Tuition
Per semester tuition is $31,210 in 2021–22.
Student Body Fee
The $155 per semester student body fee is collected from each full-time student by the business office and allocated to the student senate at the beginning of the semester. The fee underwrites publication of the student newspaper and extracurricular activities, and partially supports the student union and ski cabin.
Room and Board
Room and board in all cases is contracted on an academic-year basis. Rooms in residence halls on campus and rooms in college-operated apartment buildings are available at the following costs:
| Dormitory room | $4,065 per semester | $8,130 per year |
| One-bedroom apartment | $5,240 per semester | $10,480 per year |
| Two-bedroom apartment | $4,535 per semester | $9,070 per year |
All students who live in a residence hall on campus must take board. Students residing in the apartments may choose whether they contract for a board plan. The college offers three declining-balance board plans. The balance is reduced as meals are taken. Plan A is for heavier eaters while Plan C is for lighter eaters. The following plans are available:
| Plan A | $3,755 per semester | $7,510 per year |
| Plan B (base plan) | $3,575 per semester | $7,150 per year |
| Plan C | $3,345 per semester | $6,690 per year |
Students will be charged for Plan B unless they indicate otherwise. Students not living on campus may also contract for board or may purchase commuter commons points. Plans can also be supplemented by the purchase of additional food points. Students with special dietary problems are not granted exceptions to the board requirement. They should, however, consult the food service dietitian before making arrangements for room and board on campus to determine whether their particular needs can be accommodated.
With the acceptance of an assignment of on-campus housing at any time during the academic year, the student is fully liable for room and board (if applicable) for the remainder of that academic year. The student may not exchange a room assignment without prior written consent from the residence life office.
Students who withdraw or take a regular or medical leave of absence from school are eligible for room and board refunds according to the schedule in this section. No refunds will be given except in the case of withdrawal or leave from school or for special cases approved by the residence life office. In the case of subsequent reentry to student standing within the same academic year, the student will once again be liable for room and board for the remainder of that year.
Summary of Annual Direct Costs
| Charges in 2021–22 for full-time students: | Per Year |
| Tuition | $62,420 |
| Student body fee | $310 |
| Room and board, on campus (Plan B) | $15,280 |
| Total | $78,010 |
Indirect Costs
In addition to the direct costs listed above, a student should budget approximately $1,950 for books and incidentals such as laundry, clothing, and recreation. Students should also budget approximately $250–$1,800 for travel expenses (average cost for two round trips between home and school). Those who intend to remain on campus during vacation periods must remember that extra funds will be needed for meals.
Billing of Accounts for Fall and Spring
The business office will email billing statements to registered students for tuition, fees, and other charges six to eight weeks before the beginning of classes each semester. A billing information and release form must be completed if billing statements are to be sent to a party other than the student. If this form is not completed, billing statements will be sent only to the student. The total amount due on the billing statement is payable by the semester due date, which is normally three Fridays before the first day of classes. Students who do not meet these deadlines will be subject to cancellation of registration.
Students and authorized users may view real-time account information, make payments, and enroll in a monthly payment plan online.
Payment Plan
Reed offers students and families an interest-free monthly payment option through a third party. This allows participants to spread all or part of their semester direct costs over equal monthly payments without interest. There is an enrollment fee to participate. Full payment plan details are available at reed.edu/business.
Health Insurance
Every degree-seeking undergraduate student must be covered by health insurance and will be charged for one of the college’s plans. If students have comparable insurance coverage and do not want to join the Reed plan, they must provide proof of comparable health insurance coverage by submitting a completed health insurance waiver form via paper or online annually prior to the first day of classes. Once the business office receives this waiver, the insurance charge will be offset by a waiver credit. This includes students who have been approved for part-time student status. Students who do not submit a waiver will be billed each semester for the health insurance provided by the college.
Late Payment Fee
Students paying tuition and fees after the scheduled payment date will be charged a late fee, unless a written petition to waive the late fee has been presented to and approved by the controller. (The fee is not normally waived for reasons such as employment, late arrival, or unresolved financial problems.) Payments must be received on the due date. Payments that are postmarked on the due date will be considered delinquent. The late fee will be $50 during the first week of the semester.
Missed Deadline Fines
Missed deadline transactions approved by the Administration Committee may result in fines assessed to the student. The fines, which are determined by the Administration Committee, will not exceed 1 percent of the cost of one semester’s tuition.
Monthly Billings and Delinquent Accounts
Reed conveys billing information through a billing statement emailed to the student and their responsible billing party. The business office will email billing statements around the 10th of each month during the academic year reflecting miscellaneous charges such as library fines, printing, health center charges, and fines for lost keys. Payment of the total amount is due within 30 days. Students and alumni with a delinquent account will not be allowed to register for class or have access to their transcripts and may have their library, printing, and other privileges suspended. Unpaid balances may be turned over to a collection agency. If this occurs, the student is responsible for all costs and attorney fees incurred in the collection process. All enrolled students must accept the Statement of Financial Responsibility via their IRIS account. This statement outlines the student’s personal responsibility for college charges assessed to the student account.
Private Music Instruction
Fees for private music instruction are $540 each semester for twelve 45-minute lessons. Students who officially withdraw from private music instruction through the music department and the registrar’s office before week 8 of the semester may receive a partial refund. Failure to initiate and/or complete the withdrawal process will result in no refund.
Release of Financial Information
A billing information and release form must be completed online each year in order for the business office staff to release any detailed information about a student’s financial account with the college to parents, other family members, trustees, or banks. We will not be able to release specific information over the phone or in writing to anyone who is not authorized in writing or online by the student.
Withdrawals, Leaves, and Refunds
The college makes commitments to the faculty and staff in advance of the school year based on anticipated student enrollment. These commitments are not subject to change, even though the number of students may vary. For this reason, no deviations from the refund schedule will be made except in cases of extreme hardship, of which the college shall be the sole judge.
Students who take a leave of absence or officially withdraw through the Dean of Students’ Office (or through the MALS office for graduate students) may receive a refund of tuition and certain fees. Failure to initiate and/or complete the institutional leave or withdrawal process will result in no refund of tuition. No refund shall be made to students who have been suspended or dismissed from the college.
The refund of tuition, room, and board is based on the effective date of the leave/withdrawal as determined by the college (see refund schedule below). The refund policy applies to all undergraduate and graduate students who withdraw, take a regular leave of absence, or take a medical leave of absence, whether or not they have federal Title IV financial aid.
- The student body fee and health insurance coverage, if applicable, are nonrefundable.
- Unused board points may be refunded.
- Credit balances under $10 will not be refunded.
- Financial aid recipients earn their aid as the semester progresses. When a federal aid recipient takes a leave of absence or withdraws, a pro rata schedule is used to determine the federal aid funds the student has earned at the time of withdrawal.
- Nonfederal financial aid, including but not limited to Reed grants, outside scholarships, state grants, private loans, etc., will be refunded according to the refund schedule below.
- Students who do not earn any credits and do not take a leave of absence or withdraw will have their Title IV aid recalculated from the midpoint of the semester, or from the last date of an academically related activity verified by Reed, even though they would not qualify for a tuition refund.
| Refund Schedule for Leaves of Absence and Withdrawals | ||
| The leave/withdrawal effective date determines the refund percentage. | ||
| Week | Refund % | % Title IV Aid Earned |
| 1 | 90 | 1–7 |
| 2 | 80 | 8–14 |
| 3 | 65 | 15–21 |
| 4 | 50 | 22–28 |
| 5 | 35 | 29–35 |
| 6 | 25 | 36–42 |
| 7 | 15 | 43–47 |
| 8 | 10 | 48–54 |
| 9 | 0 | 55–100 |
| 10 | 0 | 100 |
| 11 | 0 | 100 |
| 12 | 0 | 100 |
| 13 | 0 | 100 |
| 14 | 0 | 100 |
| 15 | 0 | 100 |
| Fall and spring breaks are not included in the above schedule. | ||
Tuition Refund Insurance
Reed College students are eligible to participate in the tuition refund plan offered by A.W.G. Dewar, Inc., at a cost of 1% of the total direct costs. Students who wish to participate must enroll and send payment directly to Dewar prior to the first day of classes.
This plan extends and enhances the college’s published refund policy. Participants will be assured a 70 percent refund for withdrawals due to accident, illness, or mental health conditions as defined by the plan.
This plan is recommended by the college for families with concerns about medical or mental health issues that may result in a student’s taking a medical leave during a semester.
A brochure is emailed to all matriculating and continuing students in June, or students may contact the business office (after July 1) to have one sent to them. For more information, contact Dewar at 617-774-1555.
Tuition and Fees for Part-Time Undergraduate Students
In special cases where the Administration Committee has approved an undergraduate student petition to enroll in less than a full academic program for reduced tuition, tuition rates per semester are charged as follows for the number of units approved in the underload:
| 1/2 unit | $5,300 | 2 units | $20,900 |
| 1 unit | $10,500 | 2 1/2 units | $26,100 |
| 1 1/2 units | $15,700 | 3 units or more (full-time) | $31,210 |
Students enrolled in fewer than three units while enrolled in thesis will be charged full-time tuition. After the first two weeks of any semester, a reduction in the undergraduate program will have no effect on the amount of tuition.
A fee of $100 each semester is required for auditing a course. No auditing fee is charged to regularly enrolled students carrying a normal program. The college reserves the right to refuse auditing privileges to anyone on the basis of overcrowding or because the nature of the material does not permit such treatment.