FEES AND DEPOSITS

The following information is for the 2008/09 academic year. All fees are subject to revision without notice.

Application Fees

A $35 application fee is required of all first-time graduate applicants applying for admission to the Graduate College. Students applying for readmission are not required to submit a fee. The application fee is non-refundable.  Please apply at: http://graduate.missouristate.edu/60947.htm

Basic Fees

Fees of $214/credit hour (Resident) and $418/credit hour (non-residents) are assessed for all courses carried as graduate students. Additional student service fees are assessed based upon total hours of enrollment. Students who register early are required to make a $60 deposit within 24 hours or as otherwise stated on the registration invoice in order to hold their registration. This deposit will only be applied toward payment of the required student fee. Failure to pay the remainder of the fee will result in forfeiture of the deposit and loss of registration. The deposit will be refunded only if the student is suspended from the University.

Student Service Fees

Student service fees include capital project fees, student art gallery fee, shuttle fee, student involvement fee, computer usage fee, and the health center fee. Fee assessment is based upon credit hours carried ($262 for 6 or more hours).

Late Fees

A $25 late fee is charged to individuals applying for admission after the stipulated time. A $35 late fee is also charged for registering after the stipulated deadline.

Graduation Fee

A $40 graduation fee is required at least 3 weeks prior to commencement.

All students must enroll for a minimum of one semester hour of credit during the semester in which a degree is to be conferred. Any student not enrolled will be assessed a fee of $40.

Other Fees

Automobile registration and a parking permit is required for those who will park on campus. The cost varies according to type of permit: commuter, residence hall, or disabled = $38 per semester or $96/yr.; reserved lots = $150 yr. For more information, please contact the Parking Administration, 700 E. Elm St. (417-836-4825).

Non-Resident Status

A student's residence status is determined at the time of admission according to the policy recommended by the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education and passed by the Board of regents. Copies of tl1is policy are available from the Office of Admissions and Records (417-836-5517).

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistantships are available each year in many departments and administrative offices to assist students with expenses while studying for advanced degrees at Missouri State.

Graduate assistantships are offered in both administrative and academic areas and involve academic, administrative, research, and/or teaching responsibilities. Whenever and wherever feasible, the assistantship assignment is closely related to the student's program of study.

To be eligible for a graduate assistantship, a student must be admitted to a graduate program at Missouri State and must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work, or a minimum of GPA of 3.0 on 9 or more hours of the most recent graduate course work.

Graduate students who did not receive both their primary and secondary education where English was the primary language must meet the following requirements to qualify for graduate assistantships with teaching assignments at Missouri State.

1. Successfully complete one semester of graduate studies at Missouri State, during which they complete cultural orientation to prepare them for such teaching appointment.

2. Pass an Missouri State juried examination in which the candidate must demonstrate his/her ability to interpret written English passages and to communicate orally in English in a classroom setting. Membership of the jury will include one member of the applicant's major department (appointed by that department's head), one member from the Department of Communications and Mass Media, and one other faculty representative (the latter two members to be appointed by the Dean of the Graduate College).

The graduate assistantship provides a minimum stipend of $7,340 for the academic year (nine months) and a tuition scholarship for up to 12 hours of course work for both the Fall and Spring semesters.  In a few situations, a stipend of $9,730 may be available. A graduate assistant is required to complete a minimum of 6 hours of graduate course work (500-700 level) during each semester of an academic year appointment. Students who have served as assistants for the academic year or for the Spring semester are eligible to receive a scholarship for up to 6 hours of course work for the following Summer session. A minimum of 3 of these summer scholarship hours must be graduate credit, and all must be graduate credit if the enrollment is for 3 hours or less.

A limited number of graduate assistantships are also available during the Summer session. A graduate assistant appointed for the Summer session will receive a minimum stipend of $1,835 or $2,432. A Summer graduate assistant is required to complete a minimum of 3 hours of graduate course work during the summer session.

Graduate assistantships are offered in both administrative and academic areas and involve academic, administrative, research, and/or teaching responsibilities. Whenever and wherever feasible, the assistantship assignment is closely related to the student's program of study.

To apply for a graduate assistantship, one must submit an application and three letters of recommendation directly to the department in which an assistantship is sought. Applications are available from the Graduate College, Carrington Hall, Room 306, (417) 836-5335, TDD phone (417) 836-4770.

Scholarships

Basil and JoAnn Boritzki Scholarship. This scholarship is to be awarded to two full-time graduate students in recognition of their academic excellence. To be eligible, a student must be nominated by their department; have a cumulative GAP of 3.50 or above for the most recent four semesters of course work and be enrolled full-time during the semesters the award is given. Contact the Graduate College for further information and application materials.

Loans

Graduate Students with satisfactory academic records may apply for a National Direct Student Loan, usually for no more than $1,000 per year for the purpose of paying college expenses. The University also participated in the Stafford Student Loan program. Loans of up to $8,500 per year are made through local hometown lending institutions upon endorsement by the University. For both loan plans, repayment of principal begins after the individual ceases to be a student.

For further information, contact the Director, Student Financial Aid, Carrington Hall Room 101, ( 417) 836-5262.

Federal Aid Assistance

Some Federal Aid Programs are based on need. To determine eligibility for one or more of these programs, a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit it to the Financial Aid Office by March 31. Applications received after that date may not be processed before the start of the Fall term. Students may request a copy of the FAFSA from the Missouri State Financial Aid Office, 1-800-283-AID.

Student Employment Service

The Missouri State Student Employment Service maintains an active file of permanent and temporary part-time jobs as well as a few full-time employment opportunities. Over 1,500 employers list opportunities each year.

Any currently enrolled Missouri State student may visit the Student Employment Service office in Blair-Shannon Hall, complete an application form, and check the job board for postings of available openings. Counselors are available throughout the day to interview and assist in the referral process.

Although the job market remains extremely competitive, many students have found positions that fit their needs through the Student Employment Service. The office is located in Blair-Shannon Hall Room 113, (417) 836-5382.