General Costs
All Wesley students receive automatic tuition assistance made possible by the Ministerial Education Fund of The United Methodist Church and by endowment income and grants. This assistance and the generous support of Wesley alumni and friends enables us to charge a tuition rate that is less than a third of the actual cost.
The financial information detailed below is for the 2007-2008 academic year. We intend to hold costs to these rates, but reserve the right to change any rates listed here or to add other necessary charges.
Tuition
To fairly account for differences in course load and academic program, tuition is charged on a semester-hour basis. The hourly tuition rates are:
Academic credit and
Special (Non-degree) $424
Audit $212
Continuing Education $169 per CEU*
* Ordained clergy, diaconal ministers, or full-time lay professional employees of any denomination may enroll in individual regular semester courses and receive Continuing Education Units. For billing purposes, one semester hour equals 1.5 Continuing Education Units (CEU).
Students in the National Capital Semester for Seminarians (NCSS) are charged different rates based on their home schools tuition. Legal spouses of degree candidates may audit one course during each semester or summer session without charge, provided they themselves are not degree candidates at Wesley.
Admission Fees
$40 Application Fee
Covers filing and process of transcript and recommendations.
Not refundable.
$80 Confirmation of Admission
To be paid 30 days after acceptance, as confirmation of intent to enroll.
Not refundable after June 1. Credited to first semester tuition.
$100 Orientation Fee
Fees to program costs during Orientation.
Matriculation Fees
$210 per semester for all M.A., M.Div., M.T.S. and Special (non-degree) students
$25 per January or May term for D.Min. students
Other Fees
$40 Continuing Enrollment Fee (per semester not registered for courses)
$50 Late Registration Fee
$10 Change of Registration Fee
$10 Transcript Rush Fee
$5 Photo I.D. Replacement
$50 Payment Plan Fee
$100 Payment Plan Default Fee
$30 Returned Check Fee
$25 Dormitory Key Deposit
$25 Mailbox Key Deposit
$100 Graduation Fee
PMM Immersion Fee: In order to fulfill the requirement for an intercultural cultural immersion experience in the M.Div. degree, additional costs ranging from $250 for some local immersions to $3,000 for some international immersions will be incurred.
Clinical Pastoral Education Fee: Cooperating institutions may charge a fee in addition to the regular tuition rate (depending on the level of training).
Physical Fitness Facilities: Wesley students are eligible for discounted membership rates at the Jacobs Fitness Center at American University. More information is available at www.american.edu/jacobsfitness or by calling (202) 885-3000.
Dormitories
Single students reside in Straughn Dormitory in rooms of single or double occupancy. Single students may also be housed in Carroll Apartments as space is available. Commuter housing is also available for students who want to stay one, two, or three nights a week in double- or single-occupancy dorm rooms.
Apartment units for students with families are available in Carroll Hall. Apartments are assigned in order of application and all applications must be received by June 1. Apartments are completely furnished (except linens, lamps, and dishes), fully carpeted and air-conditioned.
Six two-bedroom apartments are available-on a first come, first served basis-for students with children. Because on-campus housing for students with children is very limited, you may choose to seek a student pastor charge with a suitable parsonage, or to secure off-campus housing.
All dormitory rooms and apartments are equipped with telephone jacks. Students must provide a touch-tone phone. Dormitory and apartment rental fees cover the cost of local calls. Students may arrange for long-distance access according to Wesley/American University long-distance carrier vendor agreements. Cable television in dormitory rooms are not available at this time. Straughn Dormitory has a community lounge with satellite television and a computer lab with high-speed Internet access. Wireless Internet access is available in Straughn Dormitory, Carroll Apartments and the Kresge Academic Center. Contact housing@wesleyseminary.edu for more information.
Rates for Dormitory Accommodations
Straughn Dormitory (per semester):
Double occupancy $900
Single occupancy $1,850
Key deposit for Straughn $25
Carroll Apartments (per month):
One room efficiency $590
One bedroom $770
Two bedroom $840
Security deposit $200
Apartment rents are due on the 15th of each month.
Dining Room
Meals are served in the Seminary Dining Room from Monday breakfast through Friday lunch. The Dining Room is not open for Friday dinner or on weekends. The campus meal plan includes lunch and dinner for all weeks when classes are in session. Breakfast is available a la carte.
Residents of Straughn Dormitory must participate in the campus meal plan. The semester rate takes into account the likelihood that you will miss some meals; no refunds are granted.
Cafeteria service is available to commuting students, staff, faculty, and guests on an individual meal or meal-ticket basis.
Dining Room Charges
Per semester $860
This figure is assessed and adjusted if necessary at the beginning of each term to compensate for rising food costs.
Payments and Refunds
All tuition and fees are due the first week of classes each semester. Degree candidates may set up a payment plan by signing a promissory note, which allows the student to pay off the balance in four equal installments. The payment plan fee is $50 per semester. The first payment is due upon the signing of the agreement. Payment plans that are not paid in full by the end of the term will be assessed a $100 default fee. In addition, students in default will be placed on the "stop list": All charges must be paid in full before semester grades, transcripts, or diplomas will be issued.
Federal Stafford loans may be a part of the payment plan option, with no fee assessed, if all the paperwork is completed with the Financial Aid Office by October 1 for the fall semester, and February 1 for entering spring students.
All semester tuition and fees must be paid before you may register for the following semester. Any outstanding balance may affect your ability to graduate.
Charges for summer school, travel seminars, and other short-term programs must be paid in full upon registration. Summer courses offered in May or June are charged at the summer session rate for that calendar year.
Withdrawal Refunds: If you withdraw from a course, your tuition refund will depend on how long classes have been in session (the actual amount is based on the applicable percentage of the number of hours dropped). Financial aid will not cover courses that are dropped. If you withdraw:
During the third week: 75% refund
During the fourth week: 50% refund
During the fifth week: 25% refund
No refunds after the fifth week.
This scale also applies to refunds on tuition, fees, and room rent for students withdrawing entirely from Seminary enrollment. However, if you have borrowed Stafford Loans during the semester, the charges will be prorated according to Federal guidelines.
A refund schedule for summer sessions is available in the Business and Registrar's Offices.
Payment with Credit Cards: Students may charge their accounts to Master Card or Visa. Credit card payments are accepted in the Business Office or online through Campus Web.
Additional Services
Required Health Insurance Coverage: Wesley offers student health insurance plans with MegaLife through EIIA. Low-option provider and high-option preferred provider plans are available and annual premiums run from August to August. Master's degree students are required to enroll in a plan unless they show proof of coverage with another provider. Detailed information about these plans is available from the Community Life Office.
All students 25 years and under must present documentation that verifies their current vaccination against measles, mumps, polio and tetanus.
Psychotherapy or Pastoral Counseling: Counseling is available by referral at the expense of the applicant. Some funds are available from Annual Conferences and other sources to provide psychotherapy for students who cannot afford it. Students who wish to apply for such assistance should discuss this with the Associate Dean for Community Life.
Mailbox Keys: Mailbox keys are individually assigned. A deposit fee of $25 is charged for each key.
Bookstore: The Cokesbury Bookstore at Wesley is a service provided to both students and the larger community. Complete textbook services are available as is a wide selection of stock books. Currently enrolled students receive a 20% discount on most book purchases. The Bookstore also carries supply and gift items, and provides special ordering services.
