Columbia University Student Financial Services

Students and Authorized Payers can make online payments that debit a U.S. bank account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through the secure E-Billing website. E-check payments received by 3:00 pm EST will be credited to the student account by the next business day.

Students access this payment system through Student Services Online (SSOL). Because SSOL contains information protected by federal privacy regulations, Authorized Payers must access the E-Billing website directly.

A confirmation number is given after electronic payment has been accepted. If a hold on a student’s account due to an outstanding balance needs to be removed immediately, he or she may use this number (in an email, on the phone, or in-person) to ask to have the hold removed manually.

Checks and money orders in U.S. dollars drawn on a U.S. bank account made payable to Columbia University can be mailed along with the top portion of the printed Statement to our processing center. Payments by mail must be received, not simply postmarked, by the due date in order to avoid late payment charges .

If the Statement stub is not available, the student’s name and Columbia University nine-digit identification number (Ask Us) or Social Security Number must be written on the check or money order to ensure timely crediting.


Processing Center:
Columbia University Student Account Payments
P.O. Box 1385
New York, New York 10008-1385

Please note:This is a processing center and cannot accept any mailing that requires signature for receipt. Do not mail cash, credit card authorizations, or correspondence to the lockbox. All correspondence should be sent to Student Financial Services.

For payments drawn on foreign banks, the University recommends a wire transfer as the most efficient method of payment. A processing fee will be charged for checks that cannot be deposited through normal bank channels. Specific information must be included in the wire transfer to credit a student account with the payment. The student’s name and Columbia University nine-digit identification number (Ask Us) or Social Security number and the notation “tuition payment” should be written in the detail field. Failure to do so by the initiating bank will delay posting to the proper student account.

The routing information that the initiating bank will need is:

Student Name: Name of student, as it appears on the Statement

Student ID #: 9-digit Columbia ID number or Social Security Number

Account Number: 2000011750143

ABA (Domestic): 031201467

ABA (International): 026005092

SWIFT (International Wires): PNBPUS33

CHIPS ID: 509

Address:
Wachovia Bank NA
50 Main Street
White Plains, New York 10606

Checks, money orders, traveler's checks and cash are accepted at the Cashiering windows in Kent Hall. Check payments may also be placed in the drop box next to these windows. Do not put cash in the drop box.

Remember to include the student's name and Columbia University nine-digit identification number (Ask Us) or Social Security Number on all payments.

Checks must be in U.S. currency drawn on a U.S. bank.

Note: For payments that include more than $10,000 in cash, IRS Form 8300 will have to be completed at the cashier's window.

The University has contracted with a third party processor for those who choose to pay their student account by credit card. The processor will charge a non-refundable convenience fee to the credit card user based on the amount of the payment. This convenience fee is for the use of the service and retained in full by the vendor.

The student's Columbia University nine-digit identification number (Ask Us) or Social Security Number, the amount to be paid and the credit card that will be used are needed to use this service. (American Express, Discover, and MasterCard are accepted.)

This service is provided by PhoneCharge, Inc. and is available by telephone (the Interactive Voice Response system at 877-737-6977) and online (PhoneCharge) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The student account will be updated with the payment information within two business days.

A confirmation number is given after electronic payment has been accepted. If a hold on a student’s account due to an outstanding balance needs to be removed immediately, he or she may use this number (in an email, on the phone, or in-person) to ask to have the hold removed manually.

Important Information for International Users: International callers may call PhoneCharge directly at 203-732-7639. Those without U.S. addresses and telephone numbers should use 1140 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10027 and 212-854-4206.

The TuitionPay Payment Plan, administered by Sallie Mae, enables students and their families to pay tuition and fees billed through the University over several months, rather than in one payment. The payment plan is not a loan. While there is an application fee, there are no interest charges or credit checks.

Columbia participates in this one payment plan. If you are using the payment plan and also borrowing student loans, however, you have the right and ability to select the provider of your choice for your loans. You are not required to use the company that administers the payment plan as your loan provider, and you will suffer no penalty for choosing an education loan provider that is different from the one that administers the payment plan.

The fee for the annual term is $55 and the fee for the single term is $40. You may pay the application fee by check or with your MasterCard.

Please note the following enrollment deadlines:

Annual or Fall Term Plan	August 31st, 2008
Spring Term Plan	December 31st, 2008

If you enroll after the plan start date, it is necessary to make any back payments that are due. See the schedule that follows:

Date Application Received	Amount Due
Prior to July 1st	Fee only
July 2nd - August 1st	Fee & July 1st payment
August 2nd - August 31st	Fee, July 1st & August 1st payments

You can enroll online at http://www.tuitionpayenroll.com/.

For more information, please contact the TuitionPay consultants at 1-800-635-0120.