Financial Responsibility

Financial Terms & Conditions

Payment of Fees/Promise to Pay

I understand that when I register for any class at Empire State University or receive any service from SUNY Empire, I acknowledge full responsibility to pay all tuition, fees and other associated costs assessed as a result. I further understand and agree that my registration and acknowledgement 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 SUNY Empire 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. I understand that if I am planning to pay my bill with financial aid, including third-party vouchers, and the funding does not materialize for any reason, I remain responsible for all tuition, fees and other associated costs assessed because of my registration and/or receipt of services.

I understand and agree that if I am younger than the applicable age of majority when I execute this agreement, the educational services provided by the University will be a necessity. I am contractually obligated according to the doctrine of necessities.

Method of Billing

I understand that SUNY Empire uses electronic billing as its official billing method and therefore I am responsible for viewing my bill online and paying by the scheduled due date. I further understand that failure to review my statement online does not constitute a valid reason for not paying my bill on time. Account information is available at https://my.sunyempire.edu/StudentAccounts - select the TouchNet Portal icon. I understand that if I register or make changes to my schedule between statement cycles, I am responsible for regularly reviewing account activity (i.e. since my last statement) and making payment of my balance by the scheduled due date.

Dropping a Class

I understand and agree that when I drop or withdraw from one or more of the classes for which I register, I will be responsible for paying all or a portion of tuition and fees in accordance with the published tuition refund policy. I have read the terms and conditions of the published refund policy and understand those terms are incorporated herein by reference. I further understand that my failure to attend class or receive a hard copy bill does not absolve me of my financial responsibility as described above.

Billing Errors

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 costs and financial obligations assessed because of my registration at SUNY Empire.

Payments/Failed Payment Agreements

When a payment is returned by the bank for any reason, I agree to repay the original amount of the payment plus a returned payment fee of $20.00. I understand that multiple returned payments and/or failure to comply with the terms of any payment plan or agreement I sign with SUNY Empire may result in cancellation of my classes, and/or suspension of my eligibility to register for future classes at SUNY Empire, and/or revocation of access to online payment options.

Delinquent Account/Collections

Financial Hold

I understand and agree that when I fail to pay my student account bill or any payments due and owing SUNY Empire by the scheduled due date, SUNY Empire may place a financial hold on my student account, preventing me from registering for future classes or receiving my diploma.

Collection Agency Fees

I understand and acknowledge that when I fail to pay my student account or any payments due and owing SUNY Empire by the scheduled due date and fail to make acceptable payment arrangements to bring my account current, SUNY Empire may refer my delinquent account to a collection agency. I further understand that I am responsible for all costs of collecting unpaid charges including collection agency fees attorney fees and court costs. Finally, I understand that my delinquent account may be reported by SUNY Empire to one or more of the national credit bureaus.

Privacy, Rights and Responsibilities

I understand that SUNY Empire is bound by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which prohibits SUNY Empire from releasing information from my education record without my written permission. I understand that when I agree that SUNY Empire may share information from my education record with designated individuals, I shall provide written authorization by submitting an information release to the Office of the Registrar. I understand I authorization needs to be renewed annually and can be revoked by me at any time.

Financial Aid

I understand financial aid which is described as “estimated” or “authorized” on my financial aid award letter does not represent actual or guaranteed amount of payment; rather it is an estimate of the financial aid I may receive when I meet all the requirements stipulated by one of more financial aid programs. I understand my financial aid award is contingent upon my continued enrollment and attendance in each registered class upon which my financial aid eligibility was calculated. When I drop one or more classes prior to the end of the semester/term, I understand my financial aid eligibility amount may decrease and part or all the amount of financial aid awarded to me may be revoked. When part or all the amount of my financial aid is revoked because I dropped or failed to attend one or more classes, I agree to repay all revoked financial aid that was disbursed to my account and resulted in the credit balance refunded to me. I agree and authorize SUNY Empire on my behalf to pay all charges assessed to my account at SUNY Empire such as tuition, fees, fines, bookstore charges, or any other amounts from the amounts I received from the financial aid programs, in accordance with the terms of the financial aid programs.

Academic Prizes, Awards, Scholarships, Grants

I understand and agree my receipt of an academic prize, award, scholarship, or grant is considered a financial resource according to federal Title IV financial aid regulations, and may reduce the amount of my eligibility for other federal and/or state financial aid

Entire Agreement

The SUNY Empire Financial Responsibility Agreement supersedes all prior understandings, representations, negotiations and correspondence between the student and SUNY Empire, and constitutes the entire agreement between SUNY Empire and its agents and the student with respect to the student’s financial responsibility to the university. The agreement shall only be modified upon written approval and/or modification by SUNY Empire and shall be specifically limited to those policies and/or terms identified in the modification.

I understand I will be prompted to review these financial terms and conditions once per academic year prior to registering.