2026-2027 Tuition and Fee Schedule

Estimated Expenses

2026/2027 Helena College University Cost of Attendance

The expenses shown below reflect an estimated average cost for a student carrying a full-time load (12 or more credits) for the fall and spring semesters, 2026/2027. These expenses include fees and other charges. Actual fees may vary based on specific program or course fees or the number of credits carried each semester. These figures are subject to change at any time and should be regarded as estimates only.

Fees

Category	In-State	Out-of-State	WUE Advantage
Tuition & Mandatory Fees	$4,599.78	$11,771.22	$6,267.54
Books/Supplies	$2,168.00	$2,168.00	$2,168.00
Food/Housing/Transportation	$15,402.00	$15,402.00	$15,402.00
Miscellaneous	$3,601.00	$3,601.00	$3,601.00
TOTAL	$25,770.78	$32,942.22	$27,438.54

Note: The actual cost of books and supplies will vary depending upon curriculum. Food and housing costs will vary depending on a student's living arrangements and lifestyle. 

Tuition and Fees

All fees are subject to Board of Regents approval. The Board of Regents has approved the tuition and fee schedule; however, tuition and fees are subject to change without notice.

Final approved Tuition and Fee Schedules are available online on the Business Services webpage and the Commissioner of Higher Education’s website.

Tuition and fees are based on credit hours and are paid by the student each semester.

Different fee schedules are applied for students for out of state and Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) tuition. Contact Business Services for more information.

All new degree-seeking students are charged a combined fee of $65.00:

• $10.00 Identification Card Fee
• $25.00 Orientation Fee
• $30.00 Graduation Fee

Additional fees may be charged for students registered in some programs and/or courses.
Contact Business Services at 406-447-6921 for more information.

Books & Supplies

The Campus Store is located on the Donaldson campus and is operated by Follett. The Campus Store provides supplies, electronics, apparel, some hot food, beverages, and snacks Monday through Friday during the academic year. The Campus Store accepts cash, credit cards, and checks for the amount of purchase only. The Campus Store also features a full-service coffee counter with a wide selection of hot and cold drinks. Course materials can be purchased online through the Campus Store website.

Payment Plans Administered Through Nelnet

A payment plan allows students to pay their tuition and fees in smaller monthly installments over the course of the semester instead of paying the full balance at once. Students, who are in good financial standing, may apply for this assistance. Tuition and mandatory fees remaining, after financial aid is applied, are eligible for a payment plan. Log into your MyHC account to register for a plan.

Your first payment will include a down payment plus a $30 enrollment fee. The down payment and individual payments will be automatically scheduled according to the plan you select. The earlier you set up your payment plan, the smaller your down payment and the more monthly installments you will have.

A nonrefundable returned payment fee of $30 will be added if a payment is returned.

Payment plans must be set up before the semester payment deadline. Students who do not pay their balance or enroll in a payment plan by the deadline may be dropped from their classes. Students must remain current on their payment plan installments to avoid late fees or holds on their account.

Non-Payment

Anyone who owes the College for fees, fines, or other charges will not be permitted to register or attend classes; or to access any College services until the debt has been paid or satisfactorily adjusted through Student Accounts. Interest may be charged at the rate of 10% on the balance due from the day after the due date until the full amount has been paid, and any attorney’s fees or other costs or charges necessary for the collection of the amount owed may be added to the balance due.

Payment of Tuition and Fees

Your schedule bill is a combination of your class schedule, the number of credits you have registered for, and the applicable tuition and fees. Until your schedule and corresponding bill are finalized by you online, by mail, by email, or in person, you are not a student at Helena College. Your financial aid will not disburse to your account.

How do you access your schedule bill online?

1. Log into your MyHC account
2. Open the Student Dashboard
3. Select Make a Payment, and choose the correct Term
4. This will take you to the Nelnet website. Choose QuickPay for Students and either pay your bill in full or set up a payment plan.

Note: Even if you do not have a balance due, you must pay/finalize your bill with Student Accounts.

• Book vouchers will not generate until your bill is paid/finalized.
• Financial aid will not be applied to your account until you finalize your schedule bill by the payment deadline. If this is not completed, you will be dropped from your classes.

Remember, after you have accepted your financial aid, it may take up to 24 hours for your account to reflect that you have Financial Aid funds for your tuition. If you do not wait, the system will require you to use a credit card or e-check for payment. Please contact the Financial Aid Office with questions.

What if you have funding from an outside source?

If your outside source funding is not posted on your schedule bill, notify Student Accounts. You must finalize your bill even if your balance is zero. If you have questions about third party payments, call Student Accounts at 406-447-6921 or email us at HCStudentAccounts@helenacollege.edu.

Tuition Refunds

Tuition refunds are handled by the Student Accounts office after a student withdraws from one or more courses. Refunds are only given if the student officially withdraws from the College or drops classes using the required process.

• The $30 registration fee and the $30 application fee are non-refundable.
• Class days are determined by the College calendar of instructional days, not by the student’s class schedule.
• Refunds for withdrawal or dropping a class for courses or summer semester are computed on a pro-rated basis.

Withdrawal from school only applies to students dropping all courses (Registration and Application fees are non-refundable).

• 100% of all remaining tuition and fees are refunded before the first class day of the semester or half semester in which the course begins.
• 90% of all remaining tuition and fees are refunded before the 5th instructional day of the semester or half semester in which the course begins.
• 75% of all remaining tuition and fees are refunded before the 10th instructional day of the semester or half semester in which the course begins.
• 50% of all remaining tuition and fees are refunded before the 15th instructional day of the semester or half semester in which the course begins.
• Beginning the 16th instructional day of the semester or half semester in which the course begins, no refunds will be made.

Course add/drops apply to students making course schedule changes but remaining in attendance at the College:

• An individual course dropped will be refunded at 100% for the first 15 days of the semester or half semester in which the course begins.
• Beginning the 16th instructional day of the semester or half semester in which the course begins, no refunds will be made.

Examples: How Tuition Refunds Work

Dropping from 15 to 12 Credits (No Refund)

A student registers for 15 credits. The total cost is $2,238.39.
If the student drops a 3-credit class and goes down to 12 credits, the total cost remains $2,238.39.

• Because 12–15 credits are charged at the same full-time rate, the cost does not change.
• No refund is issued, even if the class is dropped during the refund period.

Dropping from 12 to 9 Credits (Possible Refund)

A student registers for 12 credits. The total cost is $2,238.39.
If the student drops a 3-credit class and goes down to 9 credits, the total cost becomes $1,714.98.

• The difference is $523.41.
• If the class is dropped during the refund period, the student may receive up to $523.41 back, depending on the timing.
• If the class is dropped after the refund period, no refund will be issued.

Key Points:

Students taking 12–15 credits pay a flat full-time rate. Students taking fewer than 12 credits are charged per credit, so dropping a class may reduce the total cost.

If you drop a class or withdraw from all your classes, your financial aid may change. In many cases, some of your aid will need to be returned based on federal and school regulations. The amount you can keep depends on how long you were in your classes. If aid is returned, you may owe money to the college.

Vocational Rehabilitation

Certain persons with an employment disability may qualify for education assistance through the Rehabilitative/Visual Services Division, Montana Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services. Students should contact that office at 406-447-6952 for more information.

Note: This information must be included on the Financial Aid Offer and will be included in a student’s eligibility for financial aid.