Dear Student,

We hope that you are doing well and enjoying your summer. We are writing to follow up to the communication from President Paxson on August 11 regarding modifications to Brown’s plan for the fall 2020 semester.

In light of the unique circumstances of the global pandemic, and Brown’s plans to begin the Fall 2020 semester with remote instruction, the University has decided that one way we will support students during this difficult time is to waive a number of fees for the fall. For students who are remote and not living in the Providence area, fees for the fall term will decline by more than $600. 

After discussions that involved a look at the range of various charges, Brown will also permanently stop charging fees for readmission from leave and late pre-registration. This letter shares the revised charges for undergraduate student accounts. We also are providing you with information about how room and board charges will be prorated if you return to campus when Brown invites students back after Labor Day. 

Presented here is this summary of updated charges:

Prorated Housing & Meal Charges

Based on the phased approach to the start of in-person instruction for the fall, and a new move-in date to residence halls beginning September 21, student accounts will be prorated for room and meal charges accordingly. Please note, for students receiving financial aid, the allowances for room and meals in the cost of attendance will not change for the fall 2020 semester.

New Prorated Fall 2020 Housing & Meal Rates:

On Campus Regular/Suites and Dorm Apartments = $3,910

Meal Plans:

• 20 Meal Plan = $2,447
• 14 Meal Plan = $2,304
• 7 Meal Plan = $1,894
• Kosher Meal Plan = $2,447

Students approved to arrive on campus prior to September 21, 2020, will be charged the original approved Fall 2020 housing and meal plan rates.

Waiver of Other Charges

Reflecting the unique circumstances of the pandemic, Brown will waive these other fees typically charged to enrolled students.

Recreation Fee*

Due to the uncertainty of the opening of Nelson Fitness Center and the availability to students of recreation activity, the recreation fee will be waived for all students for the fall 2020 semester.  

Activity Fee*

An activity fee is charged to all students to support the activities of student organizations. These funds are allocated to the Undergraduate Finance Board, Graduate Student Council, and Medical Student Senate respectively. Based on unspent funds due to moving to remote learning last spring (due to restrictions on spending for travel, food and gathering size), the undergraduate activity fee will be waived for the Fall 2020 semester.

*Note: Adjustments to the recreation and activity fees will change the financial aid cost of attendance for the Fall 2020 semester, and may change your financial aid eligibility. You will receive a notification from the Office of Financial Aid if your eligibility changes.  For other questions, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at financial_aid@brown.edu.

Non-Resident Fee

Students studying remotely (outside of the Providence area) will not be charged the non-resident fee for the fall 2020 semester. Students approved to live off campus in the Providence area and commuters with a permanent address within 30 miles of Providence will continue to be charged the non-resident fee for the support of resources and services provided through the Division of Campus Life.  

In addition to the fees outlined above, the University has accepted the recommendation of the Steering Committee on Financial Needs to waive in Fiscal Year 2021 and eliminate in Fiscal Year 2022 the following fees as listed in the University Bulletin: (1) the $70 readmission fee for students returning from leave, and (2) the $15 late registration fee for students who do not register for courses during preregistration. Note that there will continue to be a $15 late course add fee for students who register for a course after the second week of the semester.

Timing of Adjustments

All adjustments outlined above to the student account will be made by the close of business on Monday, August 17, 2020. Students may view their student account at payment.brown.edu for adjusted balance details.

Student Account Questions

Additional information can be found on the Student Financial Services Fall 2020 FAQ page at https://www.brown.edu/about/administration/bursar/policies/fall-2020-faq.

For additional information, please contact Student Financial Services at bursar@brown.edu.  

We wish you the best in the upcoming semester,

Sincerely,

Student Financial Services