| On This Page: | How To Sign Up | Cost | Payment Methods | Plan Availability | Estimating Your Payments | Monthly Plan Features | Contact Us | Sign-Up Dates and Schedule |
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Payment Plan
Columbia offers a monthly payment plan to enable you to pay tuition and fees over several months, rather than in one payment. You can sign up for the fall semester beginning in July. Columbia offers this plan through the Nelnet service provider, which is integrated with the monthly E-Bill. The payment plan is not a loan. If you are using the payment plan and also borrowing private student loans, you have the right and ability to select the education loan provider of your choice, free from penalty. You are not required to use any lender promulgated by the payment plan provider.
While there is a modest, non-refundable application fee charged by Nelnet, there are no interest charges or credit checks.
The Payment Plan is available for the Fall term, Spring term, the annual academic year plan (Fall & Spring), or Summer term.
Please note that a late fee is not assessed when students are on a monthly payment plan.
Students who are allowed to register because they are on a payment plan or because they have made a payment will have that registration reversed if the payment is canceled or unable to be completed due to lack of funds.
How to Sign Up
STUDENTS
1. | Log in to Student Services Online (SSOL) and click on “Account Detail and E-Billing.” |
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2. | Click on “View E-Bill and Use the Monthly Payment Plan.” |
1. | Go to the secure e-billing website and log in with the username and password set up by your student. |
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2. | Select the "Payment Plan" option from the menu on the left side of the page. |
Cost
- $45 annual enrollment fee
- $25 enrollment fee per term (Fall, Spring, & Summer terms)
- $30 returned payment fee if a payment is returned
Payment Methods
- Automatic payment from a U.S. bank account (ACH)
- Note that a credit or debit card may be used to pay the enrollment fee. (An additional convenience fee will be assessed.)
Plan Availability
The payment plan is available June 8 each academic year. Students may choose to sign up for one of the following options:
- Fall Term: August - December
- Spring Term: January - May
- Annual (Fall and Spring Terms): August - May
- Summer Term: June - July*
Note: Summer Term plan enrollment begins on May 1.
Estimating Your Budget and Monthly Payments
Tuition and Fees for each new academic year are approved and posted by July. You will have the opportunity to adjust your budget if you are adding and dropping classes. When estimating, remember to also subtract financial aid awards and outside scholarships, add any Housing, Dining, or other fees, and take into account any sponsored payments or outside scholarship you may expect.
Monthly Payment Plan Features
- Automatic Rebalance of Amount in Payment Plan: If your term bill amount changes, the system will automatically recalculate your new total amount, as well as your updated monthly payment amount. This automatic recalculation will happen twice per term. You and any authorized payers will receive an automated email notification once the account is rebalanced.
- Manual Rebalance of Amount in Payment Plan: After you have signed up for the payment plan, if you anticipate a payment from a source not listed in your E-Bill, for example a sponsored payment or outside scholarship, you can adjust the amount budgeted for your payment plan by logging in to the E-Bill and updating the total amount you wish to pay via the plan. The system will recalculate your monthly payment based on your changes.
Contact Information
NELNET
Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Student Service Center
Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sign-Up Dates and Schedule
Columbia’s payment plan is flexible and offers three options:
- Fall Term Charges Only
- Spring Term Charges Only
- Annual / Academic Year (Fall and Spring Terms) - For plan management purposes, the Annual plan is considered as two separate plans, one for the Fall term charges and the other for the Spring term charges. The percentages collected during late enrollment in the Fall term only apply to the balance established for the Fall term.
- Summer Term Charges Only
Note: Payments are automatically deducted on the 5th of every month from the bank account you authorized during sign-up.
FALL TERM CHARGES PLAN
5 Payments, $25 enrollment fee. Plan enrollment closes after November 26.
| Enrollment Period | Required Down Payment | Number of Payments | Months of Payments |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 1 - August 3 | none | 5 | August - December |
| August 4 - August 27 | 20% | 4 | September - December |
| August 28 - September 24 | 40% | 3 | October - December |
| September 25 - October 27 | 60% | 2 | November & December |
| October 28 - November 14 | 80% | 1 | December |
SPRING TERM CHARGES PLAN
5 Payments, $25 enrollment fee. Plan enrollment closes after April 24.
| Enrollment Period | Required Down Payment | Number of Payments | Months of Payments |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 15 – December 31 | none | 5 | January - May |
| January 1 - January 27 | 20% | 4 | February - May |
| January 28 - February 24 | 40% | 3 | March - May |
| February 25 - March 25 | 60% | 2 | April & May |
| March 26 - April 26 | 80% | 1 | May |
ANNUAL / ACADEMIC YEAR PLAN (Fall and Spring Terms):
10 Payments, $45 enrollment fee. Plan enrollment closes after November 25.
For plan management purposes, the Annual plan is considered as two separate plans, one for the Fall term charges and the other for the Spring charges. The percentages collected during late enrollment in the Fall term only apply to the balance established for the Fall term.
| Enrollment Period | Required Down Payment | Number of Payments | Months of Payments |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 1 - August 3 | none | 10 | August - May |
| August 4 - August 27 | 20% * | 9 | September - May |
| August 28 - September 24 | 40% * | 8 | October - May |
| September 25 - October 27 | 60% * | 7 | November - May |
| October 28 - November 14 | 80% * | 6 | December - May |
* This percentage is based on the amount dedicated to the Fall term portion of the payment plan.
SUMMER TERM CHARGES PLAN
2 Payments, $25 enrollment fee. Plan enrollment closes on June 25.
| Enrollment Period | Required Down Payment | Number of Payments | Months of Payments |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 1 - June 4 | none | 2 | June - July |
| June 5 - June 25 | 50% | 1 | July |