Student Financial Responsibility Agreement

PAYMENT OF FEES/PROMISE TO PAY

I understand that when I register for any class at Rice University, receive any service from Rice University or incur any fines at Rice University, I accept full responsibility to pay all tuition, room and board, fees and other charges incurred by me or assessed as a result of my registration and/or receipt of services or fines.

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 in place at the time of the drop or withdrawal at Tuition Reversals. I have read the terms and conditions of the published tuition refund schedule and understand those terms are incorporated herein by reference; room and board will be prorated based on dates of occupancy. I further understand that my failure to attend class or receive a bill does not absolve me of my financial responsibility as described above.

METHOD OF BILLING

I understand that Rice University uses electronic billing (e-bill), via Esther, 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.

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, room and board, fees and other financial obligations assessed as a result of my registration or attendance at Rice 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 $30.00 returned payment fee. I understand that multiple returned payments and/or failure to comply with the terms of any payment plan or agreement I sign with Rice University may result in withdrawal from classes and/or suspension of my eligibility to register for future classes at Rice University.

FAILURE TO PAY /COLLECTION

Financial Hold: I understand and agree that if I fail to pay my student account bill by the scheduled due date, Rice University may place a financial hold on my student account, preventing me from registering for future classes, receiving transcripts, or receiving my diploma.

Late Payment Charge: I understand and agree that if I fail to pay my student account bill by the scheduled due date, Rice University may assess late payment charges at the rate of 1.5% per monthly billing cycle on the past due portion of my student account until my past due account is paid in full.

Withdrawal from Classes: I understand and agree that if I fail to pay my student account bill or make arrangements to enter into a payment plan by the scheduled due date, Rice University may remove me from classes where I will have one week to resolve any financial arrangements and be reinstated into classes.

Collection Agency Fees: I understand and agree that if I fail to pay my student account bill by the scheduled due date, and fail to make and adhere to agreed-upon payment arrangements to bring my account current, Rice University may refer my delinquent account to a collection agency. I further understand that I am responsible for paying the collection agency fee, which may be based on a percentage of my delinquent account, together with all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, necessary for the collection of my delinquent account. Finally, I understand that my delinquent account may be reported to one or more of the national credit bureaus.

IRS FORM 1098-T

I agree to provide my Social Security number (SSN) or taxpayer identification number (TIN) to Rice 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 Rice University, I agree to pay any and all IRS fines assessed to Rice University as a result of my missing SSN/TIN.

I consent to receive my annual IRS Form 1098-T, Tuition Statement, electronically from Rice University. I understand that if I do not consent to receive my Form 1098-T electronically, a paper copy will be provided. I understand that I can withdraw this consent or request a paper copy by following the instructions at https://bursar.rice.edu/tax-form-1098t.

COMMUNICATION

Method of Communication: I understand and agree that Rice University uses e-mail as an official method of communication with me, and that therefore I am responsible for reading the e-mails I receive from Rice University on a timely basis.

Contact: I authorize Rice 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 Rice University, or to receive general information from Rice University. I authorize Rice 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 my cellular phone by submitting my request in writing to Rice University Bursar's Office or in writing to the applicable contractor or agent contacting me on behalf of Rice University.

Updating Contact Information: I understand and agree that I am responsible for keeping Rice University records up to date with my current physical addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers by following the procedure at https://registrar.rice.edu/students/personal_info/. The linked procedure is incorporated herein by reference.

Upon leaving Rice University for any reason, it is my responsibility to provide Rice University with updated contact information for purposes of continued communication regarding any amounts that remain due and owing to Rice University.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This agreement supersedes all prior understandings, representations, negotiations and correspondence between the student and Rice 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.

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.

AGREEMENT

I understand and agree that my registration and acceptance of these terms constitutes a promissory note agreement in which Rice 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 assessed charges by the published or assigned due date.