The following are frequently asked questions about the billing process for Bursar and CornellCard accounts. If you have questions that aren't answered here, please contact Bursar Account Services at (607) 255-2336 or uco-bursar@cornell.edu.
To use the search feature, simply begin typing in the search box the keyword for the question you have (e.g., limit), and select from the drop-down list that appears the question that most closely matches what you're looking for.
We may have received the payment after the billing date of the statement. Student Center will reflect payments applied to date. If payment is not reflected, please check with your bank to verify whether the check has been cashed. If it has been cashed, please send us a copy of the canceled check, front and back, so that we can research the payment.
If you have questions about your bill, please call the originating unit on the back of your bill. A full list of unit contact information is provided. If you are unsure of the unit, contact Bursar Account Services, and we will direct you to the appropriate unit.
Students must maintain their addresses using Student Center.
The Elective Tuition Refund Plan (i.e., tuition insurance) is an elective insurance plan offered on a semester basis only. The insurance covers 100% of the insured semester's tuition, less any refund or credit due you from the university, provided your medical condition is certified by a licensed physician and forces you to withdraw completely from all classes for the balance of the semester.
“Pending credit” refers to aid that has been included in the student’s financial aid package but has not been disbursed as of the date of the bill. Pending credits for financial aid are removed from the bill each semester in October (for fall) and March (for spring). Once this happens, students must contact the appropriate financial aid office to resolve any pending items.
Federal work-study is paid directly to the student based on the hours worked.
The activity fee is required to cover student activities. For more information, please contact the Student Activities Office.
Verification of student enrollment may be obtained by calling the National Student Clearing House in Virginia at (703) 742-7791, or by e-mailing them at service@studentclearinghouse.org. Data is verified either electronically or by paper. You may also request verification in person or online from the Office of the University Registrar, B7 Day Hall.
A student who has a hold will not be permitted to register for the upcoming semester, obtain a copy of a transcript, or receive a diploma until all holds have been cleared. Students can see hold information on Student Center.
An application for New York State residency is available here on our Web site. If you have further questions regarding your application, please contact our office at (607) 255-6413.
Checks returned for nonpayment must be replaced with a certified check or money order. Consult our Returned Payment Policy for information on fees.
The Cornell Installment Plan (CIP), administered by Sallie Mae/Tuition Pay, enables students and their families to make interest-free monthly installments to pay each semester's tuition and expenses.
You determine how much you need to budget for tuition, housing, dining, etc. for the fall and spring semesters. The fall budget amount will be credited to your Bursar account in July (appearing on your July bursar bill), and the spring budget amount will be credited to your Bursar account in December (appearing on your December Bursar bill). If you enroll in either the fall or spring plan only, the whole amount is credited to your Bursar account in the semester in which you enrolled in the installment plan.
You repay your CIP in monthly installments for the budgeted amount credited on your fall and spring Bursar bill. Your actual monthly payments do not appear on your Bursar bill. They are reflected in Sallie Mae's monthly billing statements and in the records of your Tuition Pay plan account. You are responsible for paying any amounts remaining due on your Bursar account after the CIP credit has been applied, including amounts still due if you underestimated your Tuition Pay plan budget.
Cornell University must receive a letter from the student's sponsor stating he, she, or they will be remitting payment on behalf of the student. When we receive the letter, a credit will be placed on the student's Bursar account and we will bill the sponsor directly. For more information, see our Third-Party Billing page.
Cornell University is required to generate these forms for tax purposes. For more information, please visit the Tax Compliance Web site.
