Student Financial Agreement

The Student Financial Agreement acknowledges that you understand and agree to the financial responsibilities for enrolling in classes at Northern Illinois University. Students are required to complete this agreement “once” every academic school year.  

If you have any questions, please contact us.

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Promise to Pay

I understand that when I register for any class at Northern Illinois University, I accept full responsibility for the following:

• All tuition, fees and other associated costs assessed as a result of my registration and/or receipt of services by paying with a combination of cash payments, any financial aid or scholarships for which I am eligible, and/or third party payments, and the balance not covered by other sources is fully my responsibility as is all steps required for receiving financial aid and/or employee waivers in a timely manner.
• My registration and acceptance of the Financial Responsibility Agreement constitutes as a promissory note agreement. 
• I promise to pay for all assessed tuition, fees and other associated costs by the published or assigned due date. Students can access payment due dates via the Office of the Bursar website.  
• I understand and agree that if I drop or withdraw from some or all 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 reduction schedule. I have read the terms and conditions of the published reduction schedule and understand those terms are incorporated herein by reference.
• I further understand that my failure to attend class or receive a bill does not absolve me of my financial responsibility as described above.  

Method of Billing

I understand that Northern Illinois University uses electronic billing (E-Statement) as its official billing method. Therefore, I am responsible for viewing and paying my student account E-Statement by the scheduled due date. I further understand that failure to review my E-Statement is not a valid reason for not paying my bill on time. E-Statement information is available by visiting MyNIU.

I understand that I can receive printed statements by withdrawing this consent at any time in writing by emailing bursar@niu.edu.

Past Due Student Accounts/Collection

Financial Hold

I understand and agree that if I fail to pay my student account bill or any monies due and owing NIU by the scheduled due date, or by my graduation date, NIU will place a financial hold on my student account, which will prevent me from registering for future classes.

Late Payment Charge

I understand and agree that if I fail to pay my student account bill or any monies due and owing NIU by the scheduled due date, NIU will assess a late payment fee at the rate of 1.08% per month on the past due portion of my student account until my past due account is paid in full. 

Collection Fees

I understand and accept that if I fail to pay my student account bill or any monies due and owing Northern Illinois University by the scheduled due date, and fail to make acceptable payment arrangements to bring my account current, NIU may refer my delinquent account to a collection agency.

I further understand that if NIU refers my student account balance to a third party for collection, a collection fee will be assessed and will be due in full at the time of the referral to the third party. The collection fee will be calculated at the maximum amount permitted by applicable law, but not to exceed 40% of the amount outstanding. For purposes of this provision, the third party may be a debt collection company or an attorney. If a lawsuit is filed to recover an outstanding balance, I shall also be responsible for any costs associated with the lawsuit such as court costs or other applicable costs.

I understand that my delinquent account including but not limited to tuition, fees, books, fines, room, and meals may be reported to the State Comptroller, and one or more of the national credit bureaus.

Third Party Sponsor Billing

I understand that if I am receiving Third Party Sponsorship (e.g., DHS, WIOA, SACM, College Illinois, etc.) and I choose to participate in Northern Illinois University Third Party Billing, I agree to the following:

• I understand that depending on my third party sponsor’s billing requirements, NIU may report any federal, state and/or institutional grants, waivers, and scholarships for the semester to the third party sponsor which may or may not affect the balance paid by your third party sponsor.
• I understand NIU may report course enrollment information for the semester to the third party sponsor.
• I understand any third-party payments posted on MyNIU account will be applied towards applicable charges for the semester. In some instances, credit balances may occur from the posting of the third party payment to MyNIU account.
• I understand that before a refund is issued to me, the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office will review the status of all aid to prevent any potential over-awarding.
• I understand this agreement does not relieve me from any financial responsibility to NIU. I am fully liable for making timely payments for all charges not covered by my third party sponsor. My student account may be subject to financial hold and late fees if payments are not made on time.

Employee Waiver

If I am receiving a university employee tuition waiver awarded by Northern Illinois University, I understand that I am responsible for paying all charges not covered by my waiver. Payment is due by the due date stipulated on my monthly billing statement. Failure to make payment may result in a hold placement and late fee assessment. For information regarding employee waivers, visit Tuition Waivers.

Communication

Method of Communication

I understand and agree that Northern Illinois University will use e-mail as an official method of communication with me, and that therefore I am responsible for reading the e-mails I receive from Northern Illinois University on a timely basis.

Contact

I authorize Northern Illinois University and its agents and contractors to contact me at my current and any future cellular phone number(s), email address(es) and other wireless device(s) regarding my delinquent student account/loans, and any other debt I owe to NIU, or to receive general information from NIU. I also understand it is my responsibility to keep this information current and update NIU of any changes to my contact information.

I authorize NIU and its agents and contractors to use automated telephone dialing equipment, artificial or pre-recorded voice or text messages, and personal calls and emails, in their efforts to contact me. I understand that I may withdraw my consent from the university to call my cellular phone using automated telephone dialing equipment by submitting my request in writing to NIU or in writing to the applicable contractor or agent contacting me on behalf of NIU.

Updating Contact Information

I understand and agree that I am responsible for keeping NIU records up to date with my current physical addresses, email addresses and phone numbers. Upon leaving NIU for any reason, it is my responsibility to provide NIU with updated contact information for purposes of continued communication regarding any amounts that remain due or owing to NIU.

This agreement shall be governed by Illinois law without regard to its conflict of laws principles.

Privacy Rights & Responsibilities

I understand that Northern Illinois University is bound by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) which prohibits Northern Illinois University from releasing any information from my education record without my written permission. For more information, please visit Registration and Records.

IRS Form 1098-T

I agree to provide my Social Security number (SSN) or taxpayer identification number (TIN) to Northern Illinois University 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 Northern Illinois University, I agree to pay any and all IRS fines assessed as a result of my missing SSN/TIN.

I consent to receive my annual IRS Form 1098-T, Tuition Statement, electronically from Northern Illinois University. I understand that if I do not consent to receive my Form 1098-T electronically, a paper copy will be provided.

I understand that I can receive printed statements by withdrawing this consent at any time in writing by emailing bursar@niu.edu.