Frequently Asked Questions

• How are tuition charges determined?
• Will I be dropped from my classes if I don't make payment by the due date of the bill?
• What types of payment does the College accept?
• May I make payment by telephone?
• What are the Bursar Office hours of operation?
• When is the tuition bill due?
• What are all the fees for?
• May I take courses at URI or CCRI along with the courses I take at RIC?
• What happens to my bill if I add or drop classes later?
• A third party will make payment of my tuition bill. What do I do?
• Does the Bursar Office cash checks for students?
• I owe money for a previous semester. May I register?
• How do I apply for a short-term book loan?
• What is the Health insurance coverage?
• How will I be refunded if I have overpaid my account?

How are tuition charges determined?

You will be assessed tuition and fees based upon your student category and residence. If your permanent residence, for over one-year, has been Rhode Island, you may apply for in state status at the Records Office in Building 4. In addition, to be considered independent of his/her parents, a student must not have been claimed as a dependent for tax purposes for two years, and the student must have resided in Rhode Island for at least one year. If you possess a baccalaureate degree you will pay graduate tuition. If you have been accepted into a second undergraduate degree program, you will pay undergraduate tuition. It is your responsibility to inform the College of your status so that you are correctly billed.

Will I be dropped from my classes if I don't make payment by the due date of the bill?

Students who pre-register for classes must make satisfactory payment arrangements with the Bursar Office prior to the due date of the bill. Failure to make satisfactory payment arrangements may result in the cancellation of your class schedule. If you are dropped from your classes, you will be invited to register at late registration, after you have made satisfactory payment arrangements with the Bursar Office.

What types of payment does the College accept?

The Rhode Island College Bursar Office accepts cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover as forms of payment.

May I make payment by telephone?

Yes. The Bursar Office accepts credit card payment via the telephone. Call 401-456-8130 and be prepared to respond to the following questions:

• Name
• Social security number
• Credit card to be used
• Credit card account number and expiration date
• Amount to be paid
• A telephone number where we may reach you

What are the Bursar Office hours of operation?

The Bursar Office is open for business Monday through Friday 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM.

Summer hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM.

The Office is closed on state holidays.

When is the tuition bill due?

The Fall term bill is normally due during the first week of August. The Spring term bill is normally due during the first week of January. The Summer bills are normally due in the middle of May and the last week of June.

What are all the fees for?

• The Application Fee is used to defray the cost of processing an application.
• The Applied Music Fee is used to cover the cost of private music lessons.
• The Dining Center/Student Union Fees are applied toward the repayment of federal government loans that made the construction of the building possible.
• The Fine Arts Fee is used to provide opportunities and activities in the fine and performing arts at the College.
• The Laboratory/Studio Art Fee is used to cover the cost of laboratory and art supplies provided by the College to students enrolled in specific courses.
• The Library Fee is used to cover the costs of purchasing books, periodicals, and non-print materials for the Library.
• The Orientation Fee is used to cover the costs of accommodations and other expenses for the orientation program.
• The Recreation Fee is used to cover the operation and programs of the Recreation Center.
• The Registration Fee is used to cover costs associated with the registration process.
• The Student Activity Fee is allocated to the Student Parliament for funding the student activity program.
• The Technology Fee is used to cover the costs of purchasing equipment and software for student use on campus.
• The Tuition (General Fee) is used to cover the basic costs of educating a student and of running the College.
• The Transcript Fee is a one-time charge, which entitles the student to transcripts upon appropriate request.

May I take courses at URI or CCRI along with the courses I take at RIC?

Any undergraduate student who has paid full-time fees at Rhode Island College may take a maximum of seven credits during each of the fall and spring semesters at the University of Rhode Island (URI) or the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) or both without paying additional fees. The student must be enrolled for at least five credits at RIC and the total combined credits taken at all institutions must be 18 or less. The forms required for this procedure are available at the Records Office.

What happens to my bill if I add or drop classes later?

Your tuition bill will be adjusted for all adds and/or drops which occur during the first two weeks of class. A revised bill is normally forwarded to each student at the beginning of each semester. This bill may be used to make payment due. It may also be used to waive insurance coverage, verify financial aid status, enroll in the payment plan, and verify billing changes due to course changes.

A third party will make payment of my tuition bill. What do I do?

Provide the Bursar Office a copy of the authorization to bill the third party prior to the due date of the bill. The Bursar Office will bill the third party.

Does the Bursar Office cash checks for students?

No. We do not cash checks.

I owe money for a previous semester. May I register?

The College's tuition policy requires that all prior balances be paid in full prior to registration for future semesters. The Bursar Office will work with you to make satisfactory payment arrangements.

How do I apply for a short-term book loan?

The Financial Aid Office issues short term book loans to students whose anticipated financial aid has not been received by the College prior to the start of classes. Contact the financial aid office for details.

What is the Health insurance coverage?

Full-time undergraduates are normally automatically enrolled in the student health insurance program. This coverage is a basic health insurance for students who are not otherwise enrolled in a health insurance program. If you have been assessed this coverage and do not wish to be enrolled in this program, complete the waiver form and return it to the insurance company by the due date. You may access the student insurance website at www.universityhealthplans.com. If you have not been assessed the insurance charge and wish coverage, you may enroll at the Bursar Office. To be eligible, you must be enrolled in a minimum of six credits. Brochures are available in the Bursar Office.

How will I be refunded if I have overpaid my account?

The Bursar Office automatically reviews each student's tuition account and generates refunds each week. The refund checks are available on Monday afternoons.