Financial Information

Expenses

The expenses at Wheaton are moderate and are kept so by the generous gifts and grants from individuals and foundations and by the income from its endowment. Students pay for about seventy percent of the cost of their education; substantial sums are raised annually by the College to cover the difference between what the student pays and the cost of operation.

The tuition rate includes most miscellaneous items for which separate charges are usually made, such as library, student center, and various student activities. Some limitations apply to part-time students.

Substantial student aid funds are available for many students from College, government, and self-help sources. No student should fail to apply to Wheaton for financial reasons.

All costs listed here are as accurate as possible at the time of publication but could be subject to change.

Undergraduate Costs

Service Charges

Conservatory of Music Fees

Course Fees

Service charges are nonrefundable. Course fees for officially dropped courses are refunded as follows:

• 100% before the end of the second week of the semester
• None thereafter unless approved by the department

Approximate Fixed Costs per Semester

Graduate Costs

Graduate students taking undergraduate courses must pay course fees as listed in the undergraduate costs section. 

Payment Information & Policies (Settlement of Accounts)

All bills are to be paid at the beginning of each semester and received by the established due date shown on each semester bill and in the college calendar. In mid-July and in mid-December, students will receive an email, instructing them to go online and to view and pay their bill. In order for parents to see the bill or statement, the student must sign them up to be an authorized user. Payments can be made online via electronic check (free), and credit or debit cards (a 2.85% service fee will be assessed on this method of payment). Student Financial Services will continue to accept check and cash as other forms of payment.

An unpaid account may result in the cancellation of the student's enrollment and will be assessed a $75 late penalty plus a 1½% charge per month on the unpaid balance.

The admissions deposit will be applied to the student's account upon enrollment.

Wheaton College offers payment plans for students who wish to finance the cost of education throughout the school year. Visit the Student Financial Services website at: https://www.wheaton.edu/about-wheaton/offices-and-services/student-financial-services-office/ contact the Student Financial Services at SFS@wheaton.edu for more information.

Students with unpaid student accounts are not permitted to re-enroll or receive diplomas and transcripts, until their balance is paid in full. These accounts will be subject to credit bureau reporting after enrollment ceases. Past due balances may be turned over to a collection agency. Accounts that are assigned will be responsible for principal, interest, late charges, and collection costs.

Due Dates for the 2019-20 Academic Year

Payment will be due on the first Wednesday of each term. Based on the approved calendar these dates are:

Payment in full is required at least two weeks prior to leaving for overseas programs.

Refunds on Tuition

Effective Dates for Refund. Refunds are computed on the date the course drop application is filed in the Registrar's Office, or on the date of the application for withdrawal given by the Student Development Office. The weeks listed below begin on the first day of the semester regardless of the day a student begins attending classes. No tuition refund will be given after week nine for full semester courses.

Reduction of Load. To decrease a student's load, a drop form with the required signatures must be filed with the Registrar. Full refund is allowed for any resulting difference in tuition charge filed during the first two weeks of the course; and none thereafter.

Withdrawal from College. To withdraw from college during a semester, a student must initiate the withdrawal process (at the Student Development Office for undergraduate students, and the Office of the Director of Graduate Student Care for graduate students) and deliver the completed withdrawal card with the required approvals to the Registrar's Office. See above for the effective date of refund.

Refunds are allowed as follows:

100% before the end of the second week of the semester
80% the third week
70% the fourth week
60% the fifth and sixth weeks
50% the seventh week
40% the eighth and ninth weeks
None thereafter
(For specific dates, see Registrar's calendar in this catalog.)

Part-time students who enroll only in courses scheduled for eight weeks are allowed the following refund: 100% during the first week of the half session; 80% during the second week; 60% during the third and fourth weeks; 40% during the fifth week; and none thereafter.

For the student who has received financial aid, a refund schedule is used which is consistent with the current government regulations. This schedule is published and available to students in Student Financial Services.

Other Refunds

Room. After the semester has begun, refunds will be made on a per day charge.

Board. Refunds will be made on a per day charge from the date the ID meal ticket is returned.

Service charges are not refundable.

Course Fee Refunds.

100% if dropped by the end of the second week of the course;
None thereafter unless approved by the department.
Some course fees have nonrefundable amounts—see description of Course Fees.