Although all charges are due and payable in full at the beginning of each term, students in good financial standing at MTSU may defer payment of up to 50% of their fees for registration, housing, and the freshmen meal plan for the fall and spring semesters. The Deferred Payment Plan is not available for summer terms.

All students wishing to participate in the Deferred Payment Plan may view the scheduled payments on-line and then may pay the down payment upon agreeing to the terms and conditions of the plan. All prior debt must be paid before being eligible to enroll in the plan.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Deferred Payment Plan, each participant must be prepared to make a minimum down payment of 50% of the registration fees, dorm rent, and freshman meal plan costs. The total balance due must be at least $400 after all discounts, financial aid, and other credits have been applied to the student's account. Prior term charges and nondeferrable charges must be paid in addition to the 50% payment.

A student who has failed to make timely payments in a previous term may be denied the right to participate in the deferred payment plan in future enrollment periods. A student who is denied participation may be allowed to participate again only after completion of payment in full for 2 consecutive terms which allow the deferred payment plan (fall and spring). Any student who makes payment with a check that is subsequently returned will be denied participation in the Deferred Payment Plan in all future terms.

Terms

The amount deferred will be payable in two monthly installments. For the fall term, installment payments are due on September 30 and October 30. For the spring term, installment payments are due on February 27 and March 31. Please note that the university is not obligated to send reminder notices before the payment is due.

Participants in this plan must apply all discounts, waivers, third party sponsor payments (such as employer and pre-paid tuition programs) and financial aid, including student loans, toward payment of registration fees before a deferment will be considered. Financial Aid and other credits received after the initial payment will be applied to the remaining balance, and future amounts due will be recomputed. No refunds can be made until all fees are paid in full.

Students will not be withdrawn from classes for failure to pay the 2nd or 3rd installments. However, the university will withhold grades and transcripts until current payments are made. Also, the balance must be paid in full before the student can pre-register for future terms even if pre-registration is prior to the due date.

Service Charges and Fines

Each participant will be charged a $50.00 service fee each term to defray administrative costs. This fee is payable along with the 50% down payment on or before the registration fee payment deadline. (See When Do I Pay Fees?) An additional late payment charge of $25 will be assessed on each installment not paid on or before the due date and each 30 day period past the 2nd installment up to a maximum of $100.00. Students who make payments with checks that are returned will be charged a $30.00 return check service fee as well as any applicable late fees.

If a payment is not received in the Business Office by the scheduled payment due date, the university will withhold all services from the students, including grades, transcripts, and future registration until the fees have been paid in full including any assessed late fees.

All existing rules and policies pertaining to returned checks, refunds, withdrawals, dropped classes, and collection costs are applicable to the Deferred Payment Plan.

Upon receipt of a registration bill, students who desire to participate in the Deferred Payment Plan should sign up for the plan through Bill Payment Suite via RaiderNet. Students may pay the full amount due or the down payment by credit card or check card. Payment may also be made by mail, or in person at the Business Office cashier windows . (See When and Where do I pay my fees?)

Refunds/Withdrawal from Classes

Students who drop or withdraw from classes will still have a balance due under the deferred payment plan. Fees are adjusted based on the drop or withdrawal date. The refund percentage is NOT applied to the amount of payment, but rather as a percentage of adjustment of total fees. A refund would only be issued to the student if the newly adjusted amount of fees is less than the amount that has been paid by the student.

To avoid late fees and ineligibility for the deferred payment plan in future terms, the student should continue to make payment by each due date. Contact the Bursar's Office for the new payment amounts after drop or withdrawal. Remember, withdrawal from classes does not negate the student's responsibility to pay the balance of fees after the semester has begun.

Added Classes After Fee Payment

Additional fees for classes added after fee payment are due before the late registration fee payment deadline, or on the same day the class is added if after late registration. Any unpaid fees after this date will be processed as a deferred payment plan. The $50 Deferred Payment Plan service fee and any applicable $25 late payment fees will be charged.

Example

This example is based upon a full-time, in-state, freshman student living in a semi-private room with a freshman meal plan. The fees listed below are for the Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 semesters. All fees are subject to be changed by the Tennessee Board of Regents.