Expenses and Payments Procedures
Contact: Anne Kotarski, Bursar
Student Expenses
A chart summarizing student expenses for the 2023-2024 academic year is located on the University's website.
Students are referred to the course descriptions in the Bulletin for laboratory and other fees associated with particular courses. Inquiries about particular charges should be addressed to the Bursar's Office located on the first floor of Miller Hall, 32 W. South Street or by calling 570-408-4960.
Full Time Tuition
A tuition fee of $20,154 per semester or $40,308 per year will be charged to all students taking a course load of twelve to eighteen hours per semester. A student who elects to schedule more than eighteen hours each semester will be charged for each additional credit hour.
Part Time Tuition
Students enrolled in day or evening courses on a part-time basis taking eleven or fewer credit hours or registered for over 18 credits will be charged $1,120 per credit hour. Students enrolled in the summer or intersession semester will be charged $530 per credit hour along with associated fees. Part-time students may qualify for some forms of financial aid.
Audit
A full-time enrolled undergraduate student (taking 12 hours or more) may audit additional courses at no charge on a space available basis. Part-time students may audit a course for one-half the regular tuition fee. Determination of audit status for financial purposes should be made at the time of registration for the course or within the first week of classes. Students may change from credit to audit status for academic purposes without prejudice through the first week of the semester; however, after the first week of classes the full tuition cost of the course will be assessed.
Other Fees
A General University Fee of $989 per semester or $1,978 per year is charged to all full-time students. This fee is used to support certain ongoing needs of the University, particularly in the areas of technology and services to students. Part-time students are charged this fee at $86 per credit hour.
The fee also provides for special programs, including plays, concerts, recitals, lectures, and home athletic events and upkeep of the Student Center as well as use of the YMCA and Marts fitness center for all full-time undergraduates.
All graduating seniors will be charged a graduation fee of $200. The fee is assessed regardless of participation in commencement exercises.
Laboratory and other course fees are charged where special supervision and/or use of certain equipment or supplies are required. These fees are listed in the Bulletin with the course description. After the first week of classes, none of the fees are refundable.
Payment of Charges
Cash, credit card or check payment – Payments may be made at the Cashier’s Office located on the first floor of Miller Hall (32 W. South Street) during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 9am– 4 pm) or payments may be mailed to:
Wilkes University Student Lockbox
PO Box 824696
Philadelphia, PA 19182-4696
To pay online, log on at portal.wilkes.edu and enter your user name and password. Select the "Student Tab", select “Student Services”, “Pay on Account” and follow the remaining prompts. A password should have been assigned by the time the bill is due; if, however, a password has not been issued, please call (570) 408-4357 or 1-800-WILKES-U, ext. 4357. Wilkes University accepts credit and debit cards with VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.
Students who fail to pay all debts to the University shall not be permitted to register for future semesters, receive any degree, certificate, transcripts or grades. The unfunded cost of tuition and fees must be paid two weeks before the first day of classes or financial clearance must be obtained, Unfunded costs are defined as the total of all appropriate charges for tuition, fees, room and board, etc., less the total of all approved financial aid awarded or credited to the student account for each semester.
Financial clearance is defined as follows:
- Pay your bill in full
- Enrollment in the Online Automated Installment Payment Plan
- Having a third party sponsored tuition coverage plan (ROTC, Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation, Office of the blind, etc.)
- Having been awarded financial aid or an approved loan to cover the semester balance.
If payment in full or financial clearance is not obtained two weeks before the first day of class each semester, the registration for that semester may be cancelled and the student may not be allowed to attend classes. A financial hold will be placed on any student account with an open balance.
Alternative Payment Options
Deferred (Employer Reimbursed) & Third-Party Payment Policy
Deferred payments of employer reimbursement and third-party payer arrangements will be permitted provided the student delivers the completed documents to the Wilkes Bursar's Office two full weeks before the semester begins. Graduating seniors with the deferred payment option will not receive a diploma until all balances are paid in full.
Installment Payment Plan
Wilkes offers an online, interest-free, semester-based, automated monthly Installment Payment Plan. Enrollment can be done via the Wilkes Portal. Enrollment must be completed every semester and there is a $25 fee per semester for enrolling. Authorized users may access the payment plan via the Wilkes parent homepage.
Refunds
Students who officially withdraw from courses may be eligible for a partial refund of tuition charges (see section in this bulletin on Official Withdrawal). Resident students who withdraw from the University may also qualify for a partial refund of room and board charges. Refunds are based on the official date of withdrawal, as noted by the Registrar.
Financial aid received by students who withdraw may also be adjusted. See the section in this bulletin on Financial Aid regarding Adjustment to financial aid based on withdrawals.
Students who withdraw from the University or from specific classes during the semester will be entitled to an adjustment of tuition, fees, and room and board charges according to the following refund schedule. *
No refunds will be given to students who are removed from housing or school for disciplinary reasons.
Refund Schedule
Tuition
The University will cancel 100% of tuition charges, less a deposit of $300, if written notice of cancellation is received by the Office of the Registrar on or before the first day of classes. Failure to submit proper written notification will result in the assessment of full charges.
Total Withdrawal
Students who withdraw from Wilkes will be entitled to an adjustment of tuition, fees and room and board charges according to the following schedule:
| Time of Withdrawl | Refund |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | 100% (fees are non-refundable after the first week) |
| Week 2 | 75% |
| Week 3 | 50% |
| Week 4 | 25% |
| Week 5 or later | No Refund |
Summer Sessions
Withdrawing from any condensed semester (Pre-Session, Session I, Session II) will grant a 50% refund the first week. Refunds will not be granted after the first week.
Student Status Change
- Change from Full-time to Part-time
- Reduction of Part-time Load
Adjusted charges are based on the number of credits remaining after the change of status or reduction of course load. Changing from full-time to part-time may also affect the financial aid package.
*The Graduate refund policy is based on a percentage of class completion and applies to the ABBA program or any other Undergraduate Program with a condensed semester
Room & Board
Room
The university will refund housing charges, so long as written notification of cancellation is made to the Director, Residence Life Office, on or before the first day of classes each semester. After the first day of classes, charges will be refunded as per the above tuition refund policy.
Board
The institution will refund board charges in full if written notification of cancellation is made to the Director, Residence Life Office, on or before the first day of classes each semester. After the first day of classes, charges will be refunded as per the above tuition refund policy.
Students who are removed from residence halls and/or classes due to disciplinary sanctions may forfeit their refund.
A change in the mode of instructional delivery during any semester, including summer session or winter intersession shall not entitle a student to a tuition and fee discount, monetary adjustment or refund absent a showing by the student that the change prevented the student from completing the course.
Military Leave Refund Policy
A student in the military reserves called into active status on an emergency basis who cannot complete course work for a given semester will receive an automatic late withdrawal in each course with full tuition and fee refund if call-up is within the first 12 weeks of the semester.
Financial Aid
Contact: Christy Snedeker, Director of Undergraduate Financial Aid
Wilkes University is here to guide you on the path to financing your future. Whether you're starting the college search process, planning your college finances, getting ready to complete the FAFSA or facing a change in income, our dedicated team can help. Find out more about the financial aid journey and the steps you need to take. The University maintains an extensive program of merit-based and need-based financial assistance in the form of scholarships, grants, loans and student employment programs to assist our student.
Students with questions about financial aid should contact the Office of Financial Aid at financialaid@wilkes.edu or (570)408-4512.