Billing & Payment

Find out how to pay your bill, add authorized users to your account and view financial policies.

 

Learn more about cost.

View and Pay Your Bill

Billing

All bills are issued electronically via Student Self Service and payable through Nelnet Campus Commerce. You will not receive a paper bill in the mail.

You will be sent a notification email each month informing you that a new monthly billing statement is available via the Student Self Service portal. You can also check the portal at any time to see if any new items have been posted to your account since your last billing statement.

Accessing Your Account

Our flexible online platform allows you and users that you designate to view all billing information. After you have sent in your initial enrollment deposit, you will receive an email with instructions to register for the billing system.

Using Nelnet through Student Self Service, you can view your account, grant access to authorized users, view and pay your bill, and schedule payment plans.

Log in to Nelnet Campus Commerce.

Adding Authorized Users to Your Account

If you would like to share your account information with a parent, third-party payer or family member, you must add an authorized user to your account through Nelnet Campus Commerce

An Authorized Party is a FERPA compliant 3rd party which the student has authorized to access their information or to make payments on their behalf. The student can add and remove authorized parties.

On the blue navigation bar at the top of the screen, the student clicks My Profile.

Click Add or Edit in the Manage Payers section, depending on the action you want to take.

Adding an authorized party:

  • Authorized Party Information: Complete the First and Last Name fields.

  • Students can check Include the details that make up my balance. This allows the authorized party to view the transaction details that make up the student's balance.

  • Authorized Party Authentication: The authorized party will receive an email invitation to create an online account. For security purposes, they will have to know the correct answer to this security question to gain access.

    • The authorized party should contact the student if they don't know the answer to this security question.

  • Web Access: The student determines whether the authorized party can create an online account by entering their email address. Upon saving, an email will be generated to the authorized party inviting them to create a user account.

  • Terms and Conditions: This provides information about what they are authorizing.

  • Click Save.

All students may complete an information release form to allow us to speak with parents or third party individuals about their account, financial aid and/or academic information. 

Making Payments

Payments can be made easily online through the Nelnet Campus Commerce. Once you are logged in to Student Self Service, select the Student Finance tab, Manage Payment Plan and Refunds, then click Proceed to Processor. Once you’re on the Nelnet page, look under Payment Plan & Billing and select Set Up a Payment Plan to begin.

Our office also accepts mailed checks. You can mail checks to

University of the Arts
Student Financial Services
320 S. Broad St.
Philadelphia, PA 19102

International students can make payments through wire transfer. Please download the Wire Transfer Instructions (PDF) to view specific information.

Gap Funding

The amount due on your bill is the difference between your total semester charges and your total financial aid awarded for that semester. The majority of our students fund that gap through one or more of the following options: Payment Plans, Federal Direct Parent Plus Loans, and Private Loans.  

Payment Plans
Make college more affordable by paying for tuition and fees over time through Nelnet Campus Commerce. Tuition payment plans break down your tuition balance into manageable monthly payments. You can split your cost for the semester into three, four or five monthly payments. There's no interest, payment options are flexible, setup fees are affordable and it's easy to enroll! The sooner you sign up, the more time you will have to make payments based on the date you sign up for the plan. Fall payment plans begin in June or July and spring payment plans begin in November and December. For additional information, please visit: https://online.campuscommerce.com/register/4MR0W/instlogin/reg-message.

Note: There is a $50 non-refundable sign-up fee per semester for using the Nelnet Payment Plan. 

Log in to Student Self Service to enroll in a payment plan through Nelnet Campus Commerce.

Veterans Benefits

UArts welcomes military veterans who wish to use benefits such as Chapter 33 Post-9/11, Chapter 31, Chapter 35 Dependents’ Education Assistance, the Yellow Ribbon Program and the Montgomery GI Bill ®. All eligible military veterans who receive financial support are able to use these benefits to help pay for tuition.

To determine eligibility for funding through Veterans Affairs you must request your Certificate of Eligibility at va.gov. If eligible for funding, you must complete a Request for Benefits every semester in order to receive your benefits. Your benefit amount will vary based on your eligible chapter and percent of maximum award. Please note that students using VA Educational Benefits may have tuition and fees that exceed the maximum benefit and will be responsible for paying any remaining balance due. We strongly recommend that all students complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to determine eligibility for federal, state and institutional funding. If eligible for additional funding through the FAFSA, you may receive or be eligible to apply for grant, scholarship or educational loan funds to help finance your cost of education.

The Veterans Affairs (VA) certifying official for UArts is Lakeisha Sanders. Please contact Lakeisha Sanders, certifying official for Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits at UArts, with any certification questions you may have. Learn more about the process of receiving VA benefits at UArts.

Apply online for VA Benefits.

“GI Bill ®” is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Billing Schedule

Due Dates

Fall Semester: Bills will be issued in late May. Full payment must be received or an approved financing plan put in place by July 5.

Spring Semester: Bills will be issued in late October. Full payment must be received or an approved financing plan put in place by Dec. 5.

Summer First 5-Week Term: Bills will be issued in early April. Full payment must be received or an approved financing plan put in place by May 8. 

Summer 10-Week Term and Summer Second 5-Week Term: Bills will be issued in early April. Full payment must be received or an approved financing plan put in place by June 1. 

Financial Aid Disbursement

Financial aid is generally applied to your account on or by the first day of classes. Financial aid is applied against University charges and if there are excess funds creating a credit after charges are paid in full, a refund will be generated that can be used to pay for other costs associated with a student's education. In some cases, refunds may need to be returned to the source of payment—in the case of outside agencies. Refunds are processed after registration has closed for the semester (typically the end of the third week) and within two weeks of disbursement afterward.  Refunds are issued as checks and it is the student's responsibility to ensure that the University has the correct mailing address. 

Aid disbursements are allotted, unless otherwise noted, twice annually on the first day of classes of the fall and the spring semesters. Federal loan funds may disburse up to 15 days prior to the start of the semester. Further crediting of aid and subsequent refunds are generally processed weekly throughout the semester. Loans cannot be disbursed until all required documents are received and processed by the University.

Scholarship Disbursement

If you are receiving a scholarship from another source, you are required to notify Student Financial Services with a copy of the letter. If your scholarship check is sent to the University, it will all be directly applied to your University student account in the term it is received unless otherwise specified by the scholarship sponsor. Payments are posted to student's accounts within 48 hours of receiving the funds and will show on the next bill upload.  

If your scholarship check is sent directly to you but it is made out to the University, send or bring it to the Office of Student Financial Services for processing. 

Payment Plans

Payment plans allow you to split your cost for the semester into three, four or five monthly payments. Interest-free payment plans are available through Nelnet Campus Commerce with an enrollment fee of $50. Fall payment plans begin in June or July and spring payment plans begin in November and December.

Log in to the Student Self Service portal to enroll in a payment plan through Nelnet Enterprise.

Fees & Policies

Health Insurance Opt-Out

University of the Arts requires that all matriculated students taking six or more credits carry health insurance either through their own insurance company or the school-based plan. All students are automatically billed for the University insurance and must opt out to have the charge removed. 

Learn more.

Late Fees

Students who fail to make payment or provide documentation of outside sources of payment (including private loans, scholarships, grants, 529 Plans or agency funding) by the due date for the semester will be subjected to the following late fee.

  • Students with balances greater than $1,000 will have a late fee of $150 added to their bill.
  • Students with balances less than $1,000 will have a late fee of $60 added to their bill.

De-registration Policy

Students that fail to meet all University registration requirements, including failing to receive financial clearance from Student Financial Services (SFS), will lose their places in classes prior to the beginning of that term.

Students are billed in advance of each semester in order to give sufficient time to complete all necessary financial aid documents and remit payment.

If all requirements are met, SFS will automatically grant approval to register, drop, add and attend courses.

  • Students that fail to meet all requirements will be notified prior to the beginning of each semester.

  • Students enrolling for summer terms will be notified one week prior to the start of classes.

  • Students enrolling after the published due date of the bill will be expected to remit payment immediately.

If requirements are not met prior to the start of courses, a student may have their registration removed. In the event this occurs, students will have until the end of the registration period to receive clearance from SFS and re-enroll in courses. Students may need to enroll in alternate courses or course sections if course sections they were initially registered for have subsequently filled.

Refund Policy

By registering for classes, students accept responsibility for paying charges for the entire semester/term, regardless of the method of payment and attendance in class. Students who are considering withdrawing (either from the University or individual classes) should seriously consider the financial consequences. Depending on the time of withdrawal, balances may still be owed to the University, the Federal Government (if a Title IV program aid recipient), State Governments, Agencies, loan providers, and other non-University grantors of scholarships and awards. Students are urged to meet with a financial aid counselor to discuss the monetary impact of withdrawal and their eligibility for aid in the current and future semesters.

General Refund Policy

 

 

 

        Amount Charged

 Amount Refunded

Withdrawal Occurring:

 

 

Prior to first day of classes

                    0%

           100%

Before end of second week

                   20%

             80%

Before end of third week

                   60%

             40%

After end of third week

                  100%

               0%

 

The following items will be excluded from the refund calculation.

  1. Supplies, which are considered 100% expended upon purchase

  2. Books, which are considered 50% expended during the first week of classes and 100% thereafter

  3. The documented cost of any equipment issued to the student and not returned in good condition

  4. Library fines and late fees

  5. Security deposits, which will be returned separately once it has been determined that no damages or fines have been assessed

In cases where the University administratively withdraws a student, the University reserves the right to utilize an alternate refund calculation. 

 

FAQ

When are bills due?

  • Fall Semester: Bills will be issued in late May. Full payment must be received or an approved financing plan put in place by July 6.

  • Spring Semester: Bills will be issued in late October. Full payment must be received or an approved financing plan put in place by Dec. 5.

  • Summer First 5-Week Term: Bills will be issued in early April. Full payment must be received or an approved financing plan put in place by May 9. 

  • Summer 10-Week Term and Summer Second 5-Week Term: Bills will be issued in early April. Full payment must be received or an approved financing plan put in place by June 1. 

What payment methods can I use for one-time payments?

One-time payments can be made online with a checking account for free or with Visa, Master Card, American Express or Discover; there is a surcharge when paying with a credit card. These payments can be made online through the Student Self Service portal or in the SFS office with a check.

Why is health insurance on my bill?

All students are required to have health insurance coverage or take the university health insurance plan. To learn more about the health insurance requirement, the university-sponsored health insurance plan, or to remove the charge from your bill, visit uarts.edu/healthinsurance.

I set up a payment plan but my bill still shows a balance.

If your bill reflects the payment plan but still shows a balance due, then your payment plan was not set up for enough to cover the bill in full. You should call Nelnet Campus Commerce at 800-609-8056 to adjust your bill or call our office if you need help finding additional options to cover your balance.

How do I apply a 529 towards my bill?

Check with your 529 agency to see what information they require well in advance of the billing deadline. Many 529 agencies take two to three weeks to process payments, so plan ahead to make sure your funds will arrive on the billing due date.

How do I apply an outside scholarship towards my bill?

Please email our office a copy of the outside scholarship notification. It must include the amount, time period (year or semester) you are receiving it for, and the agency or payer contact information for the scholarship.

I’ve taken out a loan to cover my bill but they said it won’t disburse until after the due date.

All loans that are fully certified will be credited on your bill and you will not receive a late fee if the loan was ready for certification by the due date. Please make sure your lender has all required documents if you have not received notification that the loan has been certified.

Why is my balance in carets ("<>")?

The carets indicate your bill has a negative balance or credit. If you are due a refund, refunds will be issued according to our policy specified at uarts.edu/billing.

I paid my old bill but it still shows as unpaid.

Statements will continue to show until you file them if they were not paid through the online system. If your payment came in another form, you will need to file the old bill so it no longer shows.