Tuition & Fees

Beginning with the 2004-2005 academic year, tuition and mandatory fees will be charged on a per-credit-hour basis up to 15 hours. This 15-credit-hour cap will allow students to complete 120 credit hours in eight semesters or four years. There is no additional charge for credit hours above 15 hours per semester. Graduate tuition rates apply to all students holding a baccalaureate degree, regardless of the level of course work in which they intend to enroll. This policy applies to those who are non-degree-seeking, seeking a second bachelor’s degree, or seeking a certificate. Visit http://www.csu.edu/financialaffairs/bursar/tuition/ for graduate tuition rates.

Transcripts

Official Chicago State University transcripts are issued by the Office of Records and Registration when students submit an official transcript request online through the National Student Clearinghouse. All transcript requests must be made online. Transcripts are generally processed within five to seven business days. During registration and end-of-term, there may be a delay of up to two weeks.

A credit or debit card is required for payment and the charge for transcripts ordered via the web are as follows:

• Transcripts requested are $10.00 per copy, plus a $2.50 processing fee per order.
• Transcripts requested for same-day pick-up are $15.00 per copy, plus a $2.50 processing fee per order.

NOTE: Official transcripts can only be picked up by the student with a valid government-issued photo ID.

Unofficial transcripts may be viewed online from CSU X-Press by selecting Academic Transcript from the Student Records menu.

Transcripts are not issued for individuals with an outstanding balance to Chicago State University.

Diplomas

Diplomas are available approximately 12 weeks following the end of the semester. Diplomas will be issued only for students whose records are clear of holds. Students will be notified by email when the diplomas are available. Students must keep their address current through CSU X-PRESS; see instructions here. A student’s address may be updated online or with a government-issued photo ID in the office of the Registrar.

Duplicate diplomas will be furnished for a fee of $26.50 plus an additional $8.00 fee for mailing. The Office of Evaluations submits diploma orders and reorders three times a year.

Policy on Release of Student Information

Chicago State University (CSU), in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), has designated a student’s name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, dates of attendance, the degrees a student has been awarded, current enrollment status (full-time/part-time, withdrawal) and academic information used to determine eligibility for scholarships or awards as directory (public) information. In addition, in the case of military recruiters, FERPA also allows the disclosure once per term of a student’s major/program of study and class. CSU receives many inquiries for directory information from a variety of sources, including prospective employers, licensing agencies, government agencies, friends and relatives. Students have the right to have this directory information withheld from the public if they so desire. Forms to request that directory information be withheld can be obtained in the Office of the Registrar, ADM 128. CSU in good faith will not release information not listed as directory information unless the student provides written consent for the release. All students enrolled at CSU shall have the right to inspect and review their official university records, to request corrections or deletions, and to limit access to such records by other persons in accordance with FERPA and university guidelines issued pursuant thereto.

Copies of the Guidelines for Implementation of 1974 FERPA are available in the Office of the Registrar. The primary academic record of a student is located in the Office of the Registrar. Other records may be located in Admissions, Alumni Affairs, Financial Affairs, Wellness/Health Center, the School of Graduate and Professional Studies, Financial Aid, Student Affairs, Intercollegiate Athletics and academic departmental offices. Students have the right to file complaints regarding alleged failure of CSU to comply with FERPA. Students should file a written request for a hearing with the Office of Judicial Affairs.

Six-Year Guaranteed Tuition Plan

The “Truth in Tuition” bill mandated that Illinois public universities provide four years of level tuition for new students enrolling for the first time beginning with the 2004-2005 academic year. Beginning with the Fall 2004 semester, each new undergraduate class of students (first-time freshmen and transfer students has the tuition rate held constant for four consecutive years. In 2010 the bill was amended to include an additional two years of guaranteed tuition rates for the amount the university charged students who first enrolled in the university for the academic year following the academic year the student first enrolled in the university.

The guaranteed rates remain in effect for six years or until the student reaches 120 credit hours, whichever comes first. The hours will be extended to accommodate any majors or programs that exceed the 120 hours or six years. The guaranteed rate will remain in effect except in the event of a break in enrollment of no more than one year (two semesters, excluding summer school. In no case will the initial guarantee rate be valid beyond six years of total enrollment. The undergraduate returning, non-guaranteed rate will be assessed for students that extend beyond the six-year guarantee period (120 credit hours or six years of total enrollment). For all other students, Chicago State University’s current tuition program remains in effect. The Term’s General Information document published online each term, references current information.

Important Notes

A change in major will not affect the guaranteed rate. The guaranteed rate will continue for the number of credit hours necessary to complete the new major, not to exceed six years of total enrollment. Beyond six years of total enrollment, the undergraduate (returning, non-guaranteed rate) will be assessed. Extended illness and military service will be given special consideration.

The rate guarantee will be extended on a case-by-case basis by invoking the student appeal process. Transfer student rates will be guaranteed.

Tuition and Fees

Please see the separately published document at http://www.csu.edu/financialaffairs/bursar/tuition/.

Installment Payment Plan

Students may pay for their tuition and mandatory fees on an installment payment plan. A non-refundable $50 service fee will be charged to students choosing the installment payment plan, according to the month that the plan begins for the term. Students enrolling under the installment payment plan will also be required to make the initial down payment to the university by the established due date each term or upon registration. Check with the Office of the Bursar each semester for the specific dates of installment payments. A delinquent fee may be charged to students who have not completed full payment of their tuition and fees by the due date of the final payment, and a financial hold will be placed on the students’ records preventing registration for the subsequent semester.

On-Line Payments

Students who wish to pay their bills online can visit the Bursar’s page https://www.csu.edu/financialaffairs/bursar/payment.htm and click the appropriate payment link. For questions, students may call the Bursar’s office at 773/995-2470.

Financial Responsibility (Unpaid Balance)

Any unpaid balance on the student account will prevent registration for additional courses or receipt of grades, diploma, and/or transcripts. Student accounts with unpaid balances are subject to the collection procedures of the University.

Credit Balance Distribution

Refunds based on the difference between institutional charges for the term and loan amounts are direct deposited no later than 14 days after aid is disbursed. The refund calendar is located at https://www.csu.edu/financialoperations/bursar/refunds.htm.

Refunds

Tuition refunds are issued based upon the official date of a course drop or withdrawal. Students can drop a course until the refund deadline for the course. When a course drop occurs, tuition and fees are refunded to the student account and the course is not recorded on the academic transcript.

After the refund deadline, students can withdraw from a course until the withdrawal deadline. When a course withdrawal occurs, tuition and fees are not refunded to the student account and a grade of W will be recorded on the academic transcript. Students should review the Academic Calendar which is located on the CSU website which provides the 100% and 50% refund dates each term.

The University reserves the right to make the final decision on all refunds. Refund questions can be directed to the Bursar Office.

PLEASE NOTE:
For students who received Financial Aid toward their charges and completely withdraw from the University, a calculation will be completed, and all or a portion of the financial aid will be returned to the US Department of Education. If refund was processed prior to withdrawing from courses, a remaining balance will be owed back to the University.

Senior Citizens Courses Act

The Senior Citizens Courses Act (110 ILCS 990/1 and 990/2) states, “Each public institution of higher education shall permit senior citizens accepted for admission to enroll without the payment of tuition in regularly scheduled credit courses.” The act defines a senior citizen as an Illinois resident who is 65 years or older and whose annual household income is less than the threshold amount provided in section 4 of the ‘Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act.’” Consult the CSU Tuition and Fee Waiver Handbook 2022-2023 for more information. Undergraduate admission requirements for senior citizens eligible for the CSU Tuition Waiver can be found under the Admissions Section of this catalog.

Student Health Insurance

Chicago State University is pleased to offer an Injury and Sickness Insurance Plan from a major insurance provider. Full-time students (Undergraduate 12 hours / Graduate 9 hours / Pharmacy 12 hours / Doctorate 6 hours, or more, during each of the fall or spring semesters) are enrolled by the university in a State of Illinois mandated health insurance plan. Students will be billed every semester for the cost of the plan. Students who can provide evidence of equal or better coverage than offered in the plan have the option of waiving this requirement by the cancellation deadline announced prior to the beginning of each semester. NO EXCEPTIONS can be made to published deadlines! For more information please go to the Student Health Insurance web page.

All registered undergraduate students taking 12 or more credit hours, graduate students taking 9 or more credit hours, and doctoral students taking 6 or more credit hours are required to participate in this plan on a hard waiver basis. The fee applies to all on-campus credit hours and to a combination of off-campus and on-campus credit hours. All international students are required to purchase this insurance plan for fall, spring, and summer terms unless they already have a qualifying health insurance plan as approved by the Wellness Health Center. Students will need to provide proof of their current qualified plan each semester they are enrolled in order to waive the mandatory health insurance.

Part-time students taking 6 to 11 credit hours may participate in this plan on a voluntary basis.

Students must actively attend classes for at least the first 31 days after the date for which coverage is purchased. Home study, correspondence, Internet, and television courses do not fulfill the eligibility requirements for mandatory enrollment. Note that students enrolled in all web/online courses are not charged for the insurance plan. The company maintains its rights to investigate student status and attendance records to verify that the policy eligibility requirements have not been met. If the company discovers the eligibility requirements have not been met, its only obligation is refund of premium.

Insured students may also enroll their eligible dependents in the health plan. Eligible dependents are the student’s legal spouse or domestic partner and any dependent children under 26 years of age. To enroll dependents, please visit cougar connect for information on enrolling.

Students are eligible to waive the mandatory health insurance charge if they can provide proof that they are insured under comparable coverage. Students are encouraged to review the plan benefit brochure on the Health and Wellness Center site before completing a waiver form. Students should check their CSU email for the website address and instructions to complete a waiver/enrollment form 72 hours after being enrolled full time. The Office of Student Health Insurance can be contacted if a student has not received the email within 72 hours after registering as full time.

Upon completion of the online process, the student will receive a confirmation of approval or denial via the student’s CSU email. A copy of this email confirmation should be retained for the student’s records. The confirmation email that the student will receive after submitting the online waiver will be required for any waiver dispute. The student must complete a waiver/enrollment form for each fall and spring semester that the student is enrolled full time. The waiver/enrollment form is valid for one semester only. Failure to submit an online waiver form will obligate the student to pay the coverage listed on the student tuition bill. Waiver/Enrollment deadlines are published in the General Information document each semester.

NOTE: Students should not wait until they receive a bill with the insurance charge itemized, or they may miss the deadline to cancel. Cancellation requests are not accepted after the cancellation deadline, which is published in the General Information document each semester.

CTA Ventra Card/U-Pass Card

The Ventra U-Pass Card will provide all eligible full-time students with unlimited rides on CTA buses and trains throughout the duration of an academic term at a reduced cost; the Ventra U-Pass Card eliminates the need to re-issue a U-Pass Card every semester. The Ventra U-Pass Card also allows participating students to ride CTA buses and trains when school is out of session and on Pace buses. A full fare will be deducted from the student’s transit account for these trips. The Ventra fee will be automatically charged to all full-time students. For more information, please contact Ventra U-Pass Card coordinator, Bobbie Stewart, in the University Cashier’s Office at (773) 995-2029 or by email at upass@csu.edu.