COLUMBIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY'S
FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Tuition-- Methods of Payment

Tuition is payable in U.S. Funds. Columbia Southern University accepts Checks, Money Orders, Visa, Mastercard and American Express.

Payment Options

CSU offers two enrollment/tuition options: Per-Course Enrollment/Per Course Rate and Term Enrollment.

#1. Per Course Enrollment Full Payment. Payments may be paid by check, money order, or credit card.

#2. Per Course Enrollment Plan: Students may pay their tuition split over two payments and have it automatically charged to a credit card. Half of the tuition due is charged to a credit card upon enrollment and half of the tuition due is charged to a credit card in 4 weeks.

#3. Term Enrollment: Students may pay their tuition due for the term in full or may split the tuition over two payments. The payments are automatically charged to a credit card.

#4. Military Tuition Assistance: Tuition assistance is available for all active and some retired military personnel through either TA, DANTES or VA (retired) Benefits. Students using VA Benefits must enroll in the Term System.

#5. Corporate Direct Billing: Approved company or government tuition vouchers or purchase orders must accompany enrollment agreements.

#6. Financial Aid
SLM Financial, a Sallie Mae company, helps students and families achieve their education goals through its student loan division. Click here for details.

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CSU's Refund Policy

TUITION REFUND POLICY: If CSU is notified of cancellation within 5 calendar days of the day on which the Enrollment Agreement is signed/submitted, all money paid to CSU will be refunded. All students withdrawing after five calendar days will be charged a 20% Registration Fee (maximum $200). The remaining tuition will be refunded based on the course date and the tuition percentage amounts listed below.

1st Week 80%
2nd Week 60%
3rd Week 40%
4th Week 20%
5th Week 0%

COURSE COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS: A course must be completed within ten-weeks (70 days) from the course start date. A course start date is defined as ten days from the date the course study guide is shipped to the student. If the student chooses to take the course online, the start date will be one day after the student is granted access.

COURSE EXTENSION: Any student not completing his/her course in the ten-week timeframe allotted will have the option to request an extension from the University. The University must receive this request within one week of the end of the original ten-week period. The extension will provide an additional 30 days in which the student will be allowed to complete the course. For each course that a thirty-day extension is requested there will be a $50 fee. A maximum of two thirty-day extensions are allowed for each course. Students who do not complete the course on which the extension was granted within the extension period requested will receive an "I/F" (incomplete/fail) for this course. In such instances, the course must be taken over again in its entirety and the student will be required to pay full tuition of the course.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE (LOA): An LOA effectively places a student’s program on "hold" for a period of six months. During this period of time, all financial and all academic obligations are suspended until such a time as the LOA period expires or the student alerts the University that he/she is ready to resume their studies. Upon returning from a Leave of Absence, students have what time remains in the ten-week period allotted for course completion from the time the LOA began. A Leave of Absence will only be awarded on the basis of extenuating circumstances, i.e., illness, prolonged hospital stay, death of immediate family member, etc. Requests for LOA status must be made in writing. If granted, the fee for this status will be $50.

CONTINUANCE FEE: A $100 Continuance Fee will be charged to any student who does not enroll in a new course within 6 months after the completion date of the last course taken.

INACTIVE STATUS: Students who do not submit any coursework within a twelve-month period will be considered inactive and any tuition being held by the University will be forfeited. Students wishing to return to their studies must be re-evaluated and will be subject to any changed academic requirements, tuition increases, and policy changes in force at the time of re-enrollment. The student will also be assessed a $25 Re-evaluation Fee and a $100 Re-enrollment Fee.

CSU Book Grant

Through this grant, texts are provided at no charge. CSU will automatically ship new or used textbooks to the student after processing the Per Course/Term Enrollment. If the same textbook is used in more than one course, the textbook will only be provided once. If a student does not complete the course with a passing grade, course textbooks must be returned (new books must be in "like new" condition). If textbooks are not suitable for return, the student will be responsible for the cost of the text and CSU may charge the credit listed on this agreement. The grant covers the cost of ground domestic shipping only. Students must pay in advance for additional cost of other shipping options.

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Applicant/Student Fees

Fees are charged when services are rendered. Application fee $25 domestic; $50 international; Online Library Fee $20; Graduation Fee $75. Optional Fees: Priority Evaluation Fee $25; Portfolio Assessment Fee (Experiential Learning) $100 per credit hour; Fee for additional transcript $10; Change of Degree Program Fee $150; Change of Concentration Fee $75; 30 Day Course Extension Fee $50; Continuance Fee $100; Leave of Absence Fee $50; Extra Credit Assignment Fee $50; Return check fee $25.
Fees are non refundable.

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