Tuition and Fees

Click on a link to be taken to the entry below.

Questions concerning current fee schedules should be directed to the Office of the Director of Accounting Services.

For the current tuition rates, go to www.wmich.edu/tuition. These rates are subject to change without notice by action of the Board of Trustees.

Resident¹:  See the Resident Classification section directly below for definition.

Non-Resident²:  See the Residency Policy section directly below for definition.

Residency Policy of Western Michigan University

The governing board at each university in Michigan has the authority to establish a residency policy/guidelines for admissions and/or fee purposes. Therefore, residency policies (guidelines) may vary from school to school and are independent of those used by other state authorities to determine residency for purposes such as income and property tax liability, driving and voting.

The following policy was approved by the Western Michigan University Board of Trustees effective with the Fall Semester, 2001. This policy applies to all students (undergraduate and graduate) at WMU. The Office of the Assistant Vice President for Business administers this policy. Additionally you may contact the O ffice of the Assistant Vice President for Business directly at 3080 Seibert Administration Building, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, or call (269) 387-2366 for additional information or to request an application form.

Residency Policy for University Admissions and/or Fee Purposes

Any student may apply for in-state resident classification for any semester/session in which they are enrolled by completing the “Application for Resident Classification for University Admissions and/or Fee Purposes” ( www.obf.wmich.edu/documents/docs/residency_app.pdf) and submitting it to the Office of the Assistant Vice President for Business. Applications can be filed as early as one month prior to the start of each semester/session but not later than 20 calendar days following the first day of classes for the fall and winter semesters (10 calendar days for the spring and summer sessions). The deadline dates are the same for all students (undergraduate and graduate).

1. Since normally a student comes to Western Michigan University for the primary or sole purpose of attending the University rather than to establish a domicile in Michigan, one who enrolls in the University as a non-resident shall continue to be so classified throughout his/her attendance as a student, unless and until he/she demonstrates that his/her previous domicile has been abandoned and a Michigan domicile established.  The burden of proof is on the student.
2. “Domicile” is defined as the place where an individual’s true, fixed and permanent home and principal establishment is and to which the individual returns whenever he/she is absent from the University. A student shall not be considered domiciled in Michigan unless the student is in continuous physical presence in this state for one year (12 consecutive months) immediately preceding the first day of classes of the term for which classification is sought and intends to make Michigan his/her permanent home, not only while in attendance at the University but thereafter as well, and has no domicile elsewhere.
3. Dependent Student: For tuition classification purposes, a student is presumed to be a dependent of the student’s natural parents and/or legal guardian if the student is 24 years of age or younger and (a) has been involved primarily in educational pursuits, or (b) has not been entirely financially self-supporting through employment.
1. Dependent Student – Parent(s) in Michigan

The domicile of a dependent student is presumed to be the same as that of the student’s natural parents. A dependent student whose parents are, according to University Residency Policy, domiciled in Michigan is presumed to be eligible for resident classification for University purposes as long as the student has not taken steps to establish a domicile outside of Michigan or any other action inconsistent with maintaining a domicile in Michigan.

A dependent student with one parent domiciled in Michigan regardless of whether that parent is the student’s custodial parent, is presumed to be eligible for resident classification for tuition-paying purposes if one parent is, according to University Residency Policy, domiciled in Michigan.

The domicile of a dependent student’s legal guardian(s) will be presumed to have the same evidentiary effect as that of a dependent student’s natural parent(s), and references to parents in this policy shall include legal guardians, only when the student is the dependent of the legal guardian, and such guardianship has been established due to complete incapacity or death of the student’s natural parent(s). A parent’s inability to provide funds necessary to support a college education shall not qualify as complete incapacity.

A dependent student who is living in Michigan and who is, according to University Residency Policy, permanently domiciled in Michigan does not lose resident status if the parents leave Michigan provided: (1) that the student has completed at least the junior year of high school prior to the parents’ departure; (2) that the student remains in Michigan, enrolled as a full-time student in high school or an institution of higher education; and (3) that the student has not taken steps to establish a domicile outside Michigan or any other action inconsistent with maintaining a domicile in Michigan.

2. Dependent Student – Parent(s) Not in Michigan

   A dependent student whose parents are domiciled outside the State of Michigan is presumed to be a non-resident for tuition-paying purposes at Western Michigan University.

4. Independent Student: A student may be granted in-state residency for tuition paying purposes, once the student provides evidence of 12 consecutive months (one year) of physical presence in the State of Michigan immediately preceding the first day of classes of the term in which the student is applying for a change in status. The year of continuous presence is never the only criterion used for determining in-state classification and, in itself, will not qualify a student for in-state status for tuition-paying purposes at WMU.
5. Residence of Spouse: The residence of a student who otherwise would be classified as a non-resident will follow that of his/her spouse if the spouse qualifies as a resident student for tuition-paying purposes.
6. Immigrants and Aliens: Only persons who are entitled to reside permanently in the United States may be eligible for resident classification at Western Michigan University. These individuals, like U.S. citizens, must still prove that they have established a Michigan domicile as defined in these regulations.  In other words, having the privilege of remaining permanently in the United States, in itself, does not entitle a person to resident classification for University fee purposes. At the present time, non-citizens who are entitled to reside permanently in the United States include:
1. Permanent Resident Alien must be fully processed and possess Permanent Resident
   Alien card or stamp in passport verifying final approval by filing deadline for applicable term.
2. Refugees must have I-94 card with “Refugee” designation.
3. A, E (primary), G, and I visa holders:  Based upon current law, these non-immigrant visa classifications are the only ones that permit the visa holder to establish a domicile in the United States. As changes occur in applicable law, this list shall be updated.
7. Migrant Worker (Seasonal/Agricultural Employment): If an independent student, or the parent of a dependent student, has been employed as a migrant worker in Michigan for a minimum of two (2) months each year for the three (3) of the five (5) years prior to the date of the proposed in-state classification or for a minimum of three (3) months each year for two (2) of the five (5) years prior to the date of the proposed in-state classification, the student shall be classified as a resident. Proof and verification of employment is required. A migrant worker in Michigan is defined as one who travels to Michigan to pursue agricultural or related industry employment.
8. Misrepresentation and Falsification of Information: Students who provide false or misleading information or who intentionally omit relevant information on their admissions application or the “Application for Resident Classification for University Admission and/or Fee Purposes” or any other document relevant to residency eligibility may be subject to disciplinary and/or legal measures.
9. Appeal Process: Any student may appeal the decision on their residency application within 20 calendars days after he/she has been served notice of the decision on their application by taking the following steps:
1. Provide a written notice of appeal to the Vice President for Business and Finance stating the reasons therefore. Please note that any additional documents that may provide evidence of domicile not submitted with the initial application must be included with the appeal.
2. Additionally, the student must request in writing that all documents submitted with the initial application for residency be forwarded to the Vice President for Business and Finance so the entire file may be reviewed in the appeal process.
3. Failure to comply within the required 20 days shall constitute a waiver of all claims to reclassification or rebates for the applicable semester/session.

The student will receive a written decision on the appeal when the review is complete. The decision on the residency appeal shall be the final recourse within the University.  

The Student’s Responsibility and the Residency Application Process

While circumstances for each applicant are unique, the following information is designed to be a reference for students who are interested in applying for resident classification for tuition-paying purposes at Western Michigan University (WMU). The fact that a student may qualify for resident status at another college or university in the State of Michigan or that the student may be considered a resident by other laws or regulations within the State of Michigan is not used in determining resident status for tuition-paying purposes at WMU.

Required Documentation

When filing an Application for Resident Classification for University Admissions and/or Fee Purposes, the following documentation must be included with the application form:

• All applicants must provide a copy of a valid driver’s license for their self and of the person or persons upon whom the applicant is basing the claim to resident eligibility.
• All applicants must provide copies of the front and signature pages of the most recent year’s federal and state income tax returns and accompanying W2s for the applicant and the person or persons upon whom the applicant is basing the claim to resident eligibility.
• All applicants who are born outside of the United States must provide verification of U.S. citizenship or visa status.
• All applicants who are dependents (refer to Stipulation 3 of our policy) must provide copies of the front and signature pages of their parent’s most recent year’s federal and state income tax returns and accompanying W2s.
• All applicants whose claim to eligibility for resident classification is based on permanent, full-time employment for themselves, a parent or spouse must provide a letter from the employer, written on company letterhead (including phone number), stating the position, status and dates of employment. A copy of the most recent pay stub showing Michigan taxes being withheld must also be included.
• All applicants whose claim is based on their spouse’s status as a resident, must provide a copy of their marriage certificate with the application.
• All applicants are also responsible for providing any other documentation necessary to support their claim to residency eligibility that may be requested by the Office of the Assistant Vice President for Business.

General Information

A student enrolling at WMU for the first time shall be classified as an in-state or out-of-state student for tuition-paying purposes. It is the student’s responsibility to read the Residency Policy and to register under the proper residency classification. Students are encouraged to contact the Office of the Assistant Vice President for Business if they have questions regarding their residency classification or need assistance.

Any student who previously attended WMU as a non-resident student and reapplies for admission will continue to be classified as a non-resident student until an Application for Resident Classification for University Admission and/or Fee Purposes is filed and approved.

The admissions office performs the initial screening for in-state/out-of-state residency classification. If a student indicates Michigan resident on the admissions application and the admissions office questions the status, the student will be classified as a non-resident student. The fact that the student’s claim to residency for tuition-paying purposes is questioned does not necessarily mean that the student will be ineligible. It simply means that the student’s circumstances must be documented by completing an Application for Resident Classification for University Admission and/or Fee Purposes.

A student who has an out-of-state classification at the time of admission but claims eligibility for resident classification, must file an Application for Resident Classification for University Admission and/or Fee Purposes for an official determination of status if any of the following circumstances apply:

• The student is living out of the state of Michigan at the time of application to the University
• Either parent is living out of the state of Michigan (applies if the student is 24 years of age or younger and is a dependent student)
• The student has attended or graduated from an out-of-state high school and has been involved in educational pursuits for the majority of time since graduate from high school
• The student has had out-of-state employment or domicile within the last 3 years

Please Note:  The above list is not exhaustive.

Before a student is granted residency status for admissions and/or fee purposes, the University will require the student to have continuously resided in Michigan for one year immediately preceding the first day of classes of the term in which the student is applying for in-state classification. If the student presents clear and convincing evidence which demonstrates the establishment of a Michigan domicile, the student will be eligible for in-state classification.

Establishing a Michigan Domicile

The following circumstances and activities which may demonstrate Michigan domicile, though not conclusive or exhaustive, may lend support to a claim to eligibility for in-state classification. This is not an exhaustive list.

• In the case of a dependent student, at least one parent domiciled in Michigan, as demonstrated by the parent’s permanent employment, establishment of a household and severance of out-of-state ties.
• Student employed in Michigan in a full-time, permanent job, provided that the student’s employment is the primary purpose for the student’s presence in Michigan.
• Student’s spouse employed in Michigan in a full-time, permanent job, provided that the spouse’s employment is the primary purpose for the student’s presence in Michigan.

The following circumstances and activities listed below are temporary or indeterminate and, in and of themselves, do not demonstrate domicile in Michigan:

• Enrollment in a Michigan high school, community college or university
• Employment in Michigan that is temporary or short-term
• Employment in Michigan in a position normally held by a student
• Military assignment in Michigan
• Payment of Michigan income or property taxes
• Ownership of property in Michigan
• Presence of relative in Michigan (other than parent(s) for dependent student)
• Possession of a Michigan driver’s license or voter’s registration
• A student’s statement of intent to be domiciled in Michigan.

In cases where it is determined that a student has not demonstrated establishment of a domicile in Michigan as defined by this policy, the University will require the student to document one year of continuous physical presence in the state. The year to be documented will be the 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes of the semester/session in which the student is requesting residency.

In documenting the year of continuous presence in Michigan, the student will be expected to show actual physical presence by means of enrollment, employment, in-person financial transactions, etc. Having a lease or a permanent address in Michigan does not, in itself, qualify as physical presence. Short-term absences (vacation periods of 21 days or less, spring break, and break time between fall and spring semesters), in and of themselves, will not jeopardize compliance with the one-year requirement. The nature of the short-term absence will be assessed to determine whether it is contrary to an intent to be domiciled in Michigan.  Absences from Michigan that exceed the time mentioned above or failure to document 12 consecutive months of physical presence will be considered as noncompliance

Filing Dates/Deadlines

Students may apply for resident classification for any semester/session in which they are enrolled. Applications must be filed not later than 20 calendar days following the first day of classes for the Fall and Spring semesters (10 calendar days for the Summer I and Summer II sessions). The deadline dates for filing the Application for Resident Classification for University Admission and/or Fee Purposes are the same for all students (undergraduate and graduate). If the deadline falls on a weekend, holiday or closure day, it will be extended to the next business day.

(Note: Applications must be received in the Office of the Assistant Vice President for Business by the filing deadline. Applicants who do not file by the deadline will be responsible for paying tuition at the non-resident rate. Exceptions will not be granted.)

Incomplete information (supporting documentation) and/or absence of dates (month/day/year) could result in immediate denial of resident status and/or delay the processing of your application.

All official actions concerning the review of your residence application will be communicated to you in writing. It is your responsibility to notify this office of any change in your mailing address.

Auditing Courses, Tuition for

Students who audit courses (who register for classes but do not desire credit) are governed by the same regulations and tuition fees as students desiring credit.

Change in Credit Hour Load, Effect on Tuition

Changes in student credit hour load prior to the end of the final day for adding a course are considered to be reassessments, and a refund may be granted if the net reduction in the credit hour load changes the student’s rate category. After the final day for adding a course, there is no reassessment or refund for reduction in credit hour load. An increase in credit hour load may result in an upward adjustment of the tuition fee assessment if the net addition in the credit hour load changes the student’s rate category. Students should refer to the current Registration booklet for complete information pertaining to the University’s refund policy. 

Complete Withdrawal from All Courses, Effect on Tuition

The Registration booklet for the appropriate semester/session should be consulted for the refund policy that pertains to complete withdrawal. The refund policies for any given semester or session can also be found on www.wmich.edu/registrar. 

Students completely withdrawing from all classes must withdraw through the student information system or by going to the Registrar’s office during the official drop/add days in order to process their withdrawal and assure a refund. The withdrawal date for refund purposes will normally be determined by the date that the Registrar receives a Change of Enrollment Request form or an Appeal to Withdraw form. 

Students who find it impossible to be on campus to process a complete withdrawal may write to the Registrar’s office, Room 3210 Seibert Administration Building, for aid in processing their withdrawal. All written requests for complete withdrawal must bear the appropriate postmark date for consideration of any refund. 

Admission Application Fee

A non-refundable fee of $40 must accompany each application for admission.

Class Fees

Some courses have class-specific fees for which the student will be responsible. The University makes every effort to publish such class-specific fees in the online class schedule.

Collection Costs

In addition to the tuition and fees, in the event the account is referred to a collection agency, the student will be responsible for any collection costs, collection fees, and collection charges and/or legal fees incurred in collecting the account balance.

Enrollment Fee

For all students registered in on-campus courses, the enrollment fee incorporates all required fees with the exception of the student organizations’ assessment fee into a single per capita assessment. The enrollment fee for students registered in on-campus classes can be found on www.wmich.edu/tuition.

Extended University Programs Fee

A tuition surcharge fee of $200.00 per three-hour course ($80.00 per one-hour course; $160.00 per two-hour course) is assessed each semester/session.

E-Learning Course Fee

A tuition surcharge fee of $90.00 per E-Learning course offered by Academic Technology and Instructional Services is assessed each semester/session. 

Graduation Fee and Application Deadline

Summer II Session Graduation (August)
$45.00 Application Deadline: February 1

Fall Semester Graduation (December)
$45.00 Application Deadline: August 1

Spring Semester Graduation (April)
45.00 Application Deadline: December 1

Summer I Session Graduation (June)
$45.00 Application Deadline: February 1

International Student Fee

International students will be charged a $25.00 fee each semester or $12.50 fee each session.

International Student Insurance Program: Mandatory Hospital, Medical, and Surgical Insurance

All international students are required to carry health insurance if health care coverage is not provided by their sponsor. Students will be automatically enrolled in the University-sponsored policy unless an approved alternate policy is chosen. Non-sponsored international students must show proof of coverage and have alternate policies approved at the Sindecuse Health Center during the first two weeks of the semester/session. No refunds of insurance premiums can be given after that time. The insurance coordinator at the Health Center is available to assist students via e-mail at shc-usip@wmich.edu or phone at (269) 387-3266.

Late Add Fee

Students who are not registered for at least one class the day after census will be charged a late add fee of $100 per course. For the specific dates that this fee begins see the website: www.wmich.edu/registrar or the semester or session registration booklets.

Liability Insurance Fee

Students enrolled in courses requiring participation off-campus for field experience or practicum will be charged a liability insurance fee. This fee will be assessed one time per year, Fall semester through Summer II session. Students registered in classes that require more than one type of liability insurance will be charged for each type one time.

Records Initiation Fee

A one time fee of $300 is assessed for each entering undergraduate, graduate, or transfer student who is registered for four or more credit hours. This fee is not charged to concurrently enrolled high school students, guest students (including MIGS students), or SCOPE students. This fee helps subsidize the establishment of each student’s official academic record at the University, and supports related activities such as integrated web course registration, online grade and program reviews, automated degree audit, student accounts receivable, and the provision of an individual electronic portfolio that reflects the learning, educational growth, and personal accomplishments for each student.

Residence Hall and Dining Fees

For current rates go to www.reslife.wmich.edu

The rates quoted are on the basis of two or more students per room and include a $25.00 per semester deferred maintenance fee. These fees and rates are subject to change without notice by action of the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees reviews annually the room and dining rates and may increase the rates if, in its opinion, such an increase is necessary.  

Newly admitted undergraduate students are automatically sent information about residence hall offerings for the semester they anticipate coming to the University. Individuals returning to the University as re-entries, and newly admitted graduate students, will receive information by return mail upon requesting details from the Manager of Residence Hall Facilities, Student Services Building. Residence hall accommodations are not automatically made as a result of admission to the University. 

Student Activity Fee

A student assessment fee (SAF) of $12.00 per semester (Fall and Spring) and $6.00 per session (Summer I and Summer II) will be collected from all graduate and undergraduate students at the time of registration. This assessment is for the support of student organizations and agencies. The student organizations and agencies use this money to enhance the out of classroom experience on campus. The following is a sample of the programs funded in previous years: Bronco Bash, Homecoming, College Bowl, Miller Movies, Bernie’s Afterhours, Bernhard Center’s Center Stage, lectures, etc.

Transcript Fee

An unofficial transcript may be obtained in the Registrar’s Office for $2.00, or may be printed by current students from the web for no cost. An official transcript obtained in the Registrar’s Office or sent via regular mail is $5.00. The transcript will be released only upon written authorization of the student and only after payment is made. 

Graduate appointees (i.e., those holding assistantships, associateships, or fellowships) are entitled to a charge privilege for tuition and related fees. However, installment payments must be made. An account is considered to be delinquent thirty days after the beginning of a semester and thirty days after the beginning of a session. At that time a one and one-half percent monthly service charge will be added to the unpaid balance. Delinquent accounts are subject to all University collection procedures, including referral to an external collecting agency. All tuition and fees must be paid prior to registration for the next semester/session.