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Tiger Family Resources: Finances

 

University & Student Business Services (USBS) provides information about online billing, due dates, refunds and payment methods.

The Financial Aid and Scholarship offices have information on applying for financial aid, scholarships, and student job opportunities. Financial aid, including grants, loans and scholarships, will apply to the fall and spring tuition bills before the start of classes if all required paperwork is complete. 

Check out our Tiger Talk with the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office >

Tuition & Fees

Tuition costs (fees) vary based on the number of hours a student is taking, their field of study, and whether or not they are considered an in state or out of state student (residency status). Living expenses will or can be affected by where the student lives, how much they eat, and other personal habits.

Each year the Financial Aid office determines an estimate of the cost of attendance for students which includes tuition, fees, room, board, books, supplies, and other related expenses. This does not include costs not directly associated with school attendance, such as a car or credit card debt.

Bill Payment

The University of Memphis does not mail statements, instead, statements are available to students through TigerXpress.  Students are sent e-mail reminders to check myMemphis for their statement before each semester for which they are enrolled.  Students are responsible for payments by the due date and they vary by semester.  Students have two options in paying their bill.  They can pay in full prior to the deadline or they can sign up for the installment payment plan.

Authorized Users: Students can sign up to give others (parents, employers, etc.) the ability to access their account information in the TigerXpress system. Authorized users may view student account balance and make payments.

Fee Payment Methods: Payments may be made using a number of methods, including credit card, cash (in-person), check and mail. View all payment method options

Typical Charges: Below is a list of typical charges that are found on a student’s statement.  For a detailed list of fees that cover most student situations, visit the Fees website.   Please note that fees are subject to change without notice. 

  • Tuition: The amount a student owes for tuition and fees depends on the number of credit hours enrolled in, school or college enrolled in, residency status, and the classes a student elects to take.
  • Housing: If a student lives in a University residence hall, housing charges will appear on the student account. For more information, visit the Residence Life website
  • Special Course Fee: If a student is registered for a certain course, they may be charged an additional fee.  Examples include music courses, Fine Art courses, and Engineering courses.
  • Material Fees:  If a student is registered for a course that requires certain materials, they will be charged an additional fee.  Examples include some chemistry, biology, and theatre courses.
  • TigerEats$: All full-time undergraduate students are automatically enrolled in the TigerEat$ plan.  Each semester (fall and spring), student’s accounts will be charged $300 for them to use at campus dining facilities and in vending machines. For more information, visit the Tiger Eat$ website

Financial Aid

To be considered for financial aid, qualified students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA must be completed each year to determine financial aid eligibility. Students may be asked to submit additional information after completing their FAFSA.

Financial Aid awards are available in the student's MyMemphis account on the Account$ tab. Student's should check their award regularly to ensure that no additional documentation is needed to process their award.

Scholarships

The Scholarship Office awards hundreds of academic scholarships each year to entering freshmen. All scholarships are awarded for the academic year (Fall and Spring semesters). Scholarships are awarded based on information submitted on the University of Memphis admissions application. A separate scholarship application is not required unless noted. The deadline for admission to the University of Memphis for scholarship consideration is December 1.

HOPE Scholarship: Students eligible for the State of Tennessee HOPE Scholarship Program (Lottery Scholarship) must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as specified by the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC). For more details regarding the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship Program, please go to the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) HOPE Lottery Scholarship Web Site.

Scholarships are also available to continuing students, through the student’s major department or through other offices. Students can apply for these scholarship through Tiger Scholarship Manager. The deadline to apply is February 1 for the coming academic year.

Student Employment and Work Study

Many parents and students find that having a part-time job while in college not only provides students with much-needed spending money, but also helps them to budget their time better, and thus use their available study time more effectively. Throughout the University and the community there are many different types of employment opportunities for your student.

Just about every office and department within the University, from Admissions to Psychology, hires students each year. In addition, students will find many jobs in the residence halls as resident advisors or desk clerks. Often, employed students are able to work around class and final exam schedules. For some jobs, students must be participants in the Federal Work-Study program (a type of financial aid). For other campus jobs (Regular Student Employment), students do not need to be participants in the Federal Work-Study program. Most campus jobs are posted through the Financial Aid Office Student Employment Listings, but some are not. If there is an office or department that your student would like to work for, but nothing is 'posted,' encourage him or her to call or stop by the office to inquire.

When a student is hired for a campus job, they must complete employment eligibility verification form (I-9) within the first three days of employment. For verification, the student employee must present original documents from this list of acceptable documents. Copies or photos will not be accepted. Please ensure your student has the original documents for employment verification in their possession. 

Helping your Student Learn to Manage their Finances

While some entering college students have been responsible for their personal finances for some time, others have never handled their own money or developed a budget for themselves. Wherever your son or daughter is along this continuum, prior to the start of the first semester, and from time-to-time throughout the college years, we suggest that you initiate an open, candid conversation with your student about their financial and budgetary issues and philosophies. 

Spending Money: Whether students are living in the residence halls or not, they will need spending money. How much they need depends on how often they buy clothes, go to movies and concerts, eat in restaurants, buy gas, etc. Keeping track of expenses for a few weeks is one way for students to determine exactly how much they need. Common expenses are snacks, off-campus meals, entertainment, gas, toiletries, etc. If a family is able to assist their student, we suggest that parents give their students a monthly allowance to allow them to learn how to budget their money.

Banking: There are a variety of financial institutions with branches on or near campus. First South Credit Union has a branch on campus, right above the bookstore in the V. Lane Rawlins Service Court. Services and fees at banks vary, and students should shop around for the bank that meets their individual needs. 

Credit Cards: Many students open credit card accounts when they arrive on campus. Teach your student about the benefits and pitfalls of credit cards. Explain how to accurately compare credit card offers, how to read and understand the fine print, and how to act responsibly when it comes to debt management.

Property Insurance: Before your student arrives on campus, it is a good idea to check with your insurance company to determine if your student's property will be covered by your insurance while they are away from your permanent home. Some homeowners' insurance policies have riders that allow for personal possessions away from the insured home to be covered and others do not. If your insurance does not cover your student's possessions while they are on campus, encourage your student to contact an insurance company about renter's insurance. There are many insurance companies in Memphis that offer relatively low-cost renter’s insurance.