Student Billing, Tuition & Refunds

C O N T E N T S

• Financial Holds
• Health Insurance
• Housing Fees
• Methods of Payment
• Tuition Payments & Financial Responsibility
• Tuition Refund Policy
• Tuition Tax Benefits

Financial Holds

To avoid incurring late fees and/or a hold on academic records, students are expected to make arrangements to pay all tuition, fees, library fines and fees, dormitory charges, meal plan, book store and insurance fees by the due date on their bill. Students are encouraged to apply early for financial aid.

Students who do not satisfy their financial obligations to the University will have a financial hold placed on their record. A financial hold may result in the cancellation of the student’s registration, prevent the student from registering for future courses, restrict access to academic transcripts, or prevent the release of their diploma.

Health Insurance

All students enrolled in 6 or more credits are required to maintain health insurance while in attendance at the University.

The University offers affordable and comprehensive insurance through Academic Health Plans. To ensure coverage for all students, the University has implemented this coverage on an “opt out” basis. That is, fees for the Academic Health Plans option will automatically be charged to a student’s bill unless proof of alternative coverage is provided.

Students with existing health insurance can complete the health insurance waiver form online to remove health insurance charges from their bill.

Additional information, plan details, and deadlines are available on the University Health Services web page.

Housing Fees

Students are not permitted to move into University housing until all tuition and fees are paid in full. A damage deposit is required of all students who live in University housing. This deposit is held in escrow and will be refunded to the student after the apartment is vacated. Any charges for damage to the apartment will be subtracted from this deposit. An additional Housing Reservation Deposit is required to reserve a space in University housing. This deposit will be credited to the student’s bill and is not refundable.

Methods of Payment

Direct Payment

Students who wish to make their tuition payment directly to the University may use one of the following methods of payment:

• Check
• Certified check
• Money order
• Cash

Online Payment

Students who wish to make their tuition payment online can use one of the following methods of payment:

• Electronic Check
• Master Card
• American Express
• Discover
• Visa

Interest-free Monthly Payment Option

To help manage tuition and housing expenses, the University has access to the services of Tuition Management Systems. Tuition Management Systems’ Interest-free Monthly Payment Option allows education expenses to be spread over smaller monthly installments for only a small enrollment fee. There is no interest and no pre-qualification or credit check for this service. With this payment option there is 24-hour access to account information through Tuition Management Systems’ website, www.afford.com, toll-free automated account information through InfoLine, and personal account service Monday through Saturday. Education Payment Counselors are available to help determine the best payment option.

For more information on specific payment options or to enroll in the Interest-free Monthly Payment Option, visit Tuition Management Systems’ website or call 1-800-722-4867 and speak with an Education Payment Counselor.

Credit Cards

The University only accepts credit cards for payment of new student application fees, Continuing Education programs, and purchases made at the bookstore. Due to the high cost of merchant service fees imposed by credit card companies and banks, the University does not accept credit cards for payment of undergraduate and graduate tuition, housing charges, or meal plan. For those who prefer to use credit cards for their convenience or for reward/bonus programs, Tuition Management Systems, Inc. (TMS - see Payment Plans, above) provides two options. You may use your credit card either to make your monthly payments to TMS or to pay the tuition in full. TMS will not assess a separate enrollment fee for these options. However, their contract levies a convenience fee, between two to three percent of the balance charged. For more detailed information, please call TMS at 1-800-722-4867.

eBills

The University provides an electronic billing service for students. Through eBilling students are able to view account activity and make payments via credit card or electronic check. Students are also able to create authorized users to view or pay bills. eBilling is accessed through signing in with a User ID and Password at the following website: https://uarts.afford.com

Authorized users are third parties specifically granted access by the student to view or pay bills. Authorized users can include parents, guardians, spouses, employers, etc. Authorized users are able to log into the system to complete their user profile and make payments (as authorized.) Students make the choice when setting up an authorized user whether that authorized user can view the billing statement, payment history, or simply make payments.

Each month an eBill will be generated for all students who have activity of any kind on their student account. Students will be sent a notification email each month informing that a new monthly billing statement is available via the eBill system. Please note that email is the primary mechanism for sending official communications to UArts students. Therefore, students need to check their University email regularly in order to stay abreast of important messages and notifications.

Tuition Payments & Financial Responsibility

Payment in full for each semester is required before students may attend classes. Tuition invoices are e-mailed to students each June and November. Students who have not made arrangements to pay their tuition, fees, housing, and/or any other financial obligations to the University before the first day of classes each semester are subject to having their registration canceled for that semester and losing their place in the class. Approval of the Student Financial Services Office is required to re-register after cancellation. Please note that the student will be charged a late payment fee.

The fall semester’s bill must be paid by the first week of July and the spring semester’s bill must be paid by the first week of December. Any past due balance over $1,000 will be subject to a $150 late payment fee.  Any past due balance less than $1,000 will be subject to a $60 late payment fee. Responsibility for settlement of all financial obligations of the University rests solely with the student.

Students and parents who are applying for loans to cover balance must provide all approvals and documents to the Office of Student Financial Services by the due dates listed above or the student account will be subject to a late payment, and subject to having their registration canceled for that semester and losing place in class.

Failure to receive a tuition statement does not excuse a student from paying tuition and fees before attending classes each semester. Student accounts are considered settled when students receive Student Financial Services Office approval and a validated ID card before the end of the registration period. It should be noted that students are able to view their tuition statement online through the UArts eBill website.

Any unpaid balance at the end of the semester will be referred to the University’s outside collection agency for collection and legal action. Students or their paying agents will be responsible for all collection costs and attorney fees.

Tuition Refund Policy

By registering for classes, students accept responsibility for paying charges for the entire semester/term, regardless of the method of payment and attendance in class.

Students who are considering withdrawing (either from the University or individual classes) should seriously consider the financial consequences. Depending on the time of withdrawal, balances may still be owed to the University, the Federal Government (if a Title IV program aid recipient), state governments, agencies, loan providers, and other non-University grantors of scholarships and awards. Students are urged to meet with a financial aid counselor to discuss the monetary impact of withdrawal and their eligibility for aid in the current and future semesters.

General Refund Policy

Fall or Spring Semesters

Summer Terms

All credit balances will be refunded the first Friday after the registration period and each Friday thereafter within 14 days that the credit balance occurs.

For the Fall 2016 semester, refunds will begin on September 16, 2016. For the Spring 2017 semester refunds will begin on February 3, 2017.

The following items will be excluded from the refund calculation:

• Books and supplies, which are considered 100 percent expended upon purchase;
• The documented cost of any equipment issued to the student and not returned in good condition;
• Library fines and late fees;
• Security deposits, which will be returned separately once it has been determined that no damages or fines have been assessed.

MEd Ed Program Design, MEd Ed Technology, and MM Music Ed Refund Policy

All Terms

Withdrawals must be submitted to cs@uarts.edu. The date stamp is the date used to calculate the refund amount. Please allow up to 10 business days for review.

Note: It is not our policy to transfer registration from one course to another. Requests of this nature will be processed as a withdrawal, according to the refund policy above.

Tuition Tax Benefits

For specific information about how these tax credits may affect you, contact your tax professional or the IRS at www.irs.gov.