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The Wright Guarantee Tuition Program

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About the Wright Guarantee Tuition Program

The Wright Guarantee Tuition Program guarantees the same annual cost of tuition, housing, and dining over a four-year college career for new, incoming, in-state, degree-seeking undergraduate students. The Governing Document is the final decision and supersedes all other written communication.

Under the program, students will pay the exact same rate for tuition, housing, and dining for 12 consecutive semesters beginning with the first Fall or Spring Semester they stay enrolled through day 15 of the semester. Students entering during the Summer Semester will receive the prior year's cohort for that Summer Semester only. If students fail to graduate within 12 semesters, they will pay the rate charged to the next cohort.

The Wright Tuition Guarantee Program is available at both Dayton and Lake Campus. The program is for newly admitted undergraduate, degree-seeking students who are Ohio residents. The program is not applicable to graduate, professional, international, and currently enrolled undergraduate students. 

Currently enrolled undergraduate students will continue to pay the current tuition rate until such time that the Ohio Legislature approves a tuition rate increase. Wright State will remain one of the most affordable universities in Ohio.


 

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Wright Guarantee Tuition Program is a cohort-based, level-rate tuition, housing, and dining model that assures students and their families a set of comprehensive rates for the pursuit of an undergraduate degree at Wright State.

  • What is the tuition guarantee?

    The Wright Guarantee Tuition Program guarantees that tuition, housing, and dining rates will not change for 12 consecutive semesters. The Wright Guarantee Tuition Program is only applicable to newly admitted undergraduate, degree-seeking students who are Ohio residents.

  • Why are you doing it?

    The Wright Guarantee Tuition Program benefits students and their families by enabling:

    • The ability to predict college costs
    • Accurate budget planning
    • A financial incentive for timely graduation
    • The potential for reducing student debt
    • A more stable value for renewable scholarships
  • Who participates?

    Every new degree-seeking first-year or transfer undergraduate (baccalaureate or associate) student beginning enrollment in Fall Semester 2018 or later, regardless of campus of admission or enrollment, is part of the Wright Guarantee Tuition Program. Each student is placed in the appropriate guarantee cohort upon initial enrollment at Wright State’s Dayton or Lake Campus.

  • I am an undergraduate student from out-of-state, can I benefit from the Wright Guarantee Tuition Plan?

    The in-state portion of your tuition charges are a component of the Wright Guarantee Tuition Program along with room and meal plans. However, the non-resident portion of your tuition charges are not a part of the Wright Guarantee Tuition Program and could change annually. Please review the Tuition and Fees charts to learn more about your specific non-resident tuition charges.

  • I am an undergraduate international student, can I benefit from the Wright Guarantee Tuition Plan?

    The in-state portion of your tuition charges are a component of the Wright Guarantee Tuition Program along with room and meal plans. However, the non-resident/international portions of your tuition charges are not a part of the Wright Guarantee Tuition Program and could change annually. Please review the Tuition and Fees charts to learn more about your specific non-resident/international tuition charges.

  • How does it work?

    You pay a pre-determined amount per semester for your first year, and for the next three years. Provided you complete your degree in four years, your tuition schedule will not change. First-year students pay a fixed tuition rate, which remains in effect for four years.

  • What is included?

    The Wright Guarantee Tuition Program is a comprehensive program consisting of the following commonly assessed fees for students in the Wright Guarantee Tuition Program:

    • Instructional fees
    • General fees
    • Room costs
    • Meal plan costs
  • Are there additional student costs included in the Wright Guarantee Tuition Program?

    Students in the Wright Guarantee Tuition Program are subject to a level housing rate that represents the various housing options available. Also, students in the Wright Guarantee Tuition Program are subject to a level meal plan rate based on the type of meal plan selected.

  • How is my financial aid affected?

    Scholarships hold their value through the Wright Guarantee Tuition Program. Because the cost of attending Wright State remains steady, the same percentage of those costs are met by any renewable scholarship for each Fall and Spring Semester of a student’s four years at Wright State, assuming that renewable scholarship criteria are maintained. By contrast, in a model of increasing annual costs, a smaller percentage of a student’s educational costs would be met each year. Students who meet the established Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) priority deadline and maintain a constant Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by the FAFSA, may receive consistent federal, state, and institutional need-based aid. Term amounts may vary depending on enrollment status, and certain grant awards may change due to funding from the federal or state government.

    Refer to the Enrollment Services website to learn more about specific federal and state financial aid programs and the eligibility for each program.

  • What are the requirements?

    The Wright Guarantee Tuition Program is for new, degree-seeking undergraduate students admitted and enrolled beginning Fall Semester 2018 or later.

  • Why does it expire in four years?

    Most of the programs at Wright State can be completed in four years if a student completes a full-time course load (15 or more hours each semester) for 12 consecutive semesters. The Wright Guarantee Tuition Program encourages students to maintain a schedule that allows for graduation within a four-year period. Because Summer Semester is included in the Wright Guarantee Tuition Program, we encourage students to take advantage of summer course options to complete degree requirements within the four-year period.

  • What happens if it takes me longer than 12 semesters to graduate?

    After the Wright Guarantee Tuition Program expires for you, you pay the tuition rate assigned to the cohort that went into effect the year after your initial cohort. If you are enrolled in a program that requires more than 120 hours to complete, you should complete the appeal process to extend your cohort term.  Please review the appeal process for more information.

  • What happens if I enroll in an academic program that is longer than four years?

    There are some undergraduate programs at Wright State that are designed to take longer than four years. If you are enrolled in a program that requires more than 120 hours to complete, you should complete the appeal process to extend your cohort term. Please review the appeal process for more information.

  • What happens if I leave Wright State University during the four-year period and return later?

    Depending on the length of time you are away from Wright State, you may be required to reapply for admission. If you are away from Wright State for less than one academic year, you may be eligible to continue in your current cohort until its expiration.

  • What happens if I change majors?

    If you change your major or college, you maintain your cohort status and the Wright Guarantee Tuition Program expiration date does not change. Additionally, you will not be granted additional terms in your current cohort should you change your major.

  • Are there a maximum or minimum number of hours in which I may enroll?

    The Wright Guarantee Tuition Program is in effect for 12 consecutive semesters regardless of the number of courses you take during a semester, up to the allowable limit (18 hours per semester, maximum).

  • Are classes taken during summer sessions included?

    Yes, summer sessions count toward the 12 semesters under the Wright Guarantee Tuition Program. 

  • Are there any exceptions to the program?

    If you need to leave Wright State for extenuating circumstances you will be able to pay the rates you were guaranteed if you re-enroll, if you are away from Wright State for less than one academic year. The guarantee may be extended for a period matching your absence, should your absence from campus meet the appealable reasons. The university must verify and approve any extenuating circumstances, such as military service or emergency medical conditions.

    The Wright Guarantee Tuition Program appeals committee reviews any appeals for extension.

    Students called into active duty military service are eligible for an extension of the guarantee so long as appropriate documentation is submitted to the Wright Guarantee Tuition Program appeals committee.


 


Appeals

Exceptions for Students Who Require More than 12 Consecutive Semesters

First-time, undergraduate, bachelor-degree-seeking students have 12 consecutive semesters (4 years) to take advantage of the Wright Guarantee Tuition Program. This means students must complete their bachelor degree requirements within 12 consecutive semesters to receive the guaranteed tuition rate. However, there may be times when a student is not able to complete their degree program within the 12-semester (4 years) time frame, and may need to appeal to receive an extension of the guaranteed tuition rate. Students enrolled for a second bachelor’s degree are not eligible for the Wright Tuition Guarantee Program. Each appeal is reviewed based on its own merit to determine whether an extension should be granted, and if so, the nature and duration of the extension.

Appealable Exceptions

Explanation

Appeal Process

Bachelor’s degree is greater than 120 credit hours

Programs that require more than 120 credit hours
  • Complete the appeal form (PDF) one term prior to cohort expiration.
  • Include information from your academic advisor regarding the program length, and assessment of your anticipated graduation.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Students who have been advised (in writing) by the Office of Disabilities to take a reduced course load as an accommodation for their disability.

  • Complete the appeal form (PDF) one term prior to cohort expiration.
  • Provide documentation from Disability Services of degree plan and total terms needed to complete a bachelor’s degree.

Unexpected New Medical Condition or Personal Injury

Students with unexpected new medical conditions or personal injuries may require additional time to complete a bachelor’s degree.

  • Complete the appeal form (PDF) one term prior to cohort expiration.
  • Include documentation from a medical provider that explains the medical condition or injury, and any scheduling accommodations that must be made due to the medical condition or injury.

Active Duty Military Service

A student called to active duty is given an automatic extension of the Wright Guarantee Tuition Program based upon the number of semesters impacted by their time served.

  • Complete the appeal form (PDF) upon return from active duty.
  • Include documentation to verify active duty military service. This information will enable the appeals committee to determine the appropriate number of terms to provide to the student.

Documented University Error

If it is determined that a university error caused a student to have to extend beyond the 12 semesters in the Wright Guarantee Tuition Program, the student will be afforded additional semester(s) to complete their degree appropriately.  Errors include, but are not limited to, advising errors and graduation delays resulting from course availability, course conflict, or course cancelation.

  • Complete the appeal form (PDF) one term prior to cohort expiration.
  • Provide documentation that proves university error and information from an academic advisor that includes a plan to complete a degree within one or two terms.
  • If the documentation proves that the university has made an error, per Ohio Revised Code 3345.48 (6) (a), the university shall provide the necessary course or courses for completion to the student free of charge.


Unacceptable Circumstances for Appeals

Appeals will not be accepted, and extensions will not be granted, for the following circumstances:

  • Multiple major/degree changes
  • Major/degree changes made after the student reaches junior status
  • Dropping courses
  • Suspension/expulsion from Wright State due to infractions of the Student Code of Conduct
  • Transferring to Wright State and required to repeat coursework
  • Pursuit of multiple degrees, minors, certifications, etc.
  • Pursuit of a graduate-level degree
  • Stopping out or dropping out for an extended period of time
     

Directions for Submitting an Appeal

Students must complete the appeal form (PDF), and submit all required documentation to support the appeal to Enrollment Services, which will then route the appeal and required documentation to the Refund Appeals Committee for review.


Frequency of Appeals Committee Meetings

The Refund Appeals Committee meets on a monthly basis, and will review all appeals received prior to its established meeting time. All appeals received after the monthly meeting will be reviewed at the next committee meeting date.


Appeal Outcomes/Communication

Outcomes from all appeals reviewed will be communicated to students via Wright State email. It is the student’s responsibility to check their Wright State email account for appeal outcomes notification. The email will include information on the status (approved/denied), and if approved, the number of semesters the student will receive as an extension of the Wright Guarantee Tuition Program.
 



Governing Document

Wright Guarantee Tuition Program Governing Document (DOCX)

 


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