Students looking to attend Dowagiac Union Schools while living outside of the districts limits will see a drop in tuition fees, as reported annually by the board of education.

Non-resident student tuition rates dropped a few hundred dollars for elementary and secondary students for the 2012-2013 school year, falling from $7,366 for elementary to $7,016 and $7,416 for secondary students to $7,066.

Elementary and secondary tuition costs are $350 lower than the 2011-2012 rates.

“I’m not certain why the rates are lower this year than from last year,” Daniel said.

The Michigan Department of Education requires all districts to establish a maximum tuition cost for incoming out-of-district students. Non-resident students and their parents have a two-week window to complete a waiver that prevents the fee from coming out-of-pocket. While Daniel said most waivers are approved by superintendents across the state, those not approved require the students, or their parents, to pay the costs themselves.

“Most of the time, waivers are approved,” Daniel said during the meeting. “Instances where the release waivers are not completed and submitted by the end of the two-week period are when the student is responsible for tuition costs.”

A student who decides to enter the district in the middle of a semester receives a pro-rated tuition rate. Daniel said the foundation pays for the student’s cost to attend school in the district, something he said Gov. Rick Snyder has made sure sticks throughout districts in Michigan.