Financial information

Tuition and fees

Full-time Undergraduate Students

Full-time enrollment includes 12 - 18 semester hours of credit or audit course work (day, evening, or combination thereof) during standard fall or spring semesters. Note: A student enrolling in more than 18 credits in a standard fall or spring semester will be charged $825 tuition for each credit beyond 18 in addition to the regular full-time tuition.

*Tuition and fees for the 2022-2023 academic year are subject to change. 

Insurance Costs

All full-time and/or residential students are required to have some type of health insurance. Rockford University uses a “mandatory with waiver” system. Students will be charged the health insurance fee, and the fee waived when proof of insurance (copy of card, front and back) and the fee waived when the online waiver form is completed. Contact Lang Center for further information, 815-226-4083.

Insurance costs and procedures for the 2022-2023 academic year are subject to change.

For questions concerning International Health Insurance requirements, contact Lang Center or the Office of Global Affairs at 815-394-5112.

Students participating in intercollegiate athletics must have primary insurance that is not the student insurance plan. Rockford University provides an excess or secondary coverage policy for athletic participation. Students are responsible for purchasing their own primary coverage to participate in athletics.

Room and Board

Residence hall room fees for students attending the full 2022-2023 academic year:

Residence hall board (University meal plan) fees for students attending the full 2022-2023 academic year:

All resident students must sign up for one of the meal plans. All first-year students must sign up for the 19-meal plan. The 19 and 15 meal plan options are based on the number of breakfasts, lunches or dinners a student is entitled to in a seven-day period.  The 175 meals/Block is the number of meals available during the semester.

Part-time Undergraduate and Graduate Students

Part-time students are those enrolled for fewer than 12 credit hours, including tutorials or independent study (see Miscellaneous Fees below) and courses audited.

Aid for Part-Time Students

The part-time student grant provides $150 per credit hour up to $900 per semester to part-time students in good academic standing, and who meet the following criteria:

•    The part-time grant voucher must be completed every semester and is due to Student Administrative Services within 10 days of the start of each semester (the voucher can be obtained by contacting SAS) or visiting the financial aid page of the Rockford University website.

•    Payment in full or an approved payment plan must be received along with the voucher. Limited payment arrangements are available for Summer term due to the length of the term.  Contact SAS to inquire about payment plans for Summer term.

•    The part-time grants do not apply to students in the Adult Accelerated programs, MAT or M Ed programs or other programs with a discounted tuition rate.

Undergraduate students who are receiving any form of financial assistance, including, but not limited to grant, scholarship, discounted tuition, loans and tuition remission or employer reimbursement, are not eligible.

Adult Accelerated Undergraduate Programs (BSMS)

Tuition for adult accelerated undergraduate programs is cohort based. The tuition rate for courses in an accelerated program for new cohorts beginning in Fall 2022 is $475 per credit hour.

Other fees

Special Instruction Fees

These special instructional fees are charged in addition to the appropriate tuition and are non-refundable unless the student withdraws prior to the first day of class (except for private music lessons).

Private music lessons (12 half-hour sessions/per credit hour) $300
Music practice room rental, if not registered for private music lessons (per semester) $ 25
Student teaching (400-level) supervisory fee $300
Student teaching (500-level) supervisory fee $300
Recreational field experience supervisory fee $100
Independent study fee (per credit hour) $ 35
Tutorial fee (per credit hour) $ 70

Note:  Fees for independent study, tutorials, private music lessons and student teaching supervision are charged where applicable in addition to the appropriate tuition.

Miscellaneous Fees

These non-refundable miscellaneous fees are applicable to all students in the appropriate categories:

Junior Year Abroad, U.N. Semester & Washington Semester application fee $ 25
Late registration fee (after standard period) $100
Transfer credit acceptance fee (per course) $ 20
CEEB Placement Exams fees Publisher’s cost
RU credit by exam (per exam or course) - Undergraduates $ 50
RU credit by exam (per exam or course) - Graduates $150
Graduation application fee (cap & gown not included)
Undergraduates $ 50
Graduates $115
Credential processing (per set) $ 3
Copy of official transcript $ 5
Replacing student identification card $ 30
Diploma replacement
Within a year of graduation $ 20
More than one year after graduation $35
Returned check fee $ 25 

Audit Fees

Permission to audit a course will not be granted if auditors would displace students who are taking the course for credit. The following fee schedule applies:

Full-time students No additional cost
Part-time students $50 per credit hour 
Community audit $50 per credit hour
Alumni and senior citizens (55 and up) $50 per course

Note:  Students must pay all applicable registration and course (studio, laboratory, etc.) fees.

Late Registration

Students are expected to register at the times and places announced by the registrar. Registration is not considered complete until students’ accounts show all charges have been paid or arrangements for payment have been made.

Students who have not paid or not made satisfactory arrangements for payment may be dropped from classes by the SAS office and the student will remain responsible for any amount outstanding. Students may appeal any outstanding balance to the Assistant Vice President for Student Administrative Services (SAS). Students who register after the scheduled registration period may be required to pay a $100 fee for the registration process.

Payment of Fees

Rockford University students are billed each semester in advance. The billing for the fall semester will normally be prepared and mailed July 1 and is due August 1. The billing for the spring semester will normally be prepared December 1 and is due January 1. Students’ registrations are not complete until their accounts have been paid or payment has been fully arranged. A number of payment plans including a monthly payment option, employer tuition assistance, loans, MasterCard, VISA or Discover are available through consultation with the Student Administrative Services (SAS) office. Payments can also be made over the phone by contacting SAS or through your Self-Service account. 

Checks should be made payable to Rockford University and addressed to the address below: Office of Student Administrative Services
Rockford University
5050 E. State St.
Rockford, IL  61108-2393

Students who are receiving employer assistance are required to submit an Employer Reimbursement request to the SAS office each semester prior to the first class period of the semester.  Financial clearance is required for class attendance and residency at Rockford University, and participation in Rockford University activities. No grades, diploma, certificate or transcript will be granted to students who have indebtedness to Rockford University.

Rockford University Payment Plan

Rockford University attempts to provide for all students financial aid packages sufficient to meet their entire financial need. However, for those students who remain personally responsible for paying a portion of their Rockford University costs, the following option is available:

Rockford University offers a payment plan that allows students/families to pay their balance in monthly installments. There are no interest charges; however, a $50 per semester enrollment fee and the first full payment must accompany a signed contract. Monthly installments can be paid by VISA, MasterCard or Discover cards or by cash or personal check. Additional information is available from the Student Administrative Services office.

Schedule of monthly payments that fall 10 days past due may be assessed a late fee of 1.5 percent. Account balances after the due date that are not covered by scheduled loan disbursements, employer tuition assistance or veterans benefits may be assessed a late fee of 1.5 percent of the balance until paid in full. Additional information on alternative loan options is available from the SAS office.

Employee/Employer Reimbursement

Students who are receiving employer assistance are required to submit an Employer Reimbursement Authorization Form prior to the first class period of each semester.
Students who are receiving employer assistance and also want to have their tuition payment deferred until the end of the semester are required to submit the Tuition Deferment Form prior to the first class period of each semester. Ultimately, Students are responsible for full payment of accounts. 

Refund Policies

Students can receive full refunds of prepaid tuition, fees, and room-and-board costs (less the non-refundable deposit and registration fee) if they present written notice of withdrawal at the SAS office before the last drop date. Refer to academic calendars. Students who withdraw after classes begin receive refunds based on the following schedule.

Important: Students receiving financial aid should confer with the SAS office to determine how their financial aid will be affected before they change their status. Students who withdraw from all classes after the last day to withdraw with a refund will be subject to removal of Title IV aid based on results from the U.S. Department of Education.

Tuition refunds for fall, 2022 will be made on this basis:
Through Aug 30, 2022 100% of tuition
After Aug 30, 20212 No refund

Tuition refunds for spring, 2023 will be made on this basis:
Through Jan 23, 2023 100% of tuition
After Jan 23, 2023 No refund

Refund policies for summer, 2023 are as follows:
If you withdraw before 3rd class date 100% refund 
If you withdraw on or after 3rd class date No refund

Appropriate refunds will be made by check within 45 days of receipt of a request for refund. Refunds of board (meal) and room charges will not be refunded after the last date to drop. No refunds will be made for temporary absence during the regular school year. For information concerning board and room refund policies, contact the Student Administrative Services office. Special instructional fees will not be refunded unless students withdraw before the first day of class. No refund will be made of the tuition deposit or the $100 registration fee.

Cash advances will not be distributed until a student’s account reflects a credit balance (all financial aid has been applied). Subsequent to the add/drop period, students having a credit remaining will have the option of leaving the credit on account or receiving a check for the total credit. A “Request for Refund” form must be completed at the SAS office.

The University reserves the right to dismiss any student whose conduct is not satisfactory in any area of university life (under procedures stated in the Rockford University Student Handbook). No refund of tuition, room, board or fees is made in such cases.

Students may appeal any refund policy decision to the director of Student Administrative Services.