SWAGÊÓƵ

Understand University Policy on Late Fees. Learn SWAGÊÓƵ Challenges and Exceptions.

As always, we’re here if you need additional information or assistance. See our contact information below.

Paying Your Bill

In-Person Student Late Fee Policy

• Tuition and fees are due in full by the published due dates for each semester. 
• Tuition and fees incurred after the registration period are due at the time the student signs up for the service (i.e., board, housing). 
• If you miss this deadline, you will be assessed a late payment fee of $50 on the first day of the following month of the tuition due date. 
• In addition, a 0.5% finance charge will be applied on the outstanding balance as of the first day of every month following the tuition due date. In arriving at the account balance subject to a finance charge, the amount of pending financial aid, the payment plan, and the total amount of your work study awarded dollars are exempt.
• If you apply for financial aid, work study, or the monthly payment plan after the payment due date, your account is subject to late fees and finance charges.

Tips on How to Avoid Late Fees

• Mailed payments must be received by the Office of Student Accounts prior to each tuition due date. Accounts that do not meet payment deadlines will be assessed a late payment fee and/or a finance charge. Therefore, it is important to allow sufficient time for your payment to be received by our office. 
• Because of potential delays in the U.S. mail, we encourage all students to pay on-line by logging into their UMary account, where bills are available 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Paper bills are only mailed at the beginning of the term so it is important to view your student accounts online.

Online Student Late Fee Policy

• Tuition and fees are due seven calendar days from the first class session unless other payment arrangements have been made with student accounts on the Intended Method of Payment form. 
• Other payment arrangements include outside billing (third party) and/or financial aid. If a student applies for financial aid, or submits a third-party authorization to student accounts after the due date of their classes, the account is subject to late fees and finance charges.

Exceptions

Late payment fees will not be assessed under the following conditions:

• You signed up for our monthly payment plan and it is budgeted correctly. Prior to the start of a semester, estimated preliminary charges may be all that is available for the new semester's tuition and fee costs.
  
  You should check your payment plan budget the day after the drop/add date closes to ensure your budgeted amount matches your Mary account balance.
  
  If your account is under budget, you will be responsible for either increasing your contact budget or paying the difference directly to the university by the published tuition due date. Accounts that are not budgeted correctly will be assessed late payment fees if not paid before the scheduled due date.
• You have pending or authorized financial aid (awaiting disbursement) that covers your full or remaining balance.
• You have a pending third-party authorization on your account (indicated by filling out the Intended Method of Payment Form or Third Party Authorization Form) paying the full amount or all of the remaining balance.
  
  If you have a third-party sponsorship, you are required to turn in all documentation prior to the first day of the term or class. Without proper paperwork, the University of Mary cannot invoice a third-party sponsor.
  
  Students that do not have all documentation turned in prior to the first day of the term or class will be assessed a late payment fee if their account has not been paid on the published tuition due date.
• You are a GI Bill Tuition Assistance recipient, have turned in the proper tuition assistance form to the University of Mary, and have paid any tuition difference.

Late payment fees exceptions are also contingent upon each condition above being met before the payment deadline.

Disputing a Late Fee

If you are charged the late payment fee and have extenuating circumstances that warrant a review, you may appeal by submitting a written request along with attaching any appropriate documentation to the Office of Student Accounts (contact info below) within the term of the late fee assessment. 

For example, a late fee assessed for the fall term must be disputed in writing prior to the last day of that fall term. Late fee disputes will be reviewed and a decision made within 30 days, at which time you will be notified via your UMary email. Failure to dispute a late fee within the term it was assessed indicates that you are aware of the fee and accept its assessment. You must pay the fee before the appeal can be reviewed. If the appeal is granted, you will be issued a refund.

NOTE: Disputing a late fee does not guarantee that the fee will be removed. Submitting a written request for removal only means that a late fee is being disputed and that a Director will review your account to assess the late fee's validity. If a director deems the late fee to be legitimate, you will be required to pay it.

Questions? We’re just a phone call or email away.

Student Accounts: Located in the lower level of the Benedictine Center.

• Open Monday - Friday from 8 am - 4:30 pm

7500 University Drive
Bismarck, ND 58504
701-355-8143