Course Catalog: 2020-21

Tuition and Fees

Amherst College generates an electronic tuition statement each semester. The fall term billing email notification will be available July 15, 2021 and the balance due must be received on or before August 6, 2021. All payment arrangements to cover the fall term balance must also be established and up to date by the payment due date of August 6th. The spring term bill will be available by December 10, 2021 and payment must be received by the College on or before January 7, 2022. Additional billing statements are also issued online during each semester, which will include any other miscellaneous charges, such as fees for late registration, extra courses, li­brary fines, lost or damaged property, etc., posted to the student account and are payable when incurred.

Email notifications will be sent to students and their Authorized Users ("Family and Friends") each time a new statement has been uploaded to the account. These statements can be viewed online at AC Data.

The total balance due must be settled before a student will be cleared for course registration. Students may also be required to contact the Financial Aid Office or the Controller’s Office prior to registration in order to finalize paperwork, sign loan notes, or to clear any remaining unpaid balance.

Students and their designated “Friends and Family” will electronically receive the first semester bill, in the amount of $41,366.  The college will email students asking them to authorize any person(s) who should receive online access to their student account billing information. The sec­ond semester bill, totaling $38,750. All College scholarships, Tuition Management Systems Payment Plans, and other cash payments received prior to July (for fall) and December (for spring) will appear as credits on the bill.

External scholarships don’t need to be received to show as credit on the bill; Financial Aid just needs to have confirmation that it’s coming.

The Association of Amherst Students Budgetary Committee sets the student activities fee. This $460 fee is turned over to the committee, which disburses it among more than 100 student organizations, clubs, groups and activities. It supports social, educational and community building programs, as well as such organizations as student newspapers, magazines, the radio station, the yearbook and student government. A portion of the fee helps to underwrite the Five College Performing Arts Program, which allows students at all Five Colleges to receive a discounted ticket price for all Fine Arts Center-sponsored programs. 

Guarantee Deposit

Each new student is charged a $175 fee, as are reentering former students who have not previously paid this fee. Included in the $175 guarantee deposit is a $25 transcript fee, which provides all students the opportunity to receive transcripts upon request, with no additional charge. This part of the fee is a non-refundable charge. The $150 balance is refundable after a student graduates or otherwise leaves the College, less any unpaid charges on his or her account.

Payment Plans
For those who wish the convenience of monthly payments, we have made arrangements for pre-payment plans, including insurance for continued pay­ment in case of death or disability of the parent. For further details contact Tu­ition Management Systems at www.amherst.afford.com.

Tuition Changes
Despite every effort to maintain College fees at the lowest possible level, Amherst has found it necessary to increase the tuition fee in the past. Therefore, we advise students and parents that such increases may be neces­sary in subsequent years. The College attempts to notify students of tuition changes as early as possible during the preceding academic year. Financial aid awards will be based on the schedule of fees in effect during the year of the award. Students who may require financial aid as the result of tuition changes are eligible to make an application whenever necessary.

Refund Policy
In case of withdrawal before the opening day of a semester, all charges ex­cept the Advanced Tuition Deposit will be cancelled. (See Conduct)

Refund of payment or credit on student accounts in the event of with­drawal are as follows:

Withdrawal Date                                                        Amount Refunded

Fall semester

On or before 8/30/21                                                   $30,350 (100%)

8/31 – 9/10                                                                  $27,315    (90%)

9/11 – 9/20                                                                 $15,175     (50%)

9/21 – 10/17                                                                $7,587      (25%)

10/18/21 or later                                                        no refund

Spring semester

On or before 2/02/22                                                   $30,350   (100%)

2/3 – 2/13                                                                      $27,315    (90%)

2/14 – 2/23                                                                    $15,175    (50%)                                       

2/24 – 3/22                                                                     $7,587     (25%)             

3/23/22 or later                                                           no refund                            

Tuition Insurance

Optional insurance supplementing the Amherst refund policy exists for medical withdrawals at 80% of paid tuition through A.W.G. Dewar, Inc.  If you do not wish to participate in the program you must complete the online waiver by August 6, 2021 for the fall semester and by January 7, 2022 for the spring semester.  More detailed information is available at www.tuitionrefundplan.com.  This is a private program that is not provided, or administered, by the College.