Billing Policy
Managing your payment arrangements is an important step toward a successful semester at Tompkins Cortland. We are here to support you every step of the way, as you plan for your educational investment.
Payment Responsibilities
All students must either have a payment arrangement in place to cover college billed expenses in full or have a college-approved payment plan in place by the published semester due date. If arrangements or a payment are not made by this date, the College will reach out through email, text message, or phone to remind you. If a balance remains unresolved prior to the start of the semester, you may be involuntarily removed from your courses.
| Term | Scenario | Payment Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Winter 2026 | Classes start December 17 | December 10, 2025 |
| Spring 2026 | Schedules that include courses starting January 26 | January 7, 2026 |
| Spring 2026 | Schedules composed of courses starting after January 26 | February 16, 2026 |
| Summer 2026 | Schedules that include courses starting May 27 | May 11, 2026 |
| Summer 2026 | Schedules composed of courses starting July 6 | June 18, 2026 |
Students Living on Campus
- To be confirmed for campus housing and receive your room assignment, your account balance including on-campus housing charges must be below $1,000, or you must have an approved payment plan in place.
Tuition Liability
- If you are dropped for non-payment you may still have a liability to the college.
- If you are dropped for non-payment, there is no guarantee you will get back into your original courses.
Payment Options
- Financial Aid (www.studentaid.gov or contact the Financial Aid office for assistance, aid@tompkinscortland.edu)
- If you are a NYS resident, be sure to get the Certificate of Residence from your county.
- Non-NYS residents should look into the Be One of Us Scholarship.
- Set up a Nelnet Payment Plan or make a Nelnet Payment (see below).
- Secure scholarships or other third-party payment options. View our Scholarship Opportunities.
Payment Plans or Tuition Payment
- Automatic payment from checking or savings account (ACH)
- Automatic Payment from credit or debit card
- Payment plans will allow you to make regularly scheduled payments on the date you select to cover your college expenses.
Set up a Payment Plan or make a Nelnet Payment
- Login to Self Service
- Select Finances/Balance
- Click on Make a Payment
- Follow the instructions to set up your Nelnet account.
- Make either a 1-time payment or set up your payment plan.
Cost to Participate in a Payment Plan
- $30 non-refundable enrollment fee per agreement
- Up to $30 non-refundable returned payment fee if a payment is returned.
Sign up for your payment plan quickly to take advantage of the most options.
If someone is paying on the student's behalf, the student must first set them up as an Authorized Payer.
Please note: All down payments and enrollment fees are processed immediately.
Payment Plan Availability
Availability of the payment plan is determined by Tompkins Cortland Community College. TC3 may elect not to have the payment plan available
during specific times and dates during registration.
Balance Adjustments
Please do not assume your balance will automatically adjust if financial aid is received or a class is dropped or added. You should review your agreement balance online.
Scholarships and Third-Party Payers
In the case where your bill will be paid by an employer, a scholarship administered outside of the College, or by any other outside agency, formal
documentation from the source of payment is necessary. Written documentation should specify what types of charges and amounts which will be paid by the third party, where the bill and, if required for payment, grades should be sent
Please contact the Student Account staff for assistance, 607.844.6580, studentaccounts@tompkinscortland.edu, or walk into the Panther Welcome Center Room 101.