All student accounts must be settled by the date established by the University each semester. An account is considered settled when it reflects a credit or zero balance. This can be achieved by any combination of the following:

• Establishing adequate financial aid
• Setting up a payment plan
• Paying the balance in full
• Submitting the Payment/Reimbursement from Employer Plan (PREP) form
• Arranging for direct billing to your employer

More information about these options can be found online on the Student Accounts website. Students will receive a financial aid deferment of the amount they are borrowing once their loan approvals are received by Student Financial Services.

Students whose bills are not settled may not be allowed to drop or add classes, move into residence halls, participate in University-sponsored activities. Additional restrictions may also be imposed.

The University reserves the right to transfer past due accounts to an external collection agency when internal efforts have been exhausted. Collection costs and other legal fees incurred will be billed to the student account and become the responsibility of the student.

Penalties

The University reserves the right to deny admission or registration to any person who has not paid in full all outstanding financial obligations to the University. The University may, at its sole discretion:

• Refuse to admit or register the student
• Cancel the student’s registration
• Bar the student from attending class
• Remove the student from residence housing

Payment Plan

St. John Fisher University allows students to finance their balance over the course of the semester. Students/families that choose to establish a payment plan must enroll online and set up automatic deductions from a checking account or savings account, There is a $40 enrollment fee per semester.

Payment/Reimbursement from Employer Plan (PREP)

The Payment/Reimbursement from Employer Plan, or PREP, enables students to defer the amount of tuition and fees that their employer indicates it will pay. Students who qualify to use PREP to defer their tuition will not be required to submit payment until the semester has ended and grade reports are available. PREP is only available to students who are in good financial standing with the University and who receive payment of their tuition from their employers.

If Student Accounts does not receive payment for the balance in full by the deadline, a late fee of $200 will be assessed. St. John Fisher University reserves the right to rescind or refuse this payment option if the University is notified that the student is no longer eligible to receive tuition benefits. Failure to earn a required minimum grade in order to receive payment from an employer and/or withdrawal from a class does not excuse the student from being charged all applicable tuition and fees for that semester.

Direct Billing to Your Employer

Your balance may be deferred if your employer will pay the University in full upon receipt of a bill. To obtain this deferment, submit a letter from your employer stating this, and a bill will be generated directly to your employer for payment.

Forms

Further details and downloadable forms can be found on the Student Accounts website. For more information, please contact Student Financial Services by phone at (585) 385-8042 or by email at sfs@sjf.edu.

Refund of Overpayment on Student Account

An overpayment refund is processed only when there is an actual credit balance on a student account. If the application of loans, scholarships, grants, or any other payment creates a credit balance, a refund will be generated. Students will be notified by email that a refund has been generated and will be informed of when and where it will be available.

Additional outside scholarships information can be found on the Office of Student Financial Services website or by contacting the Office of Student Financial Services at (585) 385-8042.

New York State Programs

Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR)

This program is designed assists individuals with disabilities to achieve and maintain employment and to support independent living through training, education, rehabilitation, and career development. Any resident of New York state who has a substantial emotional, mental, or physical disability who can become employable may apply for assistance. Recipients in a college are reviewed annually on an individual basis. Individuals should contact the local office regarding application procedures. More information can be found at www.acces.nysed.gov/.

Federal Programs

Resources for Veterans, Military Students, and Their Families

Qualified veterans of the United States Armed Forces admitted for study at St. John Fisher University may be eligible to receive military benefits from the following Chapters: 30, 31, 33 (Post 9/11), 35, 1606, or 1607. Some benefits are transferable to spouses and children.

The Military Tuition Assistance (TA) program is available to active duty, National Guard, and Reserve Component service members. Each military service branch and component has its own criteria for TA eligibility, military service obligation, application process, and restrictions. More information and a link to the application and procedures can be found on the Military OneSource website

More information regarding VA Benefits and Military Tuition Assistance and each of the Chapters can be found on the Resources for Veterans, Military Students, and Their Families page.

US Bureau of Indian Education: Higher Education Grant Program

More information can be found on the Bureau of Indian Education website.

Other Federal Programs

There are also a large number of different special-purpose federal programs: direct aid, scholarships, loans, traineeships. Many are administered through specific institutions for post-secondary education, and for this reason the Office of Student Financial Services is the single best source of information on the subject.

Most of these dozens of programs would be of interest to relatively small numbers of students and prospective students, by virtue of need, special interest, or both. Some are available only to graduate or professional students in certain fields. Some carry with them periods of obligated service.

Additional information on federal financial aid programs may be found at the U.S. Department of Education website (www.ed.gov) or at studentaid.gov.

Federal Direct Student Loan Program

The William D. Ford Federal Direct Student Loan Program provides low-interest long-term loans to matriculated students enrolled at least half-time for education expenses. Students must complete the FAFSA application at FAFSA.gov. The lender of these loans is the federal government and repayment is to the U.S. Department of Education. Learn more about the Federal Direct Student Loan Program, including how to apply, amounts, fees, and interest rates.

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans

The William D. Ford Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan Program is available to the parents of a dependent student who is enrolled at least half-time in a degree program. The student must complete the FAFSA application at FAFSA.gov. The parent may borrow up to the student’s cost of attendance, minus other financial aid. Learn more about the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan, including how to apply, amounts, fees, and interest rates.

Private Student Loan Programs

Private student loans are unique because the student can borrow this additional loan. However, students who have not established a credit history will be asked to apply with a co-signer. Although interest accrues while the student is in school, the payments on the loan may be deferred until the student ceases enrollment. A private student loan may provide enough funds to enable the student to attend and pay for the college of their choice. The annual loan limits are the cost of attendance minus other financial aid. The terms and conditions of the loan (including interest rate and fees) will be determined by the lender. Private student loan applications are completed directly with the lender of the student’s choosing. Students may want to consider this option only after exhausting all other financial aid options such as government loans and scholarships.

Federal College Work-Study Program (FWS)

The Federal College Work-Study Program provides on-campus jobs for students with financial need. Positions are posted on the University’s Handshake website and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. It is the student’s responsibility to find an employment position. Students must complete the FAFSA application at FAFSA.gov. Students earn at least the current federal minimum wage, but the amount might be higher depending on the type of work and skills required. Students are paid every two weeks for hours worked. Because they receive direct payment, FWS wages are not credited to a student’s semester bill.