Tuition and Financial Aid

Office of Financial Affairs

Financial Appeals

If a student has a concern about his or her financial account and he or she wishes to appeal the financial decision, the student must file a written appeal with the Office of Financial Affairs within two academic terms from the term in question for the appeal to be considered. The Office of Financial Affairs will investigate the situation and will consult with other offices including the Office of the Registrar, the Office of Student Financial Aid and the student’s program, as needed. A decision will be rendered within one month from the time the appeal was received and the student will be notified in writing. If the decision is not in the favor of the student, the student may file a written appeal with the Office of the Senior Associate Provost for Educational Affairs. The decision of the Senior Associate Provost for Educational Affairs is final.

Payment of Tuition and Fees

The following statement represents the payment policy for all Rush University students: Charges can be viewed and payment for tuition, fees and on-campus housing can be completed through RUConnected, the University’s online system. Payment can be made by credit card or e-check. If full payment of tuition cannot be made by the first week of class, as listed in the Academic Calendar located in the Rush University Catalog, satisfactory arrangements for payment must be made with the Office of Financial Affairs. Students may not attend classes until after registration is complete. Any exception to this policy must be approved in writing by the Senior Associate Provost for Educational Affairs.

Students have the responsibility to complete one or a combination of the following courses of action on or before the first Friday of classes each term:

1.  Pay total tuition, fees and on-campus housing charges for the term.
2. Complete a Deferred Payment Plan Contract. This plan requires that the first payment and a $15 service charge be paid on or before the first Friday of the term. Additional payments are due every four weeks. The length of the contract is dependent on the length of the term. Contact the Office of Financial Affairs to set up a payment plan.
3. Use the pending financial aid payment option. All students who have financial aid pending will be allowed to defer payment of that portion of tuition and fees that is covered by the anticipated aid. In order to use this option, students must have taken all steps required of them to apply for the aid (e.g., the application for a guaranteed student loan program must have been completed and submitted to the Office of Student Financial Aid). In order to avoid a late fee charge, students must make arrangements for payments of that portion of tuition and fees not covered with pending aid by completing steps one or two above.

Failure to follow one of the steps above will result in a $100 late fee. Students who choose the deferred payment plan contract and who fail to make a payment of the specified due dates will result in a $50 late payment fee for each payment date missed.

At the end of the academic term, those students who still have outstanding balances with Rush University that are not covered by pending financial aid will:

• Not receive transcripts/diplomas
• May be dismissed from on-campus housing
• Lose all university privileges
• Not be allowed to register for the following term

Student Health Insurance

Rush University requires students to be covered by a health plan in order to promote health and well-being while protecting the individual from undue financial hardship that a medical emergency could cause. Non-Rush Medical College students must provide proof of existing coverage before registering for the Fall term each year. Students who do not submit proof and receive confirmation of verification of their coverage will be enrolled in the student health insurance plan and charged for the premiums for the term. To that end, students enrolled in degree programs are eligible for the Student Health Insurance Plan offered by Academic HealthPlans, Inc. and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois.

For the 2017-2018 school year, the cost of the plan is approximately $3,459 per academic year for single coverage. Coverage is also available for dependents at the rate of $3,459 annually per dependent.  This plan allows students to choose a primary care physician from a large list of members of the Preferred Provider Plan (PPO) in the Greater Chicago area. When using a Network Provider, there is an annual deductible of $250 and coverage of 80 percent for most patient services including hospitalization and surgery, as well as outpatient services such as office visits, laboratory and X-ray. Preventative care services are covered at 100 percent.  When using a pharmacy in the Prime Therapeutics Network, there is a $20 co-pay for generic prescriptions, a $50 co-pay for brand name prescriptions and an $80 co-pay for brand name prescriptions when generic is available.

A dental insurance plan is also available and optional to all Rush University students. Details of the plan are available in the Office of Financial Affairs. Enrollment for the dental plan is available at the beginning of the fall term only. Applications will not be accepted after the start of the fall term.

Student Plan Rates for the 2017-2018 Academic Year

Details of the plans are available in the Office of Financial Affairs or online at the Rush University Information for Students page located on the Financial Affairs Web page.

A small portion of fees for Rush Medical College students has been allocated to the Medical Student Health Service Program, supported by Lifetime Medical Associates (1645 W. Jackson, Suite 215). The Medical Student Health Service Program is designed to work seamlessly with Rush University Health Insurance to provide medical students with acute care. By using Rush University Health Insurance, medical students should experience an enhanced level of service and minimal billing problems, with a $20 fee per office visit. This will provide the type of Student Health Service with which most students are familiar. Additionally, all Rush Medical College students are covered under a blood and bodily fluids exposure rider. This works as a supplemental policy to any health insurance to cover treatment or medications necessary as the result of a needle stick, splash or potentially contagious diseases exposure. Together with the basic Rush University Health Insurance policy, the rider will completely cover prophylactic medications or injections.

Rush Medical College students will be assessed a fee for vaccinations/immunizations and documentation. This fee covers any necessary blood tests, vaccinations or updates as well as costs associated with maintaining the documentation of their compliance and communicating that information to the Rush system hospitals and any away elective locations that may request certification of immunization and vaccination status.

Tuition Refund Policy

Official withdrawal or dismissal from a course or from the University entitles a student to a refund of tuition according to the following schedule. Fees are not refundable. A student may receive a 100% refund if withdrawal occurs during the first calendar week in which the term begins. Otherwise, refunds will be made as follows:

• Second week: 80% refund
• Third week: 60% refund
• Fourth week: 40% refund
• Fifth week: 20% refund
• After fifth week: no refund

Alternate Refund/Grading

This alternate refund/grading policy does not apply to Rush Medical College students.

Pure Compressed Weekend Course
(Fri/Sat/Sun w/o any pre- or post- class work)

• Before first class meeting: 100% and not transcripted
• After first class meeting: no refund and W grade

2-Week Course

• Before first class meeting: 100% and not transcripted
• Week 1: 50% refund and W grade
• Week 2: no refund and the grade earned in the course

5-Week Course

• Before or during week 1: 100% and not transcripted
• Week 2: 50% and W grade
• Weeks 3-5: no refund and the grade earned in the course

Refunds will be shown as credits on the student’s account. A check for the amount of refund, less any amount still owed for other charges, will be sent to the student. Normally, checks are processed within two weeks and mailed to the student’s address on RUConnected. Students wishing to appeal the published schedule of refunds must appeal in writing to the Senior Associate Provost for Educational Affairs.

Tuition Waivers

Rush Medical College Students Enrolling in The Graduate College Courses

Rush Medical College students who take a leave of absence from their MD program may enroll in The Graduate College classes as part of a formal MS or PhD program, or simply for additional knowledge. Medical students are exempt (tuition waiver) from the additional tuition costs associated with enrollment in these classes.

Doctoral Students in The Graduate College

The Graduate College offers a full tuition scholarship for students enrolled in doctoral program in the basic sciences (Anatomy and Cell Biology, Biomechanics, Biochemistry, Immunology/ Microbiology, Medical Physics, Molecular Biophysics and Physiology, Neuroscience and Pharmacology). The scholarship is only for tuition. Health insurance and other fees are the student’s responsibility. To receive this scholarship, students must maintain full-time status. A requirement of at least 12 hours per semester is needed to be a full-time student. If a student fails to register for 12 hours each semester, the scholarship is rescinded and the student is billed tuition. In addition, most students accepted by The Graduate College receive a stipend. The stipend awarded to a graduate student is a privilege and is contingent upon policies established by individual divisions.

Master of Science Students in The Graduate College

Students enrolled in master’s programs in the basic sciences (Anatomy and Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Biomechanics, Biotechnology, Immunology/Microbiology, Medical Physics, Neuroscience and Pharmacology) pay tuition and fees. Master’s students are generally not eligible for tuition scholarships and are expected to be enrolled full-time (12 hours per semester) unless special arrangements have been made.

Third-Party Billing

If the student will not be personally paying their account, it is his or her responsibility to forward any bills to the appropriate party as soon as possible.

Office of Student Financial Aid

Financial Aid Process

Instructions for accessing financial aid information on the Rush University website are emailed to all newly accepted students prior to enrollment. The Student Financial Aid website contains in-depth information on policies, procedures and financial aid awarding methodology. Students starting in a term other than fall should submit financial aid application materials at least two months prior to their start date. Students must be enrolled at least half-time and must be in a degree or approved certificate program to receive financial aid. To receive assistance, all appropriate forms and materials must be on file. Students should expect to receive the majority of assistance in the form of loans. Because of limited institutional funding, financial aid awards will likely contain loans that accrue interest while the student is in school. For students in the Medical College and nursing students in the Generalist Entry Master’s (GEM) program, need-based grant assistance is available through the Office of Student Financial Aid. However, the funds are limited and all applicants (with few exceptions) must provide parental data and meet the institutional criteria for eligibility. Refer to the Office of Student Financial Aid website (http://www.rushu.rush.edu/ finaid/) for details.

Undergraduate students who have not received a prior Bachelor’s degree are more likely to receive grant assistance through federal and state need-based programs. Employment through the Federal College Work Study program may be possible throughout Rush University Medical Center. Depending on a student’s academic program, Federal College Work Study may be awarded as part of the financial aid package. It is the student’s responsibility to secure employment. The Office of Student Financial Aid assists students in locating jobs within the Medical Center.

Financial Aid Determination

Financial assistance programs at Rush University are provided to assist students who cannot otherwise afford to pay the full cost of education on their own. In general, financial need is the basic criterion for the awarding of funds. Accordingly, students and their families will be expected to contribute toward educational expenses to the fullest extent possible. The level of the expected contribution is determined by using a standard set of criteria to analyze financial information provided by students and their families. Submission of parental data for institutional grants and loans is required for students in the Medical College and nursing students in the Generalist Entry Master’s (GEM) program. Complete information about this policy is found on the Office of Student Financial Aid website. Student Financial Aid counselors are available to consult with students and parents (with the student’s authorization) on all matters regarding the financing of a Rush University education. Students and authorized parents are welcomed and encouraged to make use of these services.

Financial Aid Awards

After evaluating student and family resources and assistance from outside the University, the Office of Student Financial Aid will award federal, state and institutional funds (as appropriate) to students with demonstrated financial need. In varying quantities, a financial aid award may include grants, loans and student employment. In order to distribute the available funds in the most equitable manner, the Office of Student Financial Aid establishes a formula that designates the sequence in which funds are awarded to students and the maximum amount awarded under each program. The formula provides for a specific amount of loans and employment before students are considered for grants. These formulas are applied consistently during any given year among all students at a given class level and in a given college (pending availability of funds). Due to differences in the availability of funds from year to year and changes in eligibility requirements, the formulas are adjusted annually.

Veterans Benefits

Rush University participates in federal Veterans Education Benefits through the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Post-9/11 GI Bill

Provides tuition, fees, books/supplies and housing assistance to eligible veterans. Tuition and fees are paid directly to Rush by the VA. Tuition and fees assistance is capped at the national maximum of $22,805.34 per academic year. Benefit rates vary based on the veteran’s circumstances. Some veterans may be able to transfer their benefits to a dependent.

Yellow Ribbon Program

Effective with the 2012-2013 academic year, certain colleges within Rush University participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. Veterans entitled to the maximum benefit rate are eligible to apply for additional tuition and fees amounts if their costs exceed the $21,940.46 cap. The amount of additional assistance available and the number of students able to be supported is limited and varies by college. Funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Students who have received Yellow Ribbon assistance will have preference for these funds in future academic years. Details are available on the VA’s Yellow Ribbon Program information site.

Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty (MGIB-AD Chapter 30)

Monthly benefit paid directly to the veteran

Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR Chapter 1606)

Monthly benefit paid directly to the veteran

Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP Chapter 1607)

Monthly benefit paid directly to the veteran

Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP Chapter 32)

Monthly benefit paid directly to the veteran

Survivors and Dependents Assistance (DEA Chapter 35)

Monthly benefit paid directly to the survivor or dependent of the veteran

If a student qualifies for participation in more than one Veterans Education Benefits program, the VA website provides a comparison tool to help determine which benefits might be appropriate.

Veterans interested in using their benefits at Rush for the first time should:

1. Apply for benefits through the VA: If the veteran has never used their veterans benefits at an institution before, this step must be completed.
2. Submit form 22-1995 or form 22-5495 (as appropriate) online: If the veteran has used veterans education benefits before, but is a first-time benefits-user at Rush University, the appropriate form must be submitted.
3. Provide a copy of their eligibility letter from the VA (as well as any change of program forms from step 2, above) to the Office of Student Financial Aid before benefits can be certified with the VA.

All documents can be mailed, faxed or scanned and emailed to the Office of Student Financial Aid. Please be sure to indicate name and student ID number (or Social Security Number) on all documents.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

The Higher Education Act of 1965 as amended by Congress mandates institutions of higher education to establish minimum standards of satisfactory progress for students receiving Federal financial aid. These standards apply to all Federal Title IV aid programs including the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Stafford Loan, Federal PLUS Loan and Federal College Work- Study programs.

Accordingly, the Department of Education regulations require that Rush University’s Office of Student Financial Aid monitor the academic progress of all financial aid recipients toward the completion of their degree. This process is called Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).

This SAP policy is enforced in conjunction with all other institutional policies and procedures, including the academic progressions policies of Rush University’s Colleges and academic programs. For undergraduate and graduate students, the below criteria are checked at the end of each term. For medical students, the below criteria are checked annually at the end of spring term.

Enforcement

The Office of Student Financial Aid shall have primary responsibility in enforcing the SAP policy. The Office of the Registrar and other Rush University offices that maintain student information relevant to the SAP policy shall provide such information, as requested by the Office of Student Financial Aid.

SAP Requirements

SAP requirements vary by academic level (undergraduate, graduate and medical students). Please refer to the appropriate section to find the requirements that fit your academic program.

Undergraduate Students

SAP for undergraduate students is monitored using three factors: maximum time frame measurement, pace of completion and cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA). SAP is measured at the end of each academic term once final grades are submitted.

Maximum Time Frame Measurement

Students may attempt up to 150 percent of the credits it normally takes to complete the program. The total allowable attempted hours are calculated by multiplying the hours required to complete the degree at Rush (excluding the general education courses required prior to entry in the program) by 1.5 and rounding down to the nearest whole number. For example, for a program that requires 107 credit hours to receive a degree at Rush (not including the general education courses required prior to entry in the program), a student may attempt up to 160 hours.

Pace of Completion

Students must successfully complete at least 67% of the courses they attempt. This measure will be measured cumulatively over the course of the student’s program. For the purpose of this measurement, all of the following are applicable.

• Successful completion is defined as a grade of A, B or C for a letter grade course, or a grade of P for a course that is pass-fail or pass-no pass. These courses are counted in both the attempted and completed hours totals.
• Proficiency credit (“K” grades) is counted in both the attempted and completed hours totals.
• All other grades (including incomplete grades) are counted in the attempted hours total, but not in the completed hours total. If an incomplete grade is later converted to a grade that is considered to be a successfully completed grade, the pace of completion percentage can be recalculated. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the Office of Student Financial Aid when an incomplete grade has been converted.
• Students who drop courses but who remain enrolled at the University will not have those dropped courses counted in the attempted hours total if they are dropped prior to the census date. Dropped courses after the census date will be counted in the attempted hours total.
• Repeated courses are counted as attempted hours during all attempts.
• Transfer credits that count toward the student’s current academic program count as both attempted and completed hours.
• Students who change majors will only have hours that were previously attempted counted in their cumulative totals if they are applicable to the new academic program.

Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)

Undergraduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. Students who have a term GPA of less than 1.0 after their first term at Rush will be immediately placed on financial aid suspension.

Graduate Students

SAP for graduate students is monitored using three factors: maximum time frame measurement, pace of completion and cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA). SAP is measured at the end of each academic term once final grades are submitted.

Maximum Time Frame Measurement

Students may attempt up to 150 percent of the credits it normally takes to complete the program. The total allowable attempted hours are calculated by multiplying the hours required to complete the degree at Rush by 1.5 and rounding down to the nearest whole number. For example, for a program that requires 113 credit hours to receive a degree at Rush, a student may attempt up to 169 hours.

Please note: nondegree certificate programs are approved by the US Department of Education for financial assistance at a specific number of credit hours. Regardless of a student’s actual plan of study, maximum timeframe is calculated using the number of hours for which the program was approved with the US Department of Education.

Pace of Completion

Students must successfully complete at least 67% of the courses they attempt. This measure will be measured cumulatively over the course of the student’s program. For the purpose of this measurement, all of the following are applicable.

• Successful completion is defined as a grade of A or B for a letter grade course, or a grade of P for a course that is passfail or pass-no pass. These courses are counted in both the attempted and completed hours totals.
• Proficiency credit (“K” grades) is counted in both the attempted and completed hours totals.
• All other grades (including incomplete grades) are counted in the attempted hours total, but not in the completed hours total. If an incomplete grade is later converted to a grade that is considered to be a successfully completed grade, the pace of completion percentage can be recalculated. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the Office of Student Financial Aid when an incomplete grade has been converted.
• Students who drop courses but who remain enrolled at the University will not have those dropped courses counted in the attempted hours total if they are dropped prior to the census date. Dropped courses after the census date will be counted in the attempted hours total.
• Repeated courses are counted as attempted hours during all attempts.
• Transfer credits that count toward the student’s current academic program count as both attempted and completed hours.
• Students who change majors will only have hours that were previously attempted counted in their cumulative totals if they are applicable to the new academic program.

Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)

Graduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Students who have a term GPA of less than 2.0 after their first term at Rush will be immediately placed on financial aid suspension.

Rush Medical College Students

SAP for Rush Medical College (RMC) students is monitored using three factors: maximum time frame measurement, pace of completion and grade requirements. SAP is measured at the end of each academic year once final grades are in and at the time of awarding.

Time Limits on Financial Aid Eligibility

The normal time frame for completion of required coursework for the MD degree is four academic years. Due to academic or personal difficulties, a student may require additional time. In such situations, the Rush Medical College Committee on Student Evaluation and Promotion (COSEP) may establish a schedule for the student that departs from the norm and that may require repeating a year of study. For the purposes of this financial aid policy, no more than three years may be devoted to the first- and second-year curriculum and no more than three years may be devoted to the third- and fourth-year curriculum, for a maximum time frame of six years. Summer enrollment, if required, is considered part of the academic year for the purposes of this measure. Approved Leaves of Absence do not count in this measure.

Completion of Requirements/Pace of Completion

1. First-year students must complete at least 66% of their first-year curriculum with a grade of “Pass” or better between the start of the year and the last day of spring quarter exams. This includes repeated courses.
2. To advance to the second year, students must complete all first-year courses with a grade of “Pass” or better by the start of the second year.
3. Second-year students must complete at least 66% of their second- year curriculum with a grade of “Pass” or better between the start of fall quarter and the last day of spring exams. This includes repeated courses.
4. To advance to the third year, students must complete all second-year courses with a grade of “Pass” or better by the start of the CRASH course.
5. A student who is repeating/splitting the first or second year according to a COSEP schedule is considered to be making SAP.
6. Third-year students must complete at least 66% of the clerkships they attempt with a grade of “Pass” or better.
7. To advance to the fourth year, students must complete all core clerkships with a grade of “Pass” or better.
8. A student who is repeating the third or fourth year according to a COSEP schedule is considered to be making SAP.

Grade Requirements

Academic progress in RMC is measured in terms of Honors, High Pass, Pass and Fail grades. A student must complete each required course/clerkship with a grade of “Pass” or better in order to graduate. A student who fails a course must retake it and earn a grade of at least “Pass.” A student who receives an Incomplete in a course must complete the course and earn at least a “Pass.”

Financial Aid Warning

Undergraduate and graduate students are allowed a financial aid warning period. Professional students (Rush Medical College) are not allowed a financial aid warning period.

Undergraduate or graduate students who fail to meet the requirements of this satisfactory academic progress policy will be placed on financial aid warning for one additional term (with the exception of undergraduate students who have a first-term GPA of less than 1.0 and graduate students who have a first-term GPA of less than 2.0. In this case, that student would immediately be placed on financial aid suspension.) Students will be allowed to continue on financial assistance during the warning period. Students placed on financial aid warning will be sent notification by hard-copy letter (through the US Postal Service) and through their Rush email account. The notification will include SAP requirements, steps necessary to meet SAP in the upcoming term and the consequences for failing to meet SAP requirements by the end of the warning period.

Students will be placed on financial aid suspension if they fail to meet the standards of this SAP policy after the one-term financial aid warning period.

Suspension of Financial Aid Eligibility

• Professional students (Rush Medical College) who fail to meet the requirements of this SAP policy will be placed on financial aid suspension.
• Undergraduate students who have a first-term GPA of less than 1.0 and graduate students who have a first-term GPA of less than 2.0 will be placed on financial aid suspension.
• Students who still fail to meet the requirements of this policy after their single term on financial aid warning will be placed on financial aid suspension.

Students who are suspended from financial aid eligibility will be notified by hard-copy letter (through the US Postal Service) and through their Rush email account.

Appealing Suspension of Financial Aid Eligibility

A student may appeal the suspension of their financial aid eligibility for extenuating circumstances. Appeals from other parties on behalf of the student will not be accepted. All appeals should be submitted to the Director of Student Financial Aid in writing. Each appeal must include: 1) the reasons why the standards of this policy were not met, 2) what has changed in the student’s situation that will allow her or him to make satisfactory progress during the next evaluation, and 3) an academic plan for the remainder of the student’s studies. Documentation of any statements made in the appeal should be included, as appropriate. All appeals must be submitted within 10 business days of receipt of a suspension notice.

The Director of Student Financial Aid will review the appeal and will respond to the student within 10 business days from the receipt of the appeal. Students whose appeals are approved will be placed on a financial aid probationary period for one term or for the duration of an academic plan developed by the student’s advisor, as appropriate. The probationary period will be defined to include checkpoints that must be achieved in order for the student to remain eligible for financial assistance. Students failing to abide by the terms of their probationary period will be suspended from financial aid after their probationary period.

The decision of the Director of Student Financial Aid is final, binding and not subject to further appeal.

Reinstatement of Financial Aid Eligibility

A student’s eligibility for financial aid will be reinstated at such time as she or he successfully meets the standards of the SAP policy. It is the student’s responsibility to present evidence to the Student Financial Aid Office at the time she or he meets the requirements for reinstatement.

LEAP Benefits

Tuition Benefits Programs

As part of its commitment to employee development and education, Rush University Medical Center offers tuition assistance to employees who want to take health care, business or vocational courses, as well as many onsite development programs.

Benefits include the following:

• Tuition reimbursement at Rush University
• Tuition reimbursement for coursework taken at other accredited institutions
• Tuition reimbursement for attendance at outside conferences
• Tuition reduction at Rush University for spouses and dependents

• To receive reimbursement, an employee must obtain a grade of C or better, or a pass grade for a class with pass/fail grading.
• Employees must be active employees when incurring expenses and submitting for reimbursement.

Eligible Expenses

Employees can receive up to a 90 percent reimbursement for the following:

• Tuition, registration fees, lab fees, classroom fees and cost of required text book(s) for one-time, job enhancement classes (i .e ., classes not taken in anticipation of applying towards a degree program)
• Registration cost (only) for workshops, seminars, symposiums and conferences
• Classes or tests for board exams
• Job-related review courses, review study materials associated with job-related exams and certifications
• Basic skills (reading, writing, math, English as a Second Language or any second language)
• High school equivalency or GED coursework
• Courses leading to professional certificates (e .g ., LPN, CAN, specialty certification or computer-related courses)
• Fees for initial certifications, re-certifications or board certifications
• Accredited correspondence or online courses and other distance learning options in business or medical fields

Please note: all job required CPR, ACLS, BLS, PALS, and food sanitation certificates will be reimbursed at 100 percent.

Non-eligible Expenses

The following expenses are not eligible for reimbursement under the Employee Enhancement Tuition Reimbursement program:

• Courses not related to the needs of the Medical Center and all courses involving sports, games or hobbies
• Travel, food, accommodations, parking, gas, mileage or any materials sold at conferences or symposiums
• Reference books, videos, CDs or DVDs
• Exam preparation classes (such as classes preparing for the GRE or MCAT)
• Memberships, journals and subscriptions
• Late fees as a result of late registration
• Sales taxes or shipping and handling costs
• Fees for initial or renewal of professional licenses

Reimbursement Deadline and Other Requirements

Email the following materials to enhancement@rush.edu within 30 days of the end of each event or term:

• A completed and manager-approved Enhancement Option Program Tuition Reimbursement Form Copies of all paid receipts or statements for the following:
• Tuition or cost of class
• Registration fee for school, class, workshop, seminar, symposium or conference
• Any separate lab or classroom fees
• Cost of required textbooks (only)
• Proof of attendance, such as, class final grade, completion certificate, CEU or copy of event name badge (registration documents are not accepted as proof of attendance)

No reimbursement forms will be accepted after the 30-day deadline.

Employees must be employed for at least three months to be eligible for the Employee Enhancement Reimbursement Program.

• The  Doctor  of  Medicine  degree  at  Rush  University  is  not eligible  for  prepaid  tuition  benefits.

New Students

In order to receive prepaid tuition benefits, new students must first complete the Internal Degree Form and the Tuition Assistance Tax Exemption Form. These forms must be  emailed to internal_tuition@rush.edu,  by  the deadlines  listed below.

RETURNING STUDENTS

Returning students must complete the Internal Degree form and the tuition assistance tax exemption form and email to Internal_tuition@rush.edu , by the deadline listed below.

SUBMISSION DEADLINES

Students must email their forms to Internal_tuition@rush.edu, by the following deadlines:

LEAP Deadlines

*Final Deadlines

FORMS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED OR PROCESSED AFTER THE DEADLINE DATE.  ANY FINANCIAL LIABILITY IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE EMPLOYEE.

A passing grade (a “C” or better for each class for undergraduates and a “B” or better for each class for graduates) must be obtained to continue receiving tuition prepayment benefits. Students who do not receive a passing grade will not receive tuition prepayment benefits for the following quarter or semester. Dropped classes also result in the forfeiture of reimbursement funds. The LEAP office will obtain grades from Student Affairs.  The Doctor of Medicine degree at Rush University is not eligible for prepaid tuition benefits.

Important Imputed Tax Rules Governing Pre-Paid Tuition Benefits

Federal tax law mandates that prepaid tuition for degree-level course work in excess of  $5,250  be  considered additional taxable earnings in the calendar year in which it was received. The amount of prepaid tuition benefits that exceeds $5,250 will be added to the employee’s biweekly earnings and taxed based on the employee’s payroll tax elections.

• Taxable income less than $999 will be prorated and applied over two consecutive payroll periods.

Taxable income more than $1,000 will be prorated and applied over four consecutive payroll periods.

Tuition and Fees (2017-2018)

Tuition and fees for the 2017-2018 academic year are listed below. For estimates of other expenses, see the Office of Student Financial Aid website.

Admissions Fee

A non-refundable application fee is required of all applicants to offset the expense of processing the application, evaluating credentials and maintaining a library of evaluation aids. This fee does not apply to any other charges such as tuition.

Enrollment Deposit

The enrollment deposit fee holds a place for the student in the entering class. The deposit is non-refundable and is applied toward payment of the first term tuition. A $250 enrollment deposit is required for students in the College of HealthSciences. Rush Medical College students are required to pay $100 prior to matriculation. College of Nursing students and affiliated students must deposit $350 prior to matriculation. The enrollment deposit for PhD in nursing students is $350, The enrollment deposit for all basic sciences and biomedical research programs within the Graduate College is $250.

Late Registration Fee

Continuing students must register during the official priority registration period. An additional $50 late registration fee will be applied to the student’s financial account if the student has not registered by the end of the first day of the term.

A student who feels that there are mitigating circumstances as to why the late registration fee should not be applied must first appeal to his or her advisor. If the advisor deems that the information warrants repealing the late registration fee, the advisor must speak with the program director. If the program director concurs with the advisor, the program advisor will notify the Office of the Registrar in writing and the late fee will be removed from the student’s financial account by the Office of Financial Affairs.

Continuous Enrollment Fee

Students enrolled in a noncredit residency or academic enrichment program prior to receipt of their degree must be registered for Continuous Enrollment in order to retain their student status. Any degree or certificate student not taking courses but needing to replace an outstanding incomplete grade must register for Continuous Enrollment until the grade is satisfied. This fee also applies to graduate students who have completed all courses but have not had the dissertation accepted. Hospitalization or physician fees are not covered in this fee. Students auditing a course may be required to register for the continuous enrollment course (see “Auditing a Course”).

Returned Checks

If a student gives the University a check that is returned by the bank upon which it was drawn, marked “not sufficient funds,” “payment stopped,” or “account closed,” a $25 charge will be assessed for each occurrence.

Rush Medical College Students and Tuition Charges

Rush Medical College students are charged for a maximum of four years of full-time tuition. Medical students needing additional terms to complete degree requirements will be charged the continuous enrollment fee. Although it may be possible for a medical student to complete all degree requirements prior to the spring term of his or her fourth year, a full four years of tuition charges must be paid prior to graduation.

Auditing a Course

Students who are registered in classes for credit and who wish to audit a separate class or classes will not be charged for the audited course(s). If the student only wishes to audit one or more classes and will not be registered in any classes for credit for that term, the student must register in continuous enrollment, at which point one credit hour of charge will be assessed at the student’s normal tuition rate.