Navigating Tuition Payments at CUNY City College: A Comprehensive Guide

Paying for college can be a daunting task, but CUNY City College offers various tuition payment options to make the process manageable. This guide provides a detailed overview of the available methods, associated fees, and important policies to help students navigate their financial obligations.

In-Person Payments

For those who prefer traditional methods, the Bursar's Office is open for in-person services Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. When paying in person, the office accepts cash, checks, and money orders. However, debit and credit cards are not accepted at the Bursar windows.

Important Considerations for In-Person Payments:

EMPLID: Always include your EMPLID (Student ID number) on all checks and money orders to ensure proper crediting to your account.
Payee: Make the check or money order payable to The City College of New York.

Online Payments

CUNY City College provides several online payment options for tuition and fees, offering convenience and flexibility.

Credit/Debit Card Payments

Students can pay tuition and fee charges online using American Express, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover cards. However, a service fee of 2.65% is applied to each credit or debit card payment. This fee is calculated based on the total payment amount and will appear as a separate item on your credit/debit card statement. All credit/debit card payments that are returned will be subject to the Return Payment Fee.

Apple Pay

As of September 2024, CUNY now offers Apple Pay as a payment option for online tuition payments. You can pay your tuition and fees using your VISA or Discover card via Apple Pay. This method is convenient and secure and is available only for students with Apple products (iPhone, iPad, or Mac). A 2.65% convenience fee will be applied to each Apple Pay transaction.

Read also: The New CUNY Logo

How to Pay with Apple Pay:

Apple Pay is accepted online only through CUNYfirst. To ensure proper navigation, disable pop-up blockers in your web browser.

Go to Student Center
Click on Financial Account
Select Make a Payment (QuikPay page will open in a new window/tab)
Click on View & Pay Accounts
Click the navy-blue button Make a Payment
Review the amounts owed for each school. Choose to pay either the full amount or a lesser amount.
Select Digital Wallet, then click the Apple Pay icon.

E-Check Payments

The E-check option is free of charge. E-check payments are only accepted through your CUNYfirst account, where you can view your tuition and fee bill. When making your online payment, have your bank account and routing numbers available and enter the numbers carefully.

Nelnet Payment Plan

For students who prefer to spread out their payments, CUNY City College offers the Nelnet Payment Plan. This plan allows you to stretch payments over a period of months, making tuition more affordable.

Benefits of the Nelnet Payment Plan:

Extended Payments: Instead of paying each semester's bill all at once, you can spread payments over a period of months.
Customized Plan: Establish your payment plan based upon your anticipated tuition and fee costs and your anticipated financial aid (grants, scholarships, federal and state aid, etc.).
Early Enrollment Advantages: The earlier you enroll, the lower your monthly payments will be, since the total amount financed will be divided over more scheduled payments.
Secured Class Seat: Your class seat is saved once you enroll in the plan.

Payment Methods Accepted by Nelnet:

Nelnet accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and Amex. You may also pay with your checking account or ACH online.

Fees:

Automatic bank payment (ACH) or e-check: \$25 enrollment fee per semester
Credit or debit card: \$25 enrollment fee per semester; Nelnet will charge the cardholder a 2.65% service fee on all payments

After you enroll in the payment plan, you will be able to switch payment methods (e-check to debit/credit card or vice versa). All payments subsequent to the Initial Payment are automatically processed on the remaining scheduled payment dates.

Read also: CUNY Admission Guide

Nelnet Payment Plan Enrollment Instructions:

Log into CUNYfirst, go to HR Campus Solutions, click on Self Service, and go to your Student Center.

Third-Party Payments, Vouchers, and Outside Scholarships

CUNY City College also accepts third-party payments, vouchers, and outside scholarships. However, it's important to note that all such payments are estimated, and bills are not considered paid until the payment reaches the college. If your third-party payment document is not sufficient to cover your tuition and fee bill, you will be responsible for paying the remaining balance. Most third-party payments do not pay for late drops during the first three weeks of classes.

Graduate Center Specific Information

Nearly all entering doctoral students in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences receive a five-year fellowship package which includes tuition coverage. A wide range of fellowships, grants and scholarships are also available.

If your account has been delinquent (past due) for more than one term, the Graduate Center will turn it over to a CUNY-designated collection agency.

All tuition charges and fees listed herein, or in any registration material issued by The Graduate Center, are subject to change by action of the Board of Trustees of The City University of New York without prior notice. In the event of any increase in tuition charges and fees, payments already made to The Graduate Center will be treated as a partial payment, and notification will be given of the additional amount due and the time and method of payment.

Read also: CUNY GPA Guide

Each student registration, once classes have begun and regardless of whether or not the student has paid tuition at the point of registration, constitutes a financial obligation to the state of New York that cannot be rescinded. Any leave of absence or withdrawal from an academic program or individual courses must be requested by the student in writing. All students who are administratively withdrawn from classes will receive a grade of “WA” and are fully tuition liable.

Tuition Liability and Refunds

Students are liable for the full amount of their tuition and fees, regardless of whether they receive expected financial aid, loans, or other financial support. The student activity fees and other non-tuition charges cannot be refunded. Refunds of tuition must be based upon a timely written official withdrawal from classes and are allowed only in accordance with a limited schedule established by University policy.

A student is entitled to a full refund of tuition and noninstructional fees (where applicable) in the event that courses are cancelled or a student's registration is canceled by The Graduate Center or one of the senior colleges. In the event of a student's withdrawal, a proportionate refund of tuition may be granted if valid reasons for withdrawal are presented. You may be charged tuition if you drop courses on the first day of the semester or later.

Examples of potential tuition charges for dropping courses:

A master’s student enrolled in nine credits drops a three-credit course during the second week of the semester.
A master’s student paying out-of-state rates enrolled in 15 credits drops a three-credit course on the first day of the semester.
A Level I doctoral student paying out-of-state rates enrolled in 11 credits drops a four-credit course during the third week of the semester.
During the third week of the semester, a student drops a two-credit course and then adds a two-credit course later that day.

To ensure the timely arrival of your refund check, your correct, current address (including your apartment number) must be on file. If you move, please make sure to update your records with the Registrar’s Office.

Bursar's Office Services

The Bursar Office offers multiple services, including processing cash, checks, and money orders, turning over delinquent student accounts to a collection agency, and in-person assistance regarding any questions or concerns with bills or payment. Please check your CUNYfirst account for any updates and billing information on a regular basis.

Additional Bursar's Office Information:

Bursar holds will be removed within 24 hours of making the payment.
Be sure to have your HR designee complete (title code # and date of appointment) and sign the Tuition Waiver Form before you bring it to the Bursar's Office for review. Once the Bursar's Office has settled your bill you will be provided with that semester's sticker.

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