Consumer Information

Simmons University complies with the federal law known as the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA). This federal law, an amendment to the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, requires colleges and universities to disclose information and data to current and prospective students and their families. This webpage has been created to gather Simmons University’s HEOA information in one place.

University Costs and Financial Compliance

Tuition and Fees

• The typical undergraduate has billed expenses of tuition, fees, room, and board. The Simmons University website lists the tuition rates and other billed expenses, as well as the per-credit rate for Dix scholars.
• Graduate program tuition is calculated per credit each semester. The Simmons University website lists the tuition rates for each program. The activity fee is mandatory for all students and is included in the tuition figures.

Net Price Calculator
Simmons University provides the Net Price Calculator to incoming undergraduates and families to assist with college planning. The Calculator provides an estimate of the merit and need-based grant amounts that students may qualify to receive while attending Simmons University. The estimates provided here are based on Simmons’ awarding policies for the current academic year, are subject to change, and do not include federal loan or work-study eligibility.

Textbook and Course Information
Simmons University is committed to ensuring that students have access to affordable course materials and to providing updated information about the selection, purchase, and sale of textbooks and course materials.

Entrance/Exit Counseling
All students who receive Federal Stafford Loans are required to complete entrance counseling and exit counseling as a condition of the loans.

Code of Conduct
The Student Financial Services Student Loan Code of Conduct serves as the guiding principle in ensuring the integrity of the student financial aid process. All Simmons employees who have responsibilities with respect to educational loans are required to comply with this Code of Conduct.

Financial Aid

Financial Aid Contacts
Student Financial Services is comprised of Student Account and Financial Aid staff. For general inquiries, the main customer service desk can be reached at 617-521-2001 or [email protected].

How to Apply for Financial Aid and How Eligibility Is Determined
The Simmons University website provides guidance for applying for both merit and need-based financial aid:

• Applying for aid as an undergraduate student
• Applying for aid as a graduate student

Types Of Financial Aid Available
Simmons University recognizes that funding a college education can be challenging for many families, but support is available.

For undergraduate students: 

• Simmons offers a variety of financial aid options that, in combination, help students meet out-of-pocket costs.

For graduate students: 

• Graduate students who are registered for 5 or more credits per semester are eligible to apply for federal loans.
• Most programs offer scholarships, but not all, so prospective students should check with the relevant graduate program admission office during the application process. Programs with scholarships and other funding options are listed on the graduate financial aid page.

How Aid Is Disbursed

• Loans are disbursed directly to the student’s account. As long as an eligible Master Promissory Note (MPN) is on file and the required Entrance Counseling is completed, the University aims to disburse loans around the 14th day of each term.
• Scholarships are disbursed directly to the student’s account. As long as students meet the program requirements (as set forth in the letter they received from Admission), we aim to disburse Institutional Scholarships after the first week of classes. Federal Grants for undergraduate students (Pell and SEOG) are typically disbursed in mid-October after the census date has passed.

Satisfactory Academic Progress
To be eligible and continue to receive federal, state, and/or institutional aid, students must make satisfactory academic progress toward achieving and completing their program of study through measurement of qualitative (GPA) and quantitative (completed credits) standards.

• Policy for undergraduate students
• Policy for graduate students

Loan entrance and exit requirements

• Students who have not previously received a Federal Direct Loan are required by the Federal Government to complete entrance counseling to ensure they understand the responsibilities and obligations they are assuming.
• Exit counseling provides important information to prepare students to repay their federal student loan(s). Students who have received a loan under the Direct Loan Program must complete exit counseling each time they drop below half-time enrollment, graduate, or leave school.

Student Information

Student Handbook
The Office of the Dean for Student Affairs publishes an online student handbook for both undergraduate and graduate students. This student handbook, updated annually, contains important information on a wide variety of topics.

Transfer of Credit Policy
Students who transfer to Simmons may be eligible to transfer academic credits earned at other colleges and universities.

Accessibility Services
Simmons University is committed to the full participation of all students in its programs and activities. Although Simmons has no academic program specifically designed for students with disabilities who are otherwise qualified for admission, Simmons is committed to providing support services and reasonable accommodations upon request by students who qualify.

Tuition and Fees Refund Policy
If a student’s plans change and the student will not be attending Simmons, but has already paid tuition and fees, the student may be entitled to a refund.

Leave Of Absence and Withdrawal Policies
To request a Leave of Absence or a Withdrawal, students should follow the process as outlined on the Registrar’s Office website.

Academic Programs 
For undergraduate students: The curriculum is customizable and interdisciplinary, giving students the opportunity to explore new subjects in innovative ways. Regardless of the area of study, the liberal arts and sciences provide a framework for students to grow as leaders.

For graduate students: Rooted in academic inquiry and innovative application, Simmons’ nationally recognized graduate programs offer an unmatched combination of theory, practice, and real-world experience that challenges students to see more broadly, think more deeply, and excel in their chosen fields.

Study Abroad
Students interested in studying, volunteering, or pursuing an internship abroad can find information and support for upcoming semester, year, or summer opportunities.

Student Activities and Organizations
Simmons offers a wide variety of clubs and organizations for students to join and meet people with similar interests. Simmons is also a member of the Colleges of the Fenway (COF), a consortium of five neighboring schools. This membership provides students with access to student organizations, study abroad opportunities, and social events such as ski trips, carnivals, and block parties.

Rates and Student Body Diversity
As required, Simmons reports data through the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) website. The survey is conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics. The report includes information on enrollment, completion, graduation, transfer, retention, and placement rates and student body diversity.

Graduation Data
The Simmons Registrar's Office compiles and maintains data on Simmons graduation rates. The HEOA requires that these data be disaggregated by gender, by major racial and ethnic subgroups, by recipients of Pell Grants, by recipients of subsidized federal loans who did not receive a Pell Grant, and by recipients of neither a Pell Grant nor a subsidized loan.

Post-Graduate Outcomes
Simmons University conducts surveys to inquire about the employment and post-graduate education status of its recent graduates and alumnae/i. See outcomes for Undergraduates and for Graduate students.

Veteran's Readmission
Simmons will readmit students to the Simmons School and program that they previously attended if they left Simmons or did not accept an offer of admission from Simmons to perform military service with the US Armed Forces.

Students are eligible for readmission under this provision if, during their leave, they performed or will perform voluntary or involuntary active duty service in the US Armed Forces, including active duty for training and National Guard or Reserve service under Federal Authority, for a period of more than 30 consecutive days, and received a discharge other than dishonorable or bad conduct. In general, the cumulative length of absence and all previous absences for military service (service time only) must not exceed five years.

Students planning to take a leave for military service must give advance written or verbal notice of military service to the Dean for Student Life, unless such notice is precluded by military necessity. To be readmitted, students must give notice (written or verbal) of their intent to re-enroll to the Dean of their School no later than three years after the completion of the period of their service. If they are recovering from a service-related injury or illness, they must notify the School within two years of their recovery.

For further questions or to contact Student Life, call 617-521-2116. The Office of the Dean for Student Life is located in the Main Campus Building.

Accreditation

Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the Commission indicates that it meets or exceeds the criteria for the periodic assessment of institutional quality, as applied through a peer-review process.

Filesharing and Copyright Information

File Sharing Policy
Illegal filesharing is a violation of the Simmons University Acceptable Use Policy, Simmons' Copyright Policy, and the College's Honor Code. Illegal filesharing occurs when an individual downloads or uploads a file without the copyright owner’s consent. There are some gray areas in this evolving area of the law, and further guidance is available through articles linked to this page and in the Simmons Technology Knowledge Base.

Health, Safety, and Privacy

Emergency Notification System
Simmons University has developed an Emergency Notification System that will alert the entire College community in the event of a dangerous situation posing an immediate threat to the campus. The Simmons University system uses various modes of notification and information dissemination, including Simmons Alert (also known as Rave Alert) and the Simmons home page. The Office of Public Safety also maintains a Police Advisories webpage.

In the event of an emergency, the Simmons University homepage displays emergency messages via a banner or button, which is prominently placed on this webpage by the webmaster upon notification by a member of the EMC.

Emergency Contact System
The College has selected the services of an outside company, Rave Alert, which can deliver time-sensitive emergency notifications through a variety of communication devices to Simmons students, faculty, and staff in the event of an emergency affecting Simmons University and the Boston area. In the event of an emergency affecting Simmons University, all Simmons-administered land-line telephones will receive an automated message, and all Simmons email accounts will receive an email with brief details and instructions regarding the emergency. Additionally, registered individuals will receive an automated cell phone warning or text message if an emergency occurs on campus.

Annual Testing of Emergency Procedures
The Simmons University Emergency Management Council, in conjunction with Simmons Public Safety, is responsible for testing the College's emergency response and for holding evacuation drills. These tests may be announced or unannounced.

Missing Student Policy
Simmons University is committed to promoting and providing a safe and secure environment for the entire community. As part of Simmons’ commitment, and in compliance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, this missing student policy has been developed for "residential students" — students who live in a residence hall owned or operated by Simmons.

Disclosure of Relationship with Local Law Enforcement
All Simmons police officers are trained, sworn law enforcement officers, licensed as special state police officers, and have arrest authority on Simmons property.

Clery Report
In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Police and Campus Crimes Statistics Act, Simmons University publishes an Annual Clery Report. The Act requires Simmons to prepare, publish, and distribute an annual security report containing crime statistics and policy and security information.

Fire Safety Regulation: Disclosure of Standards and Measures
Simmons produces an annual fire safety report outlining fire safety practices, standards, and all on-campus fire-related statistics. Information about fire safety is in Simmons’ Annual Fire Safety Report, which is included in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. 

Hate Crime Reporting
Crime statistics, including hate crimes, are maintained by the Department of Public Safety and reported annually in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

Immunizations
Simmons University, in accordance with Massachusetts Law, requires immunizations for all full-time undergraduate and graduate students, including transfer students, and part-time health science students.

Drug and Alcohol Policies
In compliance with Massachusetts law, students who are not of legal drinking age (21 years old) may not purchase, possess, or transport alcoholic beverages at any time. Students 21 years or older may purchase, possess, and consume alcoholic beverages at College functions approved by the Office of Student Activities & Leadership and in residence halls according to the policies listed below and in accordance with the College policies and procedures section of the Student Handbook. Students transporting alcoholic beverages on campus must ensure that they are properly covered. Kegs and beer balls are never permitted in residence halls, and delivery of alcohol to residence halls, regardless of age, is prohibited.

FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the US Department of Education.