Effective Fall Semester 2008 through Spring Semester 2012

Our promise: Students and their families can now plan with confidence for the cost of a world-class college education at Southeast Missouri State University.

• Southeast Tuition Guarantee Program
• Planning for Four Years at Southeast
• Advantages over Fixed Tuition Plans

Southeast Tuition Guarantee Program

No Unanticipated Costs…When a student enrolls at Southeast, it is now possible to calculate the maximum cost of incidental fees (tuition) that will be required to pay for a student’s courses over the next several years. This will help families plan for students’ educational expenses without the threat of unanticipated costs.

Our Promise…This commitment is simple and straightforward. There is nothing to sign. This is a promise to all Missouri undergraduate students who enroll at Southeast beginning in Fall 2008, continuing through Spring 2012.

Southeast Missouri State University has historically held fee increases to very low levels.  As in the past, under the Southeast Tuition Guarantee Program, we will continue to hold incidental fees (tuition) as low as possible. But in addition, Southeast pledges that incidental fees for Missouri resident undergraduate students will not rise more than $400 per year (based on 15 credit hours taken each Fall and Spring Semester). In fact, we will strive toward an annual increase that is less than $400.

Planning for Four-Years @ Southeast

		Most Likely Cost Based on Historic  Tuition Increases*	Maximum Cost Under Tuition Guarantee Plan
Actual	2008-2009	$5,544	$5,544
Projected	2009-2010	$5,814	$5,944
Projected	2010-2011	$6,084	$6,344
Projected	2011-2012	$6,354	$6,744
	4-Year Total	$23,796	$24,576

* Annual increases estimated at $9 per credit hour, but could be lower, depending on state appropriations  

Chart 2 shows that Southeast is very affordable when compared nationally and within Missouri. Our commitment is to continue keeping Southeast Missouri State University affordable without sacrificing quality.

Advantages Over Fixed-Tuition Plans

The Southeast Tuition Guarantee Program helps families plan for the cost of a four-year degree program. It is not a fixed-tuition program. Many schools throughout the country have discussed and/or adopted fixed-tuition plans. A fixed-tuition plan locks in tuition at a higher rate than necessary for the first year. At Southeast, we are committed to increasing fees only when absolutely necessary. For the following reasons, Southeast opted to “guarantee” students and families a cap on tuition, rather than fixing tuition in the first year.

Fixed-Tuition Plans Shift Costs To Future Students…Fixed-tuition programs shift unexpected expenses on to the backs of future new students and families. While fixed-tuition plans may allow students to plan for future college expenses, universities can face unexpected drops in funding. When this occurs, fixed-tuition programs cost students entering the university in subsequent years a higher rate than they would have incurred without the fixed-rate plan.

Pay For Only What You Use…Nationally and in the state of Missouri, slightly more than seventy percent of college freshmen continue to the sophomore year. One in four entering freshmen opt to change school or do not re-enroll after the first year. Consequently, these students end up paying the school more than was required to fund one year.

Hold On To Your Money As Long As You Can…Fixed-Tuition programs require families to pay an increased amount up front. These programs lock-in tuition at a higher rate. Often families are drawn to such programs because they are uncertain of future costs. In comparison, the Southeast Tuition Guarantee Program allows families to hold on to their money longer.

Limited Income Students Are Disadvantaged by Fixed-Tuition Plans…Optional fixed-tuition programs are often financially out of the reach of lower income students. Student loan borrowers who opt to participate in a fixed-tuition program actually borrow more than is necessary in the first-year to “lock-in” a rate for the second and/or subsequent semesters.

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