What is a bill extension?

A bill extension is part of a procedure that allows students who begin the financial aid process within the three weeks before and after classes begin for the fall and spring semesters to place their bill with the Bursars Office on hold while the Financial Aid Office reviews the financial aid applications.

 

Why is a bill extension needed?

When a student registers for classes, a bill for the tuition and fees is created. This bill has a due date with the Bursars Office. If appropriate payment arrangements are not made by the bill due date, the students courses are at risk of being dropped for non-payment. If a student applies for financial aid and completes a bill extension, the student will remain eligible to stay in the courses while the completed financial aid application is being processed.

 

Does every student need to complete a bill extension?

No, the only students who need to complete a bill extension are those students who are at risk of having their courses dropped. Students who fall into one of the following categories do not need to complete a bill extension:

1.      Semester bill has been paid in full.

2.      A signed agreement to participate in the monthly payment plan has been received and accepted by the Bursars Office.

3.      The Financial Aid Office has already reviewed the students aid application and has awarded estimated aid which will cover the students semester balance.

 

What happens after a student completes a bill extension?

Once a student completes the financial aid application and a bill extension, the Financial Aid Office will give the student a date (usually within one week from the date the bill extension was completed) to return to the Financial Aid Office. During this one week period, the students Financial Aid Counselor will review the students application to determine eligibility and create an estimated financial aid award. When the student returns to the Financial Aid Office, the bottom of the bill extension form will have the estimated financial aid award on it.

 

How will the student know if the financial aid award is enough to cover the semester balance?

When the student returns to the Financial Aid Office to pick up the completed bill extension, the bottom part of the extension form will have been completed by the students Financial Aid Counselor. This section will provide the student with their semester bill, the estimated financial aid award, and any remaining balance for the semester. The Counselor will also make a note if the student is only eligible for Federal Student Loans to assist in covering the balance. It is then the students decision as to whether or not they would like to borrow under such a loan program. If the student decides to borrow under the Federal Student Loan Programs, additional paperwork will need to be completed. If the student decides not to borrow under the Federal Student Loan programs, the student should notify the Financial Aid Office of this decision and the student will be responsible for making the appropriate payment arrangement with the Bursars Office for the semester balance.

 

What if the student needs help paying for books for that semester?

When a student completes a bill extension with the Financial Aid Office, the student is also requesting a book voucher. The Financial Aid Counselor will make a note at the bottom of the bill extension as to whether or not the student is eligible for a book voucher. To be eligible for a book voucher, the student must have financial aid which not only covers the semester bill but also a book voucher. Many students are not initially eligible for a book voucher because they are eligible to waive the health insurance fee charged by the Bursars Office but have not yet done so.