Financial Information

• Tuition and Fees
• Non-Residents
• Adjustment of Tuition and Fees
• Fee Descriptions
• Student’s Responsibility  

Tuition And Fees

Tuition

Upon registration, all tuition and registration fees must be paid to secure classes. Alternatively, classes may also be secured with confirmed financial aid, enrollment in a payment plan through Delgado’s contracted vendor, or by having an exemption or contract applied to the account. Classes that remain unsecured by the established due dates published in the Student Handbook are subject to being deleted for non-payment.

Delgado Community College’s tuition and fees are among the most reasonable in the state. The tuition and fee rate table below reflects the estimated rates for 2016-2017 in-person courses (see Online Courses section for tuition and fees charged for online courses).  These rates are subject to change at any time by the LCTCS Board of Supervisors. See Fee Descriptions for a description of all fees.

2016-2017 Tuition and Fees

*Non-refundable Fees based on the Tuition Adjustment Schedule.  (Non-refundable fees are only adjusted if the student reduces hours or withdraws through the 100% refund period.)

Note: Course and campus specific fees and other flat fees are not included in the above rates.

Online Tuition and Fees

The Board of Supervisors for the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) approved equalizing and standardizing tuition and registration fees for online credit courses offered by all LCTCS institutions to provide equality and convenience for online students.  There is no 12-hour cap on tuition and fees related to online courses except where prohibited by state statute for certain fees. The Tuition and Fees for Online Courses have been established as follows:

• Online Tuition - $133.93 per credit hour
• Online Other Charge - $5.03 per credit hour
• Operational Fee - $3.00 per credit hour up to $36.00
• Academic Excellence  - $7.00 per credit hour up to $84.00
• Building Usage Fee - $4.00 per credit hour up to $48.00
• Online Student Services Fee - $7.00 per credit hour
• Online ERP Fee - $5.00 per credit hour
• Technology Fee - $5.00 per credit hour up to $60.00
• Online Registration - $40 per semester/session if enrolled in at least one online course

Notification of Charges for Online Course and Testing Requirements

Delgado online classes may require proctored (supervised) exams or learning activities associated with verification of the student’s identity. Online students may have the option to go to a Delgado Community College campus/site or to a convenient off-campus location as approved by the instructor.  Some courses require use of technology and a proctored testing software or service where additional fees may be assessed. Online proctoring charges are approximately $17.50 per one-hour exams for courses in which online monitoring is required. However, the above proctoring rate is only an estimate as course and testing requirements for online courses vary. Delgado students are responsible for checking with the instructor before the online course begins to ensure that the projected additional costs and the student’s schedule and location enable successful completion of all course requirements. 

For more information, see Distance Learning and Instructional Technology Student FAQs.

Non-Residents

Students classified as non-residents of the state of Louisiana are assessed non-resident tuition and fees according to the rates established by the LCTCS Board of Supervisors. Student residency is established at the time of application to the College. Residency classification is determined by the Admissions Office based on criteria set forth by the LCTCS Board of Supervisors and the information provided on the student’s application. If a residency reclassification is necessary or required, students must make requests through the Registrar’s Office. For more information, seeResidency .

Flat Fees

Students are assessed the following non-refundable flat fees each semester/session. Those below that are noted as campus or program specific are only assessed to students in that program or in a program associated with that campus as indicated.

• Student Government Association** - $10 per semester for Fall and Spring Semester; $5 for Summer Session
• Student Life Center, City Park Campus** - $15 per semester for Fall and Spring Semester; $5 for Summer Session
• Student Life Center, West Bank Campus** - $40 per semester for Fall and Spring Semester; $20 for Summer Session
• Student Activity Fee**, Practical and Registered Nursing programs only - $30 per semester for Fall and Spring Semester

Audit Fees and Tuition

Students who choose to audit a class pay regular tuition and fees. Classes taken as audit are not eligible for waiver, scholarship, financial assistance, sponsorship, or verification of enrollment.

Payment Plan

Delgado has an established contract with a third-party vendor to provide a payment plan for students.  To participate in the Payment Plan, students must enroll online, and the number and amount of payments depends on how early the student enrolls in the plan. Fees for participating in this plan are set by and paid directly to the vendor. For more information, students should see Payment Plan Options in their LoLA (Logon Louisiana) account.

Delinquent Accounts / Violation of Payment Deadlines

Any balance remaining after published payment deadlines (but before classes are removed from the system) may cause a $30 non-refundable deferment fee to be assessed to the student’s account. Failure to honor payment plan dates or pay any balance in full by the end of the term may result in the account being placed with the State of Louisiana Attorney General’s Office or another outside agency for collection. Students will be responsible for all collection and/or legal fees associated with accounts placed for collection. Holds that restrict registration, viewing of grades, and/or graduation will be placed on all accounts with a balance remaining after the last scheduled payment date.

Adjustment of Tuition and Fees

For students reducing their credit hours or officially withdrawing from the College, all or a portion of their refundable tuition may be credited to their account according to the Tuition Adjustment Schedule published each semester in the Student Handbook. The portion (percentage) is an adjustment to the tuition the student is assessed for the semester, not a refund of what the student has already paid. Students must complete the drop/withdrawal process prior to the posted deadlines to qualify for a reduction in amounts owed. Registration fees are only adjusted in the student reduces hours or withdraws through the 100 percent refund period.

Nonattendance does not constitute withdrawal. Students must withdraw from the College prior to the stated deadlines if they decide not to attend. Students who do not submit a drop request or drop the course(s) online may have a financial obligation to the College regardless of attendance.

If a credit balance remains after all tuition and fees due are deducted from any payments that have been applied, the balance will be returned to the student automatically.

Students who wish to appeal their tuition adjustments (or lack thereof) must complete and submit a “Refund Request Form” to the Bursar’s Office on their campus or site. A letter stating the reasons the student feels he or she is entitled to a refund must be attached to the refund request form. Distance education students will be afforded the opportunity to submit their tuition refund request forms and supporting documentation through available distance education modalities.

The College is a state agency, and therefore, all tuition adjustments must be substantiated and are subject to review by the State of Louisiana Office of the Legislative Auditor. The following are reasons for denial of a refund:

• Non-attendance without sufficient justification;
• Denial of or late application for federal financial assistance after a promissory note has been signed;
• Dropping disallowed credit courses by students on academic probation or suspension (It is the student’s responsibility to know his or her academic status and the classes in which he or she is eligible to enroll before registering.); and/or
• Unsupported or unsubstantiated reasons/justifications.

Refund requests are submitted to the Bursar’s Office and are forwarded to a Refund Committee, which consists of representatives of the Registrar’s Office, Admissions Office, Office of Student Financial Assistance, and the Accounting Department, as well as appointed academic staff representatives. Fall Semester refund requests must be received by the end of the following summer session. Spring Semester refund requests must be received by the end of the following fall semester. Summer Session refund requests must be received by the end of the following spring semester. The Committee Chair will notify the student of the Refund Committee’s decision. A student may make a final appeal to the Vice Chancellor for Business and Administrative Affairs within 30 days of notification of the Refund Committee’s decision.

Fee Descriptions

Academic Excellence Fee

The academic excellence fee promotes academic excellence at the College by enhancing institutional programs. This fee was approved by the State Legislature in 2003. The fee is charged at $7 per credit hour, not to exceed $84.

Building Use Fee

The building use fee, approved by the State Legislature in 2013, is established by the Louisiana Community and Technical College System Board of Supervisors to construct, repair, maintain, operate and improve facilities and physical infrastructure of the College. The fee is charged at $4 per student credit hour, not to exceed $48.

Course/Laboratory Fees

Some courses may require an additional fee to cover additional resources required to teach the course. For a complete list of fees, visit Course Fee List.

Dolphin Card System Replacement Fee

The Dolphin Card is the official photo identification card of Delgado Community College, as well as a multifunctional purchasing and access card. The Dolphin Card will be valid for as long as the student is enrolled in classes at Delgado and the first card is free of charge. Students are charged a $10 fee for a replacement card. If the student chooses to deposit money to his or her Dolphin Card, the student will be able to use the card to make certain purchases at Delgado locations. All deposited funds are available to the student as needed; however, refunds are not issued under any circumstances.

Enterprise Resource Planning Fee

Effective Fall 2010, the Board of Supervisors for the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) approved a fee to support the implementation and continued operation of the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. The fee is charged at $5 per credit hour.

Excess Credit Hour Fee

Effective Fall 2016, the Board of Supervisors for the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) approved a fee to be assessed on all student credit hours taken by a student that are over fifteen credit hours. The fee is set at $150.96 for each excess credit hour.

International Student Fee

A non-refundable international student fee of $45 is charged all non-U.S. citizens who are also non-residents of Louisiana.

Late Graduation Application Fee

Students who will graduate are required to complete a graduation application by the established deadlines during the term in which they are graduating. A student who applies after this published deadline will be assessed a $40 Late Graduation Application Fee. 

*Note: Upon a student’s completion of the requirements for a certificate that is embedded in an associate’s degree program, the College documents the award on the student’s transcript. Certificate program completers, who desire to participate in the graduation ceremony in the semester the certificate is awarded, must also complete the application process by the established deadlines.

Late Payment Fee

Payments received after due date may incur a late fee. Additional fees may be assessed monthly until the account is paid in full. This fee is in addition to all other penalties and fees assessed due to returned checks or unpaid tuition (see Student Handbook).

Late Registration Fee

A student who does not meet the first payment deadline of each semester or session, or registers after this deadline, will be charged a $25 late registration fee, unless special arrangements have been made with appropriate prior approval.

Motor Vehicle Registration Fees and Fines

A registration fee is charged to all students who park a motor vehicle on campus, or at any other location where the College conducts classes and provides security services. An additional nominal fee is charged to students to register each additional car. Motor vehicle registration must be renewed each fall semester so that students may park in designated student areas. Students who receive tickets for violations must present the ticket and pay the fine at the Bursar’s Office within 48 hours. A student may not receive a parking permit without a valid Delgado identification card or an I.D. card from a cooperating institution. It is important to note that parking decals must be affixed in the proper location on the vehicle’s rear windshield. Information regarding fee amounts to register a motor vehicle is available through Campus Police.

Operational Fund Fee

Effective Fall 2004, State of Louisiana Legislators and the LCTCS approved an operational fee to be assessed at all state colleges and universities to cover operational expenses no longer covered by the State. The fee is charged at $3 per credit hour, not to exceed $36.

Other Charge

The GRAD Act (Act 741) was approved by the State Legislature in 2010 and allows for an annual increase in tuition and fees if the institution has met annual performance targets.  The tuition portion of the increase that is funded by the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) has been separated from the total increase allowed per the GRAD Act with the difference included as an Other Charge. The fee is charged at $5.03 per credit hour.

Returned Check/ Credit Card Chargeback Fee

Students will be assessed a fee for all returned checks and/or credit card chargebacks due to insufficient funds, unauthorized use, cancelled card or fraud. The fee is $25 or five percent of the amount of the returned check/ credit card chargeback, whichever is greater. Any student who has a returned check or credit card chargeback on his/her account will have to pay by cashier’s check, money order, or cash for the semester in which the check was written or the chargeback was incurred plus the next semester of attendance. Only in the case of a bank or card issuer error will the returned check/ credit card chargeback penalties be removed. After the College has exhausted its attempts to notify the student, failure to pay the returned check or credit card chargeback and additional charges will subject the student to an administrative withdrawal from classes, and his/her account will be submitted to a collection agency.

Student Activity Fee - Nursing

This self-assessed student fee is charged to all Nursing students and dedicated to Nursing traditions and student activity programs. The proceeds from this fee go directly to the Student Government Association (SGA), which oversees disbursement of the funds to various Nursing student activities. This fee was adopted by the former Charity Hospital School of Nursing and maintained upon transfer of the school to Delgado Community College in 1990. The fee is charged to Practical and Registered Nursing program students at $30 per fall and spring semester.

Student Government Association (SGA) Fee

The self-assessed SGA fee was approved by the student body in 1980 and increased by student referendum in 1993. The proceeds from this fee go directly to the Student Government Association (SGA), which oversees disbursement of the funds to various student activities. The SGA sponsors annual activities such as dances, films, and speakers. In addition, funds are provided to various academic departments for cultural enrichment, and to clubs and organizations for activities that benefit the entire student body. The fee is charged at $10 for fall and spring semesters and $5 for summer session.

Student Life Center Fee

These self-assessed building fees were approved by the student body of the City Park Campus in 1997, and by the student body of the West Bank Campus in 2003. The proceeds are dedicated to the construction and operation of a new student life center on each campus. These fees apply to students registered at the respective campuses. The fee is charged at $15 for fall and spring semesters ($5 for summer session) for City Park Campus and $40 for fall and spring semesters ($20 for summer session) for West Bank Campus.

Student Services Fee

Effective Fall 2011, the Board of Supervisors for the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) approved a student services fee at all LCTCS colleges. The fee is currently charged at $7 per credit hour.

Technology Fee

This self-assessed student fee was approved by the State Legislature and ratified by the Student Government Associations in 1997. The proceeds are for the purposes of “implementing, replacing, improving, and expanding technologies to benefit student life and learning” (from Legislative Act 1450, 1997). The fee is charged at $5 per credit hour, not to exceed $60.

Transcript of Records Fee

All admission requirements and financial obligations to the College must be met in full before transcripts are issued. Students who have defaulted on federal student loans secured through a Title IV Student Financial Assistance Office may not receive a copy of their academic record at Delgado until the State Office of Financial Assistance verifies to Delgado in writing that the loan is no longer in default. Transcripts are issued at a cost of $10 per copy. Students requesting immediate service are assessed a $20 fee per copy.

Other Financial Information

Education Tax Credit

Certain tuition-related expenses may qualify for the federal HOPE and Lifetime learning tax credits. Contact a tax advisor for details. The College will mail an IRS 1098-T form to the student’s permanent address by January 31. The form will only disclose that the student was at least a half-time student during the calendar year. The student should retain the receipt(s) provided by the Bursar for the amount of tuition paid to the College.

Application for Waiver of Tuition

Students may receive a waiver of tuition if they are active members of the National Guard, active New Orleans police officers or firefighters; as defined by the respective legislation, dependents of disabled or deceased-in-the-line-of-duty police/sheriffs/certain parole officers, military personnel, sanitation workers, school teachers/school employees, or correctional officers; dependents and spouses of disabled or deceased-in-the-line-of-duty firefighters; persons in foster care; or students cross-enrolled from Nunez, SLU, UNO, SUNO or LCTCS-District 1. Senior citizens (60 years or older) qualify for one tuition-free credit course each semester. Students who attend Delgado on one of these waivers must be enrolled for credit (not audit). Other waivers may be available; contact Student Accounts Receivable Office for further information. All waivers are subject to change by the Board of Supervisors. The student is responsible for verifying with the funding source all specific academic and financial eligibility criteria as it pertains to waivers.

Under the Louisiana Statute R.S. 29:36.1, certain members of the Louisiana National Guard may be exempted from paying tuition. The tuition exemption may be claimed by presenting a Certificate of Exemption during the registration period.

Tuition Increase / Fee Hardship Appeals

When legislation for a fee or tuition increase specifies that students may apply for tuition/fee hardship waivers, the College provides an opportunity for students to appeal the fee or tuition increase.  Tuition/fee hardship waivers are allowed for only when specified by legislation, including but not limited to the Academic Excellence fee and Operational fee. Students wishing to file an appeal must have completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  This federal financial aid process will determine individual student financial need.  If the student receives grants, scholarships, and/or waivers in an amount that meets or exceeds tuition, then the appeal will be closed.  If the student has no eligibility for need-based aid, the appeal will be closed unless the student can document very unusual circumstances. See the College’s Tuition Increase/ Fee Hardship Appeals policy for more information.