Tuition & Fees

SHOALS MARINE LABORATORY IS COMMITTED TO MAKING OUR COURSES AFFORDABLE FOR ALL!
  • Two out of three Shoals Marine Laboratory students received financial assistance last year!
  • Every student who qualifies for need-based assistance receives an SML scholarship.
  • Financial support includes merit-based, need-based, diversity-based... and more!

Cornell University Undergraduates

Tuition (per credit) $1,750.00
Room & Board (per night) * $216.00
SML Program Fee (per course) ** $350.00

​​​​* Room & Board includes all meals and dorm accommodations on-island. Students will share a room with 1-3 classmates. Please note, this is a “per night” not a “per day” rate.

** Program fee includes costs associated with consumable supplies used during online lab activities, dive operations for the collection of specimens, maintenance and operation of seawater tables, collection permits, etc.

University of New Hampshire Undergraduates

Tuition (per credit) $628.00
Room & Board (per night) * $216.00
SML Program Fee (per course) ** $350.00
UNH Registration Fee (one-time fee) $20.00
UNH Technology Fee (one-time fee) *** credit dependent

* Room & Board includes all meals and dorm accommodations on-island. Students will share a room with 1-3 classmates. Please note, this is a “per night” not a “per day” rate.

** Program fee includes costs associated with consumable supplies used during online lab activities, dive operations for the collection of specimens, maintenance and operation of seawater tables, collection permits, etc.

*** NOTE - Technology Fee of $28 is for 1-4 credits, $55 for 5-11 credits, and $110 for 12 credits and above. See UNH's Tuition Page for more details.

Other Undergraduates

Most undergraduates from other institutions choose to enroll and receive course credit through the University of New Hampshire (UNH) as non-matriculated summer sessions students. Students from other institutions may elect to enroll through Cornell University (different rates apply). You should familiarize yourself with the credit transfer process at your school when making this decision.

Tuition (per credit) $1,173.00
Room & Board (per night) * $216.00
SML Program Fee (per course) ** $350.00
UNH Registration Fee (one-time fee) $20.00
UNH Technology Fee (one-time fee) *** credit dependent

 * Room & Board includes all meals and dorm accommodations on-island. Students will share a room with 1-3 classmates. Please note, this is a “per night” not a “per day” rate.

** Program fee includes costs associated with consumable supplies used during online lab activities, dive operations for the collection of specimens, maintenance and operation of seawater tables, collection permits, etc.

*** NOTE - Technology Fee of $28 is for 1-4 credits, $55 for 5-11 credits, and $110 for 12 credits and above. See UNH's Tuition Page for more details.

Refund Policy

Standard Refund Policy

Course deposits, room & board, and fees are nonrefundable. Your tuition refund amount will be determined by the number of days from the start of the course that you withdraw. 

Refund schedule (days since program start date)

  • Days 1–3: 100% tuition refund
  • Days 4–5: 50% tuition refund
  • Day 6 or later: 0% refund

To withdraw from an SML course

  • Cornell and High School students must notify the SCE Registrar's Office and SML (shoals.lab@unh.edu) in writing.
    If you want to appeal the refund schedule based on special circumstances, please follow instructions outlined on the Cornell SCE Petitions and Appeals page. Your petition will be reviewed by committee, and you will be notified if your appeal is approved.
  • UNH and Other Undergraduate students must email the UNH Registrar’s Office (registrars.office@unh.edu) and SML (shoals.lab@unh.edu). Include your UNH ID and your course number. UNH students should use their official Wildcat email when contacting the Registrar's Office.
    If you want to appeal the refund schedule based on special circumstances, please download and complete the petition for variance form from the UNH registrar's office.