Tuition and Fees Appeal

Students who enter the University’s undergraduate program are undertaking a serious effort to further their education.  It is expected that they will make every effort to complete their courses during the semester.  However, in rare circumstances, undergraduate students may encounter medical emergencies, changes in employment beyond their control, the death of an immediate family member, or other life events that prevent them from completing their coursework.  The following policy defines the process that these students will use to appeal their tuition, the circumstances that will be considered, and the approving authorities for the appeal.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees represent the costs of enrollment in undergraduate programs at Metropolitan State University of Denver. These can be state funded or self-funded programs.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fee Appeals are appeals that may be filed with the Office of the Bursar when extenuating circumstances occur during the semester that prevents the student from completing their coursework.

Medical Emergency is a severe medical illness or serious injury that involves either the student or an immediate family member.  Immediate family members include spouses, children, and parents.

Employment is a change in employment beyond the student’s control. Accepting a position with a different employer is not a valid reason to appeal.  Appeals submitted for this reason will not be accepted.

Death is a death involving an immediate family member.  Immediate family members include spouses, children, parents, and siblings.

As a general guideline, only appeals for Medical Emergency, Employment, or Death will be considered.  The Committee will consider other life events on a case-by-case basis.  The “other” life event needs to be a serious issue faced by the student that prevented them from completing their coursework.  Military deployments are processed by the University’s Veteran’s Affairs office.

Undergraduate students may only appeal a total of two semesters during their time at MSU Denver. The University will not accept appeals for charges incurred more than one year prior to the date of the appeal.

Students must appeal all courses for the term they are appealing.  If a student has received passing grades in any of the courses during that term, they may not appeal their tuition charges without prior permission from the Tuition and Fees Appeal Coordinator. Students may not appeal courses in which they have received a passing grade or an Incomplete.

Students must withdraw from their courses prior to filing a Tuition and Fees Appeal form.  Students appealing a current term but who have not withdrawn from their courses will have their appeals suspended until after grades for that semester are posted;  the appeal will be submitted for review at the first Committee meeting after grades post. Grades will not be changed as a result of an approved appeal.  Students wishing to have grades changed are encouraged to review the University’s GRADE REPLACEMENT Policy as outlined in the “Catalog.”

 Students will submit the appeal and supporting documentation to the Office of the Bursar.  The Tuition and Fees Appeal Coordinator will evaluate the appeals.  Incomplete appeals will be rejected and the students will be informed of what documentation is missing.  Appeals submitted with proper documentation and meeting the guidelines for approval will be approved by the Coordinator.  Those appeals found lacking will be denied by the Coordinator.  Appeals that warrant special consideration will be forwarded to the Institutional Tuition and Fees Appeal Committee for review.  The Committee’s decision is final. The deadline to submit appeals is 5:00 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month.  The Committee meets to review Appeals on the third Thursday of the month.  All decisions will be emailed to the student within 7 business days of the Committee meeting.

Approved Medical, Death, and Employment appeals will be processed as follows:

• If the student withdraws in the first 25 percent of the term, the student will receive a 100 percent reduction in tuition and a 100 percent reduction in fees.
• If the student withdraws between the first 25 percent and 50 percent of the term, the student will receive a 75 percent reduction in tuition and a 100 percent reduction in fees.
• If the student withdraws between the first 50 percent and 75 percent of the term, the student will receive a 50 percent reduction in tuition and a 100 percent reduction in fees.
• If the student withdraws after completing 75 percent of the term and an Incomplete is not viable, the student will receive a 25 percent reduction in tuition and a 100 percent reduction in fees.
• All other refunds are subject to review by the Tuition and Fees Appeal Committee and are decided on a case-by-case basis.

Students must provide a detailed explanation of the extenuating circumstances for their appeal. In addition to your typed explanation, please provide the following documentation:

Medical – For a severe medical illness or serious injury involving yourself or an immediate family member, you must submit a signed doctor’s statement on letterhead that specifies the date(s) medical condition began and/or worsened and whether, in the doctor’s professional opinion, it warrants a withdrawal from classes. Billing statements or office visit summaries cannot be accepted as required documentation.

Employment – For employment changes beyond your control, you must submit a signed letter from your employer on company letterhead that specifically states the dates and times of the employment changes. Appeals submitted for the following reasons will not be accepted: You worked increased hours, assumed additional responsibilities, received a promotion, accepted a new position, accepted a position with a different employer, loss of employment, etc.

Death – For the death of an immediate family member during the semester, you must submit a dated newspaper clipping or funeral notice which includes your name, or certificate of death.

Other – Documentation must be provided to substantiate the specific circumstances cited.

By submitting the online appeal form, I agree to all aforementioned terms and conditions! Please click on the button below to access the online appeal form: