Financial Information

For the full-time graduate student, the tuition for the academic year 2008–09 is $36,234. Tuition for the part-time student is $2,013 per semester-credit hour.

A full-time graduate student may audit courses without charge. “Full-time” for a degree-seeking student is defined by the student’s program. Any course taken or audited in the summer session will be charged at the full price.

• Technology Fee: $250*

• Health Center Access Fee: $150**

• Graduate Student Activity Fee: $60

*The technology fee provides partial funding for the University’s enterprise-wide technology infrastructure, which provides all students access to the Internet, e-mail, course ware, campus clusters, ResNet, and a wide array of the latest software. This fee provides for the growth in student services, such as course and degree requirements, Web Registration, and value-added Internet-related capabilities. The $250 fee will be assessed at $125 per semester. This fee is not charged to graduate students receiving a full-tuition scholarship.

**The health center access fee provides students access to all services at the University Health Center and University Counseling Center, including 24-hour medical care and counseling/mental health assistance, and alcohol and drug education programs, as well as health education and wellness programs. The $150 fee will be assessed at $75 per semester. This fee is not charged to graduate students receiving a full-tuition scholarship.

Tuition and fees, as well as any required deposits, are payable in advance at the beginning of each semester. Please note that Notre Dame does not accept credit cards for payment of tuition and fees. Tuition and/or fees not covered by scholarship are the responsibility of the student.

A student may not register for a new semester or receive transcripts, certificates, diploma, or any information regarding his or her academic record until all prior accounts have been settled in full.

Any student in the Graduate School who at any time within the school year wishes to withdraw from the University should contact the Office of the Registrar. To avoid failure in all classes for the semester and in order to receive any financial adjustment, the withdrawing student must obtain the appropriate clearance from the dean of his or her college and from the assistant vice president for residence life.

On the first day of classes, a full tuition credit will be made. Following the first day of classes, the tuition fee is subject to a prorated adjustment/credit if the student: (1) withdraws voluntarily for any reason on or before the last day for course discontinuance at the University; or (2) is suspended, dismissed, or involuntarily withdrawn by the University, for any reason, on or before the last day for course discontinuance at the University; or (3) is later obliged to withdraw because of protracted illness; or (4) withdraws involuntarily at any time because of military service, provided no credit is received for the classes from which the student is forced to withdraw.

Upon return of the student forced to withdraw for military service, the University will credit the student’s account for that portion of tuition charged for the semester in which he or she withdrew and did not receive academic credit.

Room and board charges will be prorated throughout the entire semester.

Students receiving University and/or Federal Title IV financial assistance who withdraw from the University within the first 60 percent of the semester are not entitled to the use or benefit of University and/or Federal Title IV funds beyond their withdrawal date. Such funds shall be returned promptly to the entity that issued them, on a pro rata basis, and will be reflected on the student’s University account.

This withdrawal regulation may change subject to federal regulations. Examples of the application of the tuition credit calculation are available from the Office of Student Accounts upon request.

The Graduate School has a program to subsidize the purchase of University-sponsored student health insurance. The subsidy for 2008–09 is $734 for degree-seeking students on full stipend support. The insurer for the student health insurance policy is United Healthcare.

A full stipend is defined as the minimum department-based stipend for each program.

No application for the subsidy is required. University Health Services, the Graduate School, Financial Aid and Student Accounts will automatically process the subsidy for eligible students after the start of each semester.

Because students receiving a stipend are not classified as employees of the University, the health insurance subsidy is a taxable benefit. In this case, however, it is regarded as “taxable but not reportable.” The University will not withhold money from a student’s pay, nor will it report the subsidy to the Internal Revenue Service. Students who receive the subsidy are obligated to report it on their tax returns.

Students injured while performing assigned duties in University laboratories are covered by workers compensation insurance as if they were Notre Dame employees. During a period of temporary inability to perform duties as a result of such injuries, workers compensation provides for continuation of 66.6 percent (to state limits) of usual income after seven days have passed. Income beyond the limits set by workers compensation is subject to the discretion of department chairs where support is from funds allocated by the Graduate School. Income beyond workers compensation is subject to the discretion of principal investigators and the guidelines of external sponsors where support is from funds provided by research grants.

Students injured while traveling to conferences or on other University business that has been approved by the student’s department chair are covered by Notre Dame travel accident insurance. Compensation in set amounts is available for death or loss of arms or legs. Medical expenses in excess of other insurance are paid up to a maximum dollar amount.

Reimbursement for students traveling to conferences or on other University business is contingent on the availability of resources and the source of funding. Support from a departmental or Graduate Student Union budget is subject to University travel policy; support from a research grant is subject to funding guidelines for the grant.

Exact amounts for the following aid will vary with the type of support and the department. Exact figures can be obtained from the particular department to which the student has been admitted. Initiation and continuation of financial support depends on the student’s maintaining good academic standing.

Only full-time, degree-seeking students are eligible for support. Recipients of financial support such as assistantships or fellowships usually may not accept additional appointments. Rare exceptions are made only on the recommendation of the respective department.

The University offers four types of support: fellowships, teaching and research assistantships, and tuition scholarships. Students may receive one type of support or a combination of types.

Fellowships provide a tuition scholarship and a stipend for full-time study by students admitted to graduate programs. The department usually provides tuition and stipend support for the student in good standing once the fellowship expires.

Applicants for admission are automatically considered by their academic department for all of the following University, endowed, and awarded fellowships.

Presidential and Premier Fellowships

The Graduate School awards 12-month Presidential and Premier Fellowships to highly qualified first-time applicants who are nominated for the awards by departmental admissions committees. Some fellowships require U.S. citizenship.

Fellowship Consortia

The University is an active institutional member of the following fellowship programs:

• The National Physical Science Consortium provides multi-year fellowships to graduate students in physics, chemistry, and engineering.

• The Latin American Scholarship Program of American Universities (LASPAU) offers scholarships for U.S. graduate study to promising Latin American and Caribbean students and faculty.

Non-University Fellowships

Graduate students have been quite successful in earning National Science Foundation, Mellon, Fulbright, and other highly competitive extramural awards.

Fellowship programs in the departments of biological sciences and psychology are supported by the National Institutes of Health and in the departments of biological sciences and chemical engineering by the Department of Education.

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistantships are available for qualified students in all doctoral programs.

Research Assistantships

Research assistantships provide support to qualified recipients under research programs sponsored by government, industry, or private agencies.

The University offers full or partial tuition scholarships to students qualifying on the basis of merit.