Costs and Financial Assistance

Expenses and Fees

Course costs are based on the number of credits per course. All payments must be made by bank money order, postal money order, cashier’s check, personal check, Discover, MasterCard, VISA, or American Express. No cash is accepted unless it is $10 or under for official transcripts, course descriptions, etc. Costs below are current as of the publication date of this catalogue and are subject to change.

* Tuition waivers are based on $105.00/Graduate credit
** May be waived online: www.universityhealthplans.com - excludes online courses

Competitive Program Deposit for Masters of Arts in Psychology, Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis, and Master of Social Work

Due to the competitive nature of these programs, we require a nonrefundable “competitive program deposit” of $150.00 within 10 days of acceptance. This deposit is used to ensure your space in the program. The deposit is applied to your first registration as a matriculated student in the Fall semester immediately following your acceptance. If we do not hear from you within 10 days, we will assume you have selected an alternate direction, and we will close your matriculation.

Delayed Payment

The Division of Graduate and Continuing Education offers a “delayed payment” program for matriculated students that allows for payment of tuition over a period of time during the semester. Students must meet the following requirements to participate in the program:

1. Matriculation in a degree program through the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education;
2. Application to Delayed Payment Program and payment of processing fee (non-refundable);
3. Ability to pay within 60 days of registering into a regular semester and within three weeks into any summer semester,
4. Students must follow all regulations regarding withdrawals as stated in the Division’s refund and withdrawal policy, and are responsible for total payment even if students withdraw before the end of the semester and regardless of grades achieved;
5. No student may apply for delayed payment who has been sent to a Collection Agent or placed in Administrative Withdrawal.
6. Consequences of non-payment:
   • $10 per month penalty charge.
   • Placement in Administrative Withdrawal (no grades, transcripts or diplomas will be released and students may not register for further classes at the University until their obligation has been satisfied.)
   • Student accounts turned over to a Collection Agent will be charged an additional 40% of their unpaid balance.

Financial Aid

• Financial Aid is NOT available for students in C.A.G.S. programs.
• Information regarding all forms of financial aid for Westfield State University students and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are available at the Student Administrative Services Center, 577 Western Avenue (first floor west). For further information, please call (413) 572-5218. Please note that Financial Aid administered by the university, regardless of the funding source, requires that students are matriculated into a program and are in good academic standing.

Federal Subsidized Loan

• FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) must be filed to determine eligibility,
• available to students who demonstrate financial aid need,
• variable interest rate, capped at 8.25%,
• Federal Loan Limit for graduate students: $8,500,
• student pays origination and guarantee fee of 4%,
• principal and interest deferred while student is enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits / term (12 / year).

Federal Unsubsidized Loan Program

• FAFSA must be filed to determine eligibility,
• program allows all students regardless of income to obtain a student loan,
• student pays the interest only during in-school and deferment periods,
• student also pays an origination and guarantee fee of 4%,
• variable interest rate, capped at 8.25%.,
• Federal Unsubsidized Loan limit for graduate students: $10,000.

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate Assistantships are awarded through the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education to students who have superior academic records, who are matriculated in a graduate degree program, and are registered for a minimum of six semester hours with preference to full-time study (9-12 semester hours).

The assistantships are designed to serve the needs of the university’s graduate programs and to assist in the development of the student. The duties of the graduate student may be to assist in instruction, research or administrative duties and will vary according to the department’s individual needs. Graduate Assistants contribute to specific programs and serve the Graduate Division, as well. Applications are available in the Graduate Office (577 Western Ave, first floor east) and the application deadline is listed in each semester’s catalog.

Appointments to assistantships are made during the Fall and Spring semesters. Half-time assistantships carry a $1,000 stipend and up to 6 credits of tuition and instructional fees per semester; full-time assistantships provide a stipend of $2,000 and 9-12 credits of tuition and instructional fees per semester. In the first case, the student works 7-8 hours per week and must register for at least six (6) credits per semester. In the second case, the graduate student contributes 14-16 hours per week to the assigned department and must take a minimum of nine (9) credits per semester. Graduate Assistants pay registration and education service fees.

For specific information see the DGCE Course Catalog published each semester.