Questions

FAQ's for undergraduates - Bursar's Office - UMass Amherst

1. When will I get my bill?
If you pre-register for a semester, your bill is usually mailed approximately 6-8 weeks prior to the first day of classes. Subsequent adjusted bills are then mailed out just after the add/drop deadline for each semester.

2. When is payment due?
Payment for the semester is due by the date shown on the front of your bill (usually the first week in January for the spring semester and the first week in August for the fall semester). This includes loans, scholarships and waivers.

3. What happens if I pay the bill late?
If you do not pay the bill by the due date you will be assessed a $50 late fee.

4. My student loans do not appear on my bill?
There are several reasons why this may occur. The following are the most common:

A. Your signature may be required on one or more documents, such as a Promissory Note, in the Financial Aid Office.
B. There is generally a 2-3 day delay between the time a loan is processed in Financial Aid and the time it appears on your bill.

5. Can I get an extension on paying my bill?
Unfortunately, no extensions may be made on payment deadlines.

6. Can I get a copy of my bill?
Yes. A convenient way to obtain a copy of your bill is through the UMass SPIRE Web page on the Internet. The Web address is http://spire.umass.edu/ You may also stop at the Bursar's Office in the Whitmore Administration building for a printout of your account.

7. What is a hold on my account? Why do I have one and what can I do about it?
A hold on your account will prevent you from registering for classes. Holds on your account can come from various sources for various reasons. The following are some of the most common sources and reasons:

A. Bursar's Office: you may have an outstanding balance.
B. Health Services: you may need to fill out immunization forms or you may have an outstanding balance for insurance or prescriptions.
C. Academic Dean: you may need to fulfill specific academic requirements.
D. Housing Office: you may have an outstanding balance from phone charges, dorm damage, or door recores.

In order for a hold to be removed, payment must be made in full on the student's account. Once full payment has been received, please allow 7-10 working days for the hold on your account to be reflected on SPIRE and withdrawn students to be reinstated.

8. Why don't my parents receive the bill at home and why can't they receive any information about it over the phone?
Per Federal regulations on the right to privacy, bills are in the student's name and therefore, the student bears responsibility for payment. For this reason, the semester bills are sent to the student's home address and subsequent bills to the student's local address. Parents/guardians (or anyone else, for that matter) may not receive specific information about a student's bill, credit balances or excess checks. If your parents or another third party are accepting responsibility for making payments on your behalf, it is your responsibility to SHARE ALL correspondence, including statements, with them.

9. How can I find out if/when outstanding scholarships/loans are processed?
If a loan/scholarship is listed on your bill, then it has been credited to your account as pending or received. If a loan/scholarship is not listed on your bill, you should contact the donor and send in a copy of your award letter to the Bursar's Office.

10. Why do I have to pay the basic health fee if I'm already fully covered on my parents' insurance?
The basic health fee is a per semester mandatory fee for all students. It provides on-campus only routine health care. It is not related to actual insurance coverage.

11. Do I have to pay the Student Health Insurance Plan Fee?
The supplemental health insurance plan fee is mandatory if no proof of outside insurance coverage is provided. It covers students for accidents, emergencies, and hospitalization on and off campus for a twelve month period.

If you have your own health insurance and would like to waive the student health insurance you must visit www.chickering.com

12. Where/what are my available tuition waivers?

A. Senior Citizens: These waivers cover tuition only and can be picked up in the Bursar's Office. They must be completed, notarized, and returned to the Bursar's Office. You must be 60 years of age, an undergraduate, and a Massachusetts resident for at least one year. If the use of health service is desired, the health fee must be paid. If health insurance is also desired, the Supplemental Health Insurance Fee must be paid.

B. National Guard: You must request a TAGMA form from the Company Clerk. The original should be sent with your semester bill to the Bursar's Office. You must request a new waiver form once every academic year. You may get a letter from your Commanding Officer and send it to the State Adjutant General's Office, 905 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215. You will receive a Certificate of Eligibility, which must be returned to the Bursar's Office if a waiver has not already been processed.

C. ROTC and Other Agencies: ROTC notifies the Bursar's Office how much the contract is for.

D. MA Rehab: Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission is an agency that covers students for various amounts depending on their situation. A purchase order is sent from MA Rehab and a memo item is put on the bill reflecting the amount expected. If the funds do not arrive or the amount is different than you expected, you must contact your counselor.

E. Employees and Dependents: If the employee works at UMass/Amherst, the Personnel Office has the waiver forms. The employee must fill out the waiver and return it to the Personnel Office which endorses it and sends it to the Bursar's Office. Other state schools also have tuition waivers; forms can be picked up at the respective Personnel Offices. Only state employees are eligible for tuition waivers. Dependent waivers are only available for employees that work in Massachusetts state colleges and universities.

F. MA Veterans: To receive a veteran waiver, the student must speak to the Veterans' Administrator in the Dean of Students Office.

12(a). Is there a deadline for tuition waivers?
All tuition waivers must be turned in by the last day of the current semester. No waiver will be accepted after that date. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS.

13. How do I apply for exemptions (room, board, and health waiver)?
An on-line health waiver must be completed. Don't forget to deduct the amount from the total due. Room and board exemptions are available only to juniors or seniors (57 or more credits), commuting students, or students who have been granted permission by Housing Services (for room) or Dining Services (for board).

14. What is senior billing?
When a student is near graduation and needs less than a full course load, she/he may elect to be billed by the credit. This may adjust financial aid (particularly MA state scholarships and Pell Grants). Students must arrange for senior billing through the senior staff at the Office of the Registrar.

15. The offices in Whitmore at the beginning of the semester are very busy. To save time, how do I know which office(s) I need to see? Isn't there a way to only see one office to solve all my problems at once?
Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to this question. The easiest way to avoid standing in line is to pay attention to all deadlines, read all instructions and brochures carefully, and ask questions early. However, problems do arise from time to time. Since each office is assigned different tasks, it is hard to coordinate their efforts simultaneously. For best results, you can try to isolate the problem yourself or you can ask for help by calling the Dean of Students Office at (413) 545-2684.

16. Will I be withdrawn automatically if my bill isn't paid on time?
YES. If your bill isn't paid on time you will face a $50 late fee and will likely be withdrawn.

17. What are the different ways to pay my bill?
Please do not send cash. Your check or money order should be made payable to the University of Massachusetts. Put your name and student ID number on all checks, money orders, correspondence and documents. We encourage you to return your payment (and any documentation) using the envelope enclosed with your bill. Any additional correspondence should be mailed to:

Office of the Bursar
215 Whitmore Administration Building
University of Massachusetts
181 Presidents Drive
Amherst, MA 01003

Payments may also be made in person at the Bursar Teller Windows in the Whitmore Administration Building Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

18. What happens if I am unable to pay my account as I have agreed?
We recognize that it sometimes becomes difficult to honor financial commitments. If you find yourself in this situation, please let the Bursar's Office know immediately. While we are willing to work with you to help you through a difficult time, we may find it necessary to take any or all of the following steps: placing a hold on your right to register for subsequent semesters, withholding your grades and transcripts, and withholding your diploma.

If you leave the University for any reason with an outstanding balance, and this balance is not settled in a timely manner, the University may turn the account over to a collection agency. If this becomes necessary, you will also be responsible for paying any additional collection fees and other costs and charges necessary for the collection of the debt.

19. Who is Tuition Management Systems and what is the Monthly Payment
Option?

The University of Massachusetts Amherst understands that many students

and families need additional assistance for paying for education.
UMASS Amherst has partnered with Tuition Management Systems to offer
interest-free monthly payment plans, low interest loans and combined
payment plan and loan options. Tuition Management Systems has worked
with over one million families and over 1,000 schools for over 20
years.

A Monthly Payment Plan through Tuition Management Systems enables
students and families to break their costs into interest free monthly
payments, rather than pay for the semester or year in full in one lump

sum. Simply start with your total education expenses for the upcoming
year or semester. Subtract any grants or financial aid, and divide
this amount by the number of payments offered in your plan. This will
be your monthly payment. It's that easy, and everyone is approved.

To enroll in a payment plan, or to get more information, please visit
TMS on the web at (https://link.afford.com/SchoolLinks.aspx?S_ID=10399&SA_ID=01) or call
them at 1-888-216-4258. Education payment counselors are available
Monday through Friday 8 am to 10 pm and Saturdays 9 am to 3 pm EST.