Understanding Howard University's Tuition and Residency Requirements

For prospective students and their families, understanding the financial aspects of attending Howard University is crucial. This article delves into the tuition costs, residency requirements, and financial aid options available at Howard University, providing a comprehensive overview to aid in planning and decision-making.

Tuition and Fees at Howard University

Howard University's tuition is $38,936, which is significantly cheaper than the national average cost of tuition of $46,950. This figure represents the sticker price, encompassing both tuition and fees. It is important to note that fees can vary across institutions and may support essential services such as library access, student gymnasiums, student centers, technology resources, and campus health facilities.

When evaluating the overall cost, it's crucial to consider the total cost and the net price. The total cost includes the sticker price, in addition to expenses for food and housing, books and supplies, and transportation and personal expenses. At Howard University, the total cost amounts to $59,288.

Breakdown of Costs

To provide a clearer picture of the expenses involved, Howard University provides detailed cost of attendance (COA) estimates for different living situations:

Undergraduate On-Campus:

Tuition: $37,996
Mandatory Fees: $940
Housing: $12,380
Food: $6,602
Books and Supplies: $1,220
Transportation: $1,154
Personal/Misc Expenses: $2,494
Estimated Cost of Attendance: $64,142

Undergraduate Off-Campus:

Tuition: $37,996
Mandatory Fees: $940
Housing: $18,050
Food: $6,700
Books and Supplies: $1,220
Transportation: $3,020
Personal/Misc Expenses: $3,986
Estimated Cost of Attendance: $73,268

Undergraduate At-Home:

Tuition: $37,996
Mandatory Fees: $940
Housing: $6,280
Food: $6,404
Books and Supplies: $1,220
Transportation: $1,088
Personal/Misc Expenses: $2,324
Estimated Cost of Attendance: $56,252

These estimates are based on full-time enrollment per semester and are subject to change each academic year. The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an average estimate of what it costs a typical undergraduate student to attend Howard University for one academic year. Your cost of attendance estimate doesn't only include tuition. It also takes basic living and commuting expenses into account.

Read also: Tuition and Fees at Howard

Cost of Attendance Components: Direct vs. Indirect Costs

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an average estimate of what it costs a typical undergraduate student to attend Howard University for one academic year. Your cost of attendance estimate doesn't only include tuition. It also takes basic living and commuting expenses into account. Your cost of attendance is made up of two different types of costs:

Direct Costs: These are items that will appear on your University bill, such as tuition, fees, and room and board (if you live on campus). This is the cost of a Howard University education. Costs that appear on your bill from Howard University include:

Tuition and Fees: These figures reflect the cost of tuition and fees for a student taking 12-18 credits during each of the fall and spring semesters of the respective academic year (which is considered full-time).
Housing and Meals: The number reflected here is the cost of the most popular meal plan chosen by students who live on campus.

Indirect Costs: These are items that will not appear on your bill, but are estimated costs associated with going to college and should be included in your budget. These include items like books, transportation and personal/miscellaneous expenses. Costs that do NOT appear on your bill from Howard University include:

Books and Supplies: This is an estimate of the cost of books and supplies for a typical student for the entire academic year. You will not be billed directly by Howard University for books or supplies. You can purchase these items at the Campus Store. The supply cost assumes that students do not have a computer, and allows for a student to purchase a personal computer.
Transportation: This is an estimate of the cost of traveling to and from campus or the cost of operating and maintaining a vehicle. The cost also assumes 3 round trips bus/plane tickets to and from campus to your family’s home. Unless you buy a Howard University parking permit, you will not be billed directly for transportation costs. This line item will not appear on your bill.
Personal Expenses: This is an estimate of costs for clothing, haircuts, entertainment, etc. for the year. Money spent on these types of items will vary from student to student. These items will not appear on your Howard University bill.

Understanding this breakdown helps students and families budget effectively for their educational expenses.

Financial Aid Opportunities at Howard University

Howard University offers various forms of financial aid to help students cover the cost of attendance. Financial aid is money used to help students and their families pay for college. Financial aid can come from the federal government, the state where the student lives, the school the student attends, or a nonprofit or private organization. Financial aid is used to cover all educational expenses. These include:

Need-Based Scholarships and Grants: The average need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students at Howard University was $9,388. Additionally, 79% of first-year students received need-based financial aid in fall 2023.
Need-Based Self-Help Aid: This includes federal loans and work-study programs. The average need-based self-help aid awarded to first-year students was $3,393.
Merit-Based Aid: Also known as non-need-based aid, this is awarded for specific talents or academic achievements. The average non-need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students at Howard University - excluding any athletic scholarships, if applicable - was $15,018.

Howard University met 21% of its students’ financial aid need. The university is G.I. Bill certified and participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, further assisting eligible students.

Student Loan Debt

It's essential to consider the potential impact of student loan debt on future financial well-being. Ideally, the total student loan debt should remain below the anticipated starting salary after graduation. At Howard University, the median federal loan debt among borrowers who completed their undergraduate degree is $24,500. The median monthly federal loan payment (if repaid over 10 years at 5.05% interest) for student federal loan borrowers who graduated is $260.

Additionally, 8% of graduating students at Howard University took out private loans. Students with private loans had an average of $46,930 in private loan debt at graduation. The Average Total Indebtedness of 2024 Graduating Class is $56,408. Graduating students who have borrowed (any loan type, 2024) is 72%.

Scholarships

Scholarships are a type of funding that you don’t need to pay back. Need-based scholarships take a student’s financial status into account. Merit-based scholarships are awarded to students for academic or athletic achievement. You might also qualify for a scholarship based on your community service involvement, unique hobbies or traits, your personal background, or a parent’s employer or military affiliation. Some students receive enough in scholarship money to cover their tuition and living expenses.

Work-Study Programs and Campus Jobs

Working while in school can help lessen the burden of your student loans. Schools offer work-study programs to those who qualify and campus jobs to students looking to earn money in their free time. Some institutions match students with work-study positions, while others require them apply to the positions, like they would for any other job.

Begin your job search by checking whether your college has in-person or online job boards.

Residency Requirements and Tuition Eligibility

While Howard University doesn't offer in-state tuition in the traditional sense (as it is a private institution), understanding residency and domicile is still crucial for determining tuition eligibility at community colleges and other institutions. The determination of residence or domicile for tuition purposes is governed by the Howard Community College Board of Trustees in accordance with Maryland State law.

Equity in funding requires that the level of tuition and governmental support be computed based on a student’s place of legal residence, except as prescribed by law. Legal residence for tuition purposes is based on a student’s legal domicile for a period of three or more months prior to the first regularly scheduled day of a term. Domicile is defined as a person’s permanent place of residence, where physical presence and possessions are maintained and where the person intends to remain indefinitely.

Establishing Maryland Domicile

The student must possess the legal capacity under state and federal law to establish Maryland domicile to be considered a Maryland resident of Howard County or another Maryland county. Several factors contribute to establishing domicile:

Physical Presence: Maintaining a physical presence in Maryland.
Possessions: Keeping possessions in Maryland.
Intent to Remain: Demonstrating an intent to remain in Maryland indefinitely.

Special Circumstances

Active Duty Military: Active duty service members, their spouses, and their financially dependent children are immediately eligible for in-county tuition if the service member is stationed in, resides in, or is domiciled in Maryland.
Maryland National Guard: Members of the Maryland National Guard are entitled to in-county tuition if they provide a critical military occupation skill or are a member of the Air Force Specialty Code.
Laurel College Center: A student who is a resident of Howard County enrolled for sections at the Laurel College Center receives in-county tuition rates for those sections.

Immigration Status and Residency

An individual’s immigration status does not impact residency determination under this policy if the individual has the legal capacity to establish domicile in Maryland; HCC generally considers students with the following immigration statuses as having the legal capacity to establish domicile in the State of Maryland or Howard County - United States permanent residents (PR); asylees; refugees; or those with A, BC, E, G, H1, H4, I, K1, K2, L, N, O, R, SN, T, U, and V visas. Students who are in the category of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA”) or Temporary Protected Status (“TPS”) are eligible to establish in-state/in-county residency for tuition purposes. Students who are in the process of adjusting their immigration status will be considered on a case-by-case basis dependent on where they are in the process. Proof of immigration status, in accordance with college procedures, is required. Students on B1 and B2 visas are generally not admitted for credit coursework in accordance with federal law. Other foreign nationals attending the college are not normally eligible for county residency or state resident tuition rates. Undocumented students wanting to be considered for in-county tuition rates pursuant to Annotated Code of Maryland, Education, Division III. Higher Education, Title 15. Public Institutions of Higher Education, Subtitle 1.

Verification and Appeals

At the time of admission or initial enrollment, each student will sign a statement affirming all information regarding legal residency and domicile. An electronic signature is considered official. Students have the burden of proving legal residency and domicile when requested. The college reserves the right to request two or more acceptable documents to verify domicile, one of which must include a government issued photo identification such as a driver’s license or state identification card; photocopied identification is not acceptable. Additional proof may include but is not limited to a lease, income tax returns, or utility bills. International citizens must show proof of immigration status to be eligible for in-county or in-state rates.

Students are required to submit a residency appeal to inform the office of records, registration, and veterans’ affairs (RRVA) and provide verification when their legal residency and domicile have changed, including any change of address. Students with a change in immigration status must notify the office of admissions and advising. Legal residency and domicile information and verification must be provided by the student within the first three weeks of the beginning of each major term or the first week of shorter terms; changes or appeals received later will be processed for the following term.

Howard Community College may contract with a public or private employer or non-profit organization that maintains facilities in Maryland, in order to provide education or training for public and private sector employees or members.

Additional Considerations

Health Insurance: Please note that the health insurance opportunity provided by Howard University is not a typical cost of attendance component.
Loan Fees: If a family/student opts to take out a loan, federal fees are associated with doing so. There is an origination fee of 1.059% for Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized student loans, which is taken out of the loan before funds are sent to Howard University. Some of our parents opt to take advantage of the Parent PLUS loan.

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