Palm Beach State College: Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid Guide

Palm Beach State College (PBSC) offers accessible higher education with a focus on affordability. Understanding the costs associated with attending PBSC and the available financial aid options is crucial for prospective and current students. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of tuition, fees, and financial aid opportunities at Palm Beach State College.

Tuition and Fees

The District Board of Trustees establishes tuition annually, and the most current tuition fees are listed on the Palm Beach State College website. As of 2020-2021, the in-state tuition and fees were $3,050, while out-of-state tuition and fees were $10,910. These figures provide a baseline for understanding the cost of enrollment.

Additional Fees

In addition to tuition, students should be aware of potential additional course fees associated with some classes, which are included in the total cost of the course. A nonrefundable application fee is assessed for students applying to the College. A one-time fee is assessed for your first matriculated academic period.

Payment Information

All fees must be paid by the payment due date indicated on the student’s class schedule. Students may pay online using credit or debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Optima, Discover, JCB, or non-North American Diners Club). Wire transfers can be arranged through the Cashier's Office. A student may not attend classes until his/her schedule is paid. Students will be dropped for nonpayment if payment is not processed by their payment due date.

Florida Prepaid College Plan

Students who are beneficiaries of a Florida Prepaid College Plan will have the amount posted on their account once rates have been released for the respective academic period. The file from Florida Prepaid is matched against the student enrollment using SSN and date of birth. If the student chooses not to use Florida Prepaid, the student must OPT OUT.

Read also: PBAU Academic Programs

Returned Checks

In accordance with section 832, Florida Statutes, the College reserves the right to take necessary actions by charging the maximum fees allowable by law for returned checks.

Unpaid Student Accounts

Unpaid student accounts, including past due fees or returned checks, will prevent registration, graduation, granting of credit, or release of transcript. Amounts remaining unpaid also will be subject to additional collection costs of up to 30% of the principal amount, plus costs.

Financial Aid

PBSC offers various financial aid options to help students manage the cost of their education. Financial aid can include grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study jobs. Financial aid packages vary depending on your financial need. Most colleges determine financial need based on your FAFSA. Filing a FAFSA form is the first step in the financial aid process. Applying early can pay off! In addition, processing times can take 3 to 4 weeks during peak periods. You must submit a new FAFSA each academic year.

FAFSA Application

To apply for financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA requires the following information:

Your Social Security number.
Your parents’ Social Security numbers (if you’re a dependent student).
Your driver’s license number (if you have one).
Your Alien Registration number (if you’re an eligible non-citizen).
Income and income tax information.
Asset information.

It is important to complete all sections of the FAFSA accurately. Do NOT leave this blank. If not applicable, enter zeroes. Your FAFSA may be selected for a process called verification.

Financial Aid Package

Your approved financial aid package will be available in the Workday student portal after all action items are completed. If you are awarded a student loan, you can decide whether you want to reduce or decline your loans. If you do not want an awarded student loan, please decline it in Workday.

Types of Financial Aid

Grants and Scholarships: These are forms of financial aid 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. At Palm Beach State College, 45 percent of undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid and the average scholarship or grant award is $4,406.
Loans: These are funds you borrow and repay with interest. Need-based self-help aid includes federal loans. At Palm Beach State College, the median federal loan debt among borrowers who completed their undergraduate degree is $7,081. The median monthly federal loan payment (if it were repaid over 10 years at 5.05% interest) for student federal loan borrowers who graduated is $75. Ideally, your total student loan debt should fall below your anticipated starting salary once you graduate.
Work-Study: 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.

Financial Aid for Military Personnel and Veterans

PBSC is G.I. Bill certified. While the institution does not participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, veterans and active military personnel may still be eligible for other financial aid benefits.

Special Programs and Waivers

PBSC offers several special programs and waivers to reduce tuition costs for eligible students.

Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver

Senior citizens 60 years of age or older may register each fall, spring, or summer academic period, for up to two courses per academic period (maximum eight credits) and receive a 100 percent waiver on the cost of tuition and fees. Senior citizens will also be required to pay the one-time, nonrefundable $40 application fee. Senior citizens using fee waivers may take only full-term (15 weeks) credit courses on an audit basis. No academic credit will be awarded for classes for which the fees are waived. Courses that are part of limited/controlled access programs or bachelor’s level (3000/4000 level) courses are not eligible for the senior citizen's fee waiver. In Workday, select Create Request selecting the Waiver Senior Citizen Questionnaire. Register for classes in person only on the designated registration day for senior citizens. Registration will be granted on a “space available” basis (at least one seat available in the class). Senior citizens are ineligible for the tuition waiver if they register prior to the designated senior citizen's registration date, even if the course is subsequently dropped.

State Employee Tuition Waiver

Full-time employees of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of Florida state government may register per academic period for a maximum of six credit hours or 180 vocational hours (part of a CCP program) with tuition waived. In Workday, process a Create Request selecting the Waiver State Employee Questionnaire. Attach a completed and signed State Employee Waiver form to the questionnaire. This will be routed to the Admissions Office and Student Account Services for review. Register for classes in person only on the designated registration day for state employees. Registration will be granted on a “space available” basis (at least one seat available in the class). State employees are ineligible for the tuition waiver if they register for and/or drop the class(es) prior to the designated state employee registration date. Please refer to the Registration Calendar for the appropriate academic period registration dates.

Homeless Tuition and Fees Waiver

Qualifying students should login to Workday, select Create Request then Waiver - Homeless Tuition, and Fees and attach the required documentation. This will be routed to the Admissions Office and Student Account Services for processing.

Additional Resources

PBSC provides several resources to help students succeed academically and financially:

Textbook Price Match & Rentals: Your campus bookstore price matches Booksmart, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon!
PantherCard: Your PantherCard is your key to accessing resources provided at the college. local merchants also provide discounts for students who show their ID.
Library: Access library resources in person and online. tablet, or laptop.
Career Center: The Career Center assists current students and degree program graduates.
Eduroam WiFi Network: Eduroam allows access a secure WiFi network connection.
Academic/career counseling service: Yes.
Placement services for completers: Yes.
Employment services for students: Yes.
Credit for life experiences: Yes.

Understanding the Total Cost

As you’re comparing costs of different institutions, also consider the total cost and the net price. The total cost is the sticker price, plus the cost of food and housing, books and supplies ($2,700 per year), and transportation and personal expenses. The net price is a college’s cost of attendance minus the grants and scholarships you receive. Use the college’s Net Price calculator for the most accurate estimate of your net price.

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