Dean College is committed to helping students and families invest in and benefit from the value of a private college education.
2023-2024 Academic Year
Below is a list of the cost per credit for the 2023-2024 academic year.
- $390 per one credit
- $1,170 per three credits
- $1,560 per four credits
There is a $25 registration fee per semester and full payment must be made at the time of registration. Dean College accepts VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. You may register in-person from Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Center for Student Financial Planning and Services, first floor of Dean Hall. You may also register by calling 508-541-1624 or by faxing to 508-541-1941 (credit card only).
Financial Aid and Credits Enrolled
Financial aid is impacted by the number of financial aid-eligible credits you are enrolled in. By completing the SCS Financial Aid Application we will ensure that your financial aid award matches the number of credits you plan to take. If you change your plan you must contact us at sfp@dean.edu so we can revise your financial aid award and discuss any changes with you.
File Your FAFSA
The FAFSA, a free application, is required for citizens and permanent residents of the United States who wish to apply for federal student aid, including federal grants, loans, and work-study. The FAFSA is also used to apply for state funds. Use Dean’s federal school code—002144—when you complete the online application at the Federal Student aid website.
Due to the passing of the FAFSA Simplification Act the FAFSA is changing starting 2024-2025 aid year. For this year only the application will be delayed and will become available in December. For updates visit studentaid.gov.
Once you are accepted and have successfully submitted your FAFSA, you will receive a financial aid award. If your award is “Confirmed” you’ve completed the process! If your award is tentative, you’ve probably been selected for “Verification” and will need to supply some additional information.
Tentative Award and Verification Policy
If your financial aid award says “tentative,” it has been estimated based on the income and tax estimates that you provided on your FAFSA.
The U.S. Department of Education and Dean College select applications for verification. The verification process requires Dean College to verify certain information that is listed on a student’s FAFSA. This process is conducted by reviewing student and parent’s Tax Information; additional documents may be required. For more information on additional documents that may be required, please visit www.dean.edu/forms.
Changes to eligibility may result in an updated award should differences be found in the information provided on the FAFSA and/ or verification process. Should there be changes to your eligibility due to verification, a revised award letter will be mailed to you.
Any student failing to complete their Financial Aid file during their period of enrollment will be ineligible for all federal and/or state funds for that Academic Year.
IRS Data Retrieval Tool
The IRS Data Retrieval Tool allows students and parents to access the IRS tax return information needed to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and transfer the data directly into their FAFSA from the IRS Web site.
Types of Financial Aid
Federal Pell Grants
Awards up to $6,095 per academic year for exceptionally needy applicants. The Pell Grant is funded by the federal government and is determined based on the information provided on the FAFSA and enrollment status.
State Grants
State grants are based on information provided on your FAFSA and may be offered to eligible students. The Department of Education in each state determines a student's eligibility. Many states have application deadlines which can be found on the FAFSA website. The State of Massachusetts awards grants to eligible students who meet residency and financial criteria. Students must also have a valid FAFSA on file by May 1 of each year. We encourage you to review which programs you may be eligible for at http://www.mass.edu/osfa/home/home.asp
Federal Direct Student Loan
Federal Direct Student Loans are long-term, fixed-interest rate federal student loans awarded based on a review of your FAFSA, Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), and your enrollment status. First-time borrowers must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and an Entrance Counseling session online at https://studentaid.gov
Repayment of Student Loans begins six months after you graduate, withdraw, or drop below half-time enrollment status (six credits). The interest rate is 5.5%. There are two types of Student Loans:
- Subsidized: No interest accrues until you graduate, withdraw, or drop below half-time enrollment status.
- Unsubsidized: Interest begins to accrue immediately.
Direct Stafford Loan Annual and Aggregate Loan Limits
| Year of Study | Dependent Student Amount | Independent Student Amount |
|---|---|---|
| First year (0-29 credits) | $5,500 (max $3,500 Sub.) | $9,500 (max $3,500 Sub.) |
| Second year (30-59 credits) | $6,500 (max $4,500 Sub.) | $10,500 (max $4,500 Sub.) |
| Third and beyond (60+ credits) | $7,500 (max $5,500 Sub.) | $12,500 (max $5,500 Sub.) |
| Aggregate Total Loan Amount | $31,000 (max $23,000 Sub.) | $57,500 (max $23,000 Sub.) |
There are also limitations on the number of semesters you can receive Federal Student Loans. Please review the following link for more information: Time Limitation on Direct Subsidized Loan Eligibility for First-Time Borrowers.
For more information regarding Federal Student Loans can be found at https://studentaid.gov. We also recommend all students read the Federal Student Basics to understand the terms and repayment options of their Federal Student Loans.
Important Note: SCS students must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits per term in order to qualify for Federal Direct Student Loans.
Private Scholarships
Dean College encourages students to seek outside scholarships through various resources. At Dean, we always apply your outside scholarship to your unmet need. If your need is already met, we pledge to use additional resources to reduce loans first.
You may also want to contact your town or city hall, high school guidance office, public library and local civic organizations to find out about scholarships or grants for which you may be eligible to apply.
There are also several popular and reputable scholarship search engines that our students and families have found useful include: www.fastweb.com, www.collegeboard.com, and www.finaid.org.
The College Scholarship Fraud Prevention Act of 2000 was passed to protect against fraud in student financial aid. We recommend you read our statement on preventing scholarship fraud so you know what to be aware of during the search process.
SCS Financial Aid Policies
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Aid Recipients
In addition to the academic progress standards published in the Academic Requirements section of the School of Continuing Studies Catalog, financial aid recipients must meet academic progress criteria established in accordance with federal regulations. The Center for Student Financial Planning and Services will evaluate students satisfactory academic progress at the conclusion of the Spring semester after grades are posted. Students who leave the College and are readmitted will be evaluated before aid is offered regardless of the term in which they return to Dean.
Student’s must maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average.
Students must successfully complete 60% of all attempted coursework. Any course in which a student is enrolled after the regular drop/add period is considered an attempted course.
A passing grade is successful completion of a course with a grade of D– or better. Failure, withdrawal after the second week (or at any time during which a withdrawal grade of W, WP, WF, RW, RP or RF will be posted to the student’s transcript), or an incomplete (I) in a class constitutes an attempted course that is not successfully completed. Repeated courses will be counted when measuring this standard.
Federal aid recipients cannot continue to receive aid after they have attempted more than 150% of the number of credits required for their degree. For example: A student who have attempted more than 90 credits for a 60 credit-hour degree will be ineligible for additional aid.
Transfer credits are counted in the total number of credits attempted. Repeated courses will be counted when measuring this standard.
Students who fail to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards may not be eligible for financial aid in subsequent academic periods. Students who do not meet the College’s standards and who are allowed by the College to return on probation may appeal to regain eligibility for financial aid through the Center for Student Financial Planning and Services.
Students not making Satisfactory Academic Progress will be notified in writing by the Financial Aid Office. Eligibility can be regained by submitting an appeal at least one month prior to the beginning of the following term. Appeals should contain a signed letter from the student and any documentation that supports claims of extenuating circumstances. Supporting letters from advisors and professors are also encouraged. Grounds for appeal include the student’s documented illness or other extenuating circumstances. Additional documentation may be requested depending on the nature of the appeal. Decisions will be made by the Director of Financial Aid. Appeals of the Director’s decision may be made in writing to the Vice President of Enrollment and Retention.
Students may also regain eligibility by taking coursework to improve their grades or completion rate without the benefit of financial aid. Students can be re-evaluated for eligibility at any time and can be considered for financial aid in the term following the point at which the standards are met. Academic achievements at other colleges can be considered as part of an appeal, but transfer work will not affect a student’s GPA or completion rate record at Dean.
Withdrawal
Students may withdraw from courses during the Withdrawal Period with the approval of their advisors and the faculty members teaching the courses they wish to withdraw from. Students are assigned a ‘W’ grade for the courses they withdraw from during the Withdrawal Period. W grades have no impact on students’ GPAs but may impact students’ academic standings, financial aid eligibility as well as athletic eligibility. Tuition, excluding fees, is refundable for full semester and quarter classes as follows:
- Withdrawal by 11:59 p.m. on the 7th day of the term – 100% refund
- Withdrawal between the 8th day of the term and 11:59 p.m. on the 14th day of the term – 50% refund
- No refund after the 14th day of the term.
*Credits transfer to most regionally accredited, degree-granting college or university.
Students may withdraw from courses during the Withdrawal Period with the approval of their advisors and the faculty members teaching the courses they wish to withdraw from. Students are assigned a ‘W’ grade for the courses they withdraw from during the Withdrawal Period. W grades have no impact on students’ GPAs but may impact students’ academic standings, financial aid eligibility as well as athletic eligibility. To learn more email Lconner@dean.edu.
Return of Title IV Funds
Students who withdraw from all classes but attended the College for at least one day during the semester and received or were eligible to receive financial aid, are subject to a Return to Title IV Funds calculation. This calculation is mandated by the federal government. The calculation is done by the following: dividing the number of days the student attended by the days in the semester. Students who remain enrolled through the 60% point of the semester are considered to have earned 100% of their financial aid and will not owe a repayment of the Title IV funds. Title IV funds include the following: Federal PELL Grants, Federal FSEOG Grants, Federal Direct Loans, and Federal Direct PLUS Loans. Federal Work-Study is excluded from the calculation. The calculation will be done within 45 days of the withdrawal from the College. Notification of adjustments will be sent in writing to the student. In circumstances when the College must return funds to the federal government withdrawal calculations may result in an amount owed to the College. The Return to Title IV Funds calculation is independent of the institution’s refund policy.
Federal Title IV aid will be returned in the following sequence:
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
- Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
- Federal PLUS Loan
- Federal Pell Grant
- FSEOG (Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunities Grant)
- Any other federal Title IV Assistance
Please note that Federal Work Study funds are not subject to this return policy. And work study earnings paid to the student through the payroll do not need to be returned.
Return of Commonwealth of Massachusetts Funds
Students who withdraw from all classes but attend the College for at least one day during the semester and received or were eligible to receive Commonwealth of Massachusetts fund, will be subject to a state withdrawal calculation.
Massachusetts funds will be returned in the following sequence:
- Massachusetts No Interest Loan
- General Scholarship (MASS Grant)
- Christian Herter Memorial Scholarship
- Gilbert Grant
- GEAR UP Scholarship
Title IV Credit Balances
A Title IV credit balance occurs whenever the amount of Title IV funds credited to a student’s account for a payment period exceeds the amount assessed the student for allowable charges associated with that payment period. In those cases, a refund check will be made available to students to pick up or mailed to your permanent address within 14 days of disbursement. You may request a student refund for any portion of any credit balance on your student account. Refunds will only be issued for actual credit balances and will not be issued based on “pending” financial aid.
Repeat Credit Policy for Financial Aid Recipients
A repeated course may count toward a student’s enrollment status (full-time or part-time status) for financial aid eligibility under the following conditions:
- The course is repeatable for credit. Please see specific course descriptions for applicability.
- The student received a failing grade or withdrawal in the previous attempt and is re-taking the course to receive credit
- The student received a passing grade and is re-taking the course for the first time in order to achieve an academic standard set by the student’s specific program (such as a minimum grade requirement in Education, etc.) or to improve the GPA.
Repeated courses cannot count toward enrollment status for financial aid eligibility in the following case:
- The student has already taken and passed the course and is repeating the course again.
Please note: Students may not re-take a course without meeting with their academic advisor.
All repeated courses, regardless of whether they are eligible for financial aid, count toward the student’s attempted credits for the purpose of determining satisfactory academic progress and progress toward degree completion within the maximum allotted timeline for financial aid eligibility.