No matter your age, major or classification, every student faces the same stress each semester: the fee bill. A combination of rising tuition and program-specific charges leave many wondering where the money actually goes. According to Student Account Services, every dollar collected through student fees has a purpose — even if it isn’t immediately obvious.

Many of the acronyms on the bill represent university board-assessed or program-specific fees that fund academic and student services. Documents published on ULM’s website, including the University of Louisiana System’s fee descriptions and the current tuition schedule, break down each charge. University-assessed fees, such as the Academic Excellence and Operational Fees, go toward campus-wide resources like academic support, technology upgrades and infrastructure improvements. Program fees — such as those paid by nursing, business or pharmacy students — fund high-cost materials, such as lab equipment.

“Some majors and degree programs have higher operational costs than others,” Christa Harrison, associate controller at Student Account Services (SAS), said. “To help cover these, ULM assesses program fees in accordance with Act 790 of the 2024 Regular Legislative Session.”

That legislation allowed all universities in the University of Louisiana System to adjust tuition and fees after nearly a decade of maintaining the same rates.

Since 2017, universities across the state struggled with growing operational costs and inflation. ULM had not raised its tuition in eight years, but by 2024, inflation drove institutional expenses up nearly 29%. As a result, the UL System approved revisions to the tuition and fee structure that took effect August 2025.

Undergraduate students saw increases of around $30-38 per credit hour, while graduate students’ tuition rose roughly $52 per credit hour. The university emphasized that no individual student saw more than a 10% total increase.

In addition to the state-approved changes, ULM’s own student body voted to increase five self-assessed fees — Student Success, Student Government Association (SGA), Campus Activities Board (CAB), Spirit Groups and Athletic Facilities — by a combined total of $70 starting August 2025. These funds allow student groups to budget for events to increase students’ quality of life on campus.

Even so, many students have noticed how their bills seem to differ drastically from their friends’ or roommates’. According to Harrison, those differences are normal and depend on a variety of factors: the number of credit hours, course format, housing and meal plan selections, program-specific fees and whether a student is in a traditional or online degree program. Even course-specific fees, such as those for labs or digital textbooks, can affect the final total.

Another source of confusion involves dropped classes and refunds. Many students assume that if they withdraw from a course, the associated tuition and fees are automatically refunded. However, refund eligibility depends on university deadlines. Students who drop during the Late Registration period may receive a partial refund, while those who withdraw later typically do not. For shorter courses, such as eight-week sessions, refunds are only available before the “Last day to Add/Drop w/no W.”

Because the refund policy varies depending on the term and course type, SAS encourages students to check the academic calendar and speak with their advisors before making schedule changes.

“Before dropping a class, students should contact their Academic Advisor, Financial Aid and Student Accounts to fully understand any implications of dropping that class,” Harrison said.

Beyond tuition and course costs, many of the university’s operations depend on student fees to function. These fees fund advising and counseling services, the Activity Center, athletic programs, technology access and safety and maintenance costs.

“These fees help cover expenses that tuition alone does not fully fund,” Student Account Services said.

Financial aid remains another important part of the equation. ULM officials noted that many students do not use all the financial resources available to them, whether due to missed deadlines, misconceptions about eligibility or simple lack of awareness. SAS advises students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually to ensure they receive the proper amount of aid for their situation.

ULM offers a wide range of financial resources beyond FAFSA, including foundation scholarships, federal loans and grants, out-of-state fee waivers, work-study programs and even emergency aid in some cases. Foundation Scholarship applications open every Feb. 1, and additional information is available on the university’s website.

For incoming students, ULM continues to promote affordability through automatic merit-based scholarships and payment plans that allow tuition and fees to be paid in installments throughout the semester. A Tuition and Fee Estimator is also available online, helping students predict their semester costs before registration.

Harrison with SAS addressed some common misconceptions and overlooked aspects of fee bills.

• The Cost of Attendance (COA) listed on financial aid documents is not the same as a student’s actual bill. COA includes estimates for housing, meals, books and transportation — not just direct university charges.
• Students who change majors may also see changes to their program-level fees, as each department has different costs tied to their coursework. Lastly, missed deadlines can be costly. Late add/drop changes, missed refund windows or incomplete FAFSA submissions can all impact the bottom line.
• Exceeding the cost-of-attendance ceiling or dropping below full-time status could cause students to lose part of their aid packages. To avoid these issues, students should check their enrollment status regularly and speak with financial aid counselors when making schedule or housing changes.

To promote transparency, SAS encourages students to plan ahead. The department, located in Coenen Hall, offers in-person assistance Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays until 11:30 a.m. Students can also reach the office by phone at (318) 342-5124 or by email at [email protected].

“We are here to help,” Harrison said.