Bill Payment, Refunds & Payment Plans
Many students pay their semester bill with financial aid, a payment plan or both. If you need help determining your college costs or exploring ways to pay, call us at 518-564-2072 and talk with an aid advisor.
- Paying Your Bill
Receiving Your Bill
For each semester you are enrolled, expect a bill notification email from Student Financial Services. You will be instructed to login to MyPlattsburgh to view your bill, select your options, and confirm your enrollment.
Once you receive an email bill announcement, you have until the due date to select your options, confirm your enrollment, and make payment in full. You normally have about three weeks between the date you receive the bill and its due date.
Timeline for Semester Billing
Students are sent an email notification (to their Plattsburgh email account) of their bill availability and processing due date. Bills are accessible in MyPlattsburgh; paper bills are not provided.
Fall Semester
- Mid-July — fall bills start to become available online
- Early-August — due date for first batch of fall bills
Winter Semester
- Early-December — winter bills start to become available online
- Early-January — due date for first batch of winter bills
Spring Semester
- Mid-November — spring bills start to become available online
- Mid-December — due date for first batch of spring bills
Summer Semester
- Late-April — summer bills start to become available online
- Mid-May — due date for first batch of summer bills
Access the academic calendar for more important dates.
What You Will See In Your Bill & Actions Required
Your bill includes tuition charges, mandatory and optional fees. Mandatory fees are charged to all students to support several university activities and services, and are essential for the university to operate. Mandatory fees are not user based fees and students are encouraged to take advantage of the benefits these fees provide. Optional fees provide various student services, programs and initiatives. Learn more about optional and mandatory fees.
The bill requires a response. The optional fee selections you make on your bill will either activate that fee for you (if chosen), or remove the fee charged to your account (if updated to $0). Failure to process your bill or pay the bill by established due dates may result in administrative fees, late fees and holds.
How Your Bill Is Calculated
Financial aid is deducted from the bill as long as you have completed all of the steps that are required for us to pay the aid to your account. If there appears to be aid “missing” from your bill, check whether you have any financial aid requirements on MyPlattsburgh or contact our office. If you need a loan to help pay for college, the federal student loans that we offered you in your award letter are generally the least expensive loan option.
Ways to Pay
You can pay in person at our customer service window by cash, check, money order, Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express. You can also pay online with an e-check, debit card or credit card through MyPlattsburgh. Mailed payments should be done via check, and should include the student’s full name and Banner or Net ID. Checks made payable to “SUNY Plattsburgh” should be mailed to:
Student Financial Services
101 Broad Street
Plattsburgh, NY 12901Options for Help In Paying Your Bill
Be sure you have explored financial aid opportunities and completed appropriate aid applications. Contact us at 518-564-2072 or [email protected] to talk with an aid advisor. Students who need additional assistance to cover their bill or educational expenses may wish to consider a payment plan, parent PLUS loan, or alternative student loan. A parent PLUS loan is generally less expensive than an alternative loan. We encourage you to explore all other available resources before applying for an alternative loan.
Timeline for Financial Aid
- Oct. 1 — First day to complete FAFSA and NYS Payment Application for the next academic year
- Dec. 15 — Target date for high-need (i.e., Pell eligible) students to complete financial aid applications
- May 1 — Target date for all students to complete financial aid applications
- June 1 — Target date to complete all tasks for aid to be deducted on the fall semester bill
- College Tuition Payment Plan
Our college payment plan is designed to assist those students and their families who may find it difficult to pay the total semester bill by the due date. The plan helps everyone, regardless of financial status. You can choose the payment schedule that’s best for your family — and, if you are getting loans, you may also be able to reduce the amount you need to borrow.
Signing up for a payment plan is easy. After you confirm your enrollment online, you can choose one of the following two plans:
- An initial payment of one-half the amount due plus the $35 non-refundable application fee, with the remaining half due in 60 days, or
- An initial payment of one-fourth the amount due plus the $35 non-refundable application fee, with three equal payments due over the course of the semester.
Once You’ve Enrolled In the Plan
- You will receive an email each month with a link to access your statement reflecting your next payment due.
- All payments are due by the 20th of each month.
Terms & Conditions
- The application fee is non-refundable.
- Financial aid will be applied to any outstanding balance, including the payment plan, before refunds or credits are disbursed.
- All billed educational costs (tuition, fees, room and board) and Cardinal Cash are allowable budget costs on the plan.
- The plan may be cancelled at any time by notifying student financial services in writing and including payment in full.
- For students withdrawing from school, refunds paid will be handled according to the college’s refund policy.
- The college reserves the right to assess an administrative or late fee of up to $50 each month on all payments received after the due date.
- The college reserves the right not to offer the payment plan in cases where applicants have not paid according to their payment schedule.
- You must reapply each semester.
Other ways to Pay
You can pay in person at our customer service window by cash, check, money order, Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express. You can also pay online with an e-check, debit card or credit card through MyPlattsburgh. Mailed payments should be done via check, and should include the students full name and Banner or Net ID.
- Advances for Books & Supplies
SUNY Plattsburgh wants students to have a means to purchase books and supplies for classes prior to the start of each semester. All students can add up to $600 in Cardinal Cash that can be used at the college store. Payment is not necessary at the time of the request and students can make this request at any time during a semester, not just prior to the start of a semester.
To do this, a student should contact Student Financial Services by phone (518-564-2072) or email ([email protected]) from their Plattsburgh email address. We will add a Cardinal Cash charge to the account in the amount of the request, but for no more than $600 per semester if there is an account balance. This charge will increase the balance due on the account or reduce any future refund. For example, suppose it is two weeks before the start of a semester and a student still owes $750. This student can add $600 in Cardinal Cash which will increase his/her account balance to $1,350 ($750 original balance + $600 in Cardinal Cash). This balance will have to be paid by the due date in the next monthly invoice, normally the 20th of each month.
Book Advance and Pell Grants
There are federal regulations regarding Pell Grants and book advances. Federal regulations require the college to provide Pell recipients who are scheduled to receive a refund with a method to purchase their books before the start of a semester. Most Pell recipients with a scheduled refund, and other students as well, receive a refund before the start of a semester. However, there are certain circumstances that may prevent a Pell recipient with a scheduled refund from receiving it before the semester starts. In these situations, federal regulations require the college to automatically add $600 in Cardinal Cash to the Pell recipient’s account for the purpose of purchasing books. These students may “opt-out” and reverse the $600 in Cardinal Cash by contacting Student Financial Services. We email all students who fall under this regulation and are required to have a $600 book advance. The email includes instructions to “opt-out.”
- Aid Payments & RefundsWe start to pay or disburse financial aid to your college account at the start of a semester. We review your:
- Enrollment status
- Academic progress
- Other unsatisfied aid requirements
There are many criteria and requirements that must be satisfied in order for us to pay your financial aid. The college will only pay your aid after you satisfy all of the requirements related to the aid programs in your aid package, and your registered hours matches your financial aid package (full-time, 3/4 time, 1/2 time, or <1/2 time). You will receive an email notification when we pay your federal aid. Visit MyPlattsburgh to view your account status, review any requirements, and check the status of any refund situation.
Refund Eligibility
A refund situation occurs when payments and credits on your college account exceed tuition and other charges for a semester. For example, if for the fall semester your tuition and other charges are $5,000 and your financial aid totals $6,000, your account balance is -$1,000 (negative) and you would receive a refund of $1,000. Refunds are intended to help you pay educational expenses such as books, supplies, personal expenses, and room and meals if you live off-campus.
Distribution of Refunds
SUNY Plattsburgh delivers your refund with BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc. Visit BankMobile Disbursements for more information.
You should expect to receive your refund after the start of a semester as long as you have already selected a refund preference and you have satisfied all of your disbursement requirements. A book advance option is available prior to the start of a semester. We start to distribute student refunds during the first week of each semester. Student refunds are distributed based upon the refund preference selected at www.refundselection.com. A refund generated from a parent loan is mailed via paper check to the permanent home address unless the parent borrower has indicated on the loan application that it should be made payable to the student. In the latter case, it is distributed based upon the refund preference selected by the student.
- Admissions Deposit & Refund Policy
Admissions Deposit
An admissions deposit of $250 is required of each accepted applicant as a token of the student’s intention to enroll. Applicants who plan to enter for the fall term must forward their $250 deposit by May 1, or within 30 days after acceptance, whichever is later. Applicants who plan to enter for the spring term must forward their $250 deposit by Dec. 1, or within 30 days after acceptance, whichever is later.
Deposit Refunds
The $250 admissions deposit is refunded when a written request for a refund is received in the admissions office by May 1 for the fall term or Dec. 1 for the spring term. If notification of acceptance is received after May 1, or Dec. 1, the written request for refund must be received within 30 days after acceptance, but before registration.
In special cases, when a written request is received by the director of admissions after the referenced dates, but before the beginning of the semester, refunds may be granted provided that:
- The circumstances involved are deemed beyond the student’s control and warrant such action; or
- the student forwarded the deposit based upon a conditional acceptance that was subsequently rescinded; or
- the student is withdrawing to enter military service.
- Refund Choices
The Power of Choice
SUNY Plattsburgh delivers your refund with BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc. Visit this link for more information. Log in to www.bankmobilevibe.com if you have an existing profile or www.refundselection.com if you need to select a refund preference. For more information about BankMobile, visit http://bankmobiledisbursements.com/refundchoices/.
Contract URL
View our contract. For more information about BankMobile, please contact:
Phone: 518-564-2072
Fax: 518-564-4079
Email: [email protected]How is my refund different from Cardinal Cash?
It’s important to understand that Cardinal Cash is very different from accessing your refund via your BankMobile selected refund preference. Your BankMobile refund can be used in the same way you would use cash or funds in a bank account. Cardinal Cash is a campus administered pre-paid debit card system that is accepted campus-wide (i.e., dining halls, vending machines, copiers) and at numerous locations off campus. You may add funds to your Cardinal Cash account simply by entering an amount when you process your semester bill or make a deposit 24/7. Have questions? Contact College Auxiliary Services: [email protected]
- Tuition & Fees Refund Schedules
Billing Procedure
Student Financial Services provides online bills for students who have registered for classes. Review your account, select your optional fees, confirm your enrollment, enroll in a payment plan if you wish, and pay your bill by the due date to avoid receiving an administrative fee and/or late payment fees. For more information, call 518-564-2072.
Course Drop/Withdrawal & Refunds
Students may drop a course during the specified add/drop period via the MyPlattsburgh online registration system. Afterward, students must complete the Course Schedule Adjustment form and receive permission to officially withdraw from a course. Once a drop or withdrawal is processed, the effective date will be established and the student’s tuition liability and any applicable refund will be calculated based upon the effective withdrawal date and the schedules below. View the SUNY Policy for more information on refunds for tuition and fees.
Tuition Refund Schedule
Effective Date of Withdrawal 1st day 2nd day 1st week 2nd week 3rd week 4th week 5th week Standard 16-week class 100% 100% 100% 70% 50% 30% 0 1 week class 100% 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 week class 100% 100% 20% 0 0 0 0 3 week class 100% 100% 35% 0 0 0 0 4 week class 100% 100% 50% 0 0 0 0 5 week class 100% 100% 100% 25% 0 0 0 6 week class 100% 100% 100% 30% 0 0 0 7 week class 100% 100% 100% 35% 0 0 0 8 week class 100% 100% 100% 40% 20% 0 0 9 week class 100% 100% 100% 45% 25% 0 0 10 week class 100% 100% 100% 50% 30% 0 0 11 week class 100% 100% 100% 55% 35% 0 0 12 week class 100% 100% 100% 60% 40% 0 0 Mandatory Fees Refund Schedule (Standard 16-Week Class)
Effective Date of Withdrawal 1st week 2nd week >3rd week 4th week 5th week College 100% 0 0 0 0 Student Association 100% 70% 50% 30% 0 Student Health 100% 0 0 0 0 Intercollegiate Athletic 100% 70% 50% 30% 0 Technology 100% 70% 50% 30% 0 Career Services 100% 70% 50% 30% 0 Recreation Fee 100% 70% 50% 30% 0 Other Fees Refund Schedule (Standard 16-Week Class)
Effective Date of Withdrawal 1st week 2nd week >3rd week 4th week 5th week Alumni 100% 100% 100% 100% 0 Cardinal Computer Care 100% 50% 50% 50% 0 Course Fees 100% 0 0 0 0 Green 100% 50% 50% 50% 0 Late Fees 100% 0 0 0 0 Domestic Hospital Insurance, paid (last term Spring 2023) 0 0 0 0 0 Domestic Hospital Insurance, not paid (last term Spring 2023) 100% 0 0 0 0 Domestic Hospital Insurance, 30 days (last term Spring 2023) 100% 100% 100% 100% 0 Medication Fee 100% 0 0 0 0 Non-Refundable Payment Plan Application 0 0 0 0 0 Placement 100% 0 0 0 0 Registration 100% 0 0 0 0 Parking Fees Refund Schedule (Standard 16-Week Class)
Effective Date of Cancellation 1st week 2nd week 3rd week 4th week 5th week 6–16th week Registration Fee (permit issued) 0 0 0 0 0 0 Registration Fee (permit not issued) 100% 0 0 0 0 0 Parking Fee (withdrawal) 100% 0 0 0 0 0 Parking Fee (cancellation) 100% 50% 50% 50% 50% 0 Cardinal Cash Refund Schedule (Standard 16-Week Class)
Effective Date of Withdrawal 1st week 2nd week 3rd week 4th week 5th week Cardinal Cash Based upon usage Tuition Appeals
After a course or college withdrawal has been processed and the effective date established, a student may submit a written appeal for removal or adjustment of tuition charges based upon a change of effective withdrawal date. Appeals are warranted under extraordinary and unusual circumstances that are beyond the control of a student, and that prevent a student from dropping or withdrawing from a course via standard procedures within the appropriate deadline for a refund. The student must thoroughly document the circumstances from independent third-party sources. Appeals may also be warranted when a student provides official notification of their intent to withdraw to an appropriate campus representative by the relevant deadline and submits documentation from a credible source. Appeals may also be warranted when a student demonstrates matriculation at another college during the same term or the student is enrolled as a new non-matriculated student at SUNY Plattsburgh. Send written appeals and supporting documentation to Jesse Decosse in Student Financial Services, at [email protected]. For more information, read the college policy on tuition appeals.
I have been very impressed all along with the professionalism and responsiveness from all your staff. It is clear that SUNY Plattsburgh puts students and family first.
Proxy Accounts
Proxy account management allows you to grant and revoke permissions for others to view information on your records, pay bills, or speak with student financial services. Learn more about proxy accounts and how to set one up.
Return of Aid
- Return of Federal Financial Aid
If a student withdraws from college, federal law legally obligates SUNY Plattsburgh to return any unearned financial aid from Title IV programs.
- Return of Military Tuition Assistance
SUNY Plattsburgh returns any unearned tuition assistance funds to the military service branch on a pro-rated basis for service members who withdraw from a course prior to 60% of the course length.