Fees and Financial Support
There are many opportunities for financial aid. To ensure that you will benefit, contact us either at the Graduate School or at the Financial Aid Office to talk about what opportunities may be available to you.
Residency
Each graduate student is classified as a resident or nonresident for tuition purposes at the time of admission to the University. The decision, made by the Graduate School, is based upon information furnished by the student's application and any other relevant information. Nonresident undergraduates continuing directly to the Graduate School will be classified as nonresidents.
All applicants claiming New Hampshire residency are required to have been legally domiciled in New Hampshire continuously for at least twelve months immediately prior to registering for the term for which in-state status is claimed.
Students admitted from states other than New Hampshire or from foreign countries are considered nonresident throughout their entire attendance at the University unless they shall have acquired bona fide domicile in New Hampshire. Changes in residency for enrolled students as well as appeals are reviewed by the Registrar's Office and will only occur if the student can clearly establish that his or her residence in New Hampshire is for some purpose other than the temporary one of obtaining an education at the University.
The burden of proof in all cases is upon the applicant. In all cases, the University reserves the right to make the final decision as to resident status for tuition purposes. The University rules governing tuition rates are fully set forth in the application for admission package; all students are bound by them.
New England Regional Student Program
The University of New Hampshire participates in the New England Regional Student Program administered by the New England Board of Higher Education. Under this program, admitted graduate students from New England may qualify for regional tuition rates (New Hampshire resident tuition, plus 50 percent) if the program to which they are admitted is one that is not available at any of their home state/public institutions. Inquiries and requests for further information may be directed to the Graduate School or to the New England Board of Higher Education, www.nebhe.org. This tuition rate does not apply to students who are eligible for New Hampshire resident tuition rates.
Sub-Degree Exchange Program
The Graduate School participates in a sub-degree exchange program sponsored by the New England land-grant universities. The program is designed to provide any admitted student at one of the six land-grant universities access to the full range of talent and resources available in the region. Under the agreement, graduate students may, with the approval of the dean of the Graduate School at UNH and the graduate dean of the host university, take advantage of courses or other special resources not available at UNH. Specific information about the program may be obtained from the Graduate School.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees are established by a vote of the Board of Trustees. Approval normally occurs between April and July. The current academic year rates are published annually on the University's Web site. Mandatory fees for all students include a Memorial Union fee, which funds the personnel, programs, and maintenance of the building; a health and counseling fee, which funds University Health Services and the Counseling Center; a recreation fee, which funds recreational sports facilities; a technology fee, which funds technology services and support for students and faculty; and a transportation fee, which funds transportation services on the Durham campus. The services and facilities are available to all and students are required to pay all mandatory fees charged regardless of actual usage of the programs and services. Mandatory fee charges are based on registration status--full- or part-time fees, depending on number of credit hours. Students enrolled in pre-designated evening-only programs do not pay the health and counseling fee. Students enrolled in 4 credits or less pay the technology fee only.
Tuition and fees are due by the published deadline, and students are not considered registered until they have paid. UNH no longer sends bills through the mail--students receive bills through Webcat, a part of MyUNH (Blackboard), the student portal. E-mails are sent to students' UNH-assigned e-mail address when new bills are posted. Payment may be made online or mailed--check, credit card, cash or wire is accepted. Late fees may be assessed on balances remaining unpaid by mid-semester.
Graduate tuition and fees apply to admitted graduate students enrolling for courses, graduate or undergraduate, at the University during the academic year. Admitted graduate students planning to enroll for UNH courses through weekend or executive programs during the summer session, or through the Center for Graduate and Professional Studies should consult the relevant publications for information regarding tuition and fees.
Mandatory Fees
The University of New Hampshire assesses mandatory fees to support expenses associated with the participation in an academic community. Mandatory fees are defined as fees that all students are assessed as a prerequisite for registration unless specifically exempt. Mandatory fees are assessed because the services made available through such fees benefit the overall educational experience of the students, including academic, co-curricular, health-related, and recreational programs. It is recognized that not all students will use the benefits and privileges made available by fee-supported activities to an equal extent. The services and facilities supported by fees are available to all. The special circumstances of part-time and graduate students is reflected in the University's fee structure.
Fee Structure
Full mandatory fees are assessed to undergraduate and graduate students registered for 9 or more credits, national student exchange students, doctoral research and master's continuing research students. Students registered for 5-8 credits are assessed one-half of the cost. Students registered for 1-4 credits are assessed only the Technology Fee. Students enrolled in Manchester campus programs pay Manchester mandatory fees.
The mandatory fee includes:
- Memorial Union fee for the use and administration of the student union
- Recreational fee for support of recreational facilities
- Student activity fee for support of the undergraduate newspaper, yearbook, student government, student lawyer, student radio station, and other student organizations
- Athletic fee to provide support for athletic programs
- Health and counseling fee to provide general health care through University Health Services
- Technology fee to provide electronic tools to students both on and off campus
- Transportation fee to provide student transportation services, including select infrastructure improvements, transit service, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, and ride services
- SHARPP fee to support the University's efforts to address issues of sexual and domestic violence
Students who withdraw or drop to part-time status after classes begin are eligible for full or partial refund of fees. (100 percent will be refunded before the first day of classes; 75 percent during the first week of the semester; 50 percent after one week and within 30 days; and none thereafter.)
Exceptions
Students enrolled as majors in the UNH Center for Graduate and Professional Studies are assessed the Manchester mandatory fees.
Students participating in a UNH Study Abroad Program or internship outside the immediate geographic area (75-mile radius) for a semester may petition for a waiver of mandatory fees, with the exception of the technology fee.
All graduate students are exempt from the student activity and athletic fees. Graduate students enrolled in weekend/executive programs on the Durham campus are exempt from mandatory fees except the technology fee.
Graduate students enrolled in evening-only programs, as approved by the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs or his/her designee, are exempt from the Health Services and Counseling fees.
Doctoral students who have achieved candidacy may petition for a waiver of the mandatory student fees. A waiver will be granted under the following circumstances:
- The student must be advanced to candidacy and enrolled only in 999 prior to the beginning of classes.
- The student cannot be on an assistantship or fellowship, unless such support covers research that is being conducted out of the geographic area (75 miles).
- The student has recently relocated and/or permanently resides out of the immediate geographic area (75 miles) prior to the beginning of classes. The 75-mile radius may be waived if the student is not receiving University support, has met the one-year residency requirement, is working full-time and will only be on campus sporadically to meet with his or her adviser, or if the student has completed all requirements for the degree prior to the end of the drop/add period (end of the third week).
- The student is temporarily out of the region (75 miles) for at least one semester, conducting research related to his or her dissertation.
- The student has a family emergency, illness, or has provided the dean of the Graduate School other information to warrant an exception. (Information will be provided with the petition as appropriate.)
Authority
Any conflicts resulting from this procedure will be adjudicated by the provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs and the vice president for Finance and Administration or his/her designee.
Special Fees
Differential Tuition
Students majoring in accounting, computer science, economics, and engineering will be charged a tuition differential. Students in these programs who are registered for Doctoral Research (999) or Masters-Continuing Research (GRAD 900) are considered full time and pay the full tuition differential. The current academic year rates are published annually.
Continuing Enrollment Fee
Students registered for Continuing Enrollment (GRAD 800) will pay a continuing enrollment fee. This fee will be waived for students who subsequently register for course credits or research within the semester.
Master's Continuing Research Fee
Master's students registered for Master's Continuing Research (GRAD 900) will pay a continuing research fee plus full mandatory fees.
Doctoral Research Fee
Doctoral students in residence and registered for Doctoral Research (999) will pay a doctoral research fee plus full mandatory fees. Students who register for coursework in addition to Doctoral Research will pay the appropriate additional tuition charges up to the appropriate maximum tuition rate for full-time students. Doctoral candidates not in residence who are conducting their research away from the Durham campus may petition for a waiver of the mandatory fees.
Other Charges and Fees
Overload
Graduate students are charged full tuition plus the appropriate course charge for each credit beyond 16, if registered for more than 16 credits 30 days after the semester has begun. (No refund will be made if a student subsequently drops a course, reducing his or her course load to 16 or fewer credits.) Tuition waivers awarded with assistantships and scholarships do not cover charges for overload.
Zero-Credit Seminars
Seminars for 0 credit are billed as if they were for 1 credit.
Audit
Charges for auditing a course are the same as those for taking it for credit.
Late Fees
A $25 late registration fee is charged to students who register after the last day scheduled for graduate registration. Late fees are also charged for changes in registration as follows: A $25 fee is charged for each course dropped after the third Friday of classes; a $25 fee is charged for each course added after the third Friday of classes. The late-add fee is charged in addition to the reinstatement fee when students register after the third week of classes. A change of section (within the same course) is accomplished by a "drop" of one section and an "add" of another section. The fee will not be assessed for the add portion of a late section change but the $25 drop fee will still apply for the drop portion of the late section change. Late fees are also charged on accounts remaining unpaid by mid-semester.
Reinstatement Fee
A reinstatement fee is charged to any student who has his or her degree status discontinued and subsequently petitions to be reinstated during the same semester that the action to discontinue the degree status was taken. This fee will not be waived.
Registration Fee
Part-time students (i.e., those registering for 1 to 8 credits) pay a nonrefundable registration fee.
Student Health Benefits Plan
Health insurance is required as a condition of enrollment for full-time degree students at the University of New Hampshire beginning with the 2007-2008 academic year. Students will have the option of waiving this requirement if they present proof of adequate coverage; alternatively, students can acquire an affordable health benefits plan sponsored by the University. Information about the University's Student Health Benefits Plan can be found at www.unh.edu/health-services/shbp. Students with F-1 or J-1 visas are required to enroll in the UNH Student Health Benefits plan. They are not eligible to waive coverage.
Refunds
Tuition and mandatory fees are refundable during the academic year in accordance with the calendar published by the Registrar's Office (UNH Academic Calendar). Students receiving federal financial aid will have their refund calculated in accordance with the U.S. Department of Education regulations in effect at the time of their withdrawal. Specific details regarding the regulations are available in the UNH Financial Aid Office.
Financial Assistance
Several forms of financial assistance are available to graduate students through the Graduate School and individual departments, most of which are awarded for an academic year commencing in the fall. To be eligible for any assistance, the student must first be admitted to the Graduate School. In most cases, the application for admission with supporting documents serves as the application for new graduate students for the scholarship and assistantship programs available to them. In other cases, individual departments have their own application forms. Students are advised to contact individual programs for more information about assistantships and scholarships, and any departmental application forms.
Scholarships and Fellowships
Graduate Scholarships for Merit
The Graduate School awards six scholarships annually to recognize the outstanding contributions of both master's and doctoral students for their teaching and scholarship. Availability and criteria for award of these scholarships are announced annually by the Graduate School.
Scholarships for Full-Time Students
Students who are full-time may be granted full or 1/2 tuition scholarships for the academic year or semester. These awards provide for waiver of tuition and are subject to the maintenance of a high scholastic record in the Graduate School. Application is made to the student's department or program.
Scholarships for Part-Time Students
Students who are part-time may be granted tuition scholarships, which provide a partial waiver of tuition charges. The scholarships are awarded each semester of the academic year. Applications are available at the Graduate School. University employees or family members who are eligible for staff benefits are not eligible to receive scholarships for part-time students.
Graduate Fellowships
The Graduate School offers a number of fellowships to entering students to assist programs in recruiting a high-quality and diverse student body. Availability and criteria for these fellowships are announced annually by the Graduate School. Students are nominated by their respective program coordinators.
Dissertation Fellowships
Dissertation fellowships for a maximum tenure of one academic year are available on a competitive basis to doctoral students who have been advanced to candidacy. These awards include a stipend and a waiver of the doctoral research and mandatory fees for the period of the award. Application is made to the dean of the Graduate School.
Summer Fellowships for Teaching Assistants
A limited number of summer fellowships are awarded to students who have held graduate assistantships involving teaching during a previous academic year. Application is made to the dean of the Graduate School.
Graduate Appointments 2009-2010
The University offers a variety of forms of financial assistance to graduate students in support of their efforts to obtain a graduate degree. Graduate appointments are made to post-baccalaureate students who have been regularly or provisionally admitted to the Graduate School and who have been recommended by the appropriate department or program and approved for appointment by the Graduate School. Appointments are normally for one academic year and may be renewed provided that funds are available and that the student's academic performance, as well as performance in carrying out the responsibilities of the appointment, is satisfactory.
Graduate Assistants: Graduate assistants are students who provide instructional or administrative support as specified by the appointing department and are normally supported by university funds.
Graduate Part-time Lecturers: Graduate part-time lecturers are students who because of their specific expertise are appointed to teach one or two courses per semester and are normally supported by university funds.
Graduate Interns/Trainees: Graduate interns/trainees are students who are assigned to a specific project or subject area to acquire additional learning experiences and are normally supported by external funds.
Graduate Fellows: Graduate fellows are students who have been awarded a fellowship normally through an external grant to the University of New Hampshire or directly to the student. Appointment will normally not exceed one fiscal year and may be renewed in accordance with the terms of the fellowship program.
Graduate Research Assistants: Graduate research assistants are students who are appointed to conduct research on grants supported by the Agricultural Experiment Station, or external grants and contracts.
Graduate Supplemental Appointments: F-1 and J-1 students on full assistantships may not accept additional appointments while school is in session. All other graduate students on appointment in one of the above categories may supplement their regular appointments for up to an average of 10 hours per week (20 hours per week when school is not in session 12/19/2009 - 1/25/2010 and 3/13/2010 - 3/21/2010). Such appointments may be processed as stipends or hourly. Assistants who serve at TA's during the January term receive a supplemental appointment if the workload exceeds the 20 hours they are normally expected to work.
Graduate Stipend Only Appointments: Graduate stipend only appointments may be made to students during the academic year under one of the above categories. Students on such appointments have responsibilities of less than those of students on regular graduate appointments; have a workload of less than those of students on regular graduate appointments, and receive a lower stipend than students on regular graduate appointments.
Graduate Hourly Appointments: Graduate hourly appointments are appointments made to students in support of the instructional, administrative or research activities of the university. Students on such appointments have responsibilities of less than those of students on regular graduate appointments.
Graduate Summer Appointments: Graduate summer appointments are appointments made to students during the summer in one of the above categories. Students on summer appointments may work for up to forty hours per week. Graduate students working full time on research or combined teaching and research for the entire summer earn 2/3 of their prior academic year stipend. Appointments for less than the maximum time are prorated.
International students (F-1 and J-1) must consult the Office of International Students and Scholars to confirm employment eligibility.
Stipends: Level 1 - $14,300 all masters' students and PhD students with a bachelor's degree who have less than 2 years experience as a GA or RA at UNH; Level 2 - $15,300 PhD students with a Master's degree or PhD students with a bachelor's degree who have 2 years experience as a GA or RA @ UNH; Level 3 - $16,300 PhD students @ candidacy. Departments may pay a higher base stipend for assistants to meet the recruitment needs of the program. Graduate part-time lecturers normally receive a stipend equal to the rate of instructor. Graduate fellows, trainees and interns receive a stipend in accordance with the terms of their award.
Appointment Dates: The beginning and ending dates for the 09-10 Academic Year are August 24, 2009 to May 21, 2010. The corresponding semester dates are August 24, 2009 to January 6, 2010; and January 7, 2010 to May 21, 2010. Appointment dates for graduate part-time lecturers hired to teach on a course-by-course basis for a semester or term are August 31, 2009 to December 18, 2009; January 4, 2010 to January 25, 2010; and January 26, 2010 to May 21, 2010.
Workload: Students on full assistantships are involved in assistantship activities for twenty hours a week during the academic year. The workload for students on stipend only and hourly appointments is specified at the time of appointment. The workload for students in both of these categories is less than 20 hours per week.
Registration: All graduate students holding appointments must be enrolled as students in order to hold an appointment during the academic year. Assistants, fellows or graduate part-time lecturers must register for a minimum of 6 course/thesis credits, Master's Continuing Research or Doctoral Research during each semester in which they hold their appointments. Interns/trainees must register according to terms specified in their contracts. Students holding a stipend only or hourly appointment must register for course/thesis credits (no minimum), Master's Continuing Research, or Doctoral Research. Students registered for Continuing Enrollment (GRAD 800) are not eligible to hold an appointment. Students holding summer appointments have no required enrollment unless specified by their appointment.
Tuition Waivers: Students appointed as assistants, fellows and lecturers receive tuition waivers in addition to their stipends during the period of their appointment. Assistants and fellows on AY or spring only appointments receive tuition waivers for the January term. Graduate part-time lecturers receive tuition waivers for the January term only if they are teaching during that term. Students on stipend only and hourly appointments do not receive a waiver. Such students may be eligible for tuition scholarships. Graduate assistants may also receive tuition waivers for the summer following their appointment. Summer waivers are prorated for students who had less than a full academic year appointment. Research assistants and fellows may also receive tuition waivers for the summer if approved by their funding source. Waivers cover only course work that is directly related to a student's academic program.
Student Health Benefits Plan (SHBP): Students appointed as assistants, fellows and graduate part-time lecturers for the full academic year receive a waiver for the university's Student Health Benefits Plan (SHBP) during the period of their appointment. Students on a fall only appointment and continuing in the graduate school for the spring semester full time receive a waiver for the SHBP for the fall and will be responsible for the spring portion of the plan costs. Students on a fall only appointment and continuing in the graduate school for the spring semester on a part time basis receive a waiver for the SHBP for the fall, have the option of continuing on the plan for the spring, and will be responsible for the spring portion of the plan costs. Students on a spring only appointment will receive a waiver for the SHBP for the spring.
Mandatory Fees: Students appointed as assistants, fellows and lecturers receive a fee waiver for the technology fee during the period of their appointment. Course fees are also covered by the waiver. The Health Services and Counseling fee, the Memorial Union fee, the Student Recreation fee and the Transportation fee are not covered by waivers, although scholarships maybe awarded to individual students to cover these fees.
FICA taxes will generally be withheld from wages paid to any graduate student registered for less than 1/2 time (less than 5 credits per semester during the academic year; or less than 3 credits per session in the summer). Note: Students registered for Doctoral Research (999) or Master's Continuing Research (GRAD 900) are full-time and will not have FICA taxes withheld. In summer students enrolled for 3 or more credits of "899" or "independent study&" will generally not have FICA withheld.
Federal income taxes will be withheld from wages paid to graduate students based on information supplied to USNH Payroll on IRS Form W-4. The value of the SHBP waiver is considered a scholarship and may be reportable to the IRS and subject to tax withholding for foreign students. Both wages and scholarships may be exempt from withholding if the student is from a foreign country with tax treaty provisions that exempt these payments. The appropriate IRS Form 8233 or W-8BEN must be on file in USNH Payroll in order for a foreign student to claim these exemptions.
Criminal background checks are conducted for all graduate students appointed as a teaching assistant (TA), research assistant (RA), graduate assistant (GA) or graduate part time lecturer, graduate fellow or graduate intern/trainee. Graduate students on stipend only or hourly appointments may also be required to undergo a background check depending on the nature of their appointment. These investigations are mandated by University policy requiring a pre-employment background review for all appointees who commence their duties after July 1, 2008. A standard background review consists of a criminal history review, sex and violent offender registry review, social security trace and verification; and, if required by the nature of the appointment, a Department of Motor Vehicle record search. International students whose visas and/or authorization to work in the United States were obtained after the Patriot Act was implemented on October 12, 2001, are exempt from a criminal history check.
REAPPOINTMENT, NON-REAPPOINTMENT AND TERMINATION
Reappointment: A graduate student who holds a working appointment directly connected with his/her graduate studies may be reappointed for an additional period, provided that funds are available and that the student's academic performance, as well as performance in carrying out the responsibilities of the appointment is satisfactory, and the student's status as a graduate student is maintained.
Non-reappointment: The University, for any reason, may elect not to renew a graduate student's working appointment at the end of the appointment period. No advance notice nor any reason need be given to the graduate student in the case of non-reappointment, and the appeal procedure is not available.
Termination: A hiring unit may recommend to the Graduate School that a graduate student be terminated from a working appointment prior to the end of the appointment. The associate dean of the Graduate School will act on this recommendation. A student who is terminated is entitled to a written statement of the reasons for the termination from the hiring unit. A student who is terminated may initiate an appeal except when the termination is due to the loss of funding for the position; or the termination is due to either a voluntary or involuntary loss of graduate student status. If the graduate student is eligible, and does initiate an appeal using the following procedure, s/he may be placed on leave of absence without pay during the period of time involved in processing the appeal. If the case is found in favor of the student, "back pay" will be awarded.
Step 1: The student should request that the hiring unit making the original recommendation reconsider the decision. The student's request should be written and should contain any information that the student feels warrants a reconsideration of the decision. A copy of the request should be sent to the dean of the Graduate School. As soon as possible after receiving this request, the hiring unit will reconsider the decision and notify the student and the dean of the Graduate School of the results of the deliberations in writing.
Step 2: If the student is not satisfied with the decision reached in Step 1, s/he may request that the dean of the Graduate School review the decision. The student's request should be in writing and must stipulate the reasons for his/her dissatisfaction with the decision reached in Step 1. The Step 2 appeal will be heard by the Student Affairs Committee of the Graduate Council, unless the student requests that the dean or the dean's designee hear the appeal. When the appeal is heard by the dean's designee or the Student Affairs Committee, a recommendation is made to the dean, who will render a decision. The dean's decision will be communicated in writing to the student, the hiring unit and the hiring unit's college dean, director or vice-president.
7-1-08; rev 1-6-09; rev 7-09
Federal Financial Aid
Graduate students who are enrolled in a degree program at least half time (5 or more credits per semester) and are a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen may be considered for Federal Financial Aid. Graduate students are reviewed for loans and work study. There are no Federal or University grants or scholarships awarded to graduate students by the UNH Financial Aid Office.
To apply for Federal Financial Aid you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a Renewal Application. You can complete a paper application or find this form online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The UNH priority deadline for applying for financial aid is March 1. This is the date by which the FAFSA/Renewal Application must be received by the Federal processor. However, students applying after March 1 will still be considered for the Federal Stafford Loan, which is not subject to the priority deadline.
Graduate students must also complete a Graduate Student Aid Verification Form and a Graduate Student Credit Verification Form before their application can be reviewed. These forms are available at the UNH Financial Aid Office or can be found on their Website at http://financialaid.unh.edu. Be aware that the Financial Aid Office will make their offer of aid based on your actual tuition charges. If you will be enrolled for less than 9 credits or paying reduced tuition in either semester, your aid package may be adjusted. If you change your status (i.e., from full to part time), receive a scholarship, tuition waiver or other resource, or correct and/or change the information on the FAFSA, an aid adjustment may result.
Types of aid available:
Federal College Work Study utilizes federal funds to provide employment opportunities to graduate students who file on time and demonstrate financial need.
The Federal Perkins Loan is a federally funded loan program administered by UNH and is available to graduate students who file on time and demonstrate exceptional need.
The Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan is a federally funded loan available to graduate students who demonstrate financial need.
The Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan is available to graduate students regardless of financial need. For more information about the Stafford Loan Programs visit www.nhheaf.org.
Please feel free to visit the UNH Financial Aid Website at www.unh.edu/financial.aid for further information or call (603) 862-3600 to speak to an information specialist or to set up an appointment with the Graduate School Coordinator.
Veterans Benefits
Veterans and their dependents should investigate their eligibility for veterans benefit payments. Questions may be addressed to any local Veterans Administration office or the UNH veterans coordinator, Registrar's Office at (603) 862-1595.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Satisfactory progress in a course of study must be maintained by all students who receive federal financial aid. The current standards for satisfactory academic progress are available upon request from the Financial Aid Office.
