Tuition, Expenses and Financial Assistance

Please note: Changes to this page have been made. See the Catalog Addendum  for details.

Graduate Tuition

All credits are charged at the credit hour rate. Please note tuition and fees are reviewed and updated annually.
Please refer to the most current term Course Bulletin for current rates.

Fees

(All fees are non-refundable)

 Graduate Course Fees 

Special Program Fees

Payment Policy

Tuition, fees and all other charges are due as follows by academic term:

You will be required to complete a Student Acknowledgment Statement and Method of Payment Information Form prior to registering for classes each term. The forms are available online via MercyConnect. This information will be used to assist you in completing your payment arrangements each term.

Arrangements for payment in installments may be made with specific monthly payment plan providers or directly with Mercy College. For additional information regarding payment plan option, please contact either the Office of Student Accounts or the Office of Enrollment Services. These arrangements must be made as of the above outlined dates. Payment may be made by MasterCard, VISA, AMEX, Discover or debit cards with appropriate credit card logos. All tuition and fees are subject to change without prior notice. Any student who has an overdue balance will be subject to late fees, and will not able to participate in the registration process, receive transcripts, and remain in residence at the College or use college services and facilities. Students are responsible for balances incurred due to the loss or reduction of financial aid or other credit originally anticipated due to their ineligibility, lack of attendance, incomplete paperwork or for any other reason.

Many Mercy College students may be eligible for Financial Aid in the form of Scholarships, Grants, Loans, and Work Study from Federal, State, Institutional, and/or Private sources. Tuition payment may be deferred based upon anticipated receipt of the awards that have been processed by the Office of Student Financial Services prior to billing due dates and in accordance with the Federal, State, and Institutional Deadlines. All financial aid awards are conditional upon the successful and timely completion of all related and required paperwork. Therefore if, for any reason, financial aid awards are not disbursed, the full balance of tuition and fees is due and payable upon demand to Mercy College. Should it be necessary to place a delinquent account with a collection agency, all fees, including reasonable attorney fees, become the responsibility of the student.

Resident students should be aware that the due dates for their financial arrangements are different from the dates for the at-large student population. Please read the housing agreement carefully.

Notwithstanding anything contained in this catalog, the College administration expressly reserves the right, whenever it deems advisable: (1) to change or modify its schedule of tuition and fees, and (2) to withdraw, cancel, reschedule, or modify any course, program of study, or degree, or any requirements in connection with any of the foregoing. For questions regarding billing or payments please contact the Student Services Support Center at 888-464-6737.

Capstone Continuation Fee

One credit of program tuition

(The fee will be charged each term, beginning with the third term following capstone registration, including summer terms.)
Student can only register for Capstone Continuation for two terms.

Additional fees may be required for clinical/laboratory courses.
Students in the Communication Disorders, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Nursing and Physician Assistant programs may have additional expenses related to clinical experiences. Clinical sites require students to have their immunization titer values taken (typically a minimum of $300) and to have an annual physical examination to participate in the clinical education component of the programs. Professional malpractice insurance (approximately $40/ year) is required, as is an annual CPR certification course. Some settings in which students complete clinical experiences may require the students to complete criminal background checks through the state bureau of investigation, fingerprinting (approximately $100), central registry check for child abuse charges, and/or drug and alcohol screenings. The expenses incurred for this background checks are the student’s responsibility. Some clinical sites may require specific uniforms and students to be immunized with the influenza vaccination.

Census and Aid Disbursement Requirements

The College faculty is required to complete a census of their respective classes by the end of the add/drop period of each session within a given term. The census information is utilized to confirm that a student has attended their registered courses. This information is then utilized during the Financial Aid Packaging Reconciliation Process to confirm financial aid eligibility. Financial Aid eligibility may be adjusted upon the census information. Financial Aid funds will NOT post to respective student accounts until both the Census and Packaging Reconciliation Processes are completed (generally the fourth or fifth week of the term).

Financial Assistance

The general college policy for processing financial assistance for our students is to do so in an efficient, equitable and accurate fashion for all students. Specifically, the Office of Student Financial Services strives to provide access to the maxi-mum number of resources at the maximum value possible for a student to fund their education.

In addition, the Office of Student Financial Services always strives to process all types of financial aid (federal, state, and institutional) in accordance with the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), the NYS Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC), and all other governing association mandated policies and procedures.

Mercy College utilizes the U.S. Department of Education Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine federal and institutional aid eligibility for a given academic year. Eligibility for state funding is determined by the NYS HESC Electronic TAP Application (ETA).

All students requesting financial must file the previously mentioned FAFSA Application. The College recommends that students file this application electronically at www.fafsa.ed.gov. You must include the federal code for Mercy College to ensure that your application is forwarded to both the College and to HESC. The federal code is 002772.

Once the application has been filed with the DOE, the processed application, the resulting Institution Student Information Record (ISIR), is forwarded to the College and to HESC electronically. Upon receipt of the ISIR record, the College will generate a comprehensive financial aid package. This information, along with supporting information will be sent to each student in the form of an official Notice of Award for the academic year. This information will also be available via Mercy Connect.

College will generate a comprehensive financial aid package. This information, along with supporting information will be sent to each student in the form of an official Notice of Award for the academic year. This information will also be available via Mercy Connect.

Students must file a FAFSA Application every year to be eligible for financial aid in a given academic year. The priority filing dates are as follows:

• February 15 for the Academic Year: fall, spring, summer
• February 15 of the fall term only
• October 1 for the spring and summer terms

Meeting the priority filing dates ensures the ability of the Office of Student Financial Services to complete all the required processes to generate a comprehensive financial aid package in a timely manner. Failure to meet the above priority deadlines may result in the loss of federal, state and/or institutional aid.

Financial aid funds are credited to a student’s account when eligibility requirements are satisfied for the given term (generally the fourth or fifth week of the term).

The U.S. Department of Education randomly selects FAFSA applications for a mandated Verification Process. This process requires the College to request, collect and review specific data elements of the received ISIR record. The verification process may result in a revision to a prior comprehensive financial aid package. A revised Notice of Award will be generated and sent to applicable students.

Selected students will be notified in writing by the Office of Student Financial Services of selection for verification. This notice will detail all required documents that must be submitted to the College within two weeks of the date of the notice. Failure to comply with the verification request will result in the loss of all financial aid (federal, state, and institutional) funding. The student will then be responsible for the full balance due on the account.

To maintain eligibility for financial aid in subsequent academic years, a student must meet the following criteria:

1. Re-file the FAFSA and the ETA within the priority deadline.
2. Maintain minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress as defined by the federal and state agencies (detailed further later).
3. Maintain minimum academic requirements for academic scholarships.
4. Maintain minimum enrollment criteria for respective aid programs.
5. Complete and submit all required Verification Processes (if requested).

Federal Financial Aid Programs

The FAFSA application is required to determine potential eligibility for all federally funded financial aid programs. Additionally, a student must meet the following criteria:

1. Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen (Permanent Resident).
2. Have a valid Social Security Number.
3. Be enrolled as a matriculated student in an eligible degree-granting program.
4. Be registered for the selective service (if applicable).
5. Demonstrate need (as defined by the DOE) for the grant, work-study and subsidized loan programs.
6. Not be in default or in an overpayment situation for any federal grant or loan program.
7. Maintain the minimum academic requirements (as detailed later).

The academic eligibility requirements for financial aid are as follows:

1. Maintain a cumulative grade point index during each academic year at or above the minimum standard as outlined in the below detailed chart.
2. Completed the minimum number of degree credits (or greater) as outlined in the below detailed chart.
3. Register for courses that are applicable to the matriculated degree; course work not applicable to the matriculated degree are not eligible for consideration in determining a student’s eligibility for aid.

Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan

Graduate students may borrow up to the cost of education less any financial aid and Federal Stafford Loans each academic year. The interest rate is determined by Congress. Repayment commences 60 days after the final disbursement of the loan in an academic year. However, students are eligible to defer repayment until after leaving school. Students requesting a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan must notify the Office of Student Financial Services of approval of the Federal PLUS Loan and the value of the loan requested. Additionally, the student must complete a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Master Promissory Note (MPN) Graduate PLUS Loan Entrance Interview and submit copies of both the Office of Student Financial Services. Both of these documents can be completed electronically via the Department of Education web site at studentloans.gov.

Federal Loans must be disbursed minimally in two installments (whether the loan is for one term or multiple terms within an academic year). Additionally, Federal Loan funds for newly enrolled students at the College are eligible for disbursement 30 days after the first day of the term (as required by the DOE).

Determination of Attempted Credits and Earned Credits

The College includes all courses attempted at Mercy College plus course work accepted as transfer credit towards the student’s declared major in the quantitative measurement in determining successful SAP. This also includes courses taken via a Consortium Agreement. Earned hours include all courses which a passing grade was received (A, B, C, D). All withdrawn courses (W, FW) and failed courses (F) are counted as unearned hours in the calculation. Repeated courses are counted in the attempted hours and are taken into consideration for the maximum allowed hours for completion toward the degree.

1. Remedial Courses
   Since remedial courses and the remedial component of developmental and compensatory courses do not carry degree credit, enrollment in these courses will not result in the inclusion of the non-credit portion as cumulative attempted credits.
2. Withdrawals
   Withdrawals as part of the program adjustment period will not be included as cumulative attempted credits. Withdrawals which are recorded on a student’s permanent record will be included as cumulative attempted credits and will have an adverse effect on a student’s capability to meet the appropriate standard.
   NOTE: Retroactive “non-punitive” administrative withdrawal activity may result in the requirement for the student to repay any assistance received as a result of the student’s enrollment at the time of receipt of the student assistance funds.
3. Incomplete Grades
   Courses with incomplete grades are included as cumulative attempted credits. However, these courses cannot be used as credits earned toward the degree since successful completion is the criterion for positive credit accumulation. Incomplete grades will be treated as an F when calculating a student’s cumulative GPA for the purpose of determining whether a student has maintained the qualitative standards of satisfactory academic progress. If the student fails to meet the appropriate standard for credit accumulation due to the lack of successful completion grades for these courses, the recording of successful completion grades within a term which brings the accumulated credit level to the appropriate standard will restore eligibility for the term and subsequent terms within the academic year.
4. Repeated Courses—Successfully completed courses can generally be accepted toward degree requirements once. However, each time a student attempts a course, it is included as part of the cumulative attempted credit record. Therefore, repeated courses — regardless of the prior grade — reduce a student’s capacity to meet the appropriate credit accumulation standard.

Evaluation and Notification of Federal Title IV Aid Ineligibility

The Office of Student Financial Services will review all students’ academic records annually at the conclusion of the respective spring term. Students who are not making satisfactory academic progress towards their degree will immediately lose eligibility for future Title IV aid. Students will be notified of their ineligible status via postal mail from the Office of Student Financial Services.

Note: If a student has a grade change or correction to their academic record subsequent to the review process, he/she should notify their Student Services Counselor in writing to request a reevaluation of their Title IV academic progress.

New York State Financial Aid Programs

New York State Regents Professional Opportunity Scholarships

New York State Regents Professional Opportunity Scholarships are offered by the State Education Department for full time study in approved programs leading to licensure in professions designated by the Commissioner of Education. Scholarship winners will receive awards from $1,000 to $5,000 in an academic year for up to four years for educational expenses. A service obligation to practice in the State of New York is expected of any scholarship recipient. Scholarships are awarded for study leading to a Master’s Degree in the following licensed professions: Communication Disorders, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy. For application information, please contact: The State Education Department, Office of Equity and Access, Bureau of Higher Education Opportunity Programs, VATEA, COPS & Scholarships, Room 1071 Education Building Annex, Albany, NY 12234 or phone the office at 888-NYS- HESC.

New York City Department of Education Scholarships

Students accepted into the graduate Communication Disorders, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy programs are eligible for scholarships with the New York City Department of Education. These scholarships are renewable for a second year as funding permits. Students interested in receiving information and an application should call the New York City Department of Education Office of Related and Contractual Services at 212-374-1081.

Qualitative Measure Standards

To maintain the qualitative standards of satisfactory academic progress, students must meet the cumulative GPA at the end of each academic year, as outlined in the charts below. The ‘end’ of an academic year is defined as the end of the spring term of each academic year, regardless of the term an individual student began their studies with the College in a given academic year. Graduate students who have attempted one or more credits must have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA at the end of each academic year.

Quantitative Measure Standards

Cumulative Progress

To quantify academic progress, students must successfully earn credits toward their degree greater than or equal to 67 percent of the credits attempted. For example, if a student has attempted 24 credit hours, they must earn 16 credits of those attempted (16 earned credits / 24 attempted credits x 100% = 67%).

Maximum Time Frame

The number of credit hours for which a student may receive federal financial aid may not exceed 150 percent of the credit hours required to complete the academic program’s published length. For example, if a student is enrolled in a master’s program that requires 48 credit-hours for completion then 72 hours is the maximum number of attempted hours permitted relative to federal student aid eligibility (150% x 48 credit-hours).

Refunds

When a student officially withdraws from any course or courses by filing a formal withdrawal notice (Drop/Add Form) with the Office of the Registrar, refund of tuition will be made according to the below outlined schedule. See the course bulletin for specific refund dates. The date of withdrawal is the date upon which the formal withdrawal notice is received. Withdrawal may be processed at the Office of the Registrar or via the Web at Mercy Connect. Fees are non-refundable once courses begin.

This refund policy may not apply to international students who enter the United States under the terms of their inter-national contract with Mercy College or to students receiving discounted tuition.

Students who have elected to pay on the installment plan are responsible for completing all payments if they withdraw during or after the third week of the term.

Result of Appeal/Reinstatement of Title IV Funding

A student whose appeal has been granted will receive federal financial aid, but will be expected to meet the terms of their Academic Plan to assure that the student is fully meeting the minimum SAP requirements by the end of the academic year. The approval of an SAP appeal is related to the renewal of federal and institutional need-based aid only. Students must meet the renewal criteria of NYS and institutional scholarships for their respective renewal of funding. A student whose appeal has been denied or who has lost eligibility by not meeting the standard without appeal may regain eligibility by leaving the institution for at least one year. Upon readmittance, the student will receive assistance for the terms in the academic year of readmittance and will be subject to SAP evaluation of eligibility at the end of that year.

Students who choose to remain enrolled at Mercy College without the receipt of Title IV Federal Student Assistance may request a review of their academic records after any term in which they are enrolled without such benefits to determine whether the appropriate standards for the degree programs in which the students are enrolled have been met. If the standards are met, eligibility is regained for subsequent terms in the academic year.

Students who choose to remain enrolled at Mercy College without the receipt of Title IV Federal Student Assistance or institutional aid are responsible for all debts owed to the College, including any fees or tuition that may have been incurred during the review process.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

For purposes of determining financial aid eligibility under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, all institutions, including Mercy College, must establish reasonable standards for measuring whether a student is maintaining satisfactory academic progress (SAP). On October 29, 2010, the Secretary of Education published final rules aimed at improving the integrity of programs authorized under Title IV of the HEA. Effective July 1, 2011, institutions must comply with the published regulations that impact SAP. The Office of Student Financial Services has implemented its satisfactory academic progress policy to comply with said regulations.

Mercy College students who do not make satisfactory academic progress towards their degree will not be eligible for the following Federal Title IV aid programs:

Federal Work Study Program
Federal Direct Loan Programs, unsubsidized loans
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan Program

In addition, students who do not meet satisfactory academic progress will not be eligible to receive institutional (Mercy College-based) grants and scholarships. NOTE: Students receiving academic scholarships must also meet the criteria outlined in the initial scholarship notification letter.

The Office of Student Financial Services will review academic records annually after each spring term to monitor that students are making progress towards degree completion. Students are required to maintain qualitative and quantitative standards, and may not exceed the maximum time frame for their program.

Satisfactory Academic Progress for Federal Title IV Aid Appeals

Although federal regulations do not mandate institutions to offer an appeal process, Mercy College has established a Title IV SAP appeal process. Students who have unforeseen extenuating circumstances that prevented them from making SAP may submit an appeal in writing to the SAP Appeals Committee.

A student may initiate the SAP appeal process by preparing and submitting a written Title IV Satisfactory Academic Progress appeal with all substantiating documentation to their Student Services Counselor. The appeal must include (1) a detailed explanation regarding: (a) why the student failed to make SAP (examples of appeal worthy circumstances are: serious physical or mental illness of the student, serious physical or mental illness of a student’s immediate family member, death of a student’s immediate family member and other extreme circumstances) and (b) what has changed that will allow the student to make SAP at the next evaluation, and (2) a SAP Academic Plan, made in conjunction with the student’s Student Services Counselor, that outlines the specific plan/corrective action to improve academic progress. The SAP Appeals Committee will meet and review the student’s submitted documentation. A determination will be made whether the students appeal will be approved or denied. All appeal decisions are final.

Scholarships and Other Financial Aid Programs

Campus Employment

Campus employment is available for students who have demonstrated academic potential and a willingness to earn some of their college expenses. Job assignments are made on the basis of financial need and the skills required for available positions. Students work 12–20 hours per week at the prevailing rate of pay.

College Health Service

Positions are available in the Health Service Office for students in the Graduate Nursing Program. For full tuition reimbursement, students work an equivalent number of weekly hours to the number of weekly hours of instruction.

Communication Disorders

Scholarships, fellowships, and other forms of financial assistance are available for study in speech-language pathology. Interested students should contact ASHA at 800-638-8255 or 301-897-5700.

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistantships are available for students who have demonstrated academic potential and a willingness to earn some of their college tuition. Tuition remission is granted based on the number of hours worked in a specific academic or college department. Interested students should contact the office of the dean of Graduate Studies.

Dr. J. Mae Pepper Graduate Nursing Scholarship

This academic scholarship was established as a living memorial to Dr. J.M. Pepper, Chair of Nursing, 1981–1997. Graduate students who have successfully completed NURS 540 and maintained a 3.5 average are invited to apply. Scholarships are awarded annually.

Graduate Program in Human Resource Management Academic Excellence Award

Graduate students who have successfully completed 27 credits and maintained a 3.5 cumulative GPA are invited to apply. The award is presented at the Graduate Program in Human Resource Management Convocation.

Occupational Therapy

Scholarships, fellowships, and other forms of financial assistance are available for study in Occupational Therapy. Interested students should contact AOTA at 301-652-6611or www.aota.org.

Physical Therapy

Scholarships, fellowships and other forms of financial assistance are available for study in Physical Therapy. Interested students should contact 800-999-APTA.

Nursing, Health, and other Philanthropic Organizations

Scholarships, fellowships and other forms of financial assistance are available for advanced study in nursing from various nursing, health, and other philanthropic organizations. Interested students should contact the director of the Graduate Program in Nursing for further information.

Tuition Reimbursement Plans

Many employers offer tuition reimbursement plans. Contact your employer regarding available assistance.

Veterans’ Benefits

Veterans and their dependents are encouraged to contact the Office of Veteran Affairs for further information.

Treatment of Non-Standard Situations

1. Readmitted Students
   Upon readmission after at least a one-year period of non-reenrollment, the student will receive assistance for the terms in the academic year of readmission and will be evaluated for future eligibility at the end of the spring term against the appropriate standard for the degree program for which the student is enrolled. The student’s previous academic history will be included as part of the calculation. If a student is readmitted after less than one year of non-enrollment, the academic record will be evaluated for satisfactory academic progress under these standards as the record stood at the end of the last term of attendance.
2. Transfer Students
   Transfer students shall have their status initialized for purposes of satisfactory academic progress measurement by using the number of credits determined to be acceptable toward the degree as both the students’ cumulative attempted credits and cumulative earned credits.
3. Second Degree Students
   Students enrolling for a second degree, either baccalaureate or graduate, shall have their status initialized for purposes of satisfactory academic progress measurement by using the number of credits determined to be acceptable toward the degree as both the students’ cumulative attempted credits and cumulative earned credits.
4. Change of Major or Degree
   A student that changes majors within the same degree must complete the program within the maximum time frame allowed for the new program. Students must be mindful not to exceed the 150% maximum time frame when changing majors.

Veteran Administration Education Benefits (VA Benefits)

There are a variety of Education Related Benefits available to Veterans of each of the military branches and their dependents. Mercy College is approved to conduct graduate level programs to Veterans. Benefits generally cover tuition, fees and education related expenses. Detailed information is available from the Offices of Veterans Administration.

William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program (DL Loan Program)

The DL Loan program consists of the following loan products for Graduate students: Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans and Federal Graduate PLUS Loans. Both of these loan products are loans in the name of the student.

The value of the Federal Stafford Loan is determined by Congress. The Federal Stafford Loan values for the 2014– 2015 Academic Year are as follows:

Unsubsidized Stafford Loan $20,500

The aggregate federal loan limit for a graduate student is up to $138,500 as defined by Congress. Graduate student in the Health Professions can borrow up to a total of up to $224,000 as defined by Congress.

The DOE may deduct an origination fee of up to 3 percent for each loan. Repayment of any federal loan begins either six months after leaving school or once a student enrolls less than half time.

The Office of Student Financial Services will automatically determine eligibility for the Stafford Loan Programs upon receipt of the FAFSA application. Eligibility will be communicated to the student via the comprehensive Financial Aid Notice of Award; the information will also be available via Mercy Connect.

The student may accept the offered loan amount by signing and returning one copy of the Financial Aid Notice of Award. Additionally, the student must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and a Loan Entrance Interview (both included with the Financial Aid Notice of Award packet). Both of these documents can also be completed electronically via the Department of Education web site at studentloans.gov.

Federal Loans must be disbursed minimally in two installments (whether the loan is for one term or multiple terms within an academic year). Additionally, Federal Loan funds for newly enrolled students at the College are eligible for disbursement 30 days after the first day of the term (as required by the DOE).

Withdrawal and Federal Return of Financial Aid Policies (as mandated by the DOE)

Mercy College is required to prorate financial aid funding to students that withdraw from the College. This process is required for students who withdraw officially (either in person via the Office of the Registrar or online via MercyConnect) or unofficially (by ceasing to attend).

Students that officially withdraw prior to attending 60 percent of the term are subject to the prorated calculation. The percentage of aid retained will be applied to all institutional charges. The Return of Funds calculation may result in a balance owed to the College by the student. This balance is the full responsibility of the student.

Students who are determined to have unofficially withdrawn from the College during the end of term grading processes will have the Return of Funds calculated as of the mid-point of the term as outlined by the DOE. This Return of Funds calculation may result in a balance owed to the College by the student. This balance is the full responsibility of the student.