Financial and Business

Tuition, Fees and Charges Policy

Section: Financial & Business Policies
Policy Name: Tuition, Fees and Charges Policy
Policy Owner: Executive Vice President
Responsible University Office: Budget Office
Origination Date: April 11, 1991
Revisions: January 29, 2001; July 1, 2005; April 8, 2009; October 1, 2014; March 2016
Legacy Policy Number: 3-17
  1. SCOPE OF POLICYThis policy establishes the policies and procedures related to the approval of tuition, housing and dining rates, and other mandatory and non-mandatory fees and charges.
  2. DEFINITIONS
    1. The term “Tuition” shall mean any and all tuition for all undergraduate and graduate courses and any courses offered for academic credit through the Division of Professional and Continuing Studies at the University of Delaware.
    2. The term “Mandatory Fees and Charges” shall include:
      1. Housing and dining rates;
      2. Any fees charged to all matriculated students; and
      3. Any fees associated directly with credit-bearing courses and charged to all students in a particular course, which are not for supplies that are owned by the student.

      Examples of Mandatory Fees and Charges include but are not limited to: the Student Comprehensive Fee, the New Student Orientation Fee, the Student Health Services Fee, the Student Center Fee, the Graduate Recreation Fee, the International Student Service Fee, and the Registration Fee.

    3. The term “Non-Mandatory Fees and Charges” shall include any and all fees not explicitly covered by the defined terms above, including but not limited to: summer enrichment programs and study abroad programs, fees for administrative services for non-matriculated students and non-credit instruction (such as English Language Institute, Physical Therapy Clinic, and Early Learning Center), and charges for a transcript or replacement ID card.
  3. POLICY STATEMENTIt is the policy of the University that any new or changes to Tuition, Mandatory Fees and Charges, and Non-Mandatory Fees and Charges must be approved by the Provost and/or Executive Vice President & University Treasurer (“EVP”).
    1. Tuition and Mandatory Fees and ChargesTuition and Mandatory Fees and Charges must be approved annually in consultation with the President and then by the University’s Board of Trustees (“BOT”).  The BOT has delegated authority to the Provost and EVP to set professional graduate program tuition rates up to the full BOT approved graduate tuition rate. At all times, the BOT retains final authority overall changes to Tuition and Mandatory Fees and Charges.
    2. Non-Mandatory Fees and Charges
      1. Any proposed new Non-Mandatory Fee, Non-Mandatory Charge, or changes to already existing Non-Mandatory Fees and Charges related to academic activity must be approved by the Provost and the EVP.
      2. The EVP retains sole final authority to approve any Non-Mandatory Fees and Charges not related to academic activity, for example, parking fees and fines.
    3. Designation of Mandatory and Non-Mandatory Fees and ChargesThe President, Provost, and EVP, in consultation with Vice President and University Secretary, shall make the determination on whether a new charge or fee constitutes a Mandatory Fee and Charge or a Non-Mandatory Fee and Charge.
  4. POLICY STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES
    1. Procedures for Proposing New Tuition and Mandatory Fees and Charges or Changes to Tuition or Already Existing Mandatory Fees and Charges.
      1. Any and all proposed New Tuition or Mandatory Fees and Charges or changes to already existing Tuition or Mandatory Fees and Charges must be submitted in writing, with the endorsement of the applicable Dean or Vice President, to the Provost’s, EVP’s and Budget Offices, no later than October 1 for consideration and implementation in the following academic year.
      2. If approved, the Provost and/or EVP shall be responsible for contacting the Office of the Vice President and University Secretary and requesting that the proposed New Tuition or Mandatory Fee or Charge or change to an already existing Tuition or Mandatory Fee or Charge be placed on an upcoming agenda for BOT consideration and approval, including the applicable BOT Committee(s).
        1. The Student Life and Athletics Committee and the Finance Committee of the BOT are responsible for making recommendations to the BOT Executive Committee and BOT. The Office of the Vice President and University Secretary will provide guidance regarding which committee(s) should review a particular request for new or changed fees or charges.
        2. The BOT is responsible for reviewing and approving these recommendations.
      3. Once approved by the BOT, the Vice President and University Secretary shall be responsible for notifying the Office of Student Financial Services (“OSFS”) in writing, as well as any other relevant offices, of the BOT action, including the amount of Tuition or Mandatory Fees and Charges as well as the effective date.
      4. The OSFS is responsible for posting all Tuition and Mandatory Fees and Charges on its official website.
    2. Procedures for Proposing New Non-Mandatory Fees and Charges or Changes to Already Existing Non-Mandatory Fees and Charges
      1. Any and all proposed new Non-Mandatory Fees and Charges or changes to already existing Non-Mandatory Fees and Charges related to academic activity must be submitted in writing, with the endorsement of the applicable Dean or Vice President, to the Provost’s, EVP’s and Budget Offices no later than December 1 for consideration and implementation in the following academic year.
      2. Any and all proposed new Non-Mandatory Fees and Charges or changes to already existing Non-Mandatory Fees and Charges related to non-academic activity must be submitted in writing, with the endorsement of the applicable Dean or Vice President, to the EVP’s and Budget Offices no later than December 1 for consideration and implementation in the following academic year.
      3. Once approved by the Provost and/or EVP, the Provost and/or EVP shall be responsible for notifying OSFS and/or the relevant offices in writing of their decision, including the amount of new or updated Non-Mandatory Fees and Charges and effective date.
      4. The OSFS is responsible for updating its official website with changes to Non-Mandatory Fees and Charges related to academic activities. All non-academic activity related fees must be posted appropriately by the relevant office.
    3. Procedures for Obtaining a Mandatory or Non-Mandatory Determination
      1. Excluding tuition, any new charge or fee, that is not clearly mandatory or non-mandatory, must first be submitted in writing by the applicable Dean or Vice President, to the Provost and EVP, requesting a determination.
      2. In consultation with the President and Vice President and University Secretary, the Provost and EVP shall determine if the proposed fee or charge constitutes a Mandatory Fee and Charge or a Non-Mandatory Fee and Charge.
      3. The Provost or EVP shall have the responsibility for notifying the applicable Dean or Vice President of the determination and recommended next steps, in accordance with this policy.
      4. The Provost and EVP may delegate authority to any person who reports directly to them to review and approve Non-Mandatory Fees and Charges. Such delegation must be made in writing and retained by the delegating office, either in the Office of the Provost or the Office of the Executive Vice President.