The purpose of this message is to clarify information on the new Tennessee Board of Regents fee structure that takes effect for the fall 2009 semester. 

The latest TBR change is that tuition will be charged on the basis of student level (undergraduate or graduate) rather than by course level.  This change means that graduate students enrolled in undergraduate courses (even if foundation or prerequisite courses) will be charged at the graduate rate for all courses. 

Information on the per credit hour charge and the phase-in of removal of the full-time tuition cap, incorporating a limited-time reduced credit hour charge for hours above full-time status, can be found at the following link:
http://www.etsu.edu/fa/fs/bursar/documents/grad_fees_2009-10.pdf.

Because of the timing of this change and our desire to assist students in managing the transition to the new fee structure, for two semesters only (fall 2009 and spring 2010), ETSU will adjust student fees to credit your account for the difference between the graduate and undergraduate fees for undergraduate courses taken by graduate students.  This temporary adjustment will offset the effect of the potential increase in fees and provide students with sufficient notice to budget accordingly for future terms.  

Additional information: 

• For any student admitted at the graduate level, the account statement will display graduate tuition charges for all registered courses regardless of course level.
• If you are taking 10 or more graduate hours, then there will be no graduate level adjustment to your account, even if you are taking an additional undergraduate course.
• If you are taking 9 or fewer graduate hours and some undergraduate hours, then you will receive a graduate level adjustment.  In order for your account to reflect an offset of the new increase in charges, the university will apply a credit to your account during the week of September 7th. 
• EXAMPLE:  For an in-state graduate student, registered in one graduate level course (3 hrs.) and one undergraduate level course (3 hrs.), the account will reflect tuition and fee charges of $2202 (not including course fees).  As in the past, you will need to pay your charges, set up a payment plan, or confirm with financial aid by August 28th, or your classes will be purged and you will have to re-register and pay the late fee.  During the week of September 7th, a $351 adjustment will be applied to your student account and any refunds or balance adjustments will be posted to your account.  After September 11, 2009, view your account on Goldlink to confirm that the adjustment (with the code grad lvl adj) has been applied to your account.  After you have viewed your account on Goldlink, if you do not see the adjustment has been applied, please contact bursar@etsu.edu. 

If you are enrolled in only graduate courses, confirm your classes and pay your account in the customary manner.  Please remember that the fee payment deadline is August 28th.

This information as well as any additional updates can be found at www.etsu.edu/gradstud.

Cecilia A. McIntosh, Ph.D.
Dean of the School of Graduate Studies