Cost + Aid

Tuition and Fees
Financial Aid

TUITION and FEES

The deposits, tuition, room, board and fees noted in the following sections are in effect for the 2010-2011 academic year and are subject to change without prior notice by The Sage Colleges' Board of Trustees. All policy statements and other information in the following sections reflect information current at the time of this publication.

E-Bill Information

The Sage Colleges billing system is now online. Students can utilize the online system to view current statements of account, make a payment online, view recent activity, and see previous statements. It is important to note that the college no longer mails paper statements.

Students will receive email notifications on a monthly basis to their MySage account when their statements have been published. Students are able to create authorized users so that parents/guardians/spouses/employers can view their tuition bills and make payments online.

Payments

All payments for tuition, room, board and fees are due in full by the following dates. Students who register beyond these payment deadlines are expected to pay in full at the time of registration or enroll in the payment plan detailed below.

Semester Payment Due Date
Summer Session I 2010 May 17, 2010
Summer Session II 2010 June 11, 2010
Summer Session III 2010 June 11, 2010
Fall 2010 August 6, 2010
Spring 2011 December 17, 2010

Payments can be made at the Office of Student Services on either campus or online through SageAdvisor using the following payment options:

Electronic Check
There is no fee assessed when you pay using an electronic check. You or your parent can authorize the College to deduct the funds directly from a checking account for a specific amount.

To authorize your payment, Sage will need the following information

  • Your account routing number
  • Your account number (checking or savings)

Credit Card
The College accepts payment via VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. There is no fee assessed when using your credit card. You authorize the College to charge your credit card with the amount you designate.

For your security, Sage will no longer accept credit card information via phone, fax or mail. Online transactions are secured through CashNet, which has been included on VISA's List of CISP (Cardholder Information Security Program) Compliant Service Providers.

All student balances must be paid in full unless the student has been awarded financial aid sufficient to cover the outstanding balance or is enrolled in the College's payment plan. Students will be permitted to attend classes and utilize College facilities only after they have settled their financial obligations to the College. Any subsequent modification to an expected amount of financial aid or student loan remains the full responsibility of the student and must be paid in full by the student.

In addition to following application and verification procedures for financial aid, the student's eligibility must be confirmed and the student must accept offerred awards electronically through Sage$en$e Online before those amounts can be applied as payment against tuition and fees. Please note that loan programs require an extended period of processing before the loan amount is credited to the student's account.

Failure to fully pay the student's liability may result in the removal of registration from any or all classes. In addition, an unpaid financial obligation to the College will result in the withholding of the student's grades, transcript of credits, diploma, and official reports and make the student ineligible for future financial aid awards, pre-registration, and resident room selections.

Employer Reimbursement

For students who receive full or partial reimbursement from employers, the Office of Student Services has established procedures that comply with both College and employer requirements. Authorizations from the agency or employer must be presented at the time of registration. For additional information please visit our Student Accounts page.

Enrollment Deposits

New students must submit a non-refundable deposit, as shown on the table below, to participate in fall semester pre-registration and room lottery processes. This deposit is credited against the student's tuition, room, board and fees.

Residents $300 By May 1
Non-Residents (full-time) $200 By May 1
Non-Residents (part-time) $50 By May 1

Health Insurance

All full-time undergraduate RSC students must maintain health insurance coverage for all semesters in which they are enrolled. Full-time students may purchase health insurance through the Allen J. Flood Insurance Company. Please click here for additional information on this plan.

Payment Plan (TMS- Tuition Management Services, a KeyCorp Company)

The Sage Colleges Monthly Payment Plan, TMS, is a convenient alternative to lump-sum semester payments. The program offers equal monthly payments with no interest charges and costs only a $35 application fee to enroll. The program requires no credit review and payment can be made via debit, check or credit card. Any parent, guardian or student at The Sage Colleges is eligible for the Monthly Payment Plan. Both the first-time application and annual renewal can be done online. For additional information regarding payment plan, contact the Office of Student Services at (518) 244-2201.

Senior Citizen Tuition Discount

Senior citizens (65 and older) may audit a course at any of The Sage Colleges without a tuition charge, on a space-available basis. All applicable College fees still apply and are charged accordingly.

Sage Graduate School Discount

Students who graduate from Russell Sage College with a bachelor's degree are given a 10% tuition discount for the first six credits of coursework taken through any of the part-time Sage Graduate School programs of study.

Tuition

Tuition charges are not refundable. Adjustments for withdrawals and other circumstances can be found in the Adjustments for Tuition, Room and Board section. Full-time tuition allows a student to enroll for 12-18 credits in each of the fall and spring semesters. For full-time students in accelerated undergraduate/graduate degree programs, the full-time tuition includes graduate-level courses taken during the fall and spring semester. Students enrolled in fewer than 12 credits pay part-time tuition according to the course for which they enroll. (Refer to the Russell Sage College, Sage College of Albany or Sage Graduate School catalog for tuition rates and fees.) Summer tuition rates are published each spring prior to course registration. During summer sessions all students pay tuition per credit hour according to the level (undergraduate and graduate) and discipline of the course

Russell Sage College Tuition Per Credit Per Semester Per Year
Full-time (12-18 credits) $ 13,500 $27,000
Part-time, per credit hour $900
Overload, per credit hour (more than 18 credits) $900
Audited courses $ 100
Sage Undergraduate Summer School Per Credit
Per credit hour (non Nursing & non OT majors) $590
Nursing & OT majors, per credit hour (including summer clinicals) $590

Room Charges

The following room charges are not refundable. Refer to the Adjustments for Tuition, Room and Board section for adjustments to room charges due to a student's withdrawal from the College or an approved leave of absence.

Troy Campus
Per Semester Per Year
Double or Triple Occupancy $2,675 $5,350
Single Occupancy $3,075 $6,150

Board Charges

Undergraduate resident students must choose one of the following board plans. Non-resident students have the option of choosing a board plan or a declining balance plan. The following board charges are not refundable. Refer to the Adjustments for Tuition, Room and Board section for adjustments to board charges due to a student's withdrawal from the College or an approved leave of absence.

Board Meal Plans- Troy
Per Semester Per Year
Carte Blanche Plan $2,400 $4,800
Senior 5 Plan $1,525 $3,050

Declining balance meal plans

The declining balance meal plans are designed to meet the dining needs of students living off campus. Established as a way to provide tax-free purchases on meals, the meal plans provide a 5% discount on purchases and, depending on the meal plan, may include bonus money. Declining balance meal plans can be used to make purchases at any Sage dining operation on the Troy or Albany campus. Declining balance meal plans are maintained on a student's Sage ID Card and work similar to a debit card. Only the person pictured on the ID card can use the funds on that card. If an ID card is reported lost and funds remain on the card, the funds can be transferred to a replacement ID card. With a commuter meal plan, students only pay for the meals they purchase, and balances can be used to purchase meals for guests. Meal plans cannot be changed after the first week of classes, at which time all contracts become final and are non-refundable. Additions of $25 or more can be added at Dining Services throughout the semester and can be paid for in cash, check, Visa, or MasterCard. Any additional deposits to a commuter meal plan are also eligible for the 5% discount and tax-free status.

Students enrolled in a declining balance meal plan for the fall semester will automatically be enrolled and billed for the same plan for the spring semester. If a student chooses not to participate in the spring or would like to change the amount of their meal plan for the spring semester, written notification to the Office of Residence Life must be received prior to the start of spring classes.

Balances remaining at the end of the fall semester will be added to the spring semester starting balance. However, balances remaining at the end of the spring semester may not be used to make bulk purchases. These balances are non-refundable in accordance with NYS tax regulations, and do not carry over to any future semester.

Declining balance meal plans may be purchased by contacting the Office of Residence Life at (518) 244-2009. For more information about boarding and declining balance meal plans, please refer to the Russell Sage College Dining Services web page.

Semester, Program, Activity and Other Fees

The following fees are not refundable or subject to adjustment after the first day of classes. These fees are charged accordingly and in addition to the previously stated tuition, room and board charges.

Fees
Comprehensive Fee (full-time students) $425 $850
Program Based Fees
Applied Art Fee (per credit) $25
RWL course material fee $25
Applied Music Fee (per course) $600
Student Teacher Placement Fee $250
ABA Practicum Fee $590
Activity Based and Other Fees
The following fees are not refundable or subject to adjustment.
Orientation Fee $200
Application Fee $30
Late Payment Fee $100
Transcript Request $5
Placement Service File $5
Diploma $50
Vehicle Registration (before 12/31) $40
Vehicle Registration (after 1/1 and before 5/31) $25
Vehicle Registration (after 6/1) $15
Returned Check Fee $25

Adjustments for Tuition, Room and Board Charges

A student who notifies the College of her withdrawal or leave of absence in writing and in accordance with the College's withdrawal policy is eligible for an adjustment to tuition, room and board charges in accordance with the following schedules. Non-attendance does not constitute a withdrawal from a class or the College.

Please note that any student receiving Federal (Title IV) financial aid may be required to return a portion of her aid to the granting agency if they separate from The Sage Colleges prior to the end of a semester. Any adjustment for tuition, room or board charges may be less than the amount of aid that must be returned and may create a liability to the College that must be paid by the student.

The date of official academic withdrawal, as recorded by the Registrar's Office, is the basis of all adjustments for tuition, room and board charges. It is important that the student adhere to the following processes to ensure that the correct adjustment is applied to their account.

To withdraw from a class

To withdraw from a class, the student must complete the necessary forms and submit them to the Office of Student Services (the necessary forms are available from this office).

To withdraw from the College or request a leave of absence

To withdraw from the College or to request a leave of absence, all resident and non-resident students must complete the necessary forms and submit them to the Office of Residence Life.

Students required to withdraw from a class or the College for disciplinary reasons are not entitled to any adjustment to tuition or room charges.

Tuition adjustment schedule for classes that meet regularly throughout a semester
Withdrawal Date Adjustment
Prior to the start of the second week of classes 100 %
Prior to the start of the third week of classes 75 %
Prior to the start of the fourth week of classes 50 %
Prior to the start of the fifth week of classes 35 %
Prior to the start of the sixth week of classes 25 %
After the start of the sixth week of classes 0 %
No adjustments will be made after the start of the sixth week of classes.
Tuition adjustment schedule for all other classes, including summer session classes and those that do not meet regularly throughout a semester
Withdrawal Date Adjustment
Prior to the start of the fourth class hour 100 %
Prior to the start of seventh class hour 75 %
Prior to the start of 10th class hour 50 %
Prior to the start of 13th class hour 35 %
Prior to the start of 16th class hour 25 %
After the start of the 16th class hour 0 %
No adjustments will be made after the start of the 16th class hour
Room Adjustment Schedule
Withdrawal Date Adjustment
Prior to the start of the second week of classes 100 %
(less $200 contract breakage fee)
After the start of the second week of classes 0 %
No adjustments will be made after the start of the second week of classes
Board Adjustment Schedule
Withdrawal Date Adjustment
Prior to the first day of classes 100%
Prior to the start of the second week of classes 85%
Prior to the start of the third week of classes 80%
Prior to the start of the fourth week of classes 70%
Prior to the start of the fifth week of classes 65%
Prior to the start of the sixth week of classes 60%
Prior to the start of the seventh week of classes 50%
Prior to the start of the eighth week of classes 45%
Prior to the start of the ninth week of classes 40%
Prior to the start of the 10th week of classes 30%
Prior to the start of the 11th week of classes 25 %
Prior to the start of the 12th week of classes 20 %
Prior to the start of the 13th week of classes 10 %
After the start of the 13th week of classes 0 %
No adjustments will be made after the start of the 13th week of classes.

FINANCIAL AID

To assist students and parents in meeting the costs of an education at Russell Sage College, the Office of Financial Aid Services offers a variety of scholarship, grant, loan and employment programs. Funds from these programs are sponsored by federal, state, and private sources. Additionally, a commitment of more than $10 million from The Sage Colleges is provided to assist students. Most types of assistance are based on financial need, which is the difference between the cost of education and the estimated contribution of the student and family (Estimated Family Contribution or EFC). The EFC is determined through a measurement of family resources that is consistent for all applicants and is a reflection of the first principle of college financial aid: The student and family have the primary responsibility for meeting college expenses.

In addition to aid awarded on the basis of need, Russell Sage College sponsors a number of scholarship programs that recognize academic achievement, talent, and other individual characteristics of the student. Private organizations, societies, and agencies also make available grants and other awards for individuals who meet their eligibility criteria. Secondary school guidance offices, public libraries and websites are the best sources of information regarding private scholarship opportunities.

Eligibility
Those seeking consideration for aid must be enrolled as degree- or certificate-seeking students on at least a half-time basis (six credit hours per semester for undergraduates) to qualify for most financial aid programs. Most grants and scholarships provided directly by Russell Sage College require full-time attendance. United States citizenship or permanent resident status is an eligibility requirement for all programs. It should also be noted that federal and state legislation frequently modifies requirements and eligibility standards for financial aid.

Application Procedures
Because financial aid is awarded on an annual basis, these application procedures must be followed each year. While admission is not required to initiate an application for financial aid, new students will not receive confirmation of their status until the Office of Financial Aid Services is notified that the admission process is complete.

  • The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) should be completed as soon as possible after January 1, but no later than March 1, preceding the academic year for which assistance is requested. Students are requested to file the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Electronic filing is an accurate and fast means of filing for financial aid. When filing electronically, New York State residents may file for TAP at the same time (see below).
  • New York State residents should also complete the application for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation will mail this form to your home if you opt not to file electronically.
  • Applicants and their parent(s) (when the applicant is dependent), selected through the FAFSA process for verification, must submit all pages of completed tax forms upon request by the Office of Financial Aid Services. A verification worksheet must also be submitted. Failure to complete the verification process prior to the start of the academic year may result in the loss of institutional grants.
  • Early action applicants for Russell Sage College can request appropriate aid forms from the Office of Admission in December of their senior year to obtain an early estimate of their financial aid packages. Requests should be coordinated through the Office of Admission.

Conditions of Financial Aid Awards

Terms and Conditions

  • All aid is awarded on an annual basis. Aid amounts are credited to student's account for each semester's charges based upon enrollment.
  • Refunds of any excess credit will be made approximately halfway through each term through the Office of Student Services. Refunds are generated when the student account reflects a credit balance resulting from direct payments and/or the posting of financial aid.
  • Earnings from student employment are paid bi-weekly directly to the student. As such, this award may not be deducted from student account balance due amounts.
  • Since aid is awarded on the basis of annual financial information from students, and college costs change each year, the makeup of financial aid awards may vary depending on changing circumstances.
  • Outside sources of assistance such as private scholarships and Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) must be reported to the Office of Financial Aid Services. It is possible that financial aid already awarded could be modified as a result.
  • All awards of federal and state aid are tentative, pending approval and receipt of funds from the source.
  • College costs on which financial aid eligibility is calculated include direct expenses (such as tuition, fees, and room and board for resident students), and indirect expenses (such as books, supplies, personal and incidental expenses, and transportation and home maintenance for commuting students).
  • Returning students are expected to file the FAFSA by April 1 preceding the academic year for which assistance is requested. Students filing after April 1 may not be eligible for institutional grants previously awarded
  • Students receiving institutional academic scholarships are required remain in good academic standing and at full- time status to continue receiving these monies.

Satisfactory Academic Progress for Institutional and Federal Awards
Continued eligibility for most forms of financial aid requires students to achieve specific quality (grade averages) and quantity (credits earned) standards. Below are outlines of academic standards which must be met to comply with federal and institutional requirements. Academic progress is monitored by the Office of Financial Aid Services through established institutional guidelines.

Baccalaureate Degree Students:

Semester Grade Point
Average		 Credits
Completed
1 1.00 6
2 1.25 15
3 1.50 22
4 2.00 30
5 2.00 40
6 2.00 51
7 2.00 61
8 2.00 75
9 2.00 90
10 2.00 105
11 2.00 120
12 2.00 135

Undergraduate full-time status equals 12 or more credits per semester. Federal or institutional aid recipients enrolled less than full-time are required to meet these standards on a basis proportional to their enrollment status. For transfer students, satisfactory academic progress will be measured by equating transfer credits accepted by Sage to the number of cumulative credits earned, as indicated on the above chart.

An incomplete grade in a course will count as an equivalent failing grade. When the incomplete grade is updated, satisfactory academic progress will be reevaluated. Courses from which a student has withdrawn will count as an equivalent failing grade. Non-credit remedial courses will not be included in any part of the satisfactory academic progress calculation.

Students failing to make satisfactory academic progress will lose eligibility for federal and institutional financial aid. They may appeal if they believe that special circumstances have affected their academic performance. The appeal must be in writing and submitted with appropriate documentation to the Director of Financial Aid.

A student may regain satisfactory academic progress by attending Sage for a semester without the benefit of federal and institutional financial assistance and improving academic performance to meet progress guidelines.

Sage$en$e Online

Sage$en$e Online is the financial aid portal at The Sage Colleges. It can be utilized by students and parents to access a student's financial aid information. Sage$en$e Online is also an interactive financial planning tool. Student's financial aid will not be posted to a student's financial account until the student has accepted their awards through Sage$en$e Online, and completed all relevant tasks associated with their awards.

Sage$en$e Online is accessible for students through SageAdvisor. Students will use their Sage network ID and password to log into SageAdvisor. After logging in as a student, simply click on the Sage$en$e Online link located under Financial Information.

Satisfactory Academic Progress for New York State Aid To be eligible, and remain eligible, for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), students must:

  • be a full-time (12 credits or more per semester) and matriculated student at each level of study, and
  • maintain good academic standing by meeting program pursuit and satisfactory academic progress requirements as detailed below.

Program Pursuit is defined as:

  • completion of at least 6 credits during each term of study in the first year for which an award is received; or
  • completion of at least 9 credits during each term of study in the second year for which an award is received; or
  • completion of at least 12 credits during each subsequent term for which an award is received.
Before being certified for this payment A student must have accrued at least this many credits With at least this grade point average
First 0 0.00
Second 3 1.10
Third 9 1.20
Fourth 21 1.30
Fifth 33 2.00
Sixth 45 2.00
Seventh 60 2.00
Eighth 75 2.00

Major Sources of Financial Aid

Federal Programs

Federal and State Sources of Financial Aid- Beginning with the summer of 2010, The Sage Colleges will be participating in the William D. Ford Direct Loan Program. Student and parent borrowers will receive funding for their federal student loans directly from the U.S. Department of Education rather than from private banks and other lending institutions.

Direct Loans are federally insured low-interest education loans for students and parents. These include the Direct Subsidized Loan, the Direct Unsubsidized Loan, the Direct Parent Loan for undergraduate students (PLUS) and the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan programs for graduate and professional students.

Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loan- Undergraduate students may borrow up to $3,500 (freshman year), $4,500 (Sophomore year), or $5,500 (Junior year and beyond) with an interest subsidy if need is demonstrated, or unsubsidized is there is not demonstrated need. The interest rate for a Direct Subsidized Stafford loan effective July 1, 2010 is 4.5%. In addition, all undergraduate students can borrow up to $2000 in unsubsidized loans. The interest rate for a Direct Unsubsidized Stafford loan effective July 1, 2010 is 6.8%. Students who qualify as independent of parents or whose parents are denied a plus loan are eligible for up to $4,000 (Freshman or Sophomore year) or $5,000 (Junior year and beyond) in addition unsubsidized loan. Insurance and origination fees are approximately one percent and removed from the gross amount prior to disbursement.

Direct PLUS Loans- Direct PLUS Loan programs are available to parents or dependent students, with the maximum amount available calculated as the cost of education less any financial aid received. These loans are not need based and interest is paid from the time they are disbursed. The interest rate is fixed at 7.9% effective July 1, 2010. Insurance and origination fees are approximately three percent and removed from the gross amount prior to disbursement.

Federal ACG/SMART Grants - These grants are awarded to Pell eligible students who either completed a rigorous high school program or are pursuing a degree in mathematics or natural sciences.

Federal Pell Grants - Up to $5,350 per academic year, with prorated lower amounts for less than full-time enrollment status. These awards are completely need-based and available only to undergraduates who have not previously earned a baccalaureate degree.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) - Up to $4,000 annually for undergraduate study. These grants are available to students with high financial need who are eligible for a Pell Grant.

Federal Work Study - Student employment funded by Sage and the federal government. The jobs are in a variety of areas, primarily on campus (examples are the libraries, campus centers, offices and departments), are usually limited to 8-10 hours per week, and generally pay at the prevailing state minimum wage or slightly higher.

Federal Perkins Loans - The amounts of these federally funded, need-based loans are determined by the Office of Financial Aid Services and cannot exceed $4,000 each year, or $15,000 for an entire program leading to a baccalaureate degree. The interest rate is fixed at 5 percent. Given allocation restrictions, Perkins Loans are not available for students who have attained junior and senior class status.

Alternative Loan Programs - are offered through lenders to assist students with the cost of education. The yearly limit on an alternative loan is equal to the cost of education minus available financial aid. To receive an alternative loan, students will need to be creditworthy. The lender may also require a cosigner. Information on this option is available through the Office of Financial Aid Services and lender websites. For additional information please visit the NYHELPS website.

Veterans' Administration Benefits - Available to those with at least 180 days of continuous active duty between 1955 and 1976. Assistance is in the form of monthly stipends and is dependent on enrollment status. Details can be secured from the Office of the Financial Aid.

Ombudsman - When reasonable efforts through other channels have not resolved a dispute or problem regarding federal education loans, students can contact the Student Financial Assistance Ombudsman. The U.S. Department of Education's Ombudsman office can propose solutions that may help students and other parties come to a final agreement, although an ombudsman can't reverse a decision or take sides. Reach the ombudsman at:
1-877-557-2575
www.ombudsman.ed.gov
Office of Ombudsman
Student Financial Assistance
Room 3012, ROB #3
7th & D Streets, SW Washington, D.C. 20202

State Programs

Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) Up to $5,000 per year for undergraduate full-time students who have been New York State residents for at least one year. TAP awards are based on the net taxable income of the family and are renewable for four years of baccalaureate study. Students in the Higher Education Opportunity Program or in approved five-year curricula may receive TAP awards for one additional year.

Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) Available to educationally and economically disadvantaged residents of New York State. In addition to extensive financial assistance, students receive counseling, tutoring, and assessment support throughout their years at Sage. A five- or six-week summer program prior to the first year of enrollment is required of students who qualify. Eligibility is determined on the basis of academic background and family income.

Miscellaneous In addition to the above, New York State administers assistance programs for children of deceased or disabled veterans, deceased corrections officers, and deceased firefighters. Direct grants are available to Vietnam-era veterans.

Native Americans may be eligible for assistance for undergraduate study from both New York and federal sources.

New York State also provides grants and scholarships to students who concentrate in specific fields of study including education, nursing, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.

Although separate application procedures are required for state-sponsored aid programs, information and guidance can be secured from the Office of Financial Aid Services.

Academic Scholarship and Financial Services Programs of The Sage Colleges

Sage awards merit scholarships to its most academically competitive applicants ranging from $4,000 to $15,000 a year. Upon applying for admission to Sage, students are automatically considered for merit scholarship; there is no additional application. Awards are renewable, provided the student remains enrolled full-time and maintains good academic standing.