Paying Your Tuition

If a check tendered to any unit of the City University in payment of any obligation is not honored by the bank upon which it is drawn, a reprocessing fee of $20 will be assessed.

If you do not make full payment on your tuition and fees and other college bills, a Bursar hold will be placed on your account and prevent you from registering for courses or requesting certain documents including transcripts and diplomas.

Learn more about Bursar holds »

If your account has been delinquent (past due) for more than one term, the Graduate Center will turn it over to a CUNY-designated collection agency. You will be responsible for all collection costs, including agency fees, attorney fees, and court costs, in addition to whatever amounts you owe the college.

Learn more about collections »

In addition, nonpayment or a default judgment against your account may be reported to a credit bureau and reflected in your credit report.

All tuition charges and fees listed herein, or in any registration material issued by The Graduate Center, are subject to change by action of the Board of Trustees of The City University of New York without prior notice. In the event of any increase in tuition charges and fees, payments already made to The Graduate Center will be treated as a partial payment, and notification will be given of the additional amount due and the time and method of payment. The University regrets any inconvenience this may cause.

Each student registration, once classes have begun and regardless of whether or not the student has paid tuition at the point of registration, constitutes a financial obligation to the state of New York that cannot be rescinded. Any leave of absence or withdrawal from an academic program or individual courses must be requested by the student in writing. All students who are administratively withdrawn from classes will receive a grade of “WA” and are fully tuition liable. Withdrawal requests submitted after classes have begun but before the deadline for program changes will entitle the student to a partial adjustment in tuition, according to The City University of New York's established remission policies.

Students are liable for the full amount of their tuition and fees, regardless of whether they receive expected financial aid, loans, or other financial support. The student activity fees and other non-tuition charges cannot be refunded. Refunds of tuition must be based upon a timely written official withdrawal from classes. Such refunds are allowed only in accordance with a limited schedule established by University policy. A student not entitled to a refund, even if withdrawn from classes, is fully liable for any unpaid tuition and fees.

A student is entitled to a full refund of tuition and noninstructional fees (where applicable) in the event that courses are cancelled or a student's registration is canceled by The Graduate Center or one of the senior colleges. In the event of a student's withdrawal, a proportionate refund of tuition may be granted if valid reasons for withdrawal are presented. Formal application must be made.

You may be charged tuition if you drop courses on the first day of the semester or later. In addition, you must pay a fee each time you make certain program changes on or after the first day of classes (except for students who only drop courses) based upon the official CUNY calendar.

Here are some examples of how dropping a course on the first day of the semester or later may have an impact on your tuition bill:

• A master’s student enrolled in nine credits drops a three-credit course during the second week of the semester. The student would incur a financial penalty of 50% of tuition for the three-credit course dropped (plus any University program adjustment fees) in addition to the tuition charged for the six credits of enrollment.
• A master’s student paying out-of-state rates enrolled in 15 credits drops a three-credit course on the first day of the semester. The student would incur a financial penalty of 25% of the tuition for the three-credit course dropped in addition to the tuition charged for the 12 credits of enrollment.
• A Level I doctoral student paying out-of-state rates enrolled in 11 credits drops a four-credit course during the third week of the semester. The student would incur a financial penalty of 75% of the tuition for the four-credit course dropped.
• During the third week of the semester, a student drops a two-credit course and then adds a two-credit course later that day. The student will incur a tuition liability of 75% for the two-credit course dropped and will incur an additional charge for the two-credit course added later that day. To avoid this, you must use the SWAP function in self-service registration.

Important notes:

• To ensure the timely arrival of your refund check, your correct, current address (including your apartment number) must be on file. If you move, please make sure to update your records with the Registrar’s Office. You are also highly encouraged to enroll in direct deposit to ensure the fastest receipt of refunds. 
• It can take two to three weeks for your refund to process.
• A $25 late registration fee will be added to your account if you register after the semester begins.
• A $18 change of program fee will be assessed if you make any changes to your current enrollment program (add, drop, swap) after the semester begins.

Spring 2023 Refund Policy

Level I Out-of-State Doctoral Students, Master's Students, and Non-Degree Students*

Level I In-State Doctoral Students, Master's Students, and Non-Degree Students*

Level II and III Doctoral Students*

*Fees are not refundable once the semester begins

This schedule is not applicable to withdrawals due to military, Peace Corps, or leaves for other national service, and is subject to change by action of the Board of Trustees of The City University of New York.

The CUNY Tuition Refund Schedule is also published in the Tuition and Fees Section of the Graduate Center Bulletin and the Graduate Center Student Handbook.

Employees eligible for a CUNY Employee Tuition Waiver must submit their original Tuition Waiver (form available via Human Resources) to the Bursar’s Office no later than November 1 for the fall term and no later than May 1 for the spring term.

Be sure to have your HR designee complete (title code #  and date of appointment) and sign the Tuition Waiver Form before you bring it to the Bursar's Office for review. Once the Bursar's Office has settled your bill you will be provided with that semester's sticker. You must then take the original Tuition Waiver Form to the Office of the Registrar for final processing.

Employees are still liable to pay the Student Activities Fee, University Consolidated Services Fee and the Technology Fee; these fees are not refundable.