Student Accounts Office - Frequently Asked Questions

When will my payment be due?

• Your payment will be due approximately two weeks prior to the start of the semester. Failure to pay your bill or make satisfactory arrangements with the college, (completed financial aid deferral or payment plan application), by the due date, will result in up to a $50.00 administrative fee and a $40.00 late registration fee assessed following the deadline.

Can I pay in installments?

• You can choose the ten month payment plan set up for the year usually in June; five payments are made toward the fall semester and five payments are made toward the spring semester. A completed application and down payment with application fee are required to start the plan. The ten month plan application available click here for details. There is also a semester three payment plan which requires you pay half your charges by your due date, complete an application with fee, and we will defer the balance in two payments, the first due approximately 30 days after the start of the semester and the second, approximately 60 days after the start of the semester. If you have questions regarding the payment plan options, please call the Student Accounts Office, 518-255-5539.

What if I didn't receive a bill?

• Students may view their account detail via the secure portion of our website (BANNER WEB); the student's id number and pin are required. Initial semester paper bills are mailed to the home address on file. During the semester, if there is a balance due a bill is sent to your local or campus address on file. You are billed after you have selected courses.

What if I change my mind after I have registered for courses?

• Prior to the start of the semester, new students should inform the Admissions Office at 518-255-5525. Continuing students should complete the withdrawal process by contacting the Registrar's Office, Knapp Hall, Lower Level as soon as possible to avoid/minimize financial liability. Any delay in completing the proper withdrawal may result in additional charges. Never just walk away. You must officially withdraw. You are financially liable as soon as the semester begins. A SUNY refund schedule is in effect to reduce fulltime tuition if you withdraw during the first four weeks of the semester. Due to strict federal regulations governing the use and distribution of Title IV financial aid, aid recipients will jeopardize their current eligibility if withdrawal from college takes place before completing 60% of the semester. You are advised to consult with a financial aid advisor to discuss your individual case.

Why isn't my tuition calculated using the resident rates?

• Eligibility for in-state tuition is determined by the student's domicile which must be in New York State for a period of at least one year immediately preceding the time of registration. Your domicile is the fixed and permanent home to which you intend to return whenever absent. Students that have inconsistent residency data, as identified by the Application Services Center, will be charged the out-of-state rate. Your residency status must be proved by submitting a residency application and providing at least three approved types of documents that support your claim. The sole purpose of presence in the state to attend college does not meet your domicile requirement. Individuals who are financially dependent and whose custodial parent(s) lives in a state other than the State of New York are generally not eligible for the resident tuition rate. Please direct your questions concerning residency to the Director of Student Accounts.

My Financial Aid is more than my charges. When will I receive my refund?

• Financial aid is applied in a first-in, first-applied order and refunds are not generated until the student's account is paid in full. Since refunds are not readily available during the first four weeks, it is advisable to have other personal funds to pay for expenses, such as your rent if you are living off campus or to pay for your books. You may choose to take advantage of the cobycash option and ask that your refund or portion, be transferred to bookstore credit in the form of cobycash activated on your cobycard, or fill out the Bookstore prepack book form mailed to students. You may also request this option at Student Accounts Office by filling out a bookstore credit form. You may borrow a small amount based on your expected refund from approved aid, through the Financial Aid Office using Auxiliary Services Office's short term advance which is a loan with a minimal fee.
• Refund checks are made payable to the student with the exceptions of parent PLUS loans and refunds of credit card payments. Refund checks are mailed to the permanent home address on file, but may be requested held for pickup at the Student Accounts Office.

I applied late for my aid! I was selected for verification! What if my financial aid is not approved before my bill is due?

• Until you submit the required paperwork to the Financial Aid, your financial aid cannot be approved. You may use the Three Payment Plan option and pay at least half by the due date with a completed application and required fee. Once the second payment is due, your financial aid may be approved so you could defer your balance at that time. If you do not pay your payment by the due date, you will be charged a $50.00 late payment plan fee. Any aid awarded to you after your account is paid in full will be refunded to you once we receive the funds.

What does it mean to have a Hold on my account?

• Following SUNY policy if a student has an obligation, a HOLD is placed on his/her student records, preventing registration for a new term and official transcripts (including diplomas) until all financial obligations have been paid. You can view your hold status via the secured section of our website with student id and pin. Holds are posted to students' accounts prior to the start of course selection for the next academic period. If you owe a past due debt to SUNY Cobleskill, there are state debt collection laws that will affect you. The following link outlines these items. Click here to view.

What are the Fees?

• As a student receiving credit from SUNY Cobleskill, your required payment of the mandatory fees, supports the campus, programs, activities and services provided to all registered students. The areas receiving support are listed on the back of your initial semester billing statements.

Oh no!! My check bounced! What happens now?

• A $20.00 returned check charge is assessed at the time your payment is removed from your account. You may also be charged a late payment fee in the amount of $50.00 for a balance due. If this payment was for completion of the semester obligation to receive your schedule you may also be assessed a $40.00 late registration fee. This is in addition to the fee your bank charges you. A very costly mistake and you may be restricted to future payments by cashier's check or money order if it occurs more than once.

What about phone service while I'm a student at SUNY Cobleskill?

• Dorm students are provided a phone and voicemail box with their dorm room. A mandatory charge of $56.00 is applied to each housed student's semester bill, (beginning with the Fall 2008 semester) for incoming/local outgoing and on campus calling. This fee is still charged whether you sign up for your voicemail box. Telephone service is continuous throughout the fall and spring semesters.  
  
  Your voicemail box is used for messages from the faculty and administration to update all students of class cancellations, network updates and many more important messages

Tell me about vehicle registrations and parking fines.

• All vehicles parked on campus MUST display some type of permit.  If the vehicle does not have a permanent sticker affixed, a temporary permit must be obtained at the University Police Department, Johnson Hall, from 8:30 am to 11:30 am or from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
• Fines for parking violations are: $15 for the first violation; $20 for the second; $25 for all subsequent violations.  All disabled violations are $50. Appeals may be made by any person receiving a notice of violation within ten business days from the date of issuance.  After the 10 day period, the right to appeal expires and all violation charges and/or expenses incurred become automatically due and payable. Appeals may be filed at the University Police Department in Johnson Hall.  You must bring the ticket with you to file an appeal. Violations should be paid at the Office of Student Accounts within ten (10) business days of issuance.
• Information concerning parking may be found at http://www.cobleskill.edu/police.html .

Where do I go to get information concerning tax credits for tuition and expenses?

• Two tax credits took effect in 1998 to help families reduce out-of-pocket expenses for tuition and certain expenses paid to a postsecondary institution that participates in federal student aid programs:
  • The Hope Credit provides a credit for a student who is enrolled at least half time in one of the first two years of postsecondary education. This credit can be claimed for only two taxable years.
  • The Lifetime Learning Credit provides a credit for a student taking courses. This credit can be claimed for as long as the student is enrolled in an eligible educational institution.
  • There are certain limitations specific to each of these credits. SUNY Cobleskill cannot determine if you qualify for one of these tax credits or the amount of the credit due you. If you believe you might qualify, you should obtain IRS Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Higher Education and IRS Form 8863 and review the criteria carefully. To obtain copies, call 1-800-TAX-FORM, or go to http://www.irs.gov/ on the Internet, or consult your tax advisor.

  Fee/cost referrals above are as of 5/12/08 and are subject to change.