Payment Arrangements and Refund Policies

Introduction

The College makes payment information available upon enrollment. Terms and options for payment have been designed to make paying for college straightforward, ensuring students can focus on classes instead of bills.

Online Student Financial Accounts

Registered students can view financial account information online in Self Service.  Students can view their real-time account balances, charges, payments, and statements. They can also make payments online by credit card or e-check. 

Payment Terms and Conditions

Payment is due by August 15 for fall term and December 15 for spring term. Payments for the summer term are due the first day of instruction. While the Statement of Account reflects the most accurate information available, adding or dropping classes or making changes to room assignments and meal plans may result in additional charges. Students are responsible for obtaining the information needed in order to pay tuition and fees by the due each term. Payment arrangements must be made prior to due dates referenced above. All students living in campus-owned housing must complete all financial aid documents and pay, or make arrangements to pay, their fall term balance prior to moving into housing. 

Priority registration for winter and spring begins after the fall break. Students may not register for winter and spring until they have completed their financial aid documents and paid, or made arrangements to pay, their fall balance.

Delinquent Accounts

Students having trouble meeting their financial obligations to the College should address their questions and/or concerns with the Student Accounts Representative in the Business Office. Failure to make payment arrangements will result in the student being subject to the Delinquent Student Accounts Policy located in the Student Handbook.

The College of Idaho reserves the right to withhold transcripts and grades, and to suspend the ability to add or drop classes, for students with unpaid balances.

Payment Options

1. Pay the term balance by the due date. Most major credit cards are accepted. Registered students can make a payment online with a credit card or e-check or view their student financial account through Self Service. They can also bring cash, check or card to the Business Office in Hendren Hall.
2. Interest-free monthly payments: This payment option is offered in partnership with Nelnet Campus Commerce as an alternative to large, annual, or semester payments and helps limit borrowing. This plan offers the option to split the semester balance into four or five monthly payments. Early start-up allows students to spread payments over a longer period of time. The cost of this plan is $80 per year or $55 per term. Students may call Nelnet for information and application at 800.609.8056 or apply online. All monthly payment plans are managed through Nelnet; no other monthly payment plans are available. The Business Office reserves the right to discontinue or to refuse the Nelnet option to those students who have shown a poor credit history with the College.
3. Obtain additional loan funds through the Parent Plus Loan or a private student loan. Please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid Services for more information.
4. International Payments: The College has partnered with TransferMate to streamline the experience of making payments in students' local currency from nearly any country. International payments are integrated into the payment checkout process in Bill+Payment.

Interest Charges

The College of Idaho reserves the right to charge interest at one percent per month on all unpaid balances over 30 days (does not include accounts on monthly payment plan option). Interest will be added to student accounts on the tenth of each month.

Institutional Refund Policy

Introduction

The College of Idaho adheres to a fair and equitable refund policy consistent with the requirements established by the U.S. Department of Education. This policy applies to students who officially withdraw from the College or, in certain circumstances, from a course. The following information also applies to students who are administratively withdrawn. It addresses tuition as well as other costs, including housing, meal plans, and insurance.

Fall and Spring Terms

• Withdrawals that take place before classes start or on or before the last day to drop semester courses will have tuition and class fees refunded at 100 percent.
• Withdrawals that take place after the last day to drop semester courses but on or before the last day to drop with a refund are refunded at 50 percent of the charged tuition. There is no refund of class fees.
• Tuition and class fees are non-refundable for withdrawals occurring after the last day to drop with a refund.
• Withdrawals that take place on or before the last day to drop with a refund will have housing charges prorated based on the date the student checks out of College housing. Housing charges are non-fundable after the last day to drop with a refund.
• Meal plans are prorated based on the weeks left in the semester, with the amount of Flex dollars used subtracted from the amount refunded.
• Class fees will be fully refunded only for withdrawals taking place on or before the last day to drop semester courses.
• Student fees are non-refundable for withdrawals occurring after the last day to drop semester courses.
• Insurance is nonrefundable for withdrawals occurring after the last day to drop semester courses.

Winter Term

Withdrawals from all courses within the first two days of class are eligible for a full refund of all tuition and course-specific fees. Withdrawals after the second day are not eligible for any refund.

Please note: If a student withdraws during winter term or on or before the last day to drop semester courses in spring term, a daily room and board rate will be charged to the student based on the withdrawal date and/or residence hall check-out date.

Order of Refunds

Funds are returned in the following order:

1. Federal programs
2. Institutional programs
3. External scholarships
4. The student

Federal Refund Policy

Under the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, if a student withdraws from all courses on or before the 60 percent point in time of the term/semester, calculated by calendar days, the College must return a portion of the Title IV funds received. Title IV funds include Pell Grants, SEOG, Perkins Loans, Stafford Loans, and PLUS Loans. Withdrawn students will receive a copy of the return calculation and an itemized list of returns to the various fund accounts. For more information, see Return to Title IV.

Credit Balance Refunds

If financial aid awards create a credit on a student account, a refund check will be sent to the student at their preferred mailing address. A credit balance created by a PLUS loan on a student account will be sent to the parent unless otherwise indicated on the loan application.