Tuition and Fees

It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the University regulations pertaining to financial matters. Cape Breton University does not accept responsibility for any loss, damage, or interruption of classes, accommodation or meals suffered by any student as a result of circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the University. These circumstances include the suspension or termination of services by any group of University employees.

Registration is not completed until fees are paid or until arrangements are made for the payment of fees in accordance with Cape Breton University policy. Acceptable arrangements include the assignment of required amounts from a student loan.

Payment can be made by cheque or money order to Cape Breton University, or by Visa or MasterCard. Please include expiry date month and year.

ACADEMIC FEES 2011-2012

Degree / Diploma Courses Cost Students’ Union
Undergraduate Courses    
6 credit course $1,166.00 $37.00
3 credit course $583.00 $18.50
Nursing Courses    
6 credit course $1,278.00 $37.00
3 credit course $639.00 $18.50
BEd Courses:    
6 credit course $1,390.00 $37.00
3 credit course $695.00 $18.50
Practicum $3,475.00  
Education Courses:    
6 credit course $1,274.00 $37.00
3 credit course $637.00 $18.50
Work placement fee $583.00  
Emergency Management Courses $1,545.00  
Fitness Centre-Student Membership $41.00 Mandatory for all students,
non-refundable
Lab Fee per course with a lab, except hospitality & tourism $50.00 not applicable to
distance courses
Lab Fee per HATM course with a cooking lab $75.00  
Students’ Union Health Plan $145.00  
International Health Plan $650.00 mandatory for
international students
International Differential Fees    
6 credit course or equivalent $1166.00  
3 credit course or equivalent $583.00  
Online Education Fees    
6 credit course $75.00 Non refundable
3 credit course $75.00 Non refundable

 

Nova Scotia Bursary (Nova Scotia Residents)
For the 2011/2012 academic year, Nova Scotia students studying at CBU will automatically receive a bursary from the Province of Nova Scotia to be applied against tuition in the amount of $128.30 per three credit course. If a student withdraws from a course, the bursary is reversed in accordance with CBU "Class Withdrawal and Financial Refunds" policy. The above quoted tuition fees do not reflect this bursary. For example: Student registers for one three credit course, tuition charge is $583.00-$128.30=$454.70 balance owed by student.
Nova Scotia Bursary (Out-of-Province Canadian Students)
For the 2011/2012 academic year, out-of-province Canadian students studying at CBU will automatically receive a bursary from the Province of Nova Scotia to be applied against tuition in the amount of $26.10 per three credit course. If a student withdraws from a course, the bursary is reversed in accordance with CBU "Class Withdrawal and Financial Refunds" policy. The above quoted tuition fees do no reflect this bursary.
For example: Student registers for one three credit course, tuition charge is $583.00-26.10=556.90 balance owed by student.

Master of Business Administration in Community Economic Development

Canadians and Landed Immigrants
3 credit course Tuition $1,220.00 Paid at time of registration
  Application Fee $80.00 Non refundable Paid at time of application
  Program Fee $400.00 Non refundable Paid at time of registration
International Students
3 credit course Tuition $1,220.00 Paid at time of registration
  Application Fee $80.00 Non refundable Paid at time of application
  Differential Fee $583.00 Per 3 credit course
  Program Fee $400.00 Non refundable Paid at time of registration
  Medical Coverage $650.00 Mandatory. Paid at time of registration

NOTE: The fees listed above are for graduate MBA courses offered at the CBU campus.

Off-campus graduate MBA 3-credit courses are charged tuition of $1,850.00.

Pre-MBA courses are charged as follows:

PMBA001     $288.00

PMBA002     $865.00

PMBA003     $865.00

PMBA004     $288.00

PMBA005     $432.00

Other Academic Fees

Application Fee (undergraduate program) non refundable. $35.00
Application Fee International Students (undergraduate) (non refundable upon completion of registration $65.00 is applied to student account. $100.00
Graduation Fee $20.00
NSF or other returned cheque handling charge $20.00
Prior Learning Assessment Application Fee (non refundable) $50.00
Prior Learning Assessment Fee (non refundable) 50% of tuition for course credits granted to a maximum of $2,060.00
Replacement Parchment Fee $20.00
Transfer Credit Application Fee (non refundable) $50.00
Audit Fees (non refundable) onehalf of the tuition

For applications and information on payments or to download forms, go here.


Payment Policies

Domestic Students
  • Students registering for only one three credit course will be required to pay all tuition and appropriate fees at the time of registration.
  • Students registering for multiple courses for the first academic term (Sept.Dec.) will be required to pay $300.00 at the time of registration.
  • Students registering for both academic terms (Sept.April) will be required to pay $300.00 at the time of registration. A total of 60% of the remaining balance of all fees must be paid no later than Sept. 30, with the remaining 40% to be paid no later than Jan. 15th.
  • Students who have their student loans will be required to pay all tuition and fees due by Sept 30th at the time of registration. Students are accordingly encouraged to apply for student loans on a timely basis.
  • The $300.00 payment stated above is a minimum payment required by all students (including those who have not yet received their student loan at the time of registration).
  • Students who have an outstanding balance from prior term(s) will not be permitted to register unless such balance is paid in full and the payment policies are adhered to.
  • Students in residence must pay the required residence confirmation and down payment fees totaling $700.00 in addition to the above tuition fees.
International Students
  • International students registering for courses for the first academic term (Sept.Dec.) will be required to pay all tuition and applicable fees at the time of registration.
  • International students registering for both academic terms (Sept.April) will be required to pay 60% of all tuition and applicable fees at the time of registration.
  • International students in residence must pay all fees (residence accommodation and meal plans) at the beginning of each semester in addition to the above tuition fees.
  • Students claiming Canadian landed immigrant status will be charged differential fees unless documented verification has been provided to the Finance Office at CBU.
There will be no exceptions to the above stated payment policies.
  • First term marks will only be issued to students who have paid all first term tuition and fees (including outstanding library fines) in full.
  • Interest will be calculated on outstanding balances at the rate of 1% the first day of each month.
  • Students over 65 or preretired at 60 may be granted a tuition waiver. (does not apply to online education courses, tutorials or graduate courses).

Class Withdrawal and Financial Refunds

A student who wishes to withdraw from a course(s) must do so officially, in writing. Ceasing to attend lectures or notifying the instructor does not constitute an official withdrawal and refunds will not be issued in these circumstances.

Tuition, Students’ Union Fee, Lab Fees, and Differential Fees will be refunded in accordance with the following schedule:

Withdrawal Dates First Term Fees Second Term Fees
Sept. 12 – Sept. 23 100% 100%
Sept. 24 – Sept.30 75% 100%
Oct. 1 – Oct. 28 50% 100%
Oct. 29 – Dec. 31   100%
Jan. 4 – Jan. 17   100%
Jan. 18 – Feb. 3   75%
Feb. 4 – Mar. 2   50%
Mar. 3 – Apr. 30    

Health Plan

By referendum, all fulltime students (except international students) are automatically enrolled in the Student Health Plan. The fee for the plan is $145.00 and is payable at the time of registration.

The Health Plan provides students with a comprehensive set of extended health insurance benefits (for prescription drugs, supplementary health care benefits, vision care, etc.). The coverage runs from September 1st to August 31st. Family rates are available and parttime students may opt into the plan.

If proof of alternative comparable coverage (through parents, spouse, or employer) is presented to the Students’ Union, a student may opt out and the fee will be removed from their account. The deadline to complete this process is Sept. 30th . The optout procedure is an annual one and therefore must be done each year. (This fee is non refundable after Sept. 30th.)

For more information about the plan, and its benefits, please contact the Students’ Union.

Health Plan – International Students

All international students must, as a requirement of registration, enroll in the University International Health Plan. The Health Plan for international students is $650.00. This fee is refundable in accordance with the terms set forth by the carrier.

Residence Accommodation

Cape Breton University offers five types of residence accommodations to students. The following financial guidelines apply to residence operations.


Application Fee $25.00 Non refundable for 1st time residence students, this fee must be paid for residence consideration.
Confirmation Fee $250.00 Non refundable except in those cases where acceptance to CBU is not granted. Fee is due once an offer of residence has been received by a student. For returning residence students, fee is due by end of May.
Down payment Fee $450.00 Due by June 1st, and required as a precondition for admission to residence.

TYPE PER TERM PER ACADEMIC YEAR (Sept – April)
Single Room $2,485.00 $4,970.00
Double Room $1,800.00 $3,600.00
Apartment Style $2,535.00 $5,070.00
Suite $2,950.00 $5,900.00
Super Single $2,650.00 $5,300.00
Damage Deposit   $100.00 (refundable)

Residence Withdrawal Policy

A residence student who wishes to withdraw from residence must do so officially by notifying the Residence Manager in writing. A student who withdraws from residence will remain financially responsible for the remainder of the semester, unless they are simultaneously withdrawing from all courses for the remainder of the academic year. Students who officially withdraw from residence and all CBU courses are charged room fees on a proportional basis, calculated in weekly units (based on 16 weeks), in addition to a minimum charge of $250.00 regardless of date of withdrawal.


Meal Plans

Residence students Per Term Per Academic Year (Sept.April)
5 day/week meal plan $1,850.00 $3,700.00
7 day/week meal plan $1,925.00 $3,850.00
Apartment residence students $250.00 $500.00

Meal plans are mandatory for all students.

Residence Meal Plan Refund Policy

When the Residence Office has confirmed that a student has officially withdrawn from Residence and the University, Chartwells will determine the amount of refund for each meal plan based on the date of withdrawl and the amount of meals consumed by the student.