Our team is committed to helping students and families understand the student account and associated billing statements, important dates and deadlines, payment options, and overall financial responsibilities associated with a Northeastern University education.   

Billing Policy 

Tuition bills are only generated electronically each semester and are available via the Student Hub. Paper bills are not generated. Balances are due prior to the start of the term. For additional information regarding the e-bill, please visit the Billing & Payments Frequently Asked Questions webpage. 

Students must authorize parent or guardian access to view billing information and make payment via the Family Portal. For more information, visit the Northeastern Accounts website. 

Discrepancies in your bill should be addressed in writing via the Student Financial Services Inquiry form . Include your name, Northeastern ID, Northeastern email address, dollar amount in question, date of invoice, and any other relevant information.  

Responses will be sent to the student’s Northeastern email address. If there is a discrepancy in your bill, pay the undisputed part of the bill to avoid responsibility for any late fees or financial holds. 

 

Student Financial Responsibility Agreement 

As compelled by federal law, all students who enroll in classes at Northeastern are required to complete and accept the Student Financial Responsibility Agreement, which acknowledges their obligations and understanding of the financial policies of the university. This will be available for completion after July 1 each academic year. The SFRA informs students of the financial responsibilities associated with enrolling for classes and explains the potential consequences that may result if a student fails to meet those obligations. This agreement must be completed once per academic year and is located on the Student Hub. Failure to complete the SFRA will result in a hold that prevents registration.   

 

Past-Due and Delinquent Balances 

When a student fails to make payment on a balance owed, the university may initiate a series of progressively severe actions, including but not limited to: 

  • Assessment of late fees 

  • Placement of a financial hold preventing: 

    • Course registration or schedule changes 

    • Participation in global study programs 

    • Release of diplomas 

  • Initiation of collections activity, including referral to third-party collection agencies 

  • Collection fees

  • Involuntary withdrawal from the university 

Students withdrawn for nonpayment remain financially liable for all outstanding tuition and fees. In addition, the student is responsible for all reasonable collection costs and any legal fees incurred by the university during the collection process. 

International Students 

For students in F-1 or J-1 visa status, failure to resolve delinquent balances in a timely manner may negatively impact immigration status, potentially affecting eligibility to remain in or reenter the United States. Students who face status issues due to failure to resolve delinquent balances should contact the Office of Global Services. 

Late Fee Policy 

Northeastern has implemented a policy regarding late fees. If the balance on a student’s account remains unpaid, 30 days after the initial bill due date the university will impose a late fee of $150 on the student’s account. If the student’s account balance remains unpaid after the initial late fee is assessed, the university will impose an additional 1% late charge once a month, until the balance is paid. If delinquency continues to a subsequent term, the late fee assessment cycle will start again. There will be an initial late fee, in the amount of $150, then an additional 1% late charge once a month until the balance is paid. 

If a student or payer wishes to dispute a late fee assessment, they may review and submit the Late Fee Removal Request form. 

 

Collection Partners 

As outlined in the SFRA, student account balances that remain unpaid will be placed initially with ECSI, Northeastern’s  precollections partner. If a student account balance remains unpaid, the past-due student account balance will then be placed with a collections agency (Reliant or Radius). Information about Northeastern’s collections partners  can be found here.

Tuition Adjustments for Dropping a Course 

If a student drops one or more courses, they are eligible for a full reversal of the course tuition as long as the course(s) were dropped before the course drop deadline and the student receives an approved Petition to Reduce Course Load. Once the deadline to drop a course without a W grade passes, the student is responsible for 100% of tuition and associated charges—no partial refunds will be provided. Refer to the academic calendar for course registration dates. Please see the Financial Aid page for information on how financial aid will be impacted for withdrawing from or dropping a course.  

 

Credit balances will be refunded to the student unless otherwise directed by the student or the bill payer. Note the following exceptions:  

  • Payment plans and supplemental loans: Credit balances created from supplemental loans or overpayment to the monthly payment plan will be refunded to the bill payer on record unless a completed Refund Authorization form, stating that funds may be released directly to the student, is received from that borrower. Please note that anticipated credits are funds that have not been received by the university and, therefore, cannot be refunded.  

  • International payments: Credit balances created from an international payment must be returned to the originating bank by the payment method used.  

 

Tuition Adjustments for Official University Withdrawal  

If a student submits an official withdrawal from the university, they may be eligible for a tuition adjustment based on the official withdrawal date processed by the Office of the University Registrar. Note that nonattendance does not constitute official withdrawal.  

 

Tuition adjustments vary according to the duration of the course.  

 

Please also see the Financial Aid page for information on how aid is impacted by withdrawal. 

 

Information on the university’s Emergency Leave of Absence policy is located in the Graduate Catalog in the “Academic Policies and Procedures” section.  

Refunds for Official Withdrawal from the University 

Refund information will be published soon.

State-Specific Policies  

To comply with local laws regarding student refunds, Northeastern maintains state-specific refund policies. Additional information is available on the SFS website.  

Tuition Insurance 

Given the substantial financial commitment that students and their families must make to pay for a Northeastern education, SFS offers options for tuition insurance. For more information, visit the Student Financial Services website. 

Tax Information 

Northeastern provides certain annual tax forms to eligible students. For more information, visit the SFS website.