What to Expect on the College Bill

If you're the parent of an incoming college student, you're likely anticipating the college bill, which will lay out what you'll need to pay before the school's billing deadline. It's helpful to have an idea of the bill timeline and what you'll see on that document before it arrives. We've outlined the details below.

Recipient

The student receives most communication from the college, including the bill, and in many cases the bill will be posted on a website of the college or a third-party vendor. The student will receive an email with an alert that the bill has been posted. If you'd like to receive the billing communication from the college, your student will need to grant you permission to do so and can check with the college on the steps to do that. 

Bill Period

Most schools divide the academic year's costs into semesters, and send bills according to that time period. So even if your child, like most students, plans to attend college for the full academic year, you'll only receive a bill for the fall semester initially. Your spring semester bill will arrive months later before that semester begins.

Timeline

You can anticipate receiving your fall semester bill sometime in late June/early July, with a deadline toward the beginning of August. Your spring semester bill will come to you likely in November, with a deadline in December. Colleges often offer flexibility with the bill deadline, but many do charge late fees, so if you're not able to pay on time, call the billing office to find out your options.

Charges

Your bill will include "direct" costs, which are those charged directly by the college, including tuition, fees, the meal plan (if your student has signed up for one), housing (if your student is living on campus), and health insurance. If your student is covered under a family health insurance policy, check with your school's billing office to find out how you can waive the school's health insurance fee.

Financial Aid

After listing the school's costs, you'll see on the bill any grants, scholarships, and loans you received, including those provided by the federal government (such as the Pell Grant or Subsidized/Unsubsidized Direct Student Loan), the state government (such as the MASSGrant or your own state's grant), and the college itself. The bill will not list work-study funds as part of your financial aid, since the student will need to earn this money by working part time throughout the year.

Methods of Payment

The bill should include options on how to pay your balance, including a mailing address if you'd like to send a check, and a link to pay online. Your school may also offer the option to pay by phone.

Contact Information

If you have questions about your bill, you should be able to find a phone number and/or email address that you can use to contact the billing office. Don't hesitate to reach out immediately if something doesn't look right, or if you have any questions.