What to Pay–Tuition, Fees and other Costs

Tuition*

The cost per credit hour varies based on legal residency (see Student Residency for information about legal residency). Students do not pay for more than 15 credit hours of tuition per term even if they are enrolled for more credits. Tuition rates are:

*All tuition and fees are subject to change. For current charges, visit www.howardcc.edu/pay.

The rates that international citizens pay are based upon their ability to estalish legal residence/domicile. (see International Citizens for more information). Tuition is waived for Maryland residents who are senior citizens 60 years of age or over. A tuition waiver is also available to retirees and people with disabilities under very specific conditions and who are Maryland residents. In accordance with Maryland state law, all active duty military personnel and their dependents are eligible to pay in-state tuition regardless of legal residence in another state as long as they reside in Maryland while enrolled. Active duty personnel and their dependents residing in Howard County are eligible to pay in-county ­tuition. Out of state and out of county tuition requirements may be waived, in accordance with state law, for individuals and their dependents relocating to Maryland due to the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) initiative. (See Payment Assistance)Certain tuition discounts apply for members of the Maryland National Guard. Legal residents of Maryland (and qualified out of state residents under very specific circumstances) enrolled in the college’s Health Personnel Shortage Incentive Grant Programs, Mid-Maryland Allied Healthcare (MMAHCEC) and Statewide Instructional Programs as degree-seeking students are entitiled to in-county rates for clinical coursework under specific conditions. Legal residents of Prince Georges County are entitled to in-county tuition benefits when enrolled in HCC courses at the Laurel College Center.

Fees*

Application Fees

The application fee for initial admission to the college is a one-time fee. Students who are readmitted to the college following a period of absence do not pay another admissions application fee. The application fee is waived for some applicants, including active duty military, veterans, Early Entrance Program and Freshman Focus Program applicants, and Rouse Scholars applicants who are Maryland Distinguished Scholars, National Merit Scholars. HCC participates in the SAT, ACT and College Board application fee waiver program for high school students with demonstrated financial need. Application fees include:

*Students pay this fee instead of the standard application fee.

**Application fees and payments may vary for special college programs.

***Grant funded program; application fee waived for financial need.

****Students pay this fee in addition to the standard application fee when applying for admission to the clinical portion of these programs. RENEW students are exempt from this fee.

These and other fees are listed in the catalog and website Pay for College section www.howardcc.edu/pay and in myHCC.

Consolidated Fee

The consolidated fee helps cover the cost of facilities, student activities, technology, certain instructional expenses, and the college’s general expenses. All students, including senior citizens and others eligible for tuition waivers, pay this fee. This fee is assessed at 16.75% of the in-county tuition per credit up to 15 credits. For example, if a student is enrolled in 16 or more credits for a particular term, their consolidated fee is assessed only for 15 credits at the rate of 16.75% of in-county tuition per credit. If students are enrolled in less than 15 credits for a particular term, their consolidated fee is assessed at 16.75% per credit for the precise number of credits they are taking. The consolidated fee is assessed at the in-county rate for all students regardless of the tuition rate they must pay.

The consolidated fee is allocated as follows:

20% Technology

6% Instructional Materials

31% Student Activity Fees

43% Building Fund

Tuition and consolidated fee charts can be found in the college’s schedule of classes every semester and also on the pay for college webpage at www.howardcc.edu/admissions/pay/paycalculator.html.

Course-Related Fees

Many classes have fees. These vary based on the course, related activities and materials involved. Fees are listed along with course descriptions in the schedule of classes, which is published several times during the year.

Other College Fees

The college charges fees to cover costs of specific services as follows:

Transcript Evaluation

*All fees are subject to change.

Fines*

The college also assesses certain fines:

Student ID card:

*Fines are subject to change.

Other Costs*

Students are strongly urged to consider other expenses related to their education when budgeting for college. Students who utilize the college’s Nelnet Tuition Payment Plan do not pay interest, but do pay a $25 processing charge to Nelnet each term they use this service. Though the costs of books vary based upon courses and whether students purchase new or used books, it is estimated that full-time students will pay approximately $1,800 per year (two major terms) for textbooks and supplies. Students should estimate the cost of transportation to and from the college, day care, food, recreational activities and other costs related to attending college. Costs vary by individual; all students are strongly encouraged to read the rest of this catalog section, and consult the college web site (www.howardcc.edu/pay) to learn about the various resources available to them to help with the direct and indirect costs of attendance. HCC’s college cost calculators are available on the same website.

*Costs are subject to change at any time in any given academic year.