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Paying the University Bill

Policy Summary

By enrolling at Stanford, students agree to pay all tuition and fees on time, with charges managed through their student account and multiple payment options available. Late or unpaid balances may result in fees, financial holds, credit reporting, or collection actions, while refunds and billing access are handled electronically through designated systems.

Policy Statement

Obligation to Pay Charges

By accepting Stanford's offer of admission and enrolling in classes, each student accepts responsibility for paying all debts to the University, including tuition and fees, for which they are liable. An individual's registration as a Stanford student constitutes their agreement to make timely payment of all amounts due.

Each academic year, students also review and accept a Financial Responsibility Agreement when logging in to the Bill & Payment System in Axess.

Stanford students have access to financial literacy resources through the Mind Over Money program including the Haven Money tool and 1:1 financial coaching for personal finance education.

University Bill

Charges and credits from offices within the University are aggregated in a student's individual account and presented on the Stanford student account in Axess. Student Financial Services notifies students and their authorized users of new charges and payment due dates electronically via email on a monthly basis. Students may view their account online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, via Axess.

Authorized Users

Students may designate 'Authorized Users' in the billing and payment system to allow others to view the student account and make payments. Students and Authorized Users may view the student account online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, via Axess. Payments should be made online through Axess or the Authorized User portals. If necessary, the student or Authorized Payer may print a statement from the same portal as well.

Due Dates and Unit Adjustments

A list of payment due dates throughout the academic year is available on the Student Services website. To avoid late payment penalties, online payments via Axess can be made up to 11:59 p.m. PST on the published due date. Personal payments received outside of Axess require manual processing, and students are encouraged to submit payment at least 10 business days before the billing due date to prevent late fees.

After the start of the term, adding units may result in additional tuition charges. Other fees, such as room damage repair charges, petition fees, late fees, lab fees, library fees, and other miscellaneous fees or charges are due on the 20th of the month after which they are billed (unless otherwise noted).

Forms of Payment

Students can make domestic and international payments directly in the Bill & Payment System, via Axess.

Stanford does not accept cash, credit cards, or postdated checks for payments to the University bill. If students are unable to make electronic payments in Axess, Stanford accepts these additional methods of payment.

Additional information and instructions for payment can be found on the Student Services website.

Credit Balances

Stanford uses Direct Deposit to refund credit balances to students. Students are expected to enroll in Direct Deposit at the beginning of their Stanford career or as soon as possible thereafter. Direct Deposits reach the bank within 24-48 hours of processing. Receipt of funds will not be delayed by mail time, lost checks, or the need to go to the bank as is the case with paper checks.

Generally, credit balances resulting from financial aid are refunded several times a week. Credit balances resulting from a personal overpayment (ePayments and paper checks, for example) will be refunded on a quarterly basis to inactive students. Students may request a refund of a personal overpayment at any time by contacting the Student Services Center.

Account Fees and Actions

Late Payment Fees

The University must receive the full amount due on or before the due date indicated on the bill. If full payment is not received by the due date, a late fee of 1% of the amount past due may be assessed. Anticipated aid (aid that has been accepted but not disbursed and is shown on the student account) reduces the total amount due prior to late fees being applied.

Holds

Accounts that become past due more than 30 days are subject to financial holds. Among other things, a financial hold blocks diplomas and enrollment eligibility.

Insufficient Funds

A non-refundable $25.00 administrative fee will be assessed for checks or eCheck payments returned due to insufficient funds. In addition, student accounts are subject to holds, and late payment penalties may apply.

Delinquent Accounts

Delinquent accounts may be reported to one or more of the national credit reporting agencies. Severely delinquent accounts may be referred to a collection agency and/or placed in litigation in accordance with state and federal laws. Students with delinquent accounts may be held responsible for collection costs, attorney fees, and court costs. Stanford may consider past delinquent accounts in determining whether to provide Stanford loans.

Implementation Information

General Fee Payment Process

PROCESS STEPS

RESPONSIBILITY

  1. Present all charges and credits from university offices on each student’s university bill.

Student Financial Services (SFS)

  1. Process the payment of fees by external fellowship or other centrally-administered sources.

SFS or Financial Aid

  1. Process the payment of fees from degree program funds through GFS, using these charge priorities:

  • Cardinal Care insurance premium (“health_only” charge priority)

  • Campus Health Service Fee ("HLTHSRVC" charge priority)

  • ASSU fees (“assuonly” charge priority)

  • room and board fees (“RM_BD” charge priority)

  • document fees (“Doc_Only” charge priority)

  • Dissertation submission costs.

Degree Program

  1. Pay applicable university fees in a timely manner. Fees not paid by another source must be paid by the student using:

  • Stanford ePay (preferred);

  • payroll deduction from RA/TA salaries;

  • by mail at 632 Serra Street, Room 150, Stanford, CA 94309-6036;

  • in person at the Cashier’s Office, Maude Modular, 632 Serra Street, Room 150; or the Student Services Center

  • at the 24-hour secure drop box on the wall outside the staff entrance to Maude. The Cashier’s Office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding university holidays and the second Tuesday of the month. Payments received in the drop box after 5:00 p.m. are processed the following business day.

Student

Contact Information

The Student Services Center
https://studentservices.stanford.edu/get-help

© Stanford University.   Stanford, California 94305.