New students are required to pay a ten percent non-refundable matriculation fee US$695 at the time of acceptance to secure their choice of Introduction to Medicine (ITM) module enrolment date and location. The remainder of the ITM tuition must be paid at least 30 days before the term begins. Classes are filled on a first-paid, first-reserved basis, and classes are limited to 12 students per session. Tuition fees are listed below.

This fee schedule is in effect for students enrolling after January 1, 2010.  

* Students who take their ITM in Samoa have additional rent and visa expenses. Tuition for each of the remaining modules is US$6,950. Housing options at affiliate colleges may be found at www.medintro.org. Acknowledging the state of the world economy, this $USD6,950 rate represents a five percent discount from the 2010 tuition rate of US$7,317. In future years, we will evaluate the world economic situation to determine if continuation of the discount is appropriate. Your tuition rate will never be higher than US$7,317.

While tuition may be paid individually for each module, advanced payments are discounted. For example, students who pay for five modules in a single advance payment receive a five percent discount.

All tuition fees for modules 2-18 are due four weeks before the term begins, during Registration Week. Registration Week, held four weeks before a term start date, is the recommended time to make decisions about registering for the upcoming module, paying tuition, etc. Invoices are sent to each student via his/her OUM e-mail address four weeks prior to Registration Week, to allow time for questions, arrangements, etc. Students in their ITM at an affiliate institution will receive their invoices at their personal e-mail address, until they begin their first distance-learning term (module 2). Students who do not make arrangements by the end of Registration Week may not be able to take the next term. Sufficient time is needed to assign students to appropriate modules, distribute curriculum materials, and provide access to information on OUM’s Learning Management System. Likewise, students need enough time to acquire textbooks and finalize their mentor visit schedules for the coming term.

OUM aims to keep its tuition fees at a constant level to allow students to budget accordingly. When students matriculate into the program, the current tuition rate remains in effect for the student’s first two years (preclinical modules) and for clinical rotations taken in Samoa, as long as the student maintains full-time status and remains in good standing with the University (see below.) The tuition rate for clinical rotations taken at other teaching hospitals depends upon the fees charged by the host institution, generally at a rate comparable to the preclinical tuition rate (within 20 percent).

Good Standing

In order to maintain good standing, preclinical students must enroll in at least three of the five modules offered per academic year and must complete all 10 preclinical modules within a three-year period, beginning with the term during which ITM is initiated.  This includes modules taken on the OUM campus or at OUM affiliate sites.  For students at an affiliate site, the term in which the course begins is used to calculate a student’s good standing status.  If a student fails to maintain good standing status, he or she will be required to retake previously completed modules at 50 percent tuition upon return to the program.  

Tuition Payment

Tuition is payable in US dollars by cash, personal check, bank check, money order, wire transfer, or credit card. Payment plans are also available and detailed below. Checks are to be made payable to Oceania University of Medicine (not OUM).    Payment must include the student's name and term number.  Post-dated checks are not accepted.  Checks, bank drafts, or money orders should be sent to:

Oceania University of Medicine Samoa
P.O. Box 10406
Uniondale, NY  11556-0406

Please do not send any correspondence to the address above, only payments.

A non-refundable 2.75 percent convenience fee is charged for all credit card payments. 
 Click here for Credit Card Authorization Form 76.78 Kb.

Online Invoice System

Once payment is processed by the Bursar’s Office, a confirmation e-mail is sent to the student's OUM e-mail address, and the student’s account is updated to reflect the payment.

Late Fees

A US$25 late penalty and 1.5 percent monthly late charges will be assessed on unpaid balances after the due date.  Students with unpaid bills will not be permitted to register for subsequent terms, receive module grades, diplomas, or transcripts.

Returned Checks Policy

All returned checks are deposited twice, automatically and without notice.  A Returned Check Fine of US$30 will be assessed to the student’s account for each check that is returned due to insufficient funds.  A personal check will not be accepted to replace a dishonored check.

Payment Plans

Payment plans are available to all OUM students, as long as the student is enrolled in good standing and has not abused the payment plan privilege in the past.

Option 1

OUM will accept payment on student accounts in installments as long as one-third of the balance is paid three weeks before classes begin, and the balance due is paid two weeks prior to the final course examination.  The installment payment plan is:

• Four weeks before the term begins: one-third of balance
• Upon completion of one week of class: one-third of balance
• Upon completion of five weeks of class: final one-third of balance

Option 2

Monthly payments made by check, money order, bank draft, wire transfer, or credit card (American Express, MasterCard, or Visa).  Students may spread tuition payments evenly over an entire 12-month period for the number of modules they plan to take during that time.  Payments are due on the first of every month with the exception of the first payment, which is due upon signing the Monthly Payment Plan Agreement.  For example, if a student plans to take three modules in a 12-month period, the fees would total US$20,850.  If monthly payments were arranged, the amount due would be US$1,737.50.

Students participating in either option who default on payment will not receive their module grade and may not register for another module until the account is settled.  In addition, the opportunity to continue on a payment plan may be subject to review by the Bursar’s Office.

OUM’s payment plans are not applicable to the Introduction to Medicine term taken at an affiliate institution.  The affiliate’s tuition payment terms apply while the student is enrolled at that institution, and payment is made directly to the affiliate.

Withdrawals

Any student wishing to withdraw from a term of study at OUM must contact student administration for the Dean’s approval ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ). The withdrawal will be effective on the date written notice is received.  If the withdrawal notice is delivered by hand, the student must request a receipt.  If delivery is by mail, the letter must be mailed certified or registered, return receipt requested. If the request is faxed or e-mailed, the student must call the recipient to ensure that the communication was received and to request written confirmation by fax or e-mail.

If a student wishes to withdraw from a module within the first two weeks of the term, enrollment will be dropped from the student’s record.  If a student withdraws from a module between weeks 2 and 5, enrollment will be maintained in the student record, and the student will receive the letter W for withdrawal, instead of a grade.  If a student withdraws from a module after the end of week 5, the student receives an F for the module.  All grades will remain on the student’s transcript.

Students should consult the OUM catalog, student handbook, or student administration for detailed information and to assure that the appropriate procedures are followed regarding withdrawals.

Tuition Refunds

Students who withdraw from a module may be eligible for a tuition refund (excluding non-refundable deposits and convenience fees), depending upon when their official notice is submitted.  All refunds will be made within thirty days of the withdrawal date.   

*Please note that the 2.5 percent convenience fee for credit card payments will not be refunded.

Leave of Absence

Unfortunately, personal and medical circumstances sometimes make it necessary for a student to apply for a leave of absence.  An academic advisor is available to assist in making that difficult decision.  The bursar’s office can also answer questions regarding refunds or applying tuition to a future term.  The number of modules a student has completed and whether or not those were in preclinical or clinical modules determine the steps necessary to request a leave of absence.  Students should consult the OUM catalog, student handbook, or student administration to assure that the appropriate procedures are followed.