What is the Student Financial Responsibility Agreement?
The Student Financial Responsibility Agreement (herein referred to simply as agreement) is our way of ensuring that you understand the financial repercussions of enrolling in classes at Florida State University. The agreement outlines the University’s expectations for payment, holds, the employment of collection agencies, contact methods and procedures as well as tax document delivery methods.
Why do I have to sign the agreement?
There are several reasons that we expect every student to acknowledge the message contained within the agreement. First, and most importantly, we expect students to thoughtfully consider the cost of their education, to assist in financial planning and debt management. Second, the agreement satisfies several federal notification requirements that govern how student accounts are handled. Third, the University may employ the services of outside servicers and agencies for the collection of fees, and the agreement is the University's way of communicating those arrangements.
How often do I need to sign the agreement?
To ensure that you are considering your finances each term, the agreement must be signed once during registration for the Summer/Fall, and once for registration during the Spring for each year of enrollment.
What happens if I refuse to sign?
The agreement serves as notification of potential consequences of non-payment, and to provide vital account information. If a student chooses not to sign any or all of the agreement, they will not be permitted to register for classes until the issue is resolved.
How quickly can I register after completing the agreement?
Completion of the agreement will lift the related hold immediately and you will be able to proceed with enrollment.
Student Financial Responsibility Agreement
PAYMENT OF FEES/PROMISE TO PAY
I understand that when I register for any class at Florida State University or receive any service from Florida State 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 contractual 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 Florida State University is providing me educational services, deferring some or all of my payment obligation for those services, and I promise to pay for 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 of 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 FSU-2.02417 Refund of Tuition and Fees. 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.
DELINQUENT ACCOUNT/COLLECTION
Financial Hold: I understand and agree that if I fail to pay my student account bill or any monies due and owing Florida State University by the scheduled due date, Florida State University will place a financial hold on my student account, preventing me from registering for future classes or receiving my diploma.
Late Payment Charge: I understand and agree that if I fail to pay my student account bill or any monies due and owing Florida State University by the scheduled due date, Florida State University will assess late payment and/or finance charges at the rate of $100.00 per term for tuition, $10 per citation for parking citations, and $50 per term for housing rent, on the past due portion of my student account until my past due account is paid in full.
Collection Agency Fees: I understand and accept that if I fail to pay my student account bill or any monies due and owing Florida State University by the scheduled due date and fail to make acceptable payment arrangements to bring my account current, Florida State University may refer my account to a collection agency. If Florida State University refers my account balance to a third party for collection, whether an attorney or collection agency, I will be responsible for any costs (including, but not limited to collection fees) associated with attempting to collect the monies due and owing. I understand a collection fee will be assessed and will be due and owing in full at the time of the referral to the third party. The collection fee will be calculated at the maximum amount permitted by applicable law, but not to exceed 33 percent of the amount outstanding. For purposes of this provision, the third party may be a debt collection company or an attorney. If a lawsuit is filed to recover an outstanding balance, I will also be responsible for any costs associated with the lawsuit such as court costs, attorney’s fees, or other applicable costs. Finally, I understand my delinquent account my be furnished to one or more of the national credit bureaus.
FINANCIAL AID
I understand that aid described as “estimated” on my Financial Aid Award does not represent actual or guaranteed payment. I understand it is an estimate of the aid I may receive if I meet all requirements stipulated by that specific aid program. I understand that my Financial Aid Award is contingent upon my continued enrollment and attendance in each class upon which my financial aid eligibility was calculated. If I drop any class before completion, I understand that my financial aid eligibility may decrease and some or all of the financial aid awarded to me may be revoked. If some or all of my financial aid is revoked because I dropped or failed to attend class, I agree to repay all revoked aid that was disbursed to my account and resulted in a credit balance that was refunded to me.
I agree to allow financial aid I receive to pay any and all charges assessed to my account at Florida State University such as tuition, fees, campus housing and meal plans, student health insurance, parking permits, service fees, fines, bookstore charges, or any other amount, in accordance with the terms of the aid.
Federal Aid: I understand any federal Title IV financial aid I receive, except for Federal Work-Study wages, will first be applied to any outstanding balance on my account for tuition, fees, and 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 Florida State University to apply my Title IV financial aid to other charges assessed to my student account such as student health insurance, parking permits, bookstore charges, service fees and fines, and any other education related charges. I further understand this authorization will remain in effect until I rescind it and I may withdraw it at any time by following the instructions at https://studentbusiness.fsu.edu.
Prizes, Awards, Scholarships, Grants: I understand that all prizes, awards, scholarships, and grants awarded to me by Florida State University 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.
METHOD OF BILLING
I understand that Florida State 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 at https://my.fsu.edu.
BILLING ERRORS
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 registration at Florida State University.
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 of the payment plus a returned payment fee of $25.00 or 10 percent of the returned payment, whichever is greater. I understand that multiple returned payments and/or failure to comply with the terms of any payment plan or agreement I sign with Florida State University may result in cancellation of my classes and/or suspension of my eligibility to register for future classes at Florida State University.
WITHDRAWAL
If I decide to completely withdraw from Florida State University, I will follow the instructions at FSU- 2.02419 Withdrawals and Return of Financial Aid and Withdrawal Policy which I understand and agree are incorporated herein by reference.
PRIVACY RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES
I understand Florida State University is bound by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) which prohibits Florida State University from releasing any information from my education record without my written permission. Therefore, I understand if I want Florida State University to share information from my education record with someone else, I must provide written permission by following the procedure outlined at https://servicecenter.fsu.edu/s/article/Delegated-Access. I further understand I may revoke my permission at any time as instructed in the same procedure.
STUDENT AGE
I understand and agree that if I am younger than the applicable age of majority when I execute this agreement that the educational services provided by Florida State University are a necessity, and I am contractually obligated pursuant to the “doctrine of necessaries.” I further agree that my continued acceptance of educational services provided by Florida State University in exchange for payments after I reach the age of majority constitutes ratification of the original agreement.
COMMUNICATION
Method of Communication: I understand and agree that Florida State University uses my e-mail address as an official method of communication with me, and that therefore I am responsible for reading the e-mails I receive from Florida State University on a timely basis.
Contact: I authorize Florida State 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 Florida State University, or to receive general information from Florida State University. I authorize Florida State 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 or text my cellphone using automated telephone dialing equipment by submitting a clear revocation request in writing to Student Business Services, A1500 University Center A, Tallahassee, FL 32306, or in writing to the applicable contractor or agent contacting me on behalf of Florida State University.
Updating Contact Information: I understand and agree that I am responsible for keeping Florida State University records up to date with my current mailing addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers by following the procedure at http://my.fsu.edu. The linked procedure is incorporated herein by reference. Upon leaving Florida State University for any reason, it is my responsibility to provide Florida State University with updated contact information for purposes of continued communication regarding any amounts that remain due and owing to Florida State University.
IRS FORM 1098-T
I agree to provide my Social Security number (SSN) or taxpayer identification number (TIN) to Florida State 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 Florida State 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 Florida State University. I understand if I do not consent to receive my Form 1098-T electronically, a paper copy will be provided. I understand I can withdraw this consent or request a paper copy by following the instructions at https://studentbusiness.fsu.edu.
ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This agreement supersedes all prior understandings, representations, negotiations and correspondence between the student and Florida State 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 Florida State University if the modification is signed by me. Any modification is specifically limited to those policies and/or terms addressed in the modification.
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE
If any provision, term, or clause of this Agreement is declared illegal, unenforceable, or ineffective in a legal forum with competent jurisdiction to do so, this Agreement shall be deemed severable, and all other provisions, terms, and clauses of the Agreement will remain valid and binding on the Parties.
