 2002, the credit amount is equal to 20 percent of the taxpayer's first $10,000 of out-of-pocket qualified tuition and related expenses. Qualified tuition and related expenses for graduate-level education are eligible for the Lifetime Learning Credit.

For more information on Lifetime Learning Credits, see http://www.ed.gov/inits/hope/tax__ qa/sec2.html .

Deferred Payments

Aid Deferrals

Once students have applied for and been notified of financial aid eligibility, they may defer payments by obtaining a Financial Aid Deferral form in the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid and then submitting the form to the Student Payment Center. Whether a deferral of aid is allowed is dependent upon the type of aid awarded.

Deferred Tuition Payment Plan

Students in good financial standing with the University and registered during the Fall, Spring, or Summer Terms for three or more credits are eligible to participate in a deferred tuition payment plan to pay current term charges in three installments. First-time participants in the plan must make these arrangements in person at the Student Payment Center. Thereafter, participants may elect a mail option.

There is a $20 fee each time a student sets up a payment plan, and an interest charge of 1% monthly on the unpaid principal is added to the remaining two installment payments. For more information on the deferred tuition payment plan, please contact the Student Payment Center via E-mail at payment@srfs.pitt.edu or online http:/ /www.bc.pitt.edu/sfs/paycenter.htm.

Payment

University statements may be paid by cash, check, or credit card; however, cash cannot be mailed or dropped into the Student Payment Center's depository. The University accepts Discover, MasterCard, and Visa credit card payments in person, by mail, or telephone. The Student Payment Center is located in room G-7 of Thackeray Hall. The mailing address is P.O. Box 371998, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7998, and the phone number is (412) 624-7550.

Due dates are clearly designated on billing statements and are always the 17th of the month. Failure to pay the amount due (or to arrange a deferred tuition payment plan by the due date) will result in a late payment fee for students without a valid deferral.

If students who have a tuition scholarship (for example, via a TA/TF/GSR/GSA appointment) receive a tuition statement indicating that their tuition has not been paid, they should immediately contact the school or department administering the scholarship for assistance in correcting the error.

Check and Credit Card Adjustments

As appropriate, payment made by check may be refunded to students. Adjustments to credit cards are made to the payer's credit card account and will be reflected on the Discover, MasterCard, or Visa monthly statement.

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Registration

Graduation