Student Handbook: Tuition and Fees

Tuition and Fees

The following tuition charges are in effect for the 2022–2023 academic year (subject to change in future years).

*The document fee is a mandatory fee charged to students upon matriculation. The fee covers digital content created specifically for HGSE courses during the academic year, as well as the maintenance of the official HGSE transcripts and the production of enrollment verification letters issued to the student while active in the program. The document fee does not include processing fees paid to the official transcript vendor.

** The student activity fee funds officially recognized student organizations, student activities and community wide events available to all students. All Ed.M., C.A.S, Ed.L.D. Year 1, and Ed.L.D. Year 2 students will be automatically assessed the student activity fee. Students on leave of absence will not be assessed the fee. The fee may be waived by written request to the Director of Student Affairs Operations, by Friday, September 9, 2022; fee waiver requests are valid only for the academic year in which they are requested.

Degree requirements stipulate that all Ed.M. and C.A.S. students are to be charged for at least 42 credits. Beginning in academic year 2022-23, both full-time and part-time students may take a maximum of 50 credits during their degree. There is no charge for audited courses.

Full-time students are not assessed additional tuition for courses taken during June, July, August, or May. Part-time students paying by the credit will have any January or May courses added to their spring tuition bill; June and July courses would be added to the fall tuition bill. Part-time students on the flat tuition rate have January and May courses included in their spring tuition, and June and July courses are included in their fall tuition.

After fulfilling the tuition requirements, Ed.M. and C.A.S. students who have not completed their required coursework will be charged the HGSE facilities fee for any semesters in which they are enrolled in courses needed to fulfill degree requirements. The tuition charged for any repeated courses may not be included in the budget for financial aid purposes. Any courses taken that are not being used to fulfill degree requirements will be assessed tuition at the current per-course rate.

The Academic Calendar includes the schedule of tuition refunds for courses dropped or for cancellation of registration. This schedule also applies to students whose degree candidacy is terminated either by the student or by HGSE.

The Harvard University Student Health Program (HUSHP) Student Health Fee is billed to all registered students. Students may waive the HUSHP Student Health Fee if they meet any of the following criteria:

1. Enrolled half time or less (must also waive the Student Health Insurance Plan)
2. Enrolled in Harvard University Group Health Plan (HUGHP)
3. On active military duty and prohibited from receiving health care from any facility other than Hanscom Air Force Base (requires an attestation form)

Massachusetts law requires that all full-time and part-time students enrolled in an institution of higher learning in Massachusetts participate in a qualifying student health insurance program or in a health plan with comparable coverage. Students enrolled in a comparable health insurance plan may be eligible to waive the Student Health Insurance Plan. Waivers must be completed by the appropriate deadline or the charges will remain on the student’s term bill. For more information on waiving, visit the Student Health Insurance website. 

Important: Online part-time Ed.M. students must have health insurance that covers urgent and emergency care when visiting Harvard University for in-person activity, e.g., 5-day pre-program residency. Online Ed.M. students are NOT eligible to enroll in Harvard University’s Health Programs.

Tuition Requirements for Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

Full-time tuition is assessed in Years 1 and 2, reduced tuition (50% of full rate) is assessed in Year 3, and an advanced doctoral fee (10% of full rate) is assessed each semester until completion of the degree. Ed.D. students paying the Advanced Doctoral Fee ($5,477) each semester are entitled to all the privileges of registered HGSE students.

Additional courses may be taken at no additional cost. Tuition covers courses that enable a student to qualify for the Ed.D. degree.

Tuition Requirements for Doctor of Education Leadership (Ed.L.D)

All Ed.L.D. students (including those previously in the Ed.M. or C.A.S. programs) are subject to the following tuition requirements:

Students enrolled in the Ed.L.D. Program beyond the stated program duration limit (three years/six semesters) will be assessed a Facilities Fee ($250) each semester.

Tuition Requirements for Master of Education (Ed.M.) and Certificate of Advanced Study (C.A.S.)

Master’s and Certificate of Advanced Study students must pay one year of full tuition. Courses taken at Harvard Summer School (the Division of Continuing Education) and accepted for academic credit do not reduce tuition requirements. Students enrolled half-time must pay tuition at the half-rate for two years (four semesters). After fulfilling the tuition requirement, Ed.M. and C.A.S. students who have not completed their required coursework will be charged the HGSE facilities fee for any semesters in which they are enrolled in courses needed to fulfill degree requirements. Any courses taken that are not being used to fulfill degree requirements will be assessed tuition at the current per-course tuition rate. For additional information, please contact the HGSE Office of the Registrar.

Tuition Requirements for Ed.D. and Ed.L.D. Students Graduating in November and March

Doctoral students who graduate in November 2022 or March 2023 are subject to the following deadlines affecting tuition and health insurance charges:

*In order to receive a November 2022 degree, the Ed.D. Program Office must receive all reader approvals no later than Friday, October 14, 2022, 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

** In order to receive a March 2023 degree, the Ed.D. Program Office must receive all reader approvals no later than Friday, February 10, 2023, 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

Students must be registered in the spring semester and pay spring tuition in order to be eligible for a May 2023 degree.

Schedule of Tuition Payments

Current tuition is due in advance of each semester for which the student registers. Before being allowed to register, a student is expected to pay the semester’s tuition in full by the stated deadline, unless they are on the Monthly Payment Plan. The Monthly Payment Plan, which carries a service charge per semester, is available to all students through the University Student Billing Office. A student who is on the Monthly Payment Plan is expected to pay any outstanding previous balance in full and at least one-quarter of the current semester’s bill. Students who fail to make timely monthly payments may not be allowed this option in the future. No student will be permitted to register in any term until all money due from prior term bills is paid in full. Financial Aid in one academic year may not be used to cover a balance due from a prior year.

In accordance with the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, HGSE will not: impose a late fee, prevent a student from attending classes, or demand payment for funds expected to be covered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) until 90 days after the beginning of the term. Students are responsible for all charges posted to their student accounts beyond the amount of tuition and fee payment from the VA. HGSE may require students to provide documentation to ensure that they are entitled to GI Bill benefits.

Students at Harvard University are billed electronically. In lieu of a monthly paper bill, students are sent, via monthly emails, web links that will enable them to view their student bills online as well as to make payments electronically. Payments may be made either electronically or by check. Credit card payments are not accepted. Students who need a paper copy of their bill may print a PDF copy.

If an e-payment or check is returned by the bank, the student’s account will be charged a $25 returned check fee. Multiple returned payments may result in the University requiring future payments to be made by certified or bank check. Please note that it can take a week or more before a bank notifies the University that a payment has been returned. Student accounts will not reflect a returned payment until information is received from the bank.

Students should be aware that diplomas will be withheld until all indebtedness to the University is paid in full. In addition, the School may withhold some services to students or former students with outstanding debts to the University.