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frequently asked questions CHARGES/CREDITS
Q: Can you tell me how much (I owe) (my child owes)? A: Determine what is owed on the student’s account in two ways:
If questions remain after exhausting these resources, contact Student Accounts via phone (404/653-7768) or email, studentfinancialservices@morehouse.edu, for clarity. Keep in mind that, during peak registration periods, telephone volume may prohibit the most expeditious response and email may produce a faster response.
Remitting payment in accordance with the cost in the Schedule of Fees assures that the student’s classes will not be dropped from the computer when classes are purged due to insufficient payment or failure to honor the College’s payment policy.
The Schedule of Fees, a pre-bill, is mailed to all students and parents, usually between February and April preceding the school year. IT IS THE FINANCIAL DOCUMENT TO USE TO DETERMIINE YOUR TOTAL EXPENSES FOR THE SEMESTER AND ACADEMIC YEAR. Individual bills are not drastically different from the cost in the Schedule of Fees. Examples of extra charges are lab fees, late fees, class overload, and ID replacement.
Q: Why wasn’t I informed that there was an amount owing on my/my child’s account? A: The College has invested in technology to give students and parents immediate and direct access to the student’s account on a 24/7 timetable. The student’s account may be reviewed on the WEB for individual charges and credits/anticipated credits, including payments and financial aid. Individual charges are only valid for the charges and anticipated credits on the student’s account at the time of review or payment. If a student adds classes, housing or other charges subsequent to review or payment, a new legitimate balance will be reflected on the student’s account or the balance could change. If payment is made in accordance with the Schedule of Fees and the student’s anticipated enrollment status, under payment can be avoided.
There are two ways to review the student’s individual account on the WEB:
Important Note: The accuracy of the financial information in the student’s account on the WEB is contingent upon the student’s full cooperation and adherence to College advisement, registration, and payment deadlines. The student’s balance will change as he adds classes or charges other financial services to his account, such as a book account, parking permit, or an off-campus meal plan. Q: Why was I charged a late fee?A: Any student who fails to honor the College’s 100% payment policy by the end of the due date grace period is assessed the late fee automatically. The late fee is effective at the close of business on the day before the first official class day each semester. Final payment due dates for the fall and spring semesters are July 30, or the last business day in July, and January 3, or the first business day after the first day of the new year, respectively.
Q: What and when is the grace period?A: The grace period are the extra days the College allows the customer to comply with its payment policy after the final payment due dates have expired. The grace period for each semester runs from the final payment due date until the close of business on the day before the first official class day for the semester. For the fall semester, the grace period is about 20 to 25 days. The grace period for the spring semester is shorter – presumably funding is in place for the spring semester – about 8 to 10 days.
Q: Why was I charged a damage/breakage fee? A: Each student who resides on campus must pay a one-time damage/breakage fee. The fee is held in escrow, much like a rent deposit, and is used to cover any unexpected damages to housing facilities, i.e., furniture or other non-wear/tear damages to room or building, etc. With written confirmation from the Housing Office that the student has vacated campus facilities, the fee is refunded to the student or applied to his current expenses.
Q: Can you explain the charges on my/my child’s account? A: Charges are mathematical and reflected in the Schedule of Fees. All students are charged tuition and the appropriate fees. Charges vary due to the student’s enrollment as a part-time or full-time student. Review the Schedule of Fees to determine the reason for your charges. If you feel a charge is in error, contact the department responsible for the charge within 30 days of recognition of the alleged error. If warranted, the charge(s) will be rescinded.
Q: Can I receive credit for outside grants and scholarships before the money arrives? A: Yes, in most cases, but first you must submit copies of all award and scholarship letters to the Office of Financial Aid. They may be able to place them in the computer in the “accepted” status and incorporate them into the student’s overall award. Copies of letters for awards or scholarships that cannot be placed in the “accepted” status by the Office of Financial Aid should be submitted to the Office of Student Accounts for credit consideration. If the donor agency or organization is known to Student Accounts as a reliable and reputable financial source, credit for the value of the award or scholarship may be extended to the student’s account on a semester basis.
Important Note: The scholarship or award letter must be on agency or organization letterhead, have a contact person and telephone number, specify the award amount, and indicate that the award is to be mailed directly to Morehouse College.
Q: What should I do to be sure that I have complied with the College’s 100% payment policy? A: You should establish an annual financial plan with the College. An annual financial plan must cover 100% of the basic cost for the academic year and be recorded in the College’s computer system. It may be composed of cash payments directly to the College, approved financial aid, and/or a payment plan. You may also satisfy one hundred percent (100%) of the cost with cash and/or approved financial aid. Exception: The acceptance fee (currently $555) is cash only.
Q: How does a designated payment plan operate under the 100% payment policy? A: The College extends credit to the student’s account for the value of the payment plan budget. The money that the College expects to receive from the plan for each semester is entered in the College’s computer, and the College extends credit to the student’s account for the future payments, reducing the amount of cash and financial aid required to meet the total cost for each semester. Credit for future payments is contingent upon the plan participant keeping the installments current.
Q: How does financial aid work under the 100% payment policy? A: The College extends credit to the student’ account for the value of his approved/accepted financial aid for each semester. The student and parent are responsible for covering any remaining balance for the semester with cash and/or a designated payment plan.
Q: What if my institutional scholarship and other financial aid awards are not processed in time for me to meet the payment deadline?A: The student is responsible for completing all financial aid processes in a timely manner so that his aid may be finalized before the payment grace period expires. If a student thinks that an administrative department contributed to his failure to meet payment deadlines, e-mail the concern to the Office of Financial at financialaid@morehouse.edu or studentfinancialservices@morehouse.edu.
PAYMENT PLANS
Q: How can I set up a payment plan with the College? A: The College has designated two agencies to handle payment plans on its behalf. The parent and/or student may establish a payment plan with one of the College’s two designated agencies, as indicated below. Plans must be established by the last business day in July preceding the academic school year begins. Mid-year plans are not available. Telephone numbers and web sites for the two designated payment plans are:
Q: Once I establish a payment plan, have I complied with the College’s 100 percent payment policy? A: NO. Budgets for payment plans have a ceiling set by the College. The College requires that the student pay a portion of the cost directly to the institution. The initial payment, which is due June 1, and the advance fees, which are due July30, must be paid directly to the College. Only the remaining basic cost for the academic year (the second payment for the fall semester and all of the basic cost for the spring semester) may be included in the student’s budget or contract with a payment plan.
Q: What amount of the direct or basic cost (tuition, student fees, technology fees, campus room and board) can a payment plan cover? A: The maximum amount a payment plan is allowed to cover is approximately 56 to 60% of the cost for the academic year. The initial payment, which is due June 1, and extra expenses for lab fees, books, parking, off-campus meal plans, new student orientation, room damage/breakage deposit, mail box rental, etc. must be covered with cash and/or approved financial aid. THE ACCEPTANCE FEE IS CASH ONLY.
Important Note: Payment plan agencies are consumer organizations in the business for profit. Their general financial policies allow customers to budget over the ceiling set by colleges, but for registration purposes at Morehouse College, disregarding the budget ceiling may cause the student’s classes to drop from the computer when classes are purged for insufficient payment.
ACCOUNT REVIEW
Q: I do not understand my student account. Who should I contact for an explanation? A: For further information, you may contact the Office of Student Accounts or Student Financial Services at 404-653-7768. Specific questions can also be emailed to studentfinancialservices@morehouse.edu.
PAYMENT OPTIONS
Q: What are the acceptable forms of payment by the College? A: The College accepts certified or cashier’s checks, money orders, credit cards (MasterCard, VISA, American Express, and Discover), debit cards affiliated with major banks, bank wire transfers, cash (do not mail cash), and personal checks.
Q: Are online payments accepted? A: Yes. You may remit electronic payments via personal check, credit card and debit/check card in the convenience of your home, office, or from anywhere in the world. Electronic payments can only be made after the College grants the student access to a user name and PIN number, and/or the student establishes the parent as a guest user on TigerNet.
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