Tuition and fees

Student status


Entering and continuing students at Portland State University should plan their study programs and work loads with a knowledge of the fee and tuition schedules of the institution. The Portland State Board of Trustees reserves the right to change the schedule of tuition and fees without notice. Additionally, certain charges set by the University are also subject to change. However, no change made after a term begins will become effective within that term.

Most laboratory and class materials are included in the tuition and fees payment, but certain classes do require special deposit charges, surcharges, or costs to cover materials. These charges are listed on the web at www.pdx.edu.

regular student is defined as a resident or nonresident undergraduate, postbaccalaureate, or graduate student enrolled for 9 credits or more. A regular student is entitled to use the resources of the University, including the Library, the Health Service, and use of the student recreation center. A regular student is also entitled to admission to PSU home athletic events (with the exception of playoff games and social events) and coverage by a basic health insurance plan. No reduction in the total charge is made to those students who do not intend to use specific resources or services. All regular students are required to be currently admitted to the University and will be assessed tuition and fees based on student level.

All non-admitted part-time students, taking 1 to 8 credits pay tuition and fees according to the level of the course(s) in which they enroll. Courses numbered 499 or below are assessed at the undergraduate rate; courses numbered 500 and above are assessed at the graduate rate. Part-time students enrolled in 4 or less hours are not entitled to health services or insurance; however, students taking 5-8 hours will be billed health services as part of their tuition and fees. Residency and admission requirements are waived for students in this category.

All students registered for coursework on or after the first day of the term have a financial obligation in the form of an accounts receivable. The financial obligation is the maximum load enrolled after the start of the term.

All tuition and fees may be paid at the Cashier Windows located in Neuberger Hall lobby, or in accordance with the instructions received with the monthly billing statement. Specific deadlines are available at www.pdx.edu. Tuition and fees must be paid in full each term. At the start of each term, students can choose to pay the balance in full or opt-in to the PSU Payment Plan by the due date. After the due date students with a balance will be automatically enrolled in the Payment Plan and incur a fee. Additional information is available at www.pdx.edu/financial-services/payment-plans.

Tuition and fee schedules/Regular tuition schedule

Students should consult the tuition and fee listing at www.pdx.edu/financial-services/tuition-fees for up-to-date information and applicable tuition and fees.

Students who enroll incur an accounts receivable obligation and are financially responsible for all classes and credits in which they are registered on or after the first day of the term. All classes dropped are subject to the refund schedule. Students are required to pay for any tuition, fees and charges remaining on their account.


Tuition and fee calculation (Non-admitted)—8 credits or fewer

Non-admitted part-time students enrolling in courses numbered 499 or below pay undergraduate tuition and fees. Students enrolling in courses numbered 500 and above pay graduate tuition and fees.

For students enrolling in classes both for undergraduate and graduate credit, the instructional fee for each is combined and added to the single building, incidental, health services and rec center fee to arrive at the total charge.

When courses are added, tuition is calculated upon the difference between the original credit-hour payment and total credits. When credits exceed 8, tuition policy for 9 credits or more applies.

Tuition and fee calculation (Admitted) – One credit or more

Admitted students taking one credit or more are assessed tuition and fees according to their undergraduate/graduate and residency status. The level of courses in which students enroll is immaterial.



Restricted Differential Tuition and noncredit

Enrollment in these courses may not be combined with regular PSU credit courses for fee calculations. Restricted Differential Tuition (previously self support) courses have fees that are assessed in addition to any other tuition paid to the University.



Senior citizen fee schedule


Senior citizens are defined as persons age 65 or older who do not wish to earn course credit. Senior citizens who are Oregon residents are authorized to attend classes on a space-available basis without payment of tuition. Charges for special materials, if any, must be paid.

Incidental and Health Service fee privileges are not provided and the University does not maintain any records of enrollment. The registration receipt may be used to obtain a library card.

Late fees

Late payment fees will be charged on all missed payments.



Other special fees

Special fees and fines are subject to change. Up-to-date information on special fees and clarification of charges can be obtained from the Student Accounts Department, 179 Neuberger Hall, 503-725-3440.

Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions can be viewed at http://www.pdx.edu/sites/www.pdx.edu.financial-services/files/BAO_rcap_web_policy.pdf

In the event of withdrawal, any refunds due are applied to the outstanding balance, and any remaining balance due remains payable. Failure to pay in full may also result in denial of registration, graduation, and transcripts as well as additional assessment for collection charges and attorney’s fees.

Health Insurance

The nonrefundable health insurance will be deducted before calculating the refund amount.

Graduate Assistants

Graduate assistants (GAs) are fully admitted graduate students appointed to assistantships while working toward an advanced degree. Appointments must be for at least .15 FTE per quarter. GAs are exempt from the payment of the instruction fee on the first 9 credit hours per quarter. (Employing department will provide a tuition credit.) All GAs must register for a minimum of 9 graduate credits. Hours in excess of 9 per quarter are assessed at the normal rate and must be approved by the department head and dean of Graduate Studies. GAs are responsible for paying the Building, Health, Incidental, and Technology fees.

This schedule of tuition and fees is determined by the Portland State Board of Trustees. No reduction in the total charge is made to those students who do not intend to use specific resources or services. Fees are subject to change.

Self-support courses have fees that are assessed in addition to any other tuition paid to the University.

Students may access their individual financial account balances on the Web at www.pdx.edu.

Withdrawals and fee refunds

Complete withdrawal or dropping one or more classes can be accomplished before classes begin via Web access with a 100 percent reversal of charges. After classes begin, withdrawals and class drops are accomplished via Web access, or Special Registration Form at the Registration windows in the Neuberger Hall lobby, with the applicable tuition percentage charge remaining due and payable. Refund consideration is automatic; no special request is necessary.

Fees for the purchase of a student health insurance plan are nonrefundable. Refunds of special course fees must be approved by departments. Art, speech, and music special activity course fee refunds are subject to the schedule for complete withdrawal listed on this page.

Complete withdrawal or dropping coursework does not cancel a student’s obligation to pay a student loan, balance of account, or any other financial obligation owed the University. Students with such outstanding obligations will have any refund due them applied against the obligation.


1. Official withdrawals

Students receiving financial aid who need to completely withdraw from classes during a term should officially withdraw (see the instructions in the Schedule of Classes). By using the official withdrawal procedures, students will have tuition refunds calculated by the Student Accounts Department.

Students receiving financial aid who completely withdraw up to the 60 percent point of a term, will be identified. Financial aid staff will use the federal Return of Title IV Funds formula to calculate the percentage of financial aid earned versus the percentage of aid that must be returned to federal aid program accounts. In some cases, the Return of Title IV Funds calculation may take all of a student’s tuition refund to repay federal aid accounts. In addition, students may be responsible for repayment of federal financial aid program funds. Funds are returned to the financial aid programs from which they were awarded, starting with the loan programs.

Students who are considering withdrawing from a term should contact staff in the Office of Admissions, Registration and Records.


2. Unofficial withdrawals

Students who stop attending without officially withdrawing from Portland State University are considered to have unofficially withdrawn. Students who unofficially withdraw may receive all X or M grades at the end of a term. A grade of X is defined as no basis for grade or non-attendance. A grade of M designates a missing grade.

Students who receive financial aid for a term and unofficially withdraw are identified at the end of each term. Each student receiving financial aid who has unofficially withdrawn must provide proof of attendance for the term(s). Students who provide proof of attendance may be subject to the Return of Title IV Funds policy. Students who fail to provide proof of attendance will have all financial aid received repaid to federal accounts (including PLUS loans) and a university accounts receivable will be established.

Refund calculations are based on total tuition and fees. Special fees are nonrefundable. Refunds are computed from the date of official withdrawal or drop; they are not based on when attendance in class ceased. Students who are delayed in withdrawal process for reasons beyond their control may petition for an earlier drop date via a Deadline Appeals petition obtained at the Registration window. Refund consideration is automatic; no special request is necessary. Action to process a refund cannot begin until after the end of the fourth week of the term.


Refund schedule for complete or partial withdrawal

Prior to the second week of the term, students receive a 100 percent refund; in the second week of the term, students receive a 70 percent refund; in the third week of the term, students receive a 40 percent refund; and in the fourth week of the term, students receive a 20 percent refund.

There is no refund after the close of the 28th calendar day following the start of classes. This schedule applies to all students, whether making a complete withdrawal or just reducing hours. The appropriate percentage is applied to the difference between the initial official tuition and fees figure and the figure applicable to the reduced load.