Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees are established by the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities Board of Regents for Higher Education. This listing is intended to help estimate the costs of attending Southern and students are responsible for any fee increase that the Board of Regents authorizes up to the first day of classes.

To be considered full-time, undergraduate students must be registered for at least 12 credit hours per semester, and graduate students must be registered for at least 9 credit hours per semester. Doctoral students are only considered part-time, regardless of the credit load. Up to the end of the Add/Drop period, a student’s status may change based on registered credits.

To be considered full-time, undergraduate students must be registered for at least 12 credit hours per semester, and graduate students must be registered for at least 9 credit hours per semester. Doctoral students are only considered part-time, regardless of the credit load. Up to the end of the Add/Drop period, a student’s status may change based on registered credits.

To be considered full-time, undergraduate students must be registered for at least 12 credit hours per semester, and graduate students must be registered for at least 9 credit hours per semester. Doctoral students are only considered part-time, regardless of the credit load. eLearning programs are charged a per credit rate only. Up to the end of the Add/Drop period, a student’s status may change based on registered credits.

Cost of Attendance versus Billed Costs

The total Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of what attending one year may cost a traditional student. Your COA is often higher than your direct billed amount since it includes basic living expenses in addition to tuition and fees.  Your COA is made up of two different types of costs: direct and indirect. Direct costs are items that will appear on your University bill, such as tuition and fees.  Indirect costs are estimated costs associated with attending the University and will not appear on your bill. These include allowances for books, transportation and personal expenses. Please visit Cost of Attendance vs. Billed Costs | Southern Connecticut State University (southernct.edu) for more information. 

How do I have my residency reclassified?

Generally, a student's residency is determined at the time of application for admission.

Any student classified as an out of state resident who believes they qualify for (1) in-state tuition as a resident of Connecticut in accordance with Connecticut General Statute 10a-26, or (2) the New England, New Jersey, or New York tuition discount as a resident of one of those states in an approved program, may file this application at any time to request a change of residency.  

Other Fees

Students living on-campus during the year are required to pay food and housing. For a complete listing of housing and meal plan fees for on-campus students, please refer to Residence Life's Costs & Eligibility webpage.

Students living off-campus during the year may elect to purchase a commuter meal plan. For more detailed information, please visit Student Life's Dining Services.

The purchase of textbooks is in addition to tuition and fee charges. As a convenience, students may request a transfer of up to $800 of excess financial aid (per semester) to be added to their Hoot Loot Card, prior to the beginning of the semester, for the purchase of textbooks and supplies from the SCSU Campus Bookstore.

  • To Request a Transfer of Excess Financial Aid to Your Hoot Loot Card
  • Log in to MySCSU Portal
  • Go to Hoot Loot
  • Click on Financial Aid Requests
  • Click on Financial Aid Request Form

Waivers

All tuition and fee waivers must be approved by the approving authority, and submitted to the Student Accounts Office, prior to the end of the term for which the waiver is being sought. Certain tuition waivers are approved by Connecticut General Statute, other tuition and fee waivers are established by the Board of Regents for the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (ConnSCU). This listing is intended to help estimate eligibility, though direct inquiry and application for any below listed waiver should be made with the appropriate department.

  1. Application Fee

    A waiver of the admissions application fee is authorized for any financially needy student, who (A) has taken the SAT I test using the SAT Fee Waiver; or (B) is a participant in CONNTAC-EOC or an equally recognized educational entity; or (C) is a participant CSU-sanctioned special access program such as CONNCAP or Upward Bound; or (D) in the opinion of the university president or designee has special circumstances. Per Connecticut Board of Regents 12/18/14. For more information, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

  2. CT Army or Air National Guard Member

    Per Connecticut General Statutes 10a-99-d-5. Tuition is waived for any active member of the Connecticut Army or Air National Guard who (A) has been certified by the Adjutant General or such Adjutant General's designee as a member in good standing of the guard, and (B) is enrolled or accepted for admission to such institution on a full-time or part-time basis in an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting program. For more information, please contact the Student Accounts Office.

  3. CT Police Academy Student

    Tuition is waived for any student attending the Connecticut Police Academy who is enrolled in a law enforcement program at said academy offered in coordination with the university which accredits courses taken in such program. Please note: This waiver is not applicable during intersessions (winter, spring break, summer). Per Connecticut General Statutes 10a-99-d-4. For more information, please contact the Student Accounts Office.

  4. CT Secondary Education Student (enrolled in a university course)

    (A) The president may waive all tuition and fees or may impose the registration fee at his/her discretion for any student from a Connecticut Secondary Education school which has a specific agreement with a university within the Connecticut State University System for enrollment in up to two courses per semester or summer session on a space-available basis. (B) Academically qualified students not covered by an agreement between their school and a university may enroll in up to two courses per semester or summer session for university credits and will be charged the regular tuition and/or fees and registration fee. (C) A waiver of the part-time Tuition and General University Fee is authorized for academically qualified students enrolled in up to two courses per semester for university credit in those cases in which an academic department of a university authorizes a high school faculty member(s) to teach those university courses at a high school under the department’s supervision. Students at Southern Connecticut State University will pay a $15 fee for a “rush” transcript. Per Connecticut Board of Regents 12/18/14. For more information, please contact the Early College Experience Coordinator

  5. Dependent 9/11 KIA

    Tuition is waived for any resident of the state who is a dependent child or surviving spouse of a person who was killed in action while performing active military duty with the armed forces of the United States on or after September 11, 2001, and who was a resident of this state. Please note: This waiver is not applicable during intersessions (winter, spring break, summer). Per Connecticut General Statutes 10a-99-d-9. For more information, please contact the Student Accounts Office.

  6. Dependent Avon

    Tuition is waived for any dependent child of a resident of the state who was killed in a multivehicle crash at or near the intersection of Routes 44 and 10 and Nod Road in Avon on July 29, 2005. Please note: This waiver is not applicable during intersessions (winter, spring break, summer). Per Connecticut General Statutes 10a-99-d-8. For more information, please contact the Student Accounts Office.

  7. Dependent MIA/POW

    Tuition is waived for any dependent child of a person whom the armed forces of the United States has declared to be missing in action or to have been a prisoner of war while serving in such armed forces after January 1, 1960, which child has been accepted for admission to such institution and is a resident of Connecticut at the time such child is accepted for admission to such institution. Per Connecticut General Statutes 10a-99-d-1. A waiver of the Extension fee (summer and winter sessions) is authorized as well. Per Connecticut Board of Regents 12/18/14. For more information, please contact the Student Accounts Office.

  8. Dependent Police/Fire/Municipal/State

    Tuition is waived for any dependent child of a (A) police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, or supernumerary or auxiliary police officer, (B) firefighter, as defined in section 7-323j, or member of a volunteer fire company, (C) municipal employee, or (D) state employee, as defined in section 5-154, killed in the line of duty. Please note: This waiver is not applicable during intersessions (winter, spring break, summer). Per Connecticut General Statutes 10a-99-d-6. For more information, please contact the Student Accounts Office.

  9. Dependent Terrorist Victim

    Tuition is waived for any resident of this state who is a dependent child or surviving spouse of a specified terrorist victim who was a resident of the state. Please note: This waiver is not applicable during intersessions (winter, spring break, summer). Per Connecticut General Statutes 10a-99-d-7. For more information, please contact the Student Accounts Office.

  10. Federal Internship Program

    A waiver of all fees except for tuition and the cost of student accident insurance for one semester is authorized for any Public Policy and Government major who participates in the Federal Internship Program in Washington, DC on a full-time basis and not able to avail themselves of services normally provided while on campus. Per Connecticut Board of Regents 12/18/14. For more information, please contact the Department of Political Science.

  11. Full-time Student Attending Another CT Public Higher Education Institution

    Any matriculated full-time student enrolled at a public institution of higher education in Connecticut who has paid tuition at his or her college or university will be admitted on a space available basis without further charge to any course offered by a university within the Connecticut State University System provided the course is not offered at the student’s college or university and the student’s admission to such course(s) is recommended by the president or appropriate academic officer from his/her college or university. No student will be permitted to carry more than two courses in any semester without consent of the president of the host campus. Per Connecticut Board of Regents 12/18/14. For more information, please contact the Transfer Student Services Office.

  12. Graduate Assistants Full-Time

    Graduate Assistants enrolled at Southern as full-time graduate students shall pay full-time tuition; However, the following fees shall be waived for graduate assistants: University Fee, University General Fee (except for that portion attributable to student accident insurance), and the Student Activity Fee. Per Connecticut Board of Regents 12/19/2019. For more information, please contact the School of Graduate & Professional Studies.

  13. Graduate Assistants Part-Time 
    Effective Spring 2024, Graduate Assistants enrolled at Southern for less than nine hours shall pay appropriate registration and course fees for part-time students. However, the following fees shall be waived for graduate assistants: 90% of the General University Fee. Per Connecticut Board of Regents 12/19/2019. For more information, please contact the School of Graduate & Professional Studies.

  14. Graduate Interns Full-time

    Graduate Interns enrolled at any university within the Connecticut State University System as full-time graduate students shall be required to pay full-time tuition, a University General Fee sufficient to defray the cost of student accident insurance, but the balance of the University General Fee as well as all other fees imposed by the Board shall be waived. Per Connecticut Board of Regents 12/18/14. For more information, please contact the Student Affairs Office.

  15. Graduate Interns Part-time

    Graduate Interns enrolled at any university within the Connecticut State University System as part-time graduate students shall receive a waiver of part-time tuition and all fees including summer session and winter session Extension fees up to a total maximum of 18 credit hours, provided the interns are enrolled in courses required for completion of their degree program. Per Connecticut Board of Regents 12/18/14. For more information, please contact the Student Affairs Office.

  16. Part-time International Student

    A waiver of part-time Tuition, General University Fee, the registration fee, and room and board for one semester, is authorized if approved by the university for any part-time international student whose home university has, in the judgment of the university president, provided services or waived tuition and/or fees of corresponding value for students and/or faculty of the Connecticut State University System. The university president will report annually by fiscal year the number of waivers, dollar amount, and justification for the waivers by July 15 to the Chancellor of the Connecticut State University System. Per Connecticut Board of Regents 12/18/14. For more information, please contact the Office of International Education.

  17. Resident Assistant

    The University is authorized to waive room and board for any Resident Assistant. Per Connecticut Board of Regents 12/18/14. For more information, please contact the Residence Life Office.

  18. Senior Citizen (62 or older part-time)

    Tuition is waived for any resident of Connecticut sixty-two years of age or older who has been accepted for admission to such institution, provided (A) such person is enrolled in a degree-granting program, or (B) at the end of the regular registration period, there are enrolled in the course a sufficient number of students other than those persons eligible for waivers pursuant to this subdivision to offer the course in which such person intends to enroll and there is space available in such course after accommodating all such students. Per Connecticut General Statutes 10a-99-d-3. A full waiver of the Extension fee (summer and winter sessions) is authorized as well. Per Connecticut Board of Regents 12/18/14. For more information, please contact the Student Accounts Office.

  19. Senior Citizen (62 or older full-time)

    Tuition is waived for any resident of Connecticut sixty-two years of age or older who has been accepted for admission to such institution, provided (A) such person is enrolled in a degree-granting program, or (B) at the end of the regular registration period, there are enrolled in the course a sufficient number of students other than those persons eligible for waivers pursuant to this subdivision to offer the course in which such person intends to enroll and there is space available in such course after accommodating all such students. Per Connecticut General Statutes 10a-99-d-3. A waiver of the University Fee is authorized for any Connecticut resident sixty-two years or older who is enrolled in a degree-granting program pursuant to the provisions of Section 10a-99 of the CGS. Per Connecticut Board of Regents 12/18/14. For more information, please contact the Student Accounts Office.

  20. Transportation Fee

    The fee may be waived for students each semester they remain eligible under the following: (1) CT Secondary Education waiver, (2) Federal Internship Program waiver, (3) Enrollment in a fully online program of study, (4) Outbound Study Abroad participation, (5) CSCU cross registration where the fee has already been paid to the home institution, or (6) at the discretion of the University President or designee to resolve appeals of the fee where the student’s justification for requesting a waiver is deemed to be legitimate and valid. For more information, please contact the Student Accounts Office.

  21. Bright Horizons EdAssist Solutions Educational Alliance 

    All Bright Horizons eligible participants (ex. Raytheon, Carrier, Otis clients) will be granted a 5% waiver off of the published class/subject tuition costs for all program offered at any of the Connecticut State University or Charter Oak State College either on campus or on-line during the spring and fall semesters and off of the published course fees for all programs delivered during the summer and winter session on campus or on-line. Per Connecticut Board of Regents 12/20/21, expires 12/20/24. For more information, please contact the Student Accounts Office.

  22. Veteran

    Tuition is waived for any veteran who performed service in time of war, as defined in subsection (a) of section 27-103, except that for purposes of this subsection, "service in time of war" shall not include time spent in attendance at a military service academy, who has been accepted for admission to such institution and is domiciled in this state at the time such veteran is accepted for admission to such institution. The state tuition waiver covers the amount of tuition which exceeds the tuition benefit received under the federal 2008 Post-9/11 Veteran Educational Assistance Act. Per Connecticut General Statutes 10a-99-d-2. A fifty (50%) percent Extension fee waiver (summer and winter sessions) is authorized as well. Per Connecticut Board of Regents 12/18/14. For more information, please contact the Student Accounts Office.

  23. Veteran Out-of-State

    That the maximum amount of Yellow Ribbon waiver that will be provided per individual in any given academic year shall be equal to one-half of the differential between in-state and out-of-state tuition and required fees for the particular program in which the student is enrolled.  Per Connecticut Board of Regents 05/05/11.  For more information, please contact the Student Accounts Office.

  24. Refugee/Asylee 

    In-State tuition will be provided to any individual identified as a refugee/asylee.  Per Connecticut Board of Regents 22-068 06/23/22.  For more information, please contact the Office of International Education

Note: Per Connecticut General Statute 10a-99-d, if any person who receives a tuition waiver, in accordance with the CGS provisions above, also receives educational reimbursement from an employer, such waiver shall be reduced by the amount of such educational reimbursement. Further, Veterans described above shall be given the same status as students not receiving tuition waivers in registration for courses at Connecticut State Universities.

All tuition and fee waivers must be approved by the approving authority, and submitted to the Student Accounts Office, prior to the end of the term for which the waiver is being sought. Certain tuition and fee waivers are approved by Connecticut General Statute, other tuition and fee waivers are established by the Board of Regents for the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (ConnSCU), and employees may also be eligible for certain tuition and fee waivers as described by the applicable collective bargaining agreements. This listing is intended to help estimate eligibility, though direct inquiry and application for any below listed waiver should be made with the Human Resources Department.

  1. AAUP

    Subject to the approval of the receiving university, a permanent, full-time or emeritus member, with at least one (1) semester of service, spouse and children under the age of twenty-five (25) may take courses without tuition or State University fee at any university within Connecticut State University on a space available basis, provided, however that participation in said courses shall not interfere with the member’s employment obligations. This benefit shall also be available to the above mentioned spouse and dependents surviving a deceased member (death having occurred on or after August 24, 1990, during the member’s active service) who had accumulated ten (10) years of service in the University. Individuals taking courses on this basis may be admitted to a course in which space is not available, at the discretion of the instructor. Admission to a course shall not be counted toward overload credit as described in Article 10.3 of this Agreement. Cost of this provision shall be absorbed. A part-time member who has been employed for eighteen (18) or more load credits in the University, or spouse or children under the age of twenty five (25) may take courses at any university in the system on a space available basis, provided however that participation in said course shall not interfere with the member’s employment obligations. For each load credit for which the member is compensated, one (1) credit hour’s extension tuition shall be waived or the full-time tuition and State University fee shall be reduced by one twelfth (1/12). The total benefit shall not exceed the member’s current equivalent workload credit and shall only be used during the semester of employment or the semester immediately following. Individuals taking courses on this basis may be admitted to a course in which space is not available at the discretion of the instructor. Admission to a course shall not be counted toward overload credit as described in Article 10.3 of this Agreement. Per AAUP Collective Bargaining Agreement section 13.13.

  2. AFSCME Clerical

    To be eligible for a waiver, a member of the Administrative Clerical bargaining unit must meet the following criteria: (a) Be a permanent employee at a university within CSUS or in the System Office; (b) Hold a position that requires at least twenty (20) hours of work per week; (c) Be actively employed and not on leave at the time of the course; (d) Have an overall “Good” or better on the most recent performance appraisal. The waiver is only for the use of an eligible employee and may not be used by a spouse or dependent(s). The waiver shall cover the cost of tuition exclusively; all other fees are not waived. The waiver may be used on a space available basis for up to two (2) credit courses totaling a maximum of eight (8) credits per regular academic semester. Tuition waivers shall not be applied to summer session or intersession course offerings and shall not apply to non-credit (credit-free) courses. Within the above parameters, a tuition waiver may be used for any on-ground, hybrid, or fully online credit course offered at any university within CSUS. Per AFSCME Collective Bargaining Letter of Agreement dated December 5, 2013.

  3. Management

    Subject to the approval of the university offering the instruction, a non-temporary employee who regularly works more than twenty hours per week covered under these Policies, the employee's spouse and unmarried dependents under the age of 25 of such an employee may take courses at any of the four universities on a space available basis without payment of tuition, State University Fee and University General Fee for full-time students, and Extension Fee and Registration Fee for part-time students; provided that participation in courses does not interfere with the employee's professional obligations. This benefit shall also be available to the above-mentioned spouse and dependents surviving a deceased employee (death having occurred on or after July 1, 1990, during the employee's active service) who had accumulated ten (10) years of service in CSU. Per Connecticut Board of Regents June 10, 2005.

  4. SUOAF

    Subject to the approval of the receiving Connecticut State University, administrative faculty members shall be allowed to register for courses on a space available basis provided that such coursework does not interfere with the member's employment obligations. The tuition, University General Fee and State University Fee for courses undertaken shall be waived for all members of the bargaining unit. The parties agree to participate in continuing efforts to access courses and programs offered by other Connecticut institutions of higher education on a tuition–free basis. Emeritus members, as well as spouses and unmarried children under the age of 25, of bargaining unit members may take courses on a space available basis without paying tuition and the State University Fee at any University within the system. Per SUOAF Collective Bargaining Agreement section 22.2.

  5. Resident Director

    Resident Hall Directors may be eligible to purchase an 80 bock meal plan, the cost of which is waived, through funding provided by the Office of Residence Life. Guidelines for Residence Hall Director meal plans are as follows: (A) In order to promote visibility and approachability, staff members are expected to purchase all meals in Connecticut Hall (Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner) or the Late Night Student Center options (after 8:00pm.) Meals may not be purchased at the Bagel Wagon, Davis location, or at the Adanti Student Center (prior to 8:00pm.) (B) Staff will be required to use 50% of meals at dinner in Connecticut Hall. (C) Staff members may not purchase meals for guests/students using this meal plan. For more information please contact the Residence Life Office.

  6. Community College Employees

    In addition to the waiver of tuition and fees permitted under Chapter 185b, Section 10a-77 of the Connecticut General Statutes, the Board of Regents shall waive tuition and fees for Congress, AFSCME, and AFT bargaining unit members and their spouses and dependent children. Part time employees in these bargaining units shall receive the same benefit as principal bargaining unit members on a prorated basis equivalent to 1-three credit course per semester taught. Employees, their spouses and dependent children of the Congress, AFT, and AFSCME Bargaining Units can apply the tuition waiver at any CSCU community college. They also have the opportunity to apply the cash value of their community college tuition waiver to universities throughout the CSCU system with the exception of Charter Oak State College. Tuition Waiver Forms are due to the CSU Bursar/Cashier no later than the last day of classes for the term of registration. Late forms will not be accepted and the student will be responsible for the full cost of tuition and fees. For more information, please contact your College’s Human Resources Department.