Financial and Collections Policies

Financial Policy
It is the policy of Emerson College to provide educational programs, room and board, and social opportunities for students at a cost compatible with high quality educational standards. Every effort is made to make these charges clear and well known. Each student is responsible for knowing and understanding these charges and fees and for meeting financial obligations on time. While we understand that many students receive financial assistance from third parties, including federal financial aid, the ultimate responsibility for satisfying all financial obligations lies with the student.

The financial policies of the institution are detailed in the Emerson College undergraduate and graduate catalogues. They are summarized as follows:

1. Bills are payable in full to the college prior to the beginning of each semester, as billed.  (See Undergraduate Billing or Graduate Billing for details and deadlines.)
   
2. Students are responsible for payment in full of their outstanding balance by the payment deadline whether or not they receive a paper billing statement.
   
3. All balance and payment notifications will be sent monthly to the student's Emerson e-mail address.  Students are responsible to maintain their correct e-mail address with the college.
   
4. Emerson only mails one paper billing statement per semester.  You are responsible to monitor your balance and pay regardless of whether or not you receive a paper statement.  You can monitor your balance online at www.emerson.edu/payment.
   
5. Students scheduled to live in college housing whose accounts are not in good standing by the billing deadlines are subject to having their room reservations voided. Students who have their residence hall spaces voided will be moved to a wait list, and their spaces will be offered to other students seeking on-campus housing. A student's account will be considered in good standing if, by the dates cited above, a student's room, board, tuition and fees are paid in full, or a student has a pre-approved payment arrangement (approved by the Office of Student Financial Services) which has been paid up to date, or financial aid (which has already been approved) is sufficient to cover the student's account balance.
   
6. Failure to meet the initial payment due date through direct or by written evidence of grants or loan awards will result in the monthly assessment of a finance charge of 1.5% per month compounded monthly.
   
7. For students accepted after the original payment due dates, an unpaid balance at the end of the fifth week of classes may result in:
   
   • Cancellation of enrollment
   • Denial of registration for future classes
   • Denial of occupancy in a residence hall room
   • Denial of the use of the college dining room, library, and all other college facilities
     
8. Cancellation of enrollment and denial of college services does not remove responsibility for payment of the remaining balance.
   
9. Students will be charged in full for damage, breakage, or loss of college property, including library materials.

Collections Policy
Outstanding balances not covered by financial aid or an approved deferred payment plan will result in the monthly assessment of a finance charge on the unpaid balance. Students with unpaid balances at the end of the fifth week of classes face possible financial withdrawal and referral to an outside collection agency. Students referred to an outside collection agency will be responsible for all collection costs and interest charges.

Note: All delinquent accounts are subject to credit bureau reporting.

Billing Rights Summary
If you believe that your bill is incorrect, or if you would like more information about a transaction on your bill, please write to us at:

Emerson College
Office of Student Financial Services 
120 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116

We must hear from you within 60 days of the bill on which the error or item of concern first appeared. You may telephone us, but doing so will not preserve your rights. In your letter, please include:

1. Your name, and the student's name and student ID#
2. The dollar amount of the suspected error
3. A description of the error and an explanation, if possible, of why you believe the error occurred.

You do not have to pay the amount in question while we are investigating, but you are obligated to pay the portion of your bill that is not in question.