Tuition, Room and Board, and fees

All tuition, room and board, and fee information is for 2025-2026. 

The following basic charges are payable one week prior to the beginning of classes each semester.  The College reserves the right to revise its rates in response to economic conditions.

Students taking classes at the University of Notre Dame or N.I.C.E. institutions are expected to pay fees applicable to those classes. 

Study Abroad Programs

Costs for summer study abroad programs vary based on the specific program in which the student participates. Fluctuations in exchange rates, the number of students participating, as well as additional costs for travel, housing, food, lab fees, etc. vary by program. Please visit the Center for Women’s Intercultural Leadership website for further information on specific programs.

Study Abroad Deposit

Students who accept a placement in a semester or year-long study abroad program at Saint Mary’s College are making a commitment to attend that program. For this reason, there is a non-refundable deposit of $500, which is due by April 30th for any Fall Semester Program and by August 30th for any Spring Semester Program.

This deposit is not an additional fee but will be applied as a payment to the semester tuition bill for the semester that will be spent abroad. In the event the student withdraws from the program after the deposit deadline, the $500 deposit will be forfeited.

Deposits

Enrollment/Damage deposit (new students) $400

New students will reserve a housing space by submitting a deposit within two weeks after receiving their acceptance letter. The deposit is nonrefundable for early decision candidates. The deposit is refundable for regular decision candidates, if the College is notified of their withdrawal no later than May 1. Of the $400 deposit, $200 will be applied to the first semester charges, and $200 will be held by the College as a room damage deposit until the student withdraws or graduates. The cost to repair any property damage and/or any unpaid charges, will be deducted from the deposit. Early decision candidates should refer to page 19.

Refund Policy

Students who properly withdraw from the College prior to the first day of class for any semester will not be assessed any charges. For students withdrawing or being dismissed after the opening of classes for any semester, there will be no refund of tuition and fees unless the student meets one of the following conditions:

• Withdrawal or dismissal within four calendar weeks of the opening of classes.
• Withdrawal because of a protracted illness or some other involuntary situation that is beyond the control of the student.

If any of the above conditions apply, the refund will be calculated in conformity with the following policies:

1. A student withdraws or is dismissed within four calendar weeks of the opening of classes:
   • Tuition:

     Tuition and Fees

     Calendar Weeks	Percentage
     First week	70%
     Second week	55%
     Third week	40%
     Fourth week	25%

     Please note: The refund schedule will be adjusted accordingly based on the above schedule for students who withdraw from semesters or courses with durations of less than 16 weeks.
2. Withdrawal is due to protracted illness or other involuntary situation:
   • Tuition: A pro rata refund based upon the portion of the semester that has elapsed, up to a maximum of 60 percent of the total charges, will be made. No refund will be made once 60% of the semester is completed.
   • Room and board charges: Beginning with the last calendar date of the month of the withdrawal, a refund equal to 60 percent for each remaining calendar day of the semester will be made. No refund will be made once 60% of the semester is completed.
   • Fees are not refundable.
3. Withdrawal from a class or classes:  If a student drops a class after registration has taken place and a new tuition category applies, an adjustment refund will occur if the class is dropped within the first four weeks of the academic year as follows:

   Tuition and Fees

   Calendar Weeks	Percentage
   First week	70%
   Second week	55%
   Third week	40%
   Fourth week	25%
   Fifth and subsequent weeks	no refund of any tuition or fees associated with that class

   Please note: The refund schedule will be adjusted accordingly based on the above schedule for students who withdraw from semesters or courses with durations of less than 16 weeks.
4. Withdrawal from international programs: Students who withdraw from Saint Mary’s international programs are subject to the reimbursement policies for each individual program.

The refund policy will be administered by the College's Finance Department under the direction of the Controller of the College. A parent or student who wishes to appeal a decision of that office may do so by addressing a written communication to the Vice President for Strategy and Finance, Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN 46556. All notices of intention to withdraw must be made in writing and received in the Office of Academic Advising and Registrar to be considered official. Any refunds will be considered official. Refunds for all funds excepting financial aid received from state and/or federal sources, which may have its own regulatory requirements, will be based on the official withdrawal date confirmed by a change of status form completed by the Office of Academic Advising and Registrar. Refunds may not be back-dated beyond this change of status date.

Appeal

The refund policy will be administered by the College's Finance Department under the direction of the Controller of the College. A student who wishes to appeal a decision of that office may do so by addressing a written communication to the:

Vice President for Strategy and Finance
Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN 46556

All notices of intention to withdraw must be made in writing and received by the Program Director to be considered official. Any refunds will be considered official. Refunds will be based on the official withdrawal date confirmed by a change of status form completed by the Office of Academic Advising and Registrar. Refunds may not be backdated beyond this change of status date.

Tuition Insurance

Tuition Insurance is Available

Saint Mary's students have the ability to protect their College investment by purchasing tuition insurance each semester.  This optional coverage expands the scope of the College's refund policy by ensuring the potential for full reimbursement for tuition, room and board, and other fees for unexpected, covered withdrawals at any time during the semester.  Learn more about the Tuition Protection Plan at GradGuard.com/tuition/saintmarys or call (877) 794-6603.

Unpaid Balance

Transcripts, grade reports, and diplomas will be withheld from students who have any unpaid obligations to the College.

The College reserves the right to recover all costs involved with the collection and/or litigation of past-due accounts, including but not limited to: collection agency fees, reasonable attorney’s fees, court costs, and all other charges allowed by law.

Financing

Payment Policy

Payment for tuition and fees for the semester is due on or before the date shown on the student’s billing statement, which will be sent approximately two weeks prior to the start of the semester. Accounts not settled in full by the start of the semester are subject to late charges.

Monthly Payment Plan

The College offers a monthly payment plan for students. This plan allows students/authorized users to make payments in equal installments during each semester. Enrollment is by term and includes an enrollment fee per semester. If you are unable to pay your account in full, you must enroll in the payment plan. If a payment arrangement is not in place by the due date, you could potentially be assessed a late fee and receive a hold on your account that will prevent you from registering for classes, obtaining a transcript, and accessing your grades. Information detailing the payment plan will be sent to students in the summer.

Credit cards are accepted for payment of student accounts. There is a processing fee associated with this service based on the amount charged. Information about this service can be obtained by contacting the Student Accounts Office.

Sibling Remission

Families with two or more daughters attending Saint Mary’s College full time are eligible for the sibling remission, which is 10 percent of tuition for the younger daughter(s). Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information.