Spring 2021 FAQ

Will I get a tuition discount if my courses are online?

Just as in the Fall semester, this Spring semester the University faculty and staff will still provide the high-quality teaching, support and educational experiences that are a hallmark of a Suffolk education and will ensure you can move forward with the coursework and credits you need to advance your education. The same skilled faculty who have taught the courses on campus will be teaching the courses whether it is offered on campus or online with the same high quality, engaging experience that students expect. Because students will receive academic credit for classes taught in all formats and will have access to the full range of support and guidance from both faculty and staff, the established policies on tuition remain in place.

My courses are online but I pay a higher tuition rate than the online programs?

If you are not in an online program, your tuition rate is different. You are charged based on the program you are enrolled in. Each program has its own individual structure, offerings and support and the tuition rate reflects that. The pandemic may have caused you to have online courses, but your program has not changed.

Why am I charged the Technology Fee?

The University Technology fee is used to support the University’s information technology infrastructure, including facilitating and providing online instruction that matches the high standard of Suffolk’s face to face instruction. With the need to offer many classes with at least some virtual component during the COVID-19 pandemic, the University will continue to utilize this fee. All staff will remain available to students who are remote via online tools such as Zoom.

Why do I have to pay the Activity Fee?

Student organizations and student involvement opportunities will continue this spring face-to-face and online. Groups will be able to meet face to face if students are wearing face coverings, and participants maintain a 6’ distance from each other at all times. A variety of student activities, student leadership, diversity, interfaith, performing arts, commuter, and community engagement programs will be offered. Community building programs will be a priority so students can engage with each other and the Suffolk community-at-large. The Graduate Student Association (graduate students) voted to decrease its student activity fee for the spring semester.

Why have labs moved online?

Under current physical distancing guidelines for maintaining health and safety, lab and studio capacity has been drastically reduced. In addition, mobility considerations mean fewer scheduling time slots. Faculty in the sciences are considering ways to provide hands on experiences in upper level labs and are designing online labs that meet or exceed learning goals that are typically expected for these courses.

Some upper level laboratory classes that teach essential technical skills will continue to require an in-person component.

If my labs and studios are online why am I being charged fees?

Fees help cover the costs of materials, software, kits and licensed products used to deliver labs and studios online. The actual cost to the university is much higher than what is individually charged to students and where we are able to lower fees we have done so. As spring approaches, if changes are made to lab classes that lower the costs, we will look at whether we can reduce fees as well.

Studios, classroom spaces, and the woodshop in Art and Design will remain accessible and open to students in classes through a reservation system. This reservation system is needed to meet distancing requirements.

What are some of the payment options that you offer?

Please refer to our page Payment Methods to see the different options that you can use to pay your student account. If you are planning on mailing a check, we encourage you to look at the ACH option offered through SU Pay. Since we are working remotely, check processing may take longer to process.

What should I do, if I have questions regarding financial aid or student loans?

Please contact Student Financial Services by calling the Ram Center at 617-573-8488 to get answers to all your financial aid and student loan questions.

My financial situation has changed due the pandemic. How do I appeal my financial aid?

If you are experiencing financial difficulty as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the University has created a specific appeal process. Please review the Covid-19 Appeal form which can be found in the Forms section of the Student Financial Services website. Please note these funds are available for the upcoming academic year