Frequently Asked Questions
What is a student account?
Your student account is a billing account with the College. All charges (tuition, room, board, lab fees, parking registration fee, etc.) and credits (financial aid, outside scholarships, payments, etc.) from the various College departments are forwarded to the Student Financial Services (SFS) Office and placed on your student account. A student account is not a checking account. Parents wishing to send money to their student should forward it directly to the student and not through his/her student account.
How can I cash a check on campus?
Gordon students, upon presentation of a valid ID card, may cash up to $200 in checks each day, Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at the cashier's window in the SFS Office.
When are bills sent and when is payment due?
The fall semester estimated bill is produced and mailed in mid-June, and the spring estimated bill is produced and mailed in late November. Payment for fall semester is due on or before July 16 and payment for spring semester is due on or before December 15.
If you elect to use the payment plan option, payments are due to be received by 3:00 p.m. on the dates listed below.
FALL 2009
- July 15, 2009
- August 12, 2009
- September 15, 2009
- October 15, 2009
SPRING 2010
- December 15, 2009
- January 15, 2010
- February 15, 2010
- March 15, 2010
How do I sign up for the payment plan option?
You may sign up for the payment plan option by returning the payment plan response card included in the student bill mailing or by sending your written permission to the office. There is a $50 payment plan fee per semester.
How do I waive health insurance?
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires that all full-time students be enrolled in a comprehensive health insurance plan. Therefore, all students are automatically billed for the Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan. If the student is covered under an adequate health insurance plan you may waive participation in the plan. All waivers are done on-line through http://www.universityhealthplans.com/.
- Fall 2009 - All students must confirm enrollment or waive participation by September 4, 2009. If the waiver is not completed by the deadline students are automatically enrolled for the year and be responsible for payment of the premium. No refunds will be issued for students who fail to complete the waiver/enrollment process by September 4. Coverage is for 12 months (Aug. 2009 - Aug. 2010) and the premium is paid 1 time which is included in the fall semester bill.
What is the difference between an estimated bill and the final bill?
Estimated bill--based on itemized charges and/or credits by various departments. New student tuition is based on an average credit load. Estimated bills will only reflect charges and credits that are known at the time they are generated. There may be additional charges or credits reflected on the final bill, which may change your last payment plan amount. An estimated bill cannot be generated until we receive a completed Student Account Payment Contract.
The final bill reflects any adjustments made on registration day and will be sent two weeks after the semester starts. Tentative Federal Stafford and/or Perkins Loans that have not been received will not appear on the final bill. These loans will be posted to the student account when the funds are received by the SFS Office.
What is the difference between a tentative student loan and a credit for a student loan?
Tentative student loans are indicated on estimated bills after all the required paperwork and applications are on file with the SFS Office. This allows us to figure the actual amount due by the bill payer. Loans cannot be posted to the final bill as a credit until the funds are received and receipted.
Why don't private scholarships and loans appear on our bills?
Private scholarships and loans from outside the College cannot be posted on a student's account until they are received. If you would like us to take these funds into account in figuring your estimated bill, please contact the SFS Office.
Why doesn't my work-study award appear on my bill?
Work-study recipients have priority in being considered for campus employment and will receive paychecks for their work. If a student and his/her family decide to use work-study funds to pay a portion of your bill, you will need to make those payments after cashing student paychecks. However, any payment plan due dates must be followed.
You will need to apply for employment. Various on and off campus opportunities are listed in the Student Employment Office.
Why do you ask us to request refunds, tutition insurance and health insurance changes in writing? We are required to have proof you are requesting changes or refunds from your student account. We also want to insure you have knowledge of all transactions taking place on your account.
Why do you ask for a student ID number when we call?
Federal law prohibits us from releasing information to anyone other than the student or his/her bill payer. We ask for student ID numbers to insure we are talking with someone who should receive information and to help us find your student account in a timely manner.
How do I receive financial clearance?
Financial clearance is given when your bill is paid in full. If you have elected to utilize the payment plan option, your payments must be current. There are times during the year when particular information may be required to receive clearance (i.e., Gordon College aid application/payment contract).
Is it possible to send a student bill to more than one person?
The student bill is mailed to ONE address only: to parents, the student or the person designated as responsible for payment.
Why is some information sent to the student and not the bill payer?
Each student is responsible for his/her own student account. Federal law prohibits us from releasing information to anyone other than the student or his/her bill payer. Students will be asked to update information (for example, who is your bill payer, etc.) on an annual basis, and this information must be received in writing from the owner of the student account.
When does the billing process begin?
The first bill for a new academic year is generated and mailed mid-June. The Gordon College aid application/payment contract must be completed and returned before a bill can be generated.
How can I pay my bill?
Payments can be made in person at the cashier's window in the SFS Office Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m.--3:00 p.m. or by mail. Please include the student identification number on all payments and/or correspondence.
If I have a question about a specific charge or refund, whom should I contact?
Information or inquiries concerning specific charges or refunds are handled by the SFS Office. For a prompt response, other questions should be directed to the office that originated the charge or credit (i.e. library fines, residence hall fines, traffic fines etc.).
If there is a credit on my student account, what should I do?
Credit on a student account can be refunded to the student or sent back to a lender in the case of excess loan funds. Refund requests should be made in writing and sent to the Student Financial Services Office.
Credit from a parent loan cannot be disbursed to a student without written permission from the parent who borrowed the money. Credit from MEFA Loans (paid in one disbursement in the fall semester for the entire year) cannot be refunded until after final bills are generated in mid-January.
Is it possible to deposit money into the student account to be withdrawn by my student?
The student account is a billing account only. If you desire to send funds to your student, personal checks may be cashed at the cashier's window in the Student Financial Services Office Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m.--3:00 p.m., or a checking account may be opened at a local bank.