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. View the Board-approved Billing Policy.
When you register, you agree to this Financial Responsibility Agreement
Student Financial Responsibility Agreement
By registering for classes at Tompkins Cortland Community College ("the College"), I acknowledge that registration constitutes acceptance of the terms outlined below and agreement to fulfill all resulting financial obligations.
- I am responsible for payment of all tuition, fees, housing charges, meal plans, fines, and other charges assessed to my student account.
- I understand that registration for classes constitutes a financial obligation to the College and that I am responsible for all charges incurred as a result of my registration and receipt of services.
- I understand that financial aid, scholarships, employer reimbursements, third-party sponsorships, or other anticipated resources may not fully cover my account balance. I remain responsible for any unpaid balance.
- I understand that changes to my enrollment, academic eligibility, attendance, residency status, or other factors may result in the reduction, cancellation, or return of financial aid funds. I remain responsible for any resulting balance on my student account.
- I understand that dropping, withdrawing, being administratively withdrawn, or failing to attend classes may not eliminate my financial obligation and that charges will be adjusted according to College policies and applicable federal and state regulations.
- I agree to maintain accurate contact information with the College and understand that failure to do so does not relieve me of my financial obligations.
- I consent to receive communications related to my student account electronically through my official College email account, Self-Service account, or other College-approved electronic methods.
- I agree to regularly monitor my official College email account and Self-Service account and understand that electronic communications sent to those accounts constitute official notice from the College.
- I understand that failure to pay my balance or make satisfactory payment arrangements may result in registration holds, loss of future registration privileges, referral to collections, cancelation of registered courses, loss of housing assignment, and other actions permitted by law and College policy.
- I understand that if a check, ACH payment, credit card transaction, or other payment is returned, rejected, disputed, or otherwise reversed, I remain responsible for the original amount owed and any applicable returned payment fees assessed by the College.
- I understand that Tompkins Cortland Community College cannot withhold transcripts solely because of an outstanding balance in accordance with applicable SUNY and New York State requirements; however, other administrative actions may be taken to collect unpaid balances.
- I acknowledge that I have read and understand the College's Tuition and Fee Refund Policy, Student Billing, Collection, and Payment policy, Attendance Policy, Housing License Agreement (if applicable), and other published financial policies.
Collection Costs and Fees
I understand that if my student account becomes delinquent and is referred to a collection agency, attorney, or other third-party collection service for recovery, I may be responsible for reasonable collection costs, attorney's fees, court costs, and other expenses incurred in the collection of my unpaid account balance, to the extent permitted by applicable law.
I understand that referral to a collection agency may negatively impact my credit history and may result in additional collection activity as permitted by law.
I agree to pay any such collection costs and fees that are legally assessed on my account as a result of my failure to satisfy my financial obligations to the College.
By registering for classes, I acknowledge that I have read, understood, and accepted these financial responsibilities.
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 2027 | Starts December 14, 2026 | December 7, 2026 |
| Spring 2027 | Schedules containing classes starting January 25, 2027 | January 18, 2027 |
| Spring 2027 | Schedules containing classes starting after January 25, 2027 | February 22,2027 |
| Summer 2027 | 1st 5 week, 8 week, 10 week sessions | May 21,2027 |
| Summer 2027 | 2nd 5 week session | June 29, 2027 |
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.
- 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.
- International Payments and Payment Plans
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.
- Tompkins Cortland Community College has teamed up with Convera to offer you a simple, secure, and smart way to pay your fees online directly from your TC3 Account. Pay with Convera using 140+ currencies across 200+ countries and territories.
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.
Set up an International Payment Plan or make an International 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.
- Choose International and Wire Payment from payment option.
- Choose your country from dropdown list to view your payment options with final cost displayed upfront. Select the preferred payment method from the list and continue.
- Complete all student and payer required fields and continue to receive the payment instructions. For credit card and online options, complete entering your account detail to finalize the payment to Convera.
- For bank transfers, follow the instruction and send funds to Convera as instructed to complete your payment.
- Check your payment progress via SMS and email messages from Convera. You can also view the status on TC3.
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.