College of Arts & Sciences

College of Arts & Sciences Costs: 2008-2009

Tuition for 2008-2009 is $25,750 for full-time students enrolled for the full academic year. There is no additional charge for interim (January term) tuition for students enrolled full time in fall and spring terms. Part-time students (those enrolled in less than 12 credits per term) will pay $1,035 for each credit hour during interm.

The room rental rate for new students in Bethel housing is $4,540 for the academic year. The rate is the same for students living on campus and for students living in Bethel's Fountain Terrace apartments. The room rate for new students will not increase during their four years at Bethel, provided they live in campus housing every semester. A room deposit is due after college housing has been assigned. This deposit is refunded, with interest, according to the terms of the housing lease.

Food costs vary based on the meal plan selected. The most comprehensive meal plan costs $3,080. Freshmen living on campus are required to purchase this plan.

Other costs incurred by students during the year include a student activity fee ($110), books and supplies, private instruction in music, lab fees, physical education fees, cable TV, parking permit, transportation, and spending money. These costs vary widely from student to student.

Normal charges for the 2008-2009 academic year are:

Tuition	$25,750
Room (new students)*	$ 4,540
Meal Plan (approximate)	$ 3,080
Student Activity Fee	$110
Total	$33,480

*Effective with the 2006-2007 school year, the room rate for new students will not increase during their four years at Bethel, provided they live in campus housing every semester.

(The College of Arts & Sciences Costs and Financial Aid brochure may be downloaded in PDF format.)

Disclaimer: Prices reported here are subject to change without notice. Refer to the 2008-2009 College of Arts & Sciences Catalog for definitive pricing and additional cost information (http://cas.bethel.edu/catalog/admitfa/).

Payment Options

Direct Payment

Payment of charges for tuition, fees, room, and board (meal plan) is due twice a year--at the beginning of the fall term (September) and at midyear (January 15). Bethel will bill each student in advance of the due date. A finance charge of 1 percent per month is assessed on any unpaid balance. Direct payments can be mailed to Bethel University Business Office, 3900 Bethel Drive, St. Paul, MN 55112.

TuitionPay Monthly Plan

Bethel University offers the TuitionPay Monthly Plan from Sallie Mae, which enables interest-free, monthly installment payments. Participation is on an annual basis, and there is an annual enrollment fee ($50 in 2008-09). This includes, at no additional charge, a life benefit coverage. This coverage guarantees payment of the unpaid balance of the budgeted amount in the event of the death of the enrolled parent or guardian. Details of this payment option are available at www.tuitionpay.com/bethel. Following are the general options available:

10 monthly installments from July 1 to April 1 (fall and spring term)
5 monthly installments from July 1 to November 1 (fall term only)
5 monthly installments from December 1 to April 1 (spring term only)

For additional information, contact the Bethel University Business Office at 651.638.6208. To enroll online, visit the AMS TuitionPay website at www.tuitionpay.com/bethel.

Tuition Certificate Program

Tuition Certificates are available by contacting the Business Office. The certificates are purchased at the Current Annual Full-Time Tuition Rate and are redeemable for payment of tuition only. The Current Annual Full-Time Tuition Rate will be in effect through February 1. Tuition Certificates purchased after February 1 will be priced at the Current Annual Full-Time Rate for the following school year. Tuition Certificates are redeemable toward tuition up to seven years from the Tuition Certificate purchase date. If Tuition Certificates are not redeemed for tuition, the original purchase price of the Tuition Certificate will be refunded anytime up to eight years from the purchase date.

Student Billing FAQs

When is my bill due?

Pay your bill at the beginning of each semester. Fall semester charges for tuition, fees, room, and board are due on the day classes begin. Spring semester and interim charges for tuition, fees, room, and board are due on January 15. A finance charge of 1 percent per month will be assessed on any unpaid balance over 30 days old. Direct payments can be mailed to Bethel University Business Office, 3900 Bethel Drive, St. Paul, MN 55112.

Can we pay on the student account with a credit card?

Credit card payments are accepted in person and over the phone (651.638.6208). Payment can be made with VISA, MasterCard, or American Express.

When is financial aid posted to my student account?

Scholarships from Bethel are divided equally between fall and spring terms.
Grants and scholarships from Bethel are applied to student accounts about one week before the beginning of fall semester, and around December 15 for spring semester.
Loans are applied to student accounts after the funds are received, but no earlier than 10 days before the semester begins.
Private scholarships (e.g., Dollars for Scholars) are applied to student accounts after the funds are received.

Can I use financial aid to pay for my rent if I live off campus?

Yes. Students may request a refund of any credit on their student account after the end of the "drop-add" period. Submit your formal request to the Business Office. If there is a PLUS (parent) loan on the account, the Business Office will need permission from the parent for the student to receive the credit balance.
Students may withdraw up to $100 in cash per day at the Business Office banking windows.
If a PLUS (parent) loan generates a credit balance on the student account, federal regulations require Bethel to send a check for the credit amount to the parent within 14 days.

What is a transcript hold?

A transcript hold prevents an official transcript from being printed by the registrar. If payment has not been received for grades that are available, a transcript hold is placed on the student account. If a student has a transcript hold, grades can be viewed online (see the registrar's office if you have questions). Students can register if they have a transcript hold, as long as there is not a registration hold in effect.

What is a registration hold?

Registration for classes in succeeding semesters is dependent on full payment of the previous semester's expenses. Students whose accounts are in arrears will have a Business Office registration hold that will prevent registration.