Financial Support

Mid-America is operated through funds received from student tuition and fees, endowment income, income from wills and trusts, direct gifts from interested individuals, and designated gifts from churches to the general scholarship fund. Our low tuition is made possible through the regular gifts of individuals and churches that include Mid-America in their budget as a direct missions project. Mid-America welcomes support from those who are interested. Last year the average cost to educate a student exceeded $19,000. For school year 2023-2024, a full time student who participates in the GO! Program would pay $10,700 in hourly tuition. Well below the average cost.

The Office of Financial Aid

Scholarships

There are currently a variety of scholarships available to students. Some scholarships are based on merit and some are need based. After the designated scholarship application period, the office of Financial Aid will assign scholarships to students. A list of scholarships and their descriptions can be found online at www.collegeatmidamerica.com/financialaid. Scholarship applications are found at https://collegeatmidamerica.com/financialaidapplication/.

Student Relief Fund

Students contribute to the Student Relief Fund in chapel on the first Thursday of every month. This fund provides emergency assistance to fellow students. The office of Financial Aid selects recipients of student aid money received by Mid-America.

Veterans Educational Benefits

Due to the provisions of Section 1015 of the Isakson and Roe Act, only schools that accept title IV assistance will be allowed to distribute VA benefits. Only veterans that are certified, currently enrolled, and currently receiving, can continue to receive VA benefits.

Mid-America has been approved by the Tennessee State Approving Agency to certify veteran students and other eligible persons to receive benefits toward educational expenses from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Students who receive financial benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs program are required to verify their current enrollment status at Mid-America monthly.

Any covered individual will be able to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to the educational institution a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 (a “certificate of eligibility” can also include a “Statement of Benefits” obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) website – eBenefits, or a VAF 28-1905 form for chapter 31 authorization purposes) and ending on the earlier of the following dates:

1. The date on which payment from VA is made to the institution.
2. Ninety days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.

Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under chapter 31 or 33.

Records for veterans are maintained in the registrar’s office. These confidential records are accessible to the student and are not released to others without the written consent of the student. Additional information regarding the release of veterans’ records is published in the Student Handbook. Students intending to utilize veterans’ benefits must contact the Financial Aid office each semester.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

2023–2024 Tuition and Fees

Fees

Fee	Amount
On-Campus:	$340.00* per credit hour
Online:	$340.00* per credit hour
Audit:	$ 50.00 per course
Women's Institute:	$ 50.00 per course

*

Students must participate in the GO! Program to qualify for this discounted rate. Students electing not to participate in the GO! Program will pay a $1,500.00 Exemption Fee per semester.

Additional Fees

• Application Fee: $35.00 for new or re-admit application.
• Student Fee: $250.00 (per semester)
• Late Registration Fee: $100.00 assessed after registration has closed.
• Returned Payment Fee/Business Office: $40.00 for payments returned to the business office.
• Returned Payment Fee/Nelnet: $30.00 for payments returned to Nelnet.
• Nelnet Payment Plan Fee: $25.00 per each semester student enrolls in payment plan.
• Paper Cut Fees/Printing: Allows students to wirelessly print to the Library printer; minimum of $2.
• Paper Cut Fees/Copies: Allows students to copy pages from books; minimum of $5

Other Fees May be assessed.
Fees are subject to change without notice.

Tuition Payment and Fees

Application Fees

A $35.00 non-refundable application fee is required for each application for admission to the College. This fee is not applicable to tuition or other student charges.

Readmission Fees

Students seeking readmission must submit a non-refundable readmission fee of $35.00 at the time the application is submitted.

Financial Responsibility

Students are expected to be prompt and faithful in payment of all fees and tuition. All payments, payment arrangements, and/or third party payments must be made by the registration deadline. All financial obligations must be paid before a student can register for classes for the following semester and before grades, diplomas, or transcripts can be issued. Accounts must be paid in full before graduation. Mid-America reserves the right to secure a report through Equifax confirming the continued credit reliability of each student.

Nelnet Payment Plans

NELNET payment plans are available each semester and are open for enrollment the same dates the current semester registration is open. Payment methods include automatic bank payment (ACH), or for an additional fee, credit and debit cards are accepted. All NELNET down payments and enrollment fees are processed immediately. The cost to participate in NELNET payment plans is $25 (non-refundable) each semester. Students my enroll in a NELNET payment plan through their SONIS student account billing tab.

Returned Payment Policy and Fees

Fees

Fee	Amount
First incident:	$40.00 NSF fee and automatic SonisWeb hold
Second incident:	$40.00 NSF fee and consultation with business office
Third incident:	$40.00 NSF fee and payment due in the business office

Third-Party Invoicing

Students may request the business office to invoice a third party for tuition payment. Proper documentation must be provided in advance of registering for classes. When requesting Mid-America invoice a third party, students must plan arrangements at least one week before registering for classes. Students that have previously participated in invoicing must secure and return new documentation at the start of each academic year in advance of registering for classes. Failure to submit paperwork or confirm third party approval in advance will delay registration and may result in additional fees.

Late Registration Fee

Late registration will incur an additional fee of $100.00 and is by appointment only. This fee may be waived for those that make an appointment before the end of the registration period. Payment of tuition is considered part of registration and must be made by the deadline or during a late registration appointment.

Graduation Fee

The graduation fee is $100.00. Student Life will send graduation information to all upcoming graduates including the deadline for fee payment.

Paper Services

A Paper Cut account is automatically established for all students for wireless printing from computer to the copier in the library. Non-refundable deposits of $2.00 or greater may be made to Paper Cut via cash or check in the business office. Each page printed from the student’s paper cut account costs $0.05.

Students wanting to make copies by placing books or other materials on the copier in the library need to make a non-refundable deposit of $5.00 or greater to Paper Cut via cash or check in the business office.

Fee for Student Transcripts

Academic transcripts are released to other persons or institutions only with the written consent of the student involved. A fee of $15.00 is charged for each transcript. Transcripts are not released until all financial obligations to Mid-America have been satisfied.

Refunds of Tuition Fees

Dropped Courses or Withdrawal from the College

Mid-America policy states that tuition fees are non-refundable after the start of classes. Tuition fees are still applicable if a student drops or withdraws from a course at any point during a semester unless the student qualifies under the exception policy.

Exception to the Non-refundable Fee Policy

An exception is made if a student is forced to drop a course or withdraw from the College during the first 12 class days of a semester due to personal or family illness or due to an emergency beyond the student’s control. In such circumstances, the student will submit an Administrative Action request that must be approved by the President's Council. The decision will be submitted to the business office.

Notary Public Service

The business office provides a notary public service for students and faculty at no cost.