Tuition & Fees

Health Insurance
Withdrawals and Refunds
Expenses

The Conservatory's tuition for the 2008-09 academic year is $31,800 ($15,900 per semester). Tuition for the 2009-2010 year will be set by the Board of Trustees in spring 2009. The following is a breakdown of charges for different types of matriculation on a yearly and per semester basis:

Full-time student (undergraduate and graduate)
$31,800, annually / $15,900, per semester

Part-time student, per academic credit (undergraduate and graduate)
$2,800, annually / $1,400, per semester

Private instruction for part-time student (one hour lesson per week)
$12,800, annually / $6,400, per semester

Minor instrument instruction (available to full-time students only)

• o One hour lesson per week: $7,200, annually / $3,600, per semester
  
• o One half-hour lesson per week: $3,600, annually / $1,800, per semester
  
  

Overloads
Full-time students who wish to register for credits in excess of 18.5 in the fall or spring (not counting ensembles) must pay a per-credit fee of $1,400.

Application Fee (non-refundable): $100

Enrollment Reservation Deposit (refundable only if student has registered): $500

Registration - Student Fee(per semester): $140

Muni Transportation Fee (annually) : $162

Library/Security Deposit (new students only): $50

Tuition Payment Plan Fee:(per semester): $25

Late Registration Fee

First week: $75
Each subsequent week: $50

Late Payment Fee: $75

Late Tuition Payment Plan Fee: $25

Non-Sufficient Funds Fee: $25

Special Examination Fee (for all or part of placement examinations,course examinations or ensemble auditions outside of the orientation schedule): $30
Transcripts (one issued without charge; fee charged for all subsequent transcripts): $10

The $100 application fee must accompany the Application for Admission (www.unifiedapps.org). The $500 enrollment reservation is required of all new and returning students and is credited to the tuition payment due for the fall semester. The enrollment reservation is non-refundable if the student fails to register, and is due from new graduate and postgraduate students by April 15, from new undergraduate students by May 1 and from returning students by June 15. The balance of fall tuition and fees must be paid at the time of fall registration, and the spring tuition and fees must be paid at the time of spring registration.

All full-time students are required to have medical insurance. Students who are not covered under a U.S. issued health insurance policy must purchase health insurance offered through SFCM before being allowed to register (please check the current coverage at www.renstudent.com/sfcm). The cost will be $326 for Fall 2008 and $451 for Spring 2009. Those who are already insured should complete a waiver form and submit proof of coverage to the Business Office with their $500 deposit for Fall 2008. Students enrolled for less than 12 credits (part-time status) are not eligible to buy insurance through the Conservatory. Students who take a leave of absence may also be ineligible to continue their health insurance policy through the Conservatory.

Any student who wishes to withdraw from the Conservatory must file a withdrawal form, available from the Registrar's Office. Tuition refunds will be calculated from the last day of class attendance, or the day the student initiates the withdrawal through the Business Office. If a student has been enrolled for more than 60% of the term, the student is not eligible for a reduction in tuition and fees.

Calculations of refunds for those students receiving federal financial aid, grants or loans will be done per federal guidelines and returned first to grantors, in accordance with their requirements. Please come into the Business Office for a summary of the calculations of the Return of Title IV funds in reference to your financial aid. We will review with you what will be required to be returned due to your withdrawal or Leave of Absence. For those students not receiving federal financial aid, the amount of tuition retained will be 11% per week, according to the refund policy posted in the Business Office. For those receiving a Conservatory scholarship, the amount of scholarship not used will be returned to the scholarship fund and will not be refunded to the students. Should a student or former student fail to pay a debt owed to the Conservatory, permission to register or receive other services or materials may be withheld until the debt is paid. For example, the Conservatory may withhold permission to receive transcripts of grades from any person owing a debt. If the student leaves the Conservatory owing a debt, the student is responsible for paying that debt as well as all costs of collection and a reasonable attorney's fee. Any disputes over outstanding debts will be referred to the Business Office. The Business Office (or another office on campus to which the Business Office may refer the student) will review the pertinent information, including information the student may wish to present, and will advise the student of its conclusions with respect to the debt.

Students should come to the Conservatory fully prepared to meet their tuition, fees and living expenses. Prospective students should be realistic about providing for their schooling and living expenses while attending the Conservatory. Part-time jobs may be available through the school or in the community, but it is unrealistic to think that a student can fully cover tuition and living expenses through such employment.

Although living expenses will vary considerably, the following figures should help students plan a budget for the academic year:

Food and Housing: $9900
Books and Supplies: $580
Personal Expenses (clothing, laundry, entertainment, incidentals, etc.): $2,000
Muni Class Pass: $185
Health Insurance: $1,700 (annual estimate)
Housing: The Conservatory has no on-campus housing or dormitory facilities. Please see Housing for a complete list of resources.