Tuition and Financial Aid

General Tuition Information

If you have any questions about your bill or how to access your electronic bill, please contact the Student Accounts Office via phone 508-421-3801 or email saccounts@clarku.edu. The Student Accounts Office fax number is 508-793-7500. Clark University accepts payment by cash, check, international funds transfers, and online ACH (electronic payment from bank account) or credit card. Cash payments can be made at the Cashier’s Office located at 939 Main St., 3rd Floor, Room 318. Check payments by mail can be sent to Clark University, Cashier’s Office, 950 Main St., Worcester, MA 01610. Online payments via ACH check or credit card can be made by students via CU Web. Anyone other than the student must be authorized by the student to make online payments. To make an ACH payment (from a checking or savings account) you will need to enter your bank’s routing (ABA) number and your bank account number. The amount of your payment will then be withdrawn from your bank account. Credit card payments can only be made online. MasterCard, Discover, and American Express are accepted and there is a 2.85 percent fee for credit card transactions.

You may not be able to begin classes or participate in add/drop until your bill is paid, so be sure your payment is prompt. Late payment fees up to $200, as well as 1% interest per month, may be assessed to all accounts not paid by the bill due date.  Inquiries regarding late payment fees may be resolved after the account has been settled. Late fee disputes can be reviewed if a written petition has been received. The petition should include the student’s name and ID number, the term the late fee was charged, and the circumstances to be reviewed. Your request can be emailed to your Student Account Counselor.

Tuition and Other Charges for Academic Year 2021 - 2022

Normal Program and Course Load Variance

For Undergraduate Students a normal full-time academic program is eight course units per year, four course units per semester.  Students may elect to vary this pattern by taking three course units during any semester.  A course load of three units per semester is considered full-time and is billed accordingly. Juniors and seniors who have received College Board permission may choose to take up to five and a half (5.5) course units in a semester at no additional charge. Any courses approved by College Board beyond 5.5 course units will carry an additional cost.  There is also an additional cost for students who enroll in Summer courses through the School of Prof. Studies Undergraduate Division. Seniors in their last semester are expected to take the necessary number of units (up to 5.5) for their degree. Full-time first-year or transfer students in their first semester at Clark University must enroll in a four-unit program. Students re-entering the University or returning from leaves of absence, also must enroll in a four-unit program during their first semester.

Graduate students are billed on a per unit basis and loads vary depending on the program.  A course load of three units per semester is considered full-time.

Refund Policy

Undergraduate General Refund Policy

A student who officially withdraws from a course or the University, or takes a leave of absence by the final day of Add/Drop will receive a 100% refund on tuition and mandatory fees, and will be charged a daily rate on room and board if those services were availed of; after Add/Drop, but before the end of the first quarter of the semester, he or she will be charged 50 percent on tuition, room, board, and mandatory fees; after the first quarter, but before the end of the second quarter, he or she will be charged 75 percent. There is no reduction in charges after the second quarter of the semester.  If a student is suspended, dismissed, or expelled from the University, there will be no reduction in charges.

Graduate General Refund Policy

General Refund Policy - Graduate Students (excludes School of Professional Studies Graduate Students) A student who officially withdraws from a course or the University, or takes a leave of absence by the final day of Add/Drop will receive a 100% refund; after Add/Drop, but before the end of the first quarter of the semester, he or she will be charged 50 percent, after the first quarter, but before the end of the second quarter, he or she will be charged 75 percent. There is no reduction in charges after the second quarter of the semester.  If a student is suspended, dismissed, or expelled from the University, there will be no reduction in charges.

Refund Dates

Specific refund dates are determined by the Student Accounts office and can be found by clicking here.  Please note that dates will be adjusted for courses not offered for the full term.

Financial Aid Information 

The Office of Financial Assistance provides guidance to all students who need assistance financing their Clark education.

General Information 

Financial aid is allocated on the basis of financial need and academic performance. The Office of Financial Assistance assesses each student’s financial circumstances and need through a uniform analysis of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for federal and state funds, and the PROFILE Form for institutional funds. When required, adjustments are made in accordance with University policies and procedures. The assessment takes into account family income and assets, financial commitments to other dependents and members of the family, and other appropriate circumstances.

The University expects that a student’s resources for education will come first from family and his/her own savings and earnings. The University will make an effort to assist students in obtaining the difference between the total cost and expected family resources based on University policy, available resources and alternative financing options.

Student Employment 

Undergraduate on-campus student employment opportunities at Clark are coordinated by the Career Connections Center and the Office of Financial Assistance. Throughout the academic year, a listing of available on-campus jobs is maintained through Handshake. It is important to note that an offer of Federal Work-Study as part of a student’s financial-aid package is not a guarantee of that amount, but rather an opportunity for potential earnings. Students receive paychecks for actual hours worked, which can be used for personal expenses, books and supplies, or saved for future bill charges. Domestic Students can work up to 25 hours a week and International students can work up to 20 hours a week on campus.

Independent Sources of Aid 

All applicants for financial aid are urged to pursue independent sources of financial aid. Scholarships are often awarded to graduating seniors by high schools and/or private scholarship agencies in a students’ local communities. Additional information usually is available in guidance offices or online at www.fastweb.com. The Financial Assistance section of the Clark University website also has a section dedicated to private outside scholarship information.

Any assistance received from outside sources other than Clark University must be reported to the Office of Financial Assistance. These awards may have an impact on your Clark financial aid package depending on the source of outside assistance.

Clark’s policy for these adjustments is as follows:

For assistance based on the student’s merit or academic achievement, unmet institutional need will be filled first. Any remaining assistance will reduce loan, then work-study. If a student prefers to have work-study reduced, they may contact the office to make arrangements. If there is additional remaining assistance, it will reduce Clark funds, dollar for dollar. Tuition benefits will reduce Clark funds by fifty cents per every dollar.

Private grants/scholarships not based on merit or academic achievement such as state and federal grants will reduce Clark funds, dollar for dollar.

All Clark assistance, both merit and need-based, is applied to the cost of tuition only. If you receive funding from an additional resource exceeding the cost of tuition, your Clark award could be adjusted accordingly.   

Loan Deferment
Only students enrolled on at least a half-time basis are eligible for student deferment status on college loans.
 

Veteran’s Affairs Benefits

The University’s programs are approved for students seeking VA benefits under the following programs:  Chapter 30 (Active Duty), Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment), Chapter 32 (Veterans Education Assistance Program), Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill^®), and Chapter 35 (Survivors & Dependents).  To be considered a “covered individual” a student is required to present a certificate of eligibility or statement of benefits to the Office of Financial Assistance for Chapters 30, 32, 33, and 35 or present a VAF 28-1905 form to the Office of the Registrar for Chapter 31.  Eligibility can be determined by contacting the local Veteran’s Administration Office or the State Rehabilitation Office.

The University will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from the VA under chapter 31 or 33 in accordance with the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018 (38 USC 3679(e)).

Chapter 31 and 33 students to be covered under the VA Benefits and Transition Act of 2018 S. 2248 section 103, students must provide a current Certificate of Eligibility or Statement of Benefits obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs eBenefits website.  Once verification of benefits is determined late fees will not be assessed for at least 90 days after certification of enrollment is processed.

GI Bill^® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Aid Awarded by Clark University 

Financial aid is awarded one academic year at a time.  You must re-apply for need-based assistance each year.  Clark University does make a commitment to entering students to maintain the level of support awarded during the first year in each subsequent year at Clark, as long as they continue to demonstrate simiiar financial need from year to year, continue to meet the standards of satisfactory academic progress, have filed all necessary application materials by the required deadlines and have not exceeded program limitations of financial aid, and as long as federal and state funding to Clark’s Office of Financial Assistance continues at the same level. Additionally, changes in family circumstances, such as number of family members in the household and number of siblings enrolled at the undergraduate level in college on at least a half-time basis will affect financial need and eligibility for aid.  Full-time undergraduate Arts & Sciences (Day) are eligible to receive no more than eight semesters of Clark aid (Fall/Spring semesters) unless otherwise approved by the director based on a student appeal.

Assistance at Clark is packaged in the form of scholarship, loan, grant and/or employment from the following sources:

• Traina, Achievement and Jonas Clark Scholarships-awarded to incoming undergraduate students based on specific academic criteria. All recipients of these scholarships are selected on the basis of information provided in the application for admission. All scholarships are renewable if a student meets Satisfactory Academic Progress requirement while at Clark University. Scholarship eligibility is limited to fouyr years or eight semesters.
• Clark University Grant - awarded to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need and meet the eligibility requirements set by the Office of Financial Assistance. This need-base grant program is funded by the University through the support of annual gifts and other sources of revenue. 
• Pell Grant - one of the federal grant aid programs available to undergraduate students demonstrating exceptional need.  These grants, which vary in amounts, are available to certain students who demonstrate financial need according to federal methodology.
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants-one of the federal aid programs available to undergraduate students demonstrating exceptional financial need. Priority is given to Federal Pell Grant eligible students.
• State Scholarships and Grants - awarded directly by the student’s state of residence to eligible full-time students pursuing a bachelor’s degree.   In most cases, students are notified directly by their state program regarding eligibility. 
• Federal Direct Stafford Loans - Some type of Federal Direct Stafford Loans are available to all students, regardless of need. Students may borrow up to $3,500 through a subsidized Stafford Loan their freshman year, $4,500 sophomore year and $5,500 the junior and senior years of an undergraduate program. An additional $2000 unsubsidized Stafford Loan is available to students at each grade level. Graduate Students may borrow up to $20,500 per year of the unsubsidized portion of the Stafford Loan. The subsidized version is limited to students who demonstrate financial need according to federal methodology. No payments are due, or accrue interest, until after graduation or until a student is enrolled less than half time. It may be deferred for continued education. The unsubsidized version offers some of the same terms and conditions; however, interest begins to accrue during the in-school period.  Interest rates on both the Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loan are fixed and the interest rate is set for each academic year by July 1.
• Federal Work-Study-This work program gives eligible students the opportunity to work during the school year to earn money for personal expenses, travel, books and supplies; and over the summer towards the following school year’s educational expenses. Federal Work-Study is awarded to a student based on demonstrated need. This award is not deducted from the bill. The student is paid a paycheck every two weeks.

Satisfactory Academic Progress 

Students receiving federal, state and institutional financial assistance of any type (including parent loans and most private educational loans) are required to make “satisfactory academic progress” toward completion of their degrees. Satisfactory Academic Progress is defined by regulations of the U.S. Department of Education as “proceeding in a positive manner toward fulfilling degree requirements.” This is differentiated from “academic probation,” which refers to students whom the institution allows to continue to be enrolled under certain academic restrictions and guidelines.   

Full-time degree seeking students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade-point average and complete five units the first year; six units the second; and seven units each year thereafter. Full-time undergraduate students have a maximum of six years to complete a four year degree program. These requirements are prorated for less than full-time students and students attending less than a full academic year. Evaluation of satisfactory academic progress of all students is made each year, following two consecutive terms of enrollment. Those students placed on a semester of financial aid probation will have a second review after the completion of that probationary semester to determine if they are once again making good satisfactory academic progress. If they are, the financial aid will be awarded for the coming semester. If they are not then further evaluation is required.

Withdrawal from a course and courses not completed are counted in the number of units attempted by the student.  When considering repeated courses, the highest grade for the repeated course is used when calculating cumulative GPA and repeated courses are also counted in the number of units attempted by the student.  Transfer units accepted and counted towards earning a Clark University degree are counted in both the number of units attempted and earned.

Students who are not meeting the requirements of Satisfactory Academic Progress are no longer eligible for financial assistance, through federal, state or institutional funds. Additionally, a private educational loan cannot be certified if satisfactory academic progress is required for certification.

Students are notified in writing of their status and they do have the opportunity to appeal that status.  All appeals must be submitted in writing to the Director of Financial Assistance, stating the reason for appeal, citing specific circumstances, such as death in the family, an illness, or the effects of COVID 19 pandemic, which prevented the student from making Satisfactory Academic Progress.              

If it is determined the student should be able to meet the requirements by the end of the next semester, the student may be placed on probation for one semester, during which the student is still eligible to receive financial assistance.  If more than one semester is needed to meet the requirements, the student may be placed on probation with an academic plan.   In both cases the student’s academic record is reviewed at the end of the subsequent semester for progress.    

A student may appeal his/her ineligibility for financial assistance based on Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements once, except in extreme cases.

Return of Title IV Funds (federal and some state financial aid) 

Federal Title IV fund rules assume that a student earns his or her aid based on the period of time he or she remained enrolled for the semester. If a student withdraws from the University before completing a semester, unearned aid, other than work-study, must be returned to the U.S. Department of Education up until after the 60-percent point in the semester. After the 60-percent point in the semester, the student is considered to have earned all of his or her aid.

Return of Institutional Financial Aid 

Students are allowed to retain institutional financial aid (Clark grants and scholarships, including merit scholarships) at the same rate that the credit-to-tuition (refund) policy is calculated.

Undergraduate Full-Time Refund Policy

A full-time undergraduate student who officially withdraws from the University, or takes a leave of absence by the final day of Add/Drop will receive a 100% refund on tuition and mandatory fees, and will be charged a daily rate on room and board if those services were availed of; after Add/Drop, but before the end of the first quarter of the semester, he or she will be charged 50 percent on tuition, room, board, and mandatory fees; after the first quarter, but before the end of the second quarter, he or she will be charged 75 percent. There is no reduction in charges after the second quarter of the semester.  If a student is suspended, dismissed, or expelled from the University, there will be no reduction in charges.
 

Graduate and Part-time Undergraduate Refund Policy

All graduate students or part-time undergraduate students who officially withdraws from a course or the University, or takes a leave of absence by the final day of Add/Drop will receive a 100% refund; after Add/Drop, but before the end of the first quarter of the semester, he or she will be charged 50 percent, after the first quarter, but before the end of the second quarter, he or she will be charged 75 percent. There is no reduction in charges after the second quarter of the semester.  If a student is suspended, dismissed, or expelled from the University, there will be no reduction in charges.

Financial Assistance for International Students 

Awards are based on both academic merit and financial need. Students must complete the CSS Profile Form to be considered for need-based Clark international grant funding. Because the University is unable to provide funding to meet the needs of all international students, offers of admission will take into account a student’s ability to pay for the cost of attending the university. International scholarships are applicable to study while in residence at Clark and generally cannot be used to participate in off-campus study programs.