Office of Student Account Services

The activities of the Office of Student Account Services encompass billing students, recording payments, processing refunds, coordinating payment plans, collecting outstanding balances, and handling transactions affecting accounts receivable. Each semester the Office of Student Account Services is responsible for ensuring that students have met their financial obligations to the University before being permitted to register for classes, move into residential halls, and receive bookstore authorizations. The Office of Student Account Services is also responsible for ensuring a student does not owe a balance to the University when an official transcript is requested. In addition, the Office of Student Account Services notifies the Office of the Registrar when a student is financially cleared to graduate.

Tuition, Fees, Room and Board Rates

Undergraduate Programs

2021 - 2022 Academic Year Costs

*Students who exceed 18 credit hours will be charged an additional $576.80 per credit hour for each credit that exceeds 18.

**Students who enroll in less than 12 credit hours will be charged $50 per credit hour for fees.

Professional Studies and BC-U Global Online Programs

2021 - 2022 Academic Year Costs

*Students who exceed 18 credit hours will be charged an additional $576.80 per credit hour for each credit that exceeds 18.

*The cost per term for students enrolled in an 8-week Sub-Term B-CU Global Online Interdisciplinary Studies, Criminal Justice or Psychology Program is $250 per credit hour. This cost pertains only to students who have been grandfathered into a Direct Online program.

*The cost for students who are active-duty military is $250 per credit hour.

**Students who enroll in less than 12 credit hours will be charged $50 per credit hour for fees.

Please Note: B-CU Global Online Program students are only assessed a $500 technology fee per term. Active duty military students are not assessed fees.

Note:  Textbooks are not factored in the cost of tuition. However, the majority of General Education Courses are textbook free or access code free.

Room Fee

In order to be considered for on-campus housing, the student must have paid a $200 room fee and have a clear student account.  New students remit the fee to the Admissions Office, as an Enrollment Fee. Once a student checks into the residential hall, all charges will remain on the account, even if the student chooses to move off-campus.  The $200 fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.  The fee is assessed each academic year that a student resides on campus. Payment of this fee does not guarantee a room will be available as rooms are assigned on a first come first served basis. Please refer to the Student Life Section of this Catalog regarding the assignment of on-campus housing.

Enrollment Fee

All first-time students are required to pay a non-refundable and non-transferrable $200 Enrollment Fee the first Semester of attendance.

Graduation Fee

Students are assessed a $125 graduation fee, as part of the graduation requirements to be deemed financially cleared to graduate.

Late Registration Fee

A $100 late registration fee may be charged to the account of any student who fails to complete registration by the end of each Semester’s regular registration period.

The University’s tuition and fee schedules are subject to change by action of the Board of Trustees. However, changes in tuition and fees do not occur during the Semester. Students should obtain a current schedule of tuition and fees from the Office of Student Account Services.

Methods of Payment to Bethune-Cookman University

Before the start of each academic year, the University publicizes the deadlines for students to clear their financial obligations. Payment for charges may be made through the following methods:

• Payments can be made with cash, cashier’s check, money order, or traveler’s check.  Personal checks are not accepted. Cash should never be mailed.  Payments should be made payable to Bethune-Cookman University and include the student’s first, middle initial, and last names, student I.D. number or social security number.  Payments should be mailed to:  Bethune-Cookman University, 640 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida, 32114-3099, Attn: Cashier’s Office.

• Credit Card payments (American Express, Discover, Visa, or MasterCard) can be made online by accessing the Wildcat Web at www.cookman.edu.  Students will need both their B-CU student I.D. & pin numbers in order to access the Wildcat Web. Third party payments to a student’s account can be made online through the following link: http://www.cookman.edu/payment/index.html

• Payments can also be made in person by visiting the Cashier’s Office (located on the first floor of White Hall, the University’s Administration Building), or by calling the Cashier’s Office at (386) 481-2292.

Please note: Receipts for payments mailed to the University are not automatically issued. However, a receipt may be requested by calling the Cashier’s Office at (386) 481-2292; the receipt will be mailed within 10 days of the request. Receipts cannot be issued for payments made through the University’s Website. Receipts may also be picked up from the Cashier’s Office in White Hall Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Non-Payment Policy and Consequences

All tuition and fees must be paid each semester. This includes room, board (meal plan costs), fees and deposits. Any charges unpaid at the end of the previous semester are also due and must be paid before you can re-enroll. If a balance is owed to the University, a hold will be placed on the student’s account, grades and transcripts will not be released, registration will be blocked, or pre-registered classes will be dropped, and room & board can be revoked or canceled. All payments will be applied towards previous debt before applying funds toward your current balance.

Bookstore Authorizations

Any student who has financial aid in excess of their semester tuition, room and board (if applicable), and fee charges may receive a Bookstore Authorization which will allow him or her to purchase their books from the University’s bookstore.

Authorizations are issued only at the beginning of each semester or term. Students are made aware of the time period when they are able to use their Bookstore Authorizations through the University’s Homepage and email systems. Authorizations may also be given for students who have book funds deposited into their accounts that do not originate from the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Bookstore charges are posted to the student’s account, and funds are deducted from either the student’s financial aid or other book deposit funds. Students are permitted to receive an authorization in an amount not to exceed $750. The dollar amount of the authorization is contingent on the student’s available funds. If a student’s financial aid is reduced during the semester, he or she is still responsible for repayment of any purchases made using a Bookstore Authorization. In addition, if a class is added, room assignment received, and/or meal plan is issued after the book authorization has been used at the bookstore, the action may create an account balance.  If this does occur, the student will be responsible for paying the balance.

Book Scholarships

If a student has been awarded a book scholarship, any credit remaining from the scholarship, after books have been purchased, is not refundable to the student unless a refund has been approved by the benefactor.

University Refund Policy for Adjustment to Charges

Dropping Courses

No adjustment is made to tuition charges when a student drops a course after the last day of the Add/Drop Late Registration Period. It is the student’s responsibility to know the last day to drop courses during Late Registration in order to receive a 100% tuition adjustment in any given semester. This information is readily available on the University’s Homepage and through the Office of the Registrar. The Office of Student Account Services’ Staff and Academic Student Success Coaches are also able to provide students with this information.

Withdrawal from the University

Withdrawing from the University is a process that involves several steps, that must be followed in the prescribed order, so as to avoid unnecessary expenses and/or failing grades. When a student officially withdraws from the University, a refund or adjustment to tuition will be calculated, if applicable. Students should familiarize themselves with the following Tuition Refund Schedule:

Fall and Spring Semesters:

1.  100 percent (100%) of tuition charges, if the student withdraws on or before the last day of the Late Registration Period. Room and Board charges are not refundable once a student moves into the residence hall.
2.  Up to 90 percent (90%) of tuition charges, if the student withdraws after the last day of Late Registration but on or before the last day of the second week of classes. Room and Board charges are not refundable, once a student moves into the residence hall.
3.  Up to 50 percent (50%) of tuition charges, if the student withdraws after the second week, but on or before the last day of the fourth week of classes. Room and Board charges are not refundable once a student moves into the residence hall.
4.  Up to 25 percent (25%) of tuition charges, if the student withdraws after the fourth week, but on or before the last day of the eighth week of classes. Room and Board charges are not refundable once a student moves into the residence hall.

First-time students are eligible to receive a 100 percent (100%) adjustment/refund of tuition charges, if they withdraw on or before the last day of the Late Registration Period; a prorated adjustment/refund will be processed, if they withdraw after the last day of Late Registration but on or before the last day of the tenth week of classes. Room and Board charges are not refundable once a student moves into the residence hall.

8-Week Sub-Terms I and II:

1. 100 percent (100%) of tuition charges. if the student withdraws on or before the last day of the Late Registration Period. Room and Board charges are not refundable once a student moves into the residence hall.
2. Up to 90 percent (90%) of tuition charges, if the student withdraws after the last day of Late Registration, but on or before the last day of the first week of classes. Room and Board charges are not refundable once a student moves into the residence hall.
3. Up to 50 percent (50%) of tuition charges, if the student withdraws after the first week, but on or before the last day of the second week of classes. Room and Board charges are not refundable once a student moves into the residence hall.
4. Up to 25 percent (25%) of tuition charges, if the student withdraws after the second week, but on or before the last day of the third week of classes. Room and Board charges are not refundable once a student moves into the residence hall.

First-time students are eligible to receive a 100 percent (100%) adjustment/refund of tuition charges if they withdraw on or before the last day of the Late Registration Period. A prorated adjustment/refund will be processed if they withdraw after the last day of Late Registration, but on or before the last day of the fourth week of classes. Room and Board charges are not refundable once a student moves into the residence hall.

Summer Terms 6 Week Terms I and II:

1. 100 percent (100%) of tuition charges, if the student withdraws on or before the last day of the Late Registration Period. Room and Board charges are not refundable once a student moves into the residence hall.
2. Up to 90 percent (90%) of tuition charges, if the student withdraws after the last day of Late Registration, but on or before the 5th day of classes. Room and Board charges are not refundable once a student moves into the residence hall.
3. Up to 50 percent (50%) of tuition charges, if the student withdraws after the 5th day of classes, but on or before the 8th day of classes. Room and Board charges are not refundable once a student moves into the residence hall.
4. Up to 25 percent (25%) of tuition charges, if the student withdraws after the 8th day of classes, but on or before the 10th day of classes. Room and Board charges are not refundable once a student moves into the residence hall.

First-time students are eligible to receive a 100 percent (100%) adjustment/refund of tuition charges if they withdraw on or before the last day of the Late Registration Period.  A prorated adjustment/refund will be processed if they withdraw after the last day of Late Registration, but on or before the last day of the fourth week of classes. Room and Board charges are not refundable once a student moves into the residence hall.

Summer 10 Week Semester:

1. 100 percent (100%) of tuition charges, if the student withdraws on or before the last day of the Late Registration Period. Room and Board charges are not refundable once a student moves into the residence hall.
2. Up to 90 percent (90%) of tuition charges, if the student withdraws after the last day of Late Registration, but on or before the last day of the first week of classes. Room and Board charges are not refundable once a student moves into the residence hall.
3. Up to 50 percent (50%) of tuition charges, if the student withdraws after the 5^th day of classes, but on or before the last day of the second week of classes. Room and Board charges are not refundable once a student moves into the residence hall.
4. Up to 25 percent (25%) of tuition charges, if the student withdraws after the second week of classes, but on or before the last day of the third week of classes. Room and Board charges are not refundable once a student moves into the residence hall.

First-time students are eligible to receive a 100 percent (100%) adjustment/refund of tuition charges if they withdraw on or before the last day of the Late Registration Period.  A prorated adjustment/refund will be processed if they withdraw after the last day of Late Registration, but on or before the last day of the fourth week of classes. Room and Board charges are not refundable once a student moves into the residence hall.

Adjustments/refunds will be processed by the Office of Student Account Services, if written notice of withdrawal of enrollment from the University is received from the student or designated staff person and approved prior to or no later than the deadline listed for the applicable semester or term.

There will be no adjustments or refunds for tuition, room & board charges, student fees, institutional paid charges, waived charges, bookstore charges, late registration fees, housing assessment fees, or any other fees and fines under the following conditions:

When a student is required to withdraw due to disciplinary action, the student forfeits their legal rights and privileges as a member of the University family. All payments made toward assessed charges are also forfeited. 

In addition, there will be no adjustments or reimbursement of charges or payments in the event the operation of the University is suspended at any time as a result of an act of God, strike, riot, disruption, or for any other reason beyond the control of the University.

Students who withdraw from courses after the Late Registration Period may be eligible for a 100% adjustment/refund of tuition, student fees, and room & board charges (if applicable), bookstore charges & fines/fees excluded if one or more of the following holds true:

1. Student’s involuntary call to active military duty.
2. Death of the student or member of his/her immediate family (parent, spouse, child, sibling).
3. Illness of the student of such severity or duration, as confirmed by a physician, that completion of the semester is not possible.
4. Voluntary or involuntary medical withdrawal requested and deemed necessary by B-CU Administration.
5. Cancellation of the course(s) by the University.
6. Exceptional circumstances, upon approval of the University President or his/her designee.

Return of Unearned Tuition Assistance Funds Policy

Dropping Courses and/or Withdrawal from the University

In compliance with the Department of Defense’s Memorandum of Understanding, Bethune Cookman University (B-CU) has established the below policy regarding the return of Unearned Tuition Assistance Funds when a military service student receiving the benefit drops a course and/or withdraws within a certain time period from B-CU.  In addition, instances when a military service student stops attending due to a military service obligation, B-CU will work with the affected student to identify solutions that will not result in student debt for the returned portion.
 

The return of funds to the Military Department under whom the student is receiving funds will be based on the following schedule:

16 - Week Fall and Spring Semesters:

1.  One-Hundred percent (100%) of the tuition assistance funds will be returned if the student drops or withdraws on or before the last day of the first week of classes.

2.  Seventy-five percent (75%) of the tuition assistance funds will be returned if the student drops or withdraws after the first week but on or before the last day of the second week of classes. 

3.  Fifty-percent (50%) percent of the tuition assistance will be returned if the student drops or withdraws after the second week but on or before the last day of the fourth week of classes.

4.  Twenty-five percent (25%) percent of the tuition assistance will be returned if the student drops or withdraws after the fourth week but on or before the last day of the tenth week of classes.

5.   No funds will be returned if the student drops or withdraws after the tenth week of classes.

8 - Week Fall & Spring Sub-Terms I and II:

1.  One-Hundred percent (100%) of the tuition assistance funds will be returned if the student drops or withdraws on or before the last day of the first week of classes.

2.  Seventy-five percent (75%) of the tuition assistance funds will be returned if the student drops or withdraws after the first week but on or before the last day of the second week of classes. 

3.  Fifty-percent (50%) percent of the tuition assistance will be returned if the student drops or withdraws after the second week but on or before the last day of the fourth week of classes.

4.  Twenty-five percent (25%) percent of the tuition assistance will be returned if the student drops or withdraws after the fourth week but on or before the last day of the fifth week of classes.

5.   No funds will be returned if the student drops or withdraws after the fifth week of classes.

10 - Week Summer Term:

1.  One-Hundred percent (100%) of the tuition assistance funds will be returned if the student drops or withdraws on or before the last day of the first week of classes.

2.  Seventy-five percent (75%) of the tuition assistance funds will be returned if the student drops or withdraws after the first week but on or before the last day of the second week of classes. 

3.  Fifty-percent (50%) percent of the tuition assistance will be returned if the student drops or withdraws after the second week but on or before the last day of the fourth week of classes.

4.  Twenty-five percent (25%) percent of the tuition assistance will be returned if the student drops or withdraws after the fourth week but on or before the last day of the sixth week of classes.

5.   No funds will be returned if the student drops or withdraws after the sixth week of classes.

6 - Week Summer Sub-Terms I and II:

1.  One-Hundred percent (100%) of the tuition assistance funds will be returned if the student drops or withdraws on or before the last day of the first week of classes.

2.  Seventy-five percent (75%) of the tuition assistance funds will be returned if the student drops or withdraws after the first week but on or before the last day of the second week of classes. 

3.  Fifty-percent (50%) percent of the tuition assistance will be returned if the student drops or withdraws after the second week but on or before the last day of the third week of classes.

4.  Twenty-five percent (25%) percent of the tuition assistance will be returned if the student drops or withdraws after the third week but on or before the last day of the fourth week of classes.

5.   No funds will be returned if the student drops or withdraws after the fourth week of classes.

Return of Federal Title IV Funds

When a recipient of federal Title IV grant or loan assistance withdraws (officially or unofficially) from the University during the semester, the University must determine the amount of the Title IV grant or loan assistance (not including Federal Work-Study) that the student earned as of the student’s withdrawal date. Unearned Federal Title IV financial aid funds must be returned to the Title IV Programs.

Keep in mind that when Title IV funds are returned to the program, the student may owe a balance to the institution.

This policy applies to students who withdraw, who are expelled, or who leave the University without notice. The return of funds for these students will be determined according to the following policy:

1. The term “Title IV Funds” refers to the Federal Financial Aid Programs authorized under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (as amended) and includes the following programs: Unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loans, Subsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loans, Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans, Federal Pell Grants, Federal SEOG grants, Federal TEACH Grant.
2. A student’s withdrawal date is:

• The date the student began the institution’s withdrawal process (as described in the B-CU catalog) or officially notified the institution of his/her intent to withdraw; or
• The midpoint in the semester for a student who leaves without notifying the institution; or
• The student’s last date of attendance at a documented academically related activity.

3. Title IV aid is earned in a prorated manner up to the 60% point in the semester.  The amount the student has earned is based on the number of days the student attended classes as compared to the number of days in the entire term which runs from the first day of classes to the published last day of final exams. No adjustment will be made to Title IV aid after the 60% point in the semester.
4. In accordance with federal regulations, when financial aid is received by any student, funds will be returned to the Title IV programs in the following order:

Unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loan

Subsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loan

Federal Direct PLUS Loan

Federal Perkins Loan

Federal Pell Grant

FSEOG

Other Title IV Aid Programs

Other Federal, State, Private, or Institutional Aid

The Student

Refund of Credit Balances

Refunds are processed by the Office of Student Account Services when a student has resolved all financial obligations against their University debts and their student account reflects a credit balance. Students are responsible for informing the Office of Student Account Services of any changes to their addresses.

Bethune-Cookman University delivers your refund with BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc. For more information, visit this link: http://bankmobiledisbursements.com/refundchoices/.

Through the Wildcat Web located on the University’s website, students have access to review their charges, financial aid, payments, credit balances, refunds issued, and/or any balances that may be due.  If a student visits the Office of Student Account Services and requests information about his/her account, the student must present university-issued identification or another form of picture identification.

With the exception of federal Parent Plus loans where the parent has not provided written authorization to refund the loan to the student, to the extent that funds paid to Bethune-Cookman University on behalf of the student exceed the total amount of tuition, fees, and other expenses due from the student, Bethune-Cookman University will refund such excess payments (excluding any non-refundable financial aid) directly to the student, regardless of whether any funds were paid by the student, the student’s parents or any other third party. Bethune-Cookman University assumes no responsibility for remitting such excess payments to any person other than the student.

Parental Refund Authorization Form

If the student’s account reflects a credit balance, that is the result of a Parent Plus Loan or a Sallie Mae Plus Loan, the parent that authorized and signed the loan must submit a notarized Parental Refund Authorization Form to the Office of Student Account Services if the refund is to be issued to the student. Without the form, the refund will be issued to the parent who authorized and signed the loan and will be mailed to the address on the loan application.

However, if a parent has indicated on the Plus Loan application that the credit from the loan may be issued to the student as a refund, then the Parental Refund Authorization Form will not be required.

Credit Balance Authorization Form

A Credit Balance Authorization Form must be submitted, if the student or parent (Plus Loan) is requesting the Office of Student Account Services to hold a credit balance and apply the funds towards the expenses of a future term within the same academic year.  If the Credit Balance Authorization Form is not on file prior to the processing of a refund, the refund will automatically be issued.

Billing Statements

The Office of Student Account Services will generate billing statements several times during an academic year. The statements will indicate all activity on the student’s account and the remaining balance due (if applicable).

E-mail notifications are sent to the B-CU student’s e-mail address and authorized parents when the eBill is available to view online. We encourage students to view the eBill to make sure that you do not have a balance due. A reminder e-mail will be sent to those students/parents who have not viewed the eBill.

Students are encouraged to use the Wildcat Web to review their accounts as it is the students’ responsibility to be aware of any balances that may be due on their accounts.

Collection of Past Due Balances

If a student has a balance due on his/her account, a “hold” will be placed on the student’s account, and the balance must be paid in full before the student will be permitted to register for the next semester, reside on-campus, receive a Bookstore Authorization or be financially cleared to graduate.

When a student has a past due balance and is not enrolled, the student will not be permitted to receive a transcript.  However, a student with a past due balance, who is enrolled at the time a transcript request is made, will be permitted to receive an “unofficial” transcript.

If the balance is not paid within a year of the date that the balance occurred, the student’s account balance owed to the University will be turned over to an outside collection agency. The selected agency will actively pursue the collection of bad debt against the student.

Students should notify the Office of Student Account Services when a balance has been settled. Staff will review the account, and the “hold” will be removed if the balance has been paid in full.

IRS Form 1098-T

The 1098-T Form, also referred to as the “Tuition Payment Statement”, is mailed to the student by Bethune-Cookman University to assist the student, the taxpayer, in determining if the student is eligible to claim tax credits such as the Hope Scholarship Tax Credit or the Lifetime Learning Tax Credit for educational expenses.

The IRS Form 1098-T is mailed to students no later than January 31^st of each year for the previous year.  However, Federal regulations allow those eligible to receive IRS Form 1098-T the option to receive the form electronically instead of through the mail.  As a result, Bethune-Cookman University students will be able to view and print an official IRS Form 1098-T through TSC1099 Web Services rather than wait for the form to be mailed.  When the student gives consent, the student may view the form as soon as it is available each January. 

Following are the benefits of receiving the 1098-T electronically:
Electronic delivery will provide access to Form 1098-T as soon as they become available.
Online delivery eliminates the chance that the 1098-T will be lost or delayed during delivery.
Signing up for online delivery is easy and is available at any time.

Use the following steps below for electronic delivery:
Log in to www.tsc1099.com
In Site ID, type 10703
In Username, type Student ID (leading zeroes not required)
In Password, type Last 4-digits of the student’s Social Security Number (first-time users only)
Click Log In

Please note:  if the student logged in previously or last year, the student will need to use the password created during that time. If the student is not able to remember their password, please click on forgot the password.