Cost of Attendance
Cost is one of the many advantages of a community college. This is especially true for students planning to earn a bachelor's degree. By taking their freshman and sophomore years at BCC before transferring to a baccalaureate institution these students can save thousands of dollars on the cost of their education.

BCC charges tuition, a college service fee, and a technology fee for every registered credit. The actual cost per credit depends on whether the student is taking day, evening and/or online courses; and the student's residency. The total cost per semester depends on the number of credits the student takes, the cost of books and supplies travel to and from BCC, and any additional expenses and fees. Students and parents should also note that there 
are several ways to further reduce the cost of a college education. These include financial aid, a statewide MassTransfer program, and the higher education tax incentives provided by the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997.

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Note:  Tuition, fees and refund policies may change without notice.

To determine their tuition and fees, students should carefully read the following two paragraphs. Students auditing a course pay the same rates as students taking the
course for credit.

DAY COURSES
The tuition and fees for day courses, defined as courses that begin before 4pm on
Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semester, are based on the student's residency as shown below.

EVENING & ONLINE COURSES
All evening and online courses are charged the Massachusetts resident rates (see below). Evening courses are defined as:

(1) all courses starting at or after 4 p.m.
(2) all courses held on weekends, and
(3) all courses offered during the summer.

ADDITIONAL FEES 
If applicable, students may also be charged the following additional fees:

ADMISSION APPLICATION
All students applying for admission to BCC are charged the following one-time
application fee:

Massachusetts Residents	$10.00
All Other Residents	$35.00

MASSACHUSETTS RESIDENTS
The following rates apply to Massachusetts residents for day courses; and
to all students, regardless of residency, for evening and online courses:

Tuition	$ 26.00 per credit
College Service Fee	$117.00 per credit
Technology Fee	$ 13.00 per credit
Total	$156.00 per credit

To qualify for Massachusetts rates, a student must:  

1.  be a Massachusetts resident for at least six months prior to the start of a semester, and
2. submit a completed residency form to the Registrar's office. Students who do not submit a residency form will be assessed out-of-state rates.

NEW ENGLAND & NEW YORK RESIDENTS

The following rates apply to New England (other than Massachusetts) and
New York residents for day courses:

Tuition	$  39.00 per credit
College Service Fee	$117.00 per credit
Technology Fee	$  13.00 per credit
Total	$169.00 per credit

ALL OTHER RESIDENTS
The following rates apply to international students and all other out-of-state
residents for day courses:

Tuition	$260.00 per credit
College Service Fee	$117.00 per credit
Technology Fee	$  13.00 per credit
Total	$390.00 per credit

HEALTH INSURANCE
Students covered under a comparable health insurance plan may waive the fee by
visiting the "Student Accident & Sickness Insurance Plan" link 
at University Health Plan, Inc.

Fall (9/1/09 through 8/31/10)	$823.00
Spring (1/1/10 through 8/31/10)	$564.00

MASSPIRG
All day students are automatically charged a $9 contribution each semester to the Massachusetts Public Interest Issues Research Group (MassPIRG). Students who
wish to waive the fee must submit a completed waiver form to the Student Billing office.

OTHER
Depending on the needs and circumstances of each student, the following fees may
apply:

Challenge Asessment	$30.00/credit
Clinical Makeup	$50.00/makeup
Late Payment/Reinstatement	$50.00/semester
Life Experience	$30.00/credit
Returned Check	$20.00/check
Three Installment Payment Plan	$30.00/semester
Transcript	$3.00/copy

 

Billing and Payment

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Students are required to respond to their bills even if payment is covered by financial
aid or another source. Non-response to a bill may result in cancellation of the student's registration.

SEMESTER BILLS
Bills for the fall and spring semesters are mailed to the student's home address on file
the Registrar's office. Fall semester bills are mailed in mid-July and are due in mid-August. Spring semester bills are mailed in mid-December and are due in early January. Students
who register after the bills are mailed are given their bill upon registration. Students who register after the bill due dates are expected to pay upon registration.

INSTALLMENT PLAN
To assist students in paying their bills, the college offers a Three Installment Payment
Plan (TIPP). The plan requires a co-maker and a non-refundable $30 application fee. Application forms are available in the Student Billing office (F-108), and online.

PAYMENT PROCEDURES
Payment for the fall and spring semesters is due as indicated on the student's bill.
Payments not received by the due date are subject to a $50 late fee. Payment for 
summer courses is due at the time of registration.

PAYING THE BILL 
The college accepts cash, checks, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa. Payments may be made: • in-person at the Student Billing office, located in Room F-108
on the first floor of the Field Administration Center on BCC's main campus in Pittsfield
• by mail to Student Billing, Berkshire Community College, 1350 West Street,
Pittsfield, MA 01201 (do not send cash by mail) • by telephone 24 hours a day
(413-236-3043). • by WebAdvisor 24 hours a day. Follow the link at berkshirecc.edu.

ADDITIONAL BILLS
Students may receive at least one additional bill during a semester if they (1) enrolled
in a TIPP installment plan, (2) registered for additional credits, or (3) received financial
aid or scholarship awards that did not sufficiently cover all charges.

RETURNED CHECKS 
A check with insufficient funds is generally deposited twice and only returned to the
college if it does not clear the second time. Returned checks will result in the credit
being removed from the student's account, and the assessment of a $20 returned
check fee. Students will be notified in writing of this action. Repayment must then
be made by cash, bank check, money order, or credit card.

BALANCES AT SEMESTER'S END
Student accounts with an outstanding balance after final bills are due will be placed
on hold.  A series of four letters requiring immediate payment will be sent to the student. Failure to pay will result in the student's account being turned over to an approved
collection company, and the student will be responsible for all collection costs and other
fees
incurred in the collection of the debt.

REFUND POLICY
The college adheres to the following refund policy:
• Non-attendance alone does not qualify a student for a refund. Students must initiate, in writing, a course drop or All College Withdrawal form.
• Credit course refunds are based on the student's official date of withdrawal as
determined by the Registrar's office.
• Full refunds are granted for any course cancelled by the college.
• Refunds are processed after the end of the refund period according to the table above. Refund checks are mailed to the student's home address on file in the Registrar's office.
Credit card payments will be refunded to credit cards.

DAY COURSES	Before first day of semesteru	1 - 6 days of semesters	7 - 10 days of semesters	After 10th day of semesters
Massachusetts residents and all evening students	$156.00	$117.00	$78.00	$0
New England and New York residents	$169.00	$126.75	$84.50	$0
International and out-of-state students	$410.00	$307.50	$205.00	$0
SUMMER/EVENING/ ONLINE COURSES	Before first day of semesteru	1 - 2 days of semesters	3 - 4 days of semesters	After 4th day of semesters
All students	$156.00	$117.00	$78.00	$0

^u  Includes  tuition, college service, and technology fees.

^s  Days refer to business days (weekends, holidays, and other non-business days are     excluded).

REFUND POLICY FOR STUDENTS ON FINANCIAL AID
Students receiving federal or state financial aid should also see "Withdrawal/Refund Policy
for Financial Aid Recipients "for additional information.