Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to outline various payment plans to assist students meet their financial obligations to Columbia College.
Scope
This policy applies to all students at Columbia College.
Policy
If a student needs to pay educational expenses over a period of time, a deferred payment plan may be requested. A deferred payment plan allows payments to be deferred over a number of installments. The arrangement requires payment of a pre-determined installment of the personal payment portion at the time of registration (or a due date near the start of the session), with the remaining portion due by the end of the semester for which the student is registering. The student must be up-to-date on scheduled payments or have a zero balance when registering for a subsequent session, even if the student is under a deferred payment plan from the previous session. Missed payment plan installments may result in an assessment of a late charge for each missed payment. The student commits to this when they check the box signifying agreement to the deferred payment plan on the online registration form. Deferred payment plans are valid for only one semester at a time and must be requested for each individual semester. Payment plans offered are subject to change at any time without notice.
- 4-Installments (per semester) plan: This plan allows students to make payments for each semester in four installments.
- Financial aid fully funded plan: This plan allows students to enroll in a payment plan if their account will be 100 percent paid by financial aid.However, the plan will become paid off when financial aid is posted to the student account, and no out-of-pocket payment should be due from the student. (If financial aid is canceled/reduced and no longer covers 100 percent, then payment would be due from the student by the listed due date.)
- VA/TA benefit plan: This plan is for students enrolling in a 16-week semester who receive VA benefits, Tuition Assistance, or sponsorship by another third party. You will be required to schedule automatic payments made on the due date via electronic check or credit card.
Employer Tuition Assistance
Students who receive employer tuition assistance may have the costs of educational expenses paid by their employer through direct billing or through reimbursement. Students should check with their employers to determine which plan is appropriate for them.
- Direct billing: A student whose employer offers direct payment to the College must ensure that the College receives a letter from the employer which authorizes and describes the conditions of such an arrangement. The letter must be on file in the Registration and Financial Services Office.
- Reimbursement: A student attending under employer reimbursement is required to follow the standard payment policy and then receive reimbursement following guidelines established by his/her employer.
Under either form of tuition assistance, students are responsible for any portion of the educational fees not paid by their employers. Students whose employers have contingencies on payments (such as attaining a certain grade) are required to pay as if they did not have employer tuition assistance and will be reimbursed after the employer makes payment.
Veterans Educational Assistance
An individual who is currently serving or has served in our nation’s armed forces may be eligible for educational assistance from the Veterans Administration (VA). Eligible students must complete paperwork required to establish VA eligibility at the time of registration. The VA pays benefits directly to eligible individuals. Students receiving VA benefits are personally responsible for payment of their expenses and are required to follow the standard payment policy of the College.
Special Education Tuition Reimbursement
Pending state funding, tuition reimbursement for Missouri students may be available from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for paraprofessionals and contracted certified teachers who qualify and take courses in the area of Mild/Moderate Cross Categorical Special Education. Additional information is available from the MAT Graduate Program Coordinator.