Billing and Tuition Adjustments

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: 

Students withdrawn for nonpayment remain financially liable for all outstanding tuition and fees.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. 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.  

Tuition Adjustments for Official University Withdrawal  

General Information

The Schedule of Tuition Adjustment below applies to students who withdraw from a given term or from the university; students who are dropping a course but remain enrolled in the term should refer to the Tuition Adjustments for Dropping a Course section above. Note that nonattendance does not constitute official withdrawal; all adjustments are based solely on the date of withdrawal recorded through the Office of the Registrar.

The adjustment schedule is applicable across all university campuses and locations. For more information, including state-specific disclosures, please visit the Policies and Procedures section of the SFS website. 

Cancellation

Students who notify the school of withdrawal up to and including the first class session or the seventh day after enrollment, whichever is later, are eligible for a refund of 100% of tuition charges and certain fees.

Official Withdrawal, Approved Leave of Absence, and Nonattendance

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

Schedule of Tuition Adjustment 

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 SFS website. 

Tax Information 

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