Undergraduate Bulletin
Document Number 2.10
[1] General Information
The university is supported chiefly by state appropriations and student fees. The goal of the university is to offer the best possible educational opportunities and services at the lowest possible costs. One of the ways the university accomplishes this is by requiring that a significant down payment be made on general registration and other mandatory fees and the first installment of room and board must be paid at the beginning of the semester with the subsequent three installments scheduled in approximately 30-day intervals. It is the responsibility of a registered student to comply with the University’s withdrawal policy if they do not plan to attend. Collection fees for outstanding debts owed to the university may be assessed to the student. The university reserves the right to amend or add to the regulations of the institution, including those concerning fees and methods of payment, and to make such changes applicable to students enrolled in the university, as well as to new students.
[2] General Registration and Other Mandatory Fees (Undergraduate)
General registration and other mandatory fees are based on the number of hours in which a student is enrolled. Current fee schedules can be obtained in the Student Accounts Office, McCastlain Hall, Room 144.
[3] Withdrawals and Refunds
Please note that financial aid regulations govern those students who receive Title IV funds. For more information, please contact the Financial Aid Office, McCastlain Hall, Suite 001.
[3.1] Withdrawals/Class Adjustments: Fall and Spring Semesters
From the first regular class day of the semester until the sixth regular class day, students who officially withdraw from the university or make schedule adjustments for the fall and spring semesters will receive a 100% reduction in their charges for registration and mandatory fees, if applicable. A withdrawal fee must be paid prior to termination of a complete class schedule during any semester from the first regular class day of each semester. Non-payment of this fee will result in the loss of any potential reduction in the charges during the 100% or the 75% reduction periods.
Students who officially withdraw from the university or make schedule adjustments after the fifth regular class day but before 4:00 p.m. on the fifteenth-day of classes will receive a reduction in their charges for registration and fees as follows:
Withdrawals — Registration and mandatory fees, if applicable, will be reduced by 75% upon payment of the withdrawal fee.
Schedule adjustments — Students may be entitled to a 75% reduction in registration and mandatory fees, if applicable, based on the difference in the cost of the original class enrollment and their modified class enrollment.
Refunds that total less than $5.00 will not be granted.
The Post Office box rent is not refundable.
[3.2] Withdrawals/Class Adjustments: 10-Week, Intersession, and Summer Terms
Students who officially withdraw from the university or make schedule adjustments before the third regular class day for the 10-week, intersessions, and summer terms will receive a 100% reduction in their charges for registration and mandatory fees, if applicable. A withdrawal fee must be paid prior to termination of a complete class schedule during any term from the first regular class day of each term. Non-payment of this fee will result in the loss of any potential reduction in the charges during the 100% or the 75% reduction periods.
Students who officially withdraw from the university or make schedule adjustments after the second regular class day but before 4:00 p.m. on the fifth day of classes will receive a reduction in their charges for registration and fees as follows:
Withdrawals – Registration and mandatory fees, if applicable, will be reduced by 75% upon payment of the withdrawal fee.
Schedule adjustments – Students may be entitled to a 75% reduction in registration and mandatory fees, if applicable, of the difference in the cost of the original class enrollment and their modified class enrollment.
Refunds that total less than $5.00 will not be granted.
The Post Office box rent is not refundable.
[3.3] Room and Board Refunds
If a student withdraws from housing before the end of the academic year, the room deposit will be forfeited. A housing lease buy-out option exists for students who wish to cancel their housing lease and move off campus after the school year begins. Room and board may be adjusted/refunded for all students on a weekly basis according to the provisions of the housing contract.
Refunds that total less than $5.00 will not be granted.
[4] Other Policies and Charges
[4.1] Non-Resident Students
A student must be a bona fide resident of Arkansas for at least six consecutive months prior to registration to be classified as an in-state student. Complete regulations and a form for requesting a change in classification for this purpose may be obtained from the Admissions Office.
[4.2] Identification Card
Student identification cards are issued at the time of registration. A charge of $10.00 will be made for replacement cards. The ID card is property of the University of Central Arkansas and must be returned upon request.
[4.3] Late Registration/Late Payment Fee
A late registration fee will be charged for registration on or after the first day of classes for the university. The schedule of classes for each semester and summer session details specific dates for registration.
A late payment fee will be charged for the initial payment received on or after the first day of classes for the university. The schedule of classes for each semester and summer sessions details specific payment deadlines.
[4.4] Drop/Add Fee
A charge will be imposed for each course dropped or added on or after the first day of classes for the university. The schedule of classes for each semester and summer session details the specific amount of the drop/add fee. The fee will not be charged for schedule changes requested by the university.
[4.5] Applied Music Fees
See Department of Music.
[4.6] Health Science Fees
See major department.
[4.7] Bowling Fees
Bowling classes are held at a commercial establishment; therefore, a participation fee based on current prices will be charged.
[4.8] Transcript Fee
There is no charge for the first official academic record transcript issued to a student. A graduate receives two official transcripts free of charge with the diploma. A nominal fee is charged for each additional copy. Official academic record transcripts may be released only after all financial obligations to the university have been satisfied.
[4.9] Breakage Charges
It is a policy of the university to charge all students a breakage fee for materials, equipment, furniture, or any other property of the university, damaged over and above ordinary wear and tear.
[4.10] Graduation Fees
Each candidate for the associate, baccalaureate, master, and specialist degree pays an appropriate graduation fee to the Student Accounts Office at the time of application for graduation.
[4.11] Dining Services
University dining services assure students a healthful and balanced diet at an economical cost. Students are required to have a meal plan and may choose from a variety of meal plan options at the beginning of each semester. That selection may not be changed after the first week of classes. Off-campus students have the option of purchasing a commuter meal plan from the dining services office located in the back of the cafeteria. Students requiring a special diet should bring a doctor’s order and recommended diet to the Director of Food Services.
[4.12] Housing Costs
Housing costs are quoted in terms of room and board. Housing costs and prices of various meal plans may be obtained from the Housing Office.
[4.13] Honors College Participation Fee
See the Honors College office.
[4.14] College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Laboratory Fee
See natural sciences departments.
[5] Financial Aid
Financial aid, simply defined, is money that helps students pay for their educational costs. Aid may be in the form of loans, grants, scholarships, employment opportunities, or a combination of all of these.
The Student Financial Aid Office is primarily responsible for the processing of federal Title IV aid and coordinating federal aid with other funds, such as scholarships. Title IV aid includes Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Federal College Work Study, Federal Perkins Loans and the Federal Stafford Loans. Other scholarships and grants are awarded by various departments and agencies on and off campus. The Student Financial Aid Office is a good resource for questions concerning these other types of aid.
Most federal programs require the student to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA gathers information that is used to determine the relative financial strength of the student’s family or the need for assistance. Please note that eligibility criteria for each of the programs varies. Students may be able to establish need for all programs, whereas others may be able to establish eligibility for one program but not all programs. The following is a general summary of the programs available at UCA and is intended to give you an overview of these programs.
Application forms may be obtained from the Student Financial Aid Office located in McCastlain Hall, Suite 001. Student Financial Aid Office personnel are available to answer questions and to assist students with the application process.
[5.1] Grants
[5.1.1] Federal Pell Grants
This is the basic grant available to undergraduate students who have demonstrated an exceptional financial need on the FAFSA and have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree. Funding comes from the federal government.
Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant: This is a new grant program for Pell eligible U.S. citizens who are first and second year undergraduate students who have completed a rigorous secondary school program. The first-year award is $750 and the second year award is $1,300. The U.S. Department of Education has not yet finalized the process for applying for or awarding of these funds.
Federal National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART Grant): This Grant is for Pell eligible, U.S. citizens who are third or fourth year students pursuing a major in the physical, life or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, engineering or foreign language. The U.S. Department of Education has not yet finalized the process for applying for or awarding of these funds. The award is for $4,000 per year.
[5.1.2] Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
SEOG grants are intended, as the name implies, to supplement other aid. These grants are federally funded with each school receiving a fixed amount each year. Funds are awarded to a limited number of undergraduate students with preference being given to Pell recipients demonstrating exceptional financial need.
[5.2] Loans
[5.2.1] Federal Perkins Loans
Federal Perkins Loans are long-term, low interest (5 percent) loans from the federal government administered through our school. Repayment and interest begin nine months after a student graduates, leaves school, or drops below half-time enrollment. At the end of the grace period, borrowers must begin repaying the loan.
[5.2.2] Federal Stafford Loans
The Federal Stafford Loan programs provide low interest loans to students who are attending UCA at least half-time. The private lenders provide the loan capital after the school has determined eligibility.
[5.2.3] Federal PLUS Loan (Parent Loans to Undergraduate Students)
Federal PLUS loans are not based on the income of the family. These loans allow creditworthy parents of undergraduate students to borrow up to the cost of education minus other aid.
[5.3] Campus Employment
UCA offers two work programs on campus. One is need-based Federal College Work Study; the other is non-need-based UCA Employment. Both programs require students to provide documentation of their eligibility to work including a copy of their Social Security card.
With the exception of a student qualifying for College Work Study, both work programs have the same hiring process and require the same paperwork for payroll.
[5.4] Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships are awarded to deserving and talented students. Academic, ROTC, band, orchestra, choral music, art, theatre, forensics, mass communication, honors, and athletic scholarships are available. Contact the appropriate office or department for application material.
[5.5] Veterans Benefits
Financial aid is available through various veterans’ programs. The Cold War Benefits, War Orphans Educational Law, and the Children of Disabled Veterans are some of the programs that aid those who qualify. Since much of this is technical information, it is suggested that an individual applying for aid from Veterans Administration programs contact the Regional Office of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The Office of the Registrar provides enrollment certification information and application forms; it does not, however, provide Veterans Administration counseling or advising.