Student Financial Responsibility Agreement

Promise to Pay: I understand that when I register, attend class, or participate in other activities associated with enrollment at Howard University (the “University” or “HU”) or receive any service from the University; I accept full responsibility to pay all tuition, fees and other associated costs assessed as a result of my registration and/or receipt of services. I further understand and agree that my registration and acceptance of these terms constitutes a promissory note agreement (i.e., a financial obligation in the form of an educational loan as defined by the U.S. Bankruptcy Code at 11 U.S.C. §523(a)(8)) in which the University is providing me educational services, deferring some or all of my payment obligation for those services. I promise to pay all assessed tuition, fees, and other associated costs by the published or assigned due date.  

I understand and agree that if I drop or withdraw from some or all the classes for which I register, I will be responsible for paying all or a portion of tuition and fees in accordance with the published tuition refund schedule at Institutional Refund/Repayment Policy. I have read the terms and conditions of the published tuition refund schedule and understand those terms are incorporated herein by reference. I further understand that my failure to attend class or receive a bill does not absolve me of my financial responsibility as described above. 

Late Payment Charge: I understand and agree that if I fail to pay my student account bill or any monies due and owing Howard University by the scheduled due date, the University may assess late payment and/or finance charges up to the maximum rate allowable by law, per month on the past due portion of my student account until my past due account is paid in full. 

Disenrollment and Financial Hold: I understand and agree that if I fail to pay my student account bill or any monies due and owing to Howard University by the scheduled due date, the University may drop me from my registered classes and/or place a financial hold on my student account, preventing me from registering for future classes, receiving my diploma, or requesting transcripts, in accordance with federal regulations. However, I understand and agree that if I do not drop or withdraw from some or all the classes for which I register, I will be responsible for any resulting balance as explained above in the Promise to Pay section.  

Returned Payments/Failed Payment Agreements: If a payment made to my student account is returned by the bank for any reason, I agree to repay the original amount plus a returned payment fee. I understand that multiple returned payments and/or failure to comply with the terms of any payment plan or agreement I sign at Howard University may result in the cancellation of my classes and/or suspension of my eligibility to register for future classes at Howard University. 

Federal Aid: I understand that any federal Title IV financial aid that I receive, except for Federal Work Study wages, will first be applied to any outstanding balance on my account for tuition, fees, room, and board. Title IV financial aid includes aid from the Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Direct Loan, PLUS Loan, Perkins Loan, and TEACH Grant programs. I authorize Howard University to apply my Title IV financial aid to other charges assessed to my student account, such as printing services, ID replacement charges, fitness passes, books and supplies, service fees and fines, and any other education-related charges and may be applied to prior semester debts.  I further understand that this authorization will remain in effect while I am a student at Howard University and that I may withdraw my consent by submitting my request in writing to the Office of the Bursar at bursarhelp@howard.edu. 

Prizes, Awards, Scholarships, and Grants: I understand that all prizes, awards, scholarships, and grants awarded to me by HU will be credited to my student account and applied toward any outstanding balance. I further understand that my receipt of a prize, award, scholarship, or grant is considered a financial resource according to federal Title IV financial aid regulations and may, therefore, reduce my eligibility for other federal and/or state financial aid (i.e., loans, grants, Federal Work Study) which, if already disbursed to my student account, must be reversed and returned to the aid source. 

Electronic Consent: I understand that Howard University uses electronic billing (e-bill) as its official billing method, and therefore, I am responsible for viewing and paying my student account e-bill by the scheduled due date. I further understand that failure to review my e-bill does not constitute a valid reason for not paying my bill on time. E-bill information is available within BisonHub (Workday).  

I understand that administrative, clerical, or technical billing errors do not absolve me of my financial responsibility to pay the correct amount of tuition, fees and other associated financial obligations assessed as a result of my enrollment and registration at Howard University. 

I also agree to provide my Social Security number (SSN) or taxpayer identification number (TIN) to Howard University upon request as required by Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations for Form 1098-T reporting purposes. If I fail to provide my SSN or TIN to Howard University, I agree to pay any and all IRS fines assessed as a result of my missing SSN/TIN. I consent to receive my annual IRS Form 1098-T, Tuition Statement, electronically from Howard University. I understand that if I do not consent to receiving my Form 1098-T electronically, a paper copy will be provided. I understand that I can withdraw this consent or request a paper copy by contacting the Office of the Bursar at bursarhelp@howard.edu.  

Communication, Contact Information and Authorization: I understand and agree that Howard University uses email as an official method of communication with me; and therefore, I am responsible for reading all emails I receive from Howard University on a timely basis. 

I understand and agree that I am responsible for keeping Howard University records up to date with my current physical addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers by following the procedure in BisonHub (Workday). Upon leaving Howard University for any reason, I am responsible for providing the University with updated contact information for continued communication regarding any amounts that remain due and owing to the University. Furthermore, I authorize Howard University and its agents and contractors to contact me at my current and any future cellular phone number(s), email address(es), or wireless device(s) regarding my delinquent student account(s)/loan(s), any other debt I owe to the University or to receive general information from the University. I authorize the University and its agents and contractors to use automated telephone dialing equipment, artificial or pre-recorded voice or text messages, and personal calls and emails in their efforts to contact me. Furthermore, I understand that I may withdraw my consent to call my cellular phone by submitting my request in writing to the Office of the Bursar at bursarhelp@howard.edu or in writing to the applicable contractor or agent contacting me on behalf of the University. 

Collection Agency Fees: I understand and accept that if I fail to pay my student account bill or any monies due and owing Howard University by the scheduled due date and fail to make acceptable payment arrangements to bring my account current, the University may refer my delinquent account to a collection agency. I further understand that I am responsible for paying the collection agency fee which may be based on a percentage at a maximum of 30 percent of my delinquent account, together with all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, necessary for the collection of my delinquent account. Finally, I understand that my delinquent account may be reported to one or more of the national credit bureaus.  

Entire Agreement: This agreement supersedes all prior understandings, representations, negotiations, and correspondence between the student and Howard University, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the matters described, and shall not be modified or affected by any course of dealing or course of performance. This agreement may be modified by Howard University if the modification is signed by me.  Any modification is specifically limited to those policies and/or terms addressed in the modification. 

I understand and attest that my electronic acceptance confirms that I have read and understand the content of this financial responsibility agreement.