Student Financial Responsibility Disclosure and Agreement to Pay Tuition and Fees
This Student Financial Responsibility Disclosure and Agreement to Pay Tuition and Fees (“Agreement”) is between Utah State University (“USU”) and me (the logged in student). In consideration for the opportunity to register and participate in courses at USU, I agree to the following terms and conditions:
Financial Responsibility: I understand and agree that I am financially responsible for any tuition, general student fees, course fees, program fees, and other charges (e.g., housing charges, meal plans charges, bookstore charges, late fees, interest, etc.) that I incur as a registered USU student (collectively, “Tuition and Fees”). I understand that Tuition and Fees will be added to my student account as incurred and will be due and payable in keeping with USU policies and procedures.
Agreement to Pay Tuition and Fees: I agree to pay to USU the Tuition and Fees assessed to me, irrespective of whether my courses are delivered via on-campus, distance, blended and/or other delivery methods, including, without limitation, via synchronous or asynchronous interactive broadcast, online, web broadcast and/or other methods. I further acknowledge that Tuition and Fees are not associated with the availability or delivery method of any USU facility, service, or course, and I agree to pay the Tuition and Fees assessed to me irrespective of the actual availability or delivery method of any USU facility, service, or course. I agree that USU may repay my account balance from any TITLE IV funds (financial aid) due to me.
Registration, Dropping Courses, and Delivery: I understand and agree that by registering for courses at USU, I am reserving a “seat” in those courses. I understand and agree that it is my responsibility to drop courses I do not plan to attend and/or file a Leave of Absence with the Registrar’s Office before the 100% refund deadline. If I drop courses or withdraw from USU after the 100% refund period, I understand that I will be obligated to pay Tuition and Fees for those courses. Dates and deadlines for adding and dropping courses can be viewed on the Registrar’s Office website www.usu.edu/registrar. I understand and agree that USU courses may be delivered via on-campus, distance, blended and/or other delivery methods, including, without limitation, via synchronous or asynchronous interactive broadcast, online, web broadcast and/or other methods (https://www.usu.edu/ais/scheduling/deliverymethods). I also understand that USU may adjust the delivery method at any time and at its sole discretion.
Billing Statement: I understand that Tuition and Fee statements and balances, as well as deadlines, refund dates, and fee information will be communicated via my online student account. I understand that I will not be mailed or emailed a billing statement from USU. I agree that it is my responsibility to regularly check my online student account to comply with my payment obligations.
Contact Information and Communication: I agree to keep my contact information current with USU and to allow USU and its agents to contact me at any email address, home address, home telephone, or cell phone number that I provide now or in the future. I understand and agree that USU or anyone working on its behalf may contact me by any electronic means, such as text messaging, pre-recorded voice, email, etc.
Financial Aid Repayment: If I apply for and qualify for federal financial aid, I understand that my financial aid award is contingent upon my continued enrollment, attendance, and receiving a passing grade in each course upon which my financial aid eligibility was calculated. If I drop any course before completion or do not pass any course, I understand that my financial aid eligibility may decrease. Furthermore, I understand that receiving scholarships, awards, waivers, stipends, prizes, third party credits, or any other financial assistance may also reduce my eligibility for financial aid. If, after receiving federal financial aid, I later become ineligible for that aid because of any of the reasons described above, or for any other reason, I agree to immediately return to USU any financial aid that USU is required to return to the Department of Education.
Failure to Pay and Payment Plans: I understand that payment in full is due for Tuition and Fees by the applicable due date. I understand that I have the option to enroll in a payment plan whereby I may pay my Tuition and Fee bill over a period of time. Payment plans may be viewed in the TouchNet Payment System. I agree that USU may report my failure to pay Tuition and Fees to credit reporting agencies. I understand that any outstanding Tuition and Fees account balance is considered a qualified educational loan under the I.R.C. §221 and is extended with the express understanding that future repayment shall be made to USU. I further understand that my acceptance of these terms represents my acknowledgement and acceptance that my Tuition and Fee account balance qualifies as a qualified education loan under I.R.C §221 and as such, is exempt from discharge under federal bankruptcy code 11 U.S.C. §523(a)(8).
Late Fees and Interest: I understand and agree that (a) a late fee of $100.00 for each month of past due Tuition and Fee payments will be assessed to my account balance and (b) interest charges on any past due balances will also be assessed at the rate of 12.00% per annum.
Collections: In the event I default on this Agreement, and it becomes necessary to place my account balance with an outside collection agency, I agree to reimburse to USU the fees of any collection agency, which may be based on a percentage at a maximum of 50% of the past due amount, and all cost and expenses, including reasonable attorney fees USU or its agents may incur in such collection efforts. Any collection costs stated above are in addition to the Tuition and Fees due on my account.
Return Payments: I agree to pay a return check fee of $20.00 to USU if my online web check payment is returned unpaid by my bank because of insufficient funds or a stop payment. I understand that USU will not try to process my online web check payment again and that it is my responsibility to resubmit my payment. I agree to pay a return check fee of $10.00 if my online web check payment is returned by my bank because of any other reason, such as an incorrect or invalid account number was entered, closed account, not authorized, non-transactional, etc. I understand that paper checks returned by my bank for any reason are automatically referred to USU’s designated collection agency for collection. Collection fees may be assessed by USU’s designated collection agency and will be added to my student account.
Holds: I understand that if I have an unpaid balance on my student account, USU may place a hold on my student records, preventing registration for future semesters.
Electronic 1098-T: I understand and consent that if I am eligible to receive a 1098-T end-of-year tax document, it will be provided to me in an electronic form in my student account. I may request a paper copy of my 1098-T by following the links under “Tuition and Payment” on the Registrar’s Office website www.usu.edu/registrar/1098t.
Fees to Tuition Implementation: Following policy direction given from the Utah Board of Higher Education, Student Fees were reviewed in depth to determine if it would be more appropriate for all or part of a fee to transfer from Fees to Tuition. USUSA, the Student Fee Advisory Board, and USU Administration participated jointly in this effort resulting in a change that will move $105 from Fees to Tuition (based on a full-time student). The expectation of the Utah System of Higher Education was that any amount transitioned from Fees to Tuition would be implemented in such a manner that the overall cost of Tuition and Fees for each student would not change because of the transition. Due to the requirement that no current student be advantaged or disadvantaged financially by this change, scholarships that were previously awarded to pay 100% of tuition and student body fees will be adjusted to ensure a zero-dollar impact from this transition and scholarships which cover less than 100% of tuition will not cover the amount of Tuition transitioned from Fees.
Infectious Disease-Related Disclosures: I understand that participation as a student at USU may carry certain health risks related to COVID-19 and/or other infectious diseases. These risks are heightened for some groups, including “high-risk” individuals as defined by the Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”) (www.cdc.gov) (See https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-at-higher-risk.html). I further understand that the CDC has issued guidance relating to best practices for social distancing and other precautionary steps in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that it is my responsibility to review, keep current with, and reasonably apply up-to-date guidance to my actions. I also understand that USU will be subject to guidance issued by the CDC as well as guidance from the State of Utah (https://coronavirus.utah.gov), the Utah System of Higher Education (www.ushe.edu), local, county, and other public authorities. I understand that USU may take appropriate precautionary measures to reduce the spread of infectious diseases, including, without limitation, restrictions on class and gathering sizes; certain health measures or screenings (such as, in certain circumstances, disease testing or temperature checks); travel-related screenings; the required use of hand sanitizer and/or face coverings; modifications to the on-campus availability of student, dining, residential, recreation, and other services; and other preventative measures. Additionally, USU reserves the right at its sole discretion to adjust the delivery method of courses at any time, including during a semester, to comply with guidance from public authorities or implement precautionary measures identified as appropriate by USU administration. I understand and accept these precautionary measures. Current information relating to USU operations relating to COVID-19 is available at www.usu.edu/covid-19/.
Governing Law and Place of Disputes: I understand and agree that the terms of this Agreement will be governed by and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Utah. I agree that I will not commence any legal action against USU for any reason arising out of or relating to these terms or any matter covered hereby in any court other than such courts located in Cache County Utah. I waive any objection I might have to bring any legal action or suit in any such court not located in Cache County Utah on the basis that it is not the right or convenient place.
