Financial Information

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Financial Obligations 

A student is eligible for registration only after all financial obligations to the University have been met. Reports of grades, transcripts, or other statements of record will be withheld should the student be in arrears at the close of any semester. 
 

Financial Requirements for Registration 

All students who register for classes incur a financial obligation to the Bowie State University. Students are responsible for all charges incurred at the University. Failure to attend classes does not constitute withdrawal from the Institution or a class. Students must formally withdraw from the University or a class through the Registrar’s Office.   Any adjustment in charges will follow the policy presented in the Schedule of Classes (www.bowiestate.edu). 

Returning students will not be permitted to register for a subsequent semester until all financial obligations, including current semester fees, parking violations, library fines, and any other outstanding charges, have been paid. Account balances must be cleared before students will be allowed to participate in future registrations and graduation or to receive transcripts or diplomas.  Only the Director of Student Accounts/ Bursar may issue a “hold” or indicator to maintain the student’s registration when payment requirements have not been satisfied or to allow a student to register with a prior outstanding balance. 

Cancellation of a student’s registration may occur if the bill is not paid in full or if approved arrangements have not been made to cover the outstanding balance. Bill due dates and class cancellation dates are published on the University website (www.bowiestate.edu).   Failure to receive a billing statement does not relieve the student of the payment obligation. 

Payment Policy 

Acceptable payment methods are cash, check, money order, cashier’s check, certified check, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover Card. Payments may be made at the Student Accounts Office/Cashier’s Office, by credit card on-line through Bulldog Connection, or by check or credit card through the Interactive Voice Response System.  Students who register before the billing date will receive a bill via e-bill and must make payment or approved payment arrangements prior to the bill due date or their enrollment may be canceled.  Students who register after the billing date may review their bill on-line via Bulldog Connection and must pay their bill or make approved payment arrangements prior to the due date of the bill or enrollment may be cancelled.  

Students who register for the second 8-week session are expected to make payment or approved payment arrangements at the time of registration.   

Approved payment arrangements authorized by Board of Regents policy are: 

1. Students who are approved for a Guaranteed Student Loan; 

2.  Third Party Billings (sponsor pays all or part of the students’ charges); 

3.  Students who are enrolled in a University approved installment payment program; and 

4. Financial aid awarded by the institution that has not been completely processed and or is not posted as anticipated on the student account. 
    

Students who register during late registration will incur a $50.00 late registration fee.  During late registration, payment for semester charges is due and payable at the time of registration. 

Returned Checks 

In the event that a check rendered as payment is returned by the bank unpaid for any reason, the privilege of using a personal check as payment to the University will be immediately revoked. A fee of $30.00 will be assessed for any returned check.  If the University determines that a student’s check is invalid, his/her courses are removed for the PeopleSoft Registration system and he/she must officially withdraw from the University. If the student fails to withdraw, he/she remains liable to the University for all incurred charges.

Errors in Billings 

The University retroactively adjusts accounts and bills if accounting errors or charge omissions are identified. The student is responsible for all costs incurred while attending Bowie State University. 
 

Referral to Collection Agency 

The University will make every effort to collect all outstanding balances pursuant to State of Maryland regulations. Accounts are reviewed and considered for submission to the State Central Collections Unit (SCCU) ninety (90) days after the official start date of classes. As an agency of the State of Maryland, the University is required by state law to refer delinquent accounts to the State Central Collections Unit. At the time of referral, a collection charge of 17% is added to the balance of the account, plus any additional attorney and/or court costs. In addition, SCCU is authorized by state law to intercept an individual’s state income tax refund or other payment made through the State to apply toward an outstanding debt. The SCCU also reports delinquent accounts to credit bureaus. 
 

Fees 

A list of fees and charges established by action of the Board of Regents of the University System of Maryland is published on the official Bowie State website each semester.  All fees and tuition are subject to change. 
 

Graduation 

A graduation fee is charged. The fee covers the cost of the diploma, administrative processing, and graduation activities. All students must apply for graduate in order to be processed.  Students who do not intend to participate in the Commencement ceremony must apply for graduation.  The deadline for filing the Application for Graduation is published in the student information system (PeopleSoft) and on the official Bowie State University website. The graduation fee must be paid prior to the application submission using the receipt number given. If a student does not graduate as planned, the application for graduation must be filed again without an additional charge. Graduate academic regalia and invitations are separate purchases. 

Procedure: 

1. The date for applying for graduation is published in the University Calendar at the beginning of the school year.  

2. Application for graduation is located online. 

3. The student will log into their PeopleSoft account and apply for the appropriate graduation (i.e., Spring, Fall, and Summer) by the stated deadline. 

4. The student will pay the graduation fee by the stated deadline. 
    

Transcript 

A student is permitted to obtain transcripts without charge. Transcript requests should be made in writing at least two weeks in advance of the date required. These requests should be addressed to: Office of the Registrar, Bowie State University, Bowie, Maryland 20715.  The request can be received as a faxed document. 
 

Procedure: 

1. Request for the transcript will be made to the Office of the Registrar. 

2. Obtain a copy of the Transcript Request form from the Office of the Registrar or from the Bowie State University website. 

3. Complete the request form and submit to the Office of the Registrar in person or by fax (301) 860-3438. 

4. A fee will be required if the request is made during the “While you Wait” service time which is to be paid at the Office of Student Accounts.  “While you Wait” service is available on Wednesday. 

5. If the transcript is ordered and mailed, there is no fee and it will take up to 48 hours. 

Withdrawals and Refunds 

Students wishing to receive a course refund are responsible for officially withdrawing. Withdrawal procedures begin in the Office of the Registrar. The date the withdrawal is received determines the amount of refund. Students withdrawing from the University after completing registration are not entitled to the refund of any fees.   

Refunds for all courses offered whether 16-week, 8-week, weekend or workshop format shall be awarded based upon a schedule established by the Office of Student Accounts for each semester.  

Graduate Assistantships 

Graduate students are invited to apply for graduate or teaching assistantships through their respective department.  Benefits include tuition remission and a stipend. Students may serve as graduate assistants in 31-42 credit programs for up to two academic years.  Students who enroll in programs with more than 42 credits may serve as graduate assistants for up to three academic years.  The level of commitment required is 20 hours/week of service to the University, attendance at monthly Graduate Assistantship Program (GAP) meetings, and active membership in the Graduate Student Association (GSA). 

To be eligible, the student must: 

1. Enroll in a minimum of nine (9) graduate credits each semester of the assistantship; 

2. Enroll in less than 13 graduate credits per semester; 

3. Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. 

Students who serve as graduate or teaching assistants must follow the regulations governing these positions.  Graduate assistants who violate or who do not adhere to policies will be released (dismissed) from the graduate or teaching assistantship programs. 

Scholarships and Fellowships 

Students interested in obtaining information regarding scholarships and fellowships are encouraged to contact the University’s Financial Aid Office.  Students may also contact the University’s Career Services Office for further financial assistance information.