Iowa State University Billing and Payment Terms and Conditions

Enrollment Conditions

By clicking “I Agree” you are acknowledging your understanding and acceptance of the agreement and all of the following Terms and Conditions. This is a legally binding contract, please read carefully before electronically signing.

By registering for classes and clicking “I Agree”, I understand and agree to the following:

To pay all applicable tuition, fees, and other associated costs assessed, including:
- the amount of any funds received by me as an overpayment or loan;
- any deficiency in tuition, fees, or other University charges that results from financial aid reversals or non-payment of loans or advances from federal, state, institutional, or other third party providers;
- any costs associated with the processing of a third party payment on my behalf;
- a returned payment fee of $30.00, if a payment made to my student account is returned by the bank for any reason. I understand that multiple returned payments and/or failure to comply with the terms of any payment plan or agreement I sign with ISU may result in cancellation of my classes and/or suspension of my eligibility to register for future classes at ISU; and
- all attorney’s fees, collection costs, late fees, interest, installment fees, court costs, collection agency commissions, and other costs incurred. Collection agency commissions may be based on a percentage at a maximum of 40% of the debt.
- Other associated costs assessed as a result of my receipt of services from ISU.
My registration and acceptance of these terms constitutes a promissory note agreement (i.e., a financial obligation in the form of an educational loan as defined by the U.S. Bankruptcy Code at 11 U.S.C. 523(a)(8)) in which Iowa State University (ISU) is providing me educational services, deferring some or all of my payment obligation for those services, and I promise to pay for all assessed tuition, fees and other associated costs by the published or assigned due date.)
If I drop or withdraw from some or all of the classes for which I register (whether voluntarily or involuntarily), I will be responsible for paying all or a portion of tuition, fees, and costs in accordance with the published tuition refund schedule.
To carefully review the listed start and stop dates of my courses. Tuition adjustment deadlines are based on session dates. More assessment information can be found within details and deadlines.
Cancelling or withdrawing may affect my financial obligation to ISU. Additional information is available at Registration Policies.
Reviewing my schedule for time conflicts is my responsibility.
My failure to attend class, receive a passing grade, and/or receive a bill does not absolve me of my financial responsibility as described above.
I am ultimately responsible for all charges incurred and costs assessed, regardless of my expectations for payment from financial aid or other sources.
I also acknowledge that the mode of course and service delivery may change during the semester if circumstances require.
Late fees are assessed to students initially registering on or after the first day of the semester. The registration late fee for graduate students is $100 starting the 11th day of the semester.

Electronic Delivery of Business Services

Iowa State University utilizes electronic processes whenever possible in order to assure accuracy and expedite business transactions.

ISU utilizes electronic processes wherever possible to assure accuracy and to expedite business transactions. By entering into this Agreement, I consent to official communications being provided or made available to me in electronic form, entering into agreements and transactions using electronic records, and signing agreements electronically.
I agree to receive and/or initiate the following items via electronic means: billing statement, direct deposit sign-up, IRS form 1098-E (loan interest statement), and authorization of the application of financial aid. I understand that I will not receive these forms/items via U.S. Mail. I understand that to access these forms/items, I will need a computer with internet access, a web browser, and a PDF viewer (a free one is available at https://get.adobe.com/reader)..
I agree to provide my Social Security Number (SSN) or taxpayer identification number (TIN) to ISU upon request as required by Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations for Form 1098-T reporting purposes. If I fail to provide my SSN or TIN to ISU, I agree to pay any and all IRS fines assessed as a result of my missing SSN/TIN
I understand that my University email (@iastate.edu) serves as the official means of communication from the University to enrolled students, and that ISU may communicate using only this method of communication for administrative processes.

Billing

All Iowa State University Billing (U-Bill) statements and related notices will be provided to me via electronic means through my ISU provided email address. In order to opt out of this option I also understand I must contact the Accounts Receivable Office via email at U-Bill@iastate.edu.
Tuition and fee policies and descriptions can be found in the course catalog. Tuition and fees are subject to change upon approval by the Iowa Board of Regents.
I am responsible for all charges assessed to my U-Bill at ISU or any subsequent charges following my withdrawal or cancellation of courses or departure from ISU.
I am liable for any costs associated with programs in which I have voluntarily enrolled even if they are not processed through my University account. These costs may consist of purchases made on my behalf that are associated with a course or University-associated activity.
The university refund policy can be found at Tuition Adjustment Deadlines
In the event my mailing address, e-mail address, or phone number change, I will notify the Accounts Receivable Office of the change. Failure to ensure current contact information is on file with ISU does not absolve me from responsibility for any outstanding charges.
Tuition and Mandatory Fees will apply regardless of the method of instruction, including in the event instruction occurs remotely or in alternative formats for any part of the academic year. Tuition and Mandatory Fees will not be refunded in the event instruction occurs remotely or in alternative formats.

I understand that administrative, clerical, or technical billing errors do not absolve me of my financial responsibility to pay the correct amount of tuition, fees, and other associated financial obligations assessed as a result of my registration at ISU.

Financial Aid

I understand that the total Estimated Cost of Attendance is a projection of overall costs I may incur for the academic year. I understand that the actual cost of attendance may vary depending upon many factors, including but not limited to, credit hours, program specifications, required fees, and personal lifestyle choices. Financial aid cannot exceed the cost of attendance.
I understand that aid described as “estimated” or “anticipated” on my financial aid award offer does not represent actual or guaranteed payment but is an estimate of the aid I may receive if I meet all requirements stipulated by that aid program.
I understand that my financial aid offer is contingent upon my continued enrollment and attendance in each class upon which my financial aid eligibility was calculated.
- If I drop any class before completion, I understand that my financial aid eligibility may decrease and some or all of the financial aid awarded to me may be revoked.
- If some or all of my financial aid is revoked because I dropped or failed to attend class, I agree to repay all revoked aid that was disbursed to my account and resulted in a credit balance that was refunded to me.
I agree to allow any financial aid I receive to pay any and all charges assessed to my account at ISU, including but not limited to tuition, fees, campus housing and meal plans, student health insurance, parking permits, service fees, fines, bookstore charges, or any other amount, in accordance with the terms of the aid.
I understand that I must meet Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress standards to maintain my financial aid eligibility.
I understand that I must meet Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress standards to maintain my financial aid eligibility.

Federal Financial Aid

I understand that any federal Title IV financial aid that I receive, except for Federal Work Study wages, will first be applied to any outstanding balance on my account for tuition, fees, room and board. Title IV financial aid includes aid from the Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Direct Loan, PLUS Loan, Perkins Loan, and TEACH Grant programs.
I understand that in order to be eligible for federal loans I must satisfy applicable eligibility requirements, including enrollment status requirements.

Prizes, Awards, Scholarships, and Grants:

I understand that all prizes, awards, scholarships, and grants awarded to me by ISU will be credited to my student account and applied toward any outstanding balance.
I further understand that my receipt of a prize, award, scholarship, or grant is considered a financial resource according to federal Title IV financial aid regulations, and may therefore reduce my eligibility for other federal and/or state financial aid (i.e., loans, grants, Federal Work Study) which, if already disbursed to my student account, may need to be reversed and returned to the aid source.
I agree that the University may release limited scholarship information from my student record to Iowa State University Foundation and scholarship donor(s), unless I specifically revoke this permission.

Payments:

Payments are due within 20 days of the University billing statement date unless otherwise noted.
I may elect to pay my University bill by direct debit from my checking or saving account.
If I pay by check, I will make my check payable to Iowa State University and indicate my customer number on the check. I will send it to the address indicated in the University billing statement.
In the event a payment is dishonored due to insufficient funds or otherwise, a $30 return fee will be assessed against my University account. I am responsible for all dishonored payments, including dishonored payments made by third parties to whom I have granted access to my account.
Financial aid awards will be applied against the total balance of my University account if the award allows.
If you pay by check, you will make your check payable to Iowa State University, indicate your student ID or billing account number on the check.

You may elect to authorize payments to pay your university bill by credit card through the Ubill in Workday and Nelnet. Our Card service provider will charge a service charge of 2.85% for domestic cards.
I may have credit balances on my university account directly deposited into my bank account. I can initiate or change your direct deposit information in Nelnet which can be linked through Workday.

Delinquent Account, Set-Off and Collection

I understand and agree that if I fail to pay my student U-Bill or any monies due and owing to ISU by the scheduled due date, my account is subject to the following terms and penalties:
- Denial or cancellation of future term course enrollment.
- ISU may place a financial hold on my student account, preventing me from registering for future classes and/or on campus housing, charging privileges will be suspended, requesting transcripts, or receiving my diploma.
- The account balance will be accelerated. An accelerated account is considered past due and payment in full required. The account will not have the opportunity to participate in a payment plan for the current semester.
- There will be a FINANCE CHARGE (late payment charge) computed at a periodic monthly rate of 1% per month on the balance or an ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE of 12% when computed from the billing date.
- The University may report the delinquent account activity to one or more national credit reporting agencies.
- The University may pursue any rights or remedies that are available to it at law or in equity in order to collect the portion of your U-Bill which is past due. If I fail to timely pay any portion of my U-Bill in full by the date it is due, as part of exercising its rights, the University may, at its option, turn over for collection the portion of my U-Bill which is past due to an attorney or other third party, such as a collection agency. If that occurs, I agree to pay, in addition to my unpaid U-Bill balance, all reasonable costs and expenses of collection, including reasonable court costs, attorney's fees and/or collection agency fees and charges.
I authorize the University to provide my contact information (including mobile phone, home phone, and/or email) to the University's agents, representatives, attorneys and contractors (including collection agencies) for purposes of collecting any portion of my U-Bill.
I authorize the University and its agents, representatives, attorneys and contractors (including collection agencies) to contact me through my mobile phone, home phone, and/or email, including by way of text and automated message calls, for purposes of collecting any portion of my U-Bill which is past due.
The University reserves the right under Iowa Code 421.65 to offset any amount I owe the University against any monies owed to me by the State of Iowa such as casino and sports wagering winnings, lottery prizes, public agency overpayments, vendor payments, and state tax refunds.
The University reserves the right to offset any amount I owe the University against any credit balances I have in any University account, whether the account is managed by the University or an agent acting on behalf of the University. The University may offset even if I have entered into an agreement with the University to repay my overdue payments.

Delinquent Account, Set-Off and Collection

This Agreement and covered transactions are made and governed under State of Iowa substantive law without regard to conflict of laws rules. Any disputes or claims against the University related to these electronic Agreements or transactions must be brought within a court of law in Story County where the debt was incurred.
This agreement supersedes all prior understandings, representations, negotiations, and correspondence between the student and ISU regarding your financial obligations to the University, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the matters described, and shall not be modified or affected by any course of dealing or course of performance. This agreement may be modified by ISU if the modification is signed by me. Any modification is specifically limited to those policies and/or terms addressed in the modification.
If any provision, term, or clause of this Agreement is declared illegal, unenforceable, or ineffective in a legal forum with competent jurisdiction to do so, this Agreement shall be deemed severable, and all other provisions, terms, and clauses of the Agreement will remain valid and binding on the Parties.

Dispute of Charges

I will send communications regarding any dispute of a charge on my University billing statement (including any checks marked "paid in full" or with similar notations) to 0880 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, IA 50011-2103 within 10 days of the date of the University billing statement. I will include the following information with the communication: customer name, account number, the dollar amount that is disputed, a description of the error, and an explanation of why I believe there is an error.