Billing Process & Refunds

The University of Cincinnati does not send out a paper bill. Students should become familiar with the eBill process and review their online bill accordingly.

With the exception of Federal Work-Study, your financial aid funds will apply directly to your eBill. Just as you are billed for tuition (instructional fees and general fees), room and board (if you are residing on-campus), and student health insurance (until a waiver documents alternate coverage) quarterly, your aid will be applied each quarter.

Students who register prior to the beginning of the quarter will be billed approximately 30 days prior to the quarter’s start. Students who register during the billing period or once the quarter has begun will be billed the following day. Students are notified via their Bearcat Online account when a bill has been prepared for them. However, students should routinely check their eBill to ensure their financial obligations are met in a timely manner. 

Be sure to check the due date and any further instructions for payment. Failure to meet payment obligations will result in a $200 late payment fee being assessed and a block on further registration for the unpaid quarter or any future quarters until the balance is paid.

CREDIT BALANCES/REFUNDS
Students with credit balances (CR will appear after the amount on the Amount Due line) will have a refund issued by the Student Accounts Office. Students will be mailed a check or can sign up for direct deposit. Federal Parent PLUS Loan overpayments will be mailed to parents.

• Refunds from Federal Stafford or PLUS Loans are issued as an overage occurs up to $1,000. Balance of funds are issued after the 14th day. 
• Refunds based on overpayments from scholarship, grant, or Federal Perkins Loans will be broken into two payments: the first payment for up to $1,000 at the point the overage occurs and the second refund for any remaining overage will be made on the 14th day of the term.
• Refunds on accounts include a student payment may have a portion equal to the student payment held for 21 days prior to release.

REGISTRATION CHANGES
Students who change their registration can experience adjustments to their aid based on the timing of the registration change. Students should always add any classes at the same time they drop others if that is their net action. As well, check the online bill following registration changes. Students will be responsible for meeting any further payment (or, if refunds have already been issued, repayment) obligations as dictated by registration changes.

A complete withdrawal from all classes can result in loss of aid for the term, cancellation of future aid, federal aid return calculations and possible accelerated repayment on any loan proceeds. Students who withdraw completely and were issued refunds can avoid some penalties by returning refund monies in-full to the Cashier's Office depository (230 University Pavilion). Aid for future quarters may be reinstated after the student consults with One Stop staff (220 University Pavilion).

Withdrawals after the second week can also affect aid eligibility for future quarters and years.

PAST DUE BALANCES
Students with a past due balance are subject to late payment fees and service blocks that can prevent future registration. As well, federal aid regulations limit aid from one academic year being used to pay off an amount owed from a previous academic year. Students should monitor their eBill and ensure their payments are up-to-date to avoid registration and aid problems in the future.

Federal Perkins, Nursing or Health Professions Loan estimates on a bill indicates a promissory note will need to be signed online.

Federal Stafford and PLUS Loan estimates tell you that funds have not arrived at the Student Accounts Office. If you have not signed a note, you may do so online. Once your loan note is signed and your loan certified by UC, your loan disclosure statement will list an approximate arrival date for your quarterly loan amounts. The disclosure information is also available through Great Lakes.

First-time Stafford borrowers at UC must also complete loan entrance counseling.

It is important to follow all necessary steps to make estimated loan monies a reality.