When to Pay–Payments, Refunds and Deadlines

Payment

Students can view the amount of their bills on myHCC, or on their registration statement (obtain a copy in person from the Cashier or the Office of Records, Registration and Veterans’ Affairs). Students are responsible for the following policies regarding payments:

• Responsible Party –Students are the responsible party when it comes to their bills and eligibility for refunds. If, for any reason, a parent, guardian, employer, sponsor or other party fails to pay or does not honor the check, credit card payment, or purchase order, or otherwise fails to meet a financial obligation to the college on behalf of a student, the student will be held responsible for those financial obligations.
• Tuition, fees and other payments made by an insufficient funds check may result in cancellation of classes during the registration period as well as a $25 insufficient funds check fee.
• Outstanding Balance –Students are responsible for any outstanding balance not covered by financial aid, scholarships, loans or other means. Any balance must be paid by payment deadlines or by using the appropriate payment plan (i.e., Tuition Payment Plan, Veterans Deferred Payment Plan). You may pay the balance you are responsible for through one of the following methods:
  • In person at the Cashier’s Office (RCF-212)–The Cashier’s Office accepts all forms of payment. This office also has a drop box where students can submit credit card, check or money order payments.
  • Online –Pay online using myHCC (credit card only)
  • By Mail –Mail payments made by credit card, check, or money order should be sent to the following mailing address: Cashier’s Office, Howard Community College, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD 21044.
• Officially dropping classes –Students are responsible for officially dropping classes they have decided not to take. While the college may drop students who have not paid their tuition, this is not intended to replace the student-initiated official drop process. Students who rely upon the college to drop them for nonpayment, do so at their own risk. Stopping payment, credit card charges or using other such means does not invalidate the financial obligation owed to the college for unpaid balances. An official drop within the refund period is a student’s only assurance of release from some or all of the financial obligation incurred by registering.
• Failure to attend –Students who register but never attend a class or classes remain responsible for their financial obligations for the seats taken by registering. Likewise, students who stop attending, including those who officially withdraw, will be held responsible for any remaining balance owed to the college. While the college may drop students who never attend, this is not intended to replace the official drop process. Students who rely on the college to drop them for nonattendance, do so at their own risk.
• Financial Aid–Financial aid policies and procedures are described in detail on pages 29-34. Changes to a course load (dropping, adding, withdrawals, non-attendance, unofficial withdrawals, etc.) can have a significant impact on a student’s financial aid award(s). Applicants and recip­ients of federal, state, and institutional awards are obligated to carefully read and review the catalog’s financial aid section. Once a student’s financial aid has been awarded, it is essential they consult Financial Aid Services regarding any changes in enrollment status.

Students are strongly urged to keep receipts of all registration and payment transactions. Financial aid recipients should also keep bookstore receipts. The consequences of not fulfilling financial obligations to the college include, but are not limited to, sending the student’s account to collections, withholding college transcripts, diplomas and other earned awards, and denial of enrollment for subsequent semesters.

Refunds

Student eligibility for tuition and fee refunds and the refund percentage are based upon established dates and deadlines each term. These are publicized in the appropriate term’s schedule of classes publication and on the college’s web site (www.howardcc.edu/pay).

• Cancelled classes– A refund will automatically be processed for students who have paid for a cancelled class. If a student registers for another class to replace the cancelled class prior to the processing of the refund, the student’s balance will be applied toward payment of the added class. Any remaining balance will be refunded; likewise, the student will be billed for any additional charges.
• Officially dropping classes– As stated above, students are responsible for officially dropping classes in order to avoid tuition and fee charges and receive the appropriate refund. Students who never attend or initially attend, but stop, are responsible for course costs unless they have officially dropped within the official refund period. The refund percentage is dependent upon when in the refund period the official drop occurred.
• Fall and spring semesters (15 week semesters)–During 15 week classes, students are eligible for refunds as follows:
  • 100% refund eligibility– A 100% refund of tuition, the consolidated fee and course fees is issued to students who officially drop classes by the end of the first week of classes. (This does not include the application fee.)
  • 75% refund eligibility– A 75% refund of tuition and the consolidated fee only (no course fees) is issued to students who officially drop classes by the end of the second week of classes.
  • 50% refund– A 50% refund of tuition and the consolidated fee only (no course fees) is issued to students who officially drop classes by the end of the third week of classes.

After the end of the third week of fall and spring 15 week classes, students are not eligible for refunds. The timing of refunds is shorter for classes that meet less than 15 weeks.

• Summer, Winter and Variable Time Sessions– During these shorter terms, students are eligible for refunds only during the first few days of the session. Students are eligible for 100%, 75% or 50% refunds according to the refund schedule published for these sessions in the appropriate schedule of classes and online (www.howardcc.edu/pay).
• Deployed Military– Members of the military, including active-duty military, reservists, and national guardsmen, who receive orders to deploy during an academic term, are eligible to receive 100% tuition, fees, and book refunds or request an incomplete grade. Specific procedures must be followed. More information is available by contacting the Office of Records, Registration and Veterans’ Affairs. Students receiving financial aid or scholarships should contact Financial Aid Services.
• Emergency Workers– Emergency workers undergoing a change in assignment, hours or location as a result of a national emergency are eligible to receive 100 percent tuition, fees, and book refunds or request an incomplete grade. More information is available contacting the Office of Records, Registration and Veterans’ Affairs. Students receiving financial aid or scholarships should contact Financial Aid Services.

Refund method– The college has partnered with Higher One, a financial services company focused solely on higher education, to provide electronic refund services to students. Financial aid and tuition refunds are disbursed to credit and certain noncredit students via the refund choice selected by students. Students should visit www.hccconnectcard.com to choose their preferred method of refund delivery using the information included with the HCC Connect card they will receive in the mail. This electronic refund service provides students with faster access to their refunds as well as more control over how and where their refunds are delivered. For more information on this refund service, please visit www.hccconnectcard.com, email hccconnectcard@howardcc.edu, call 443-518-1862, or stop by the Finance Office (RCF-201) or the Cashier’s Office (RCF-212).

Collection Procedures

The college makes every effort to contact students with outstanding balances. However, if these attempts are unsuccessful, accounts are turned over to a collection agency and an additional charge of 25% of the outstanding balance is added to student accounts. Official transcripts and diplomas, and the ability to register for subsequent terms will also be withheld for students with outstanding balances until accounts are paid in full.

Once accounts are placed in collections, students have the option of paying HCC directly rather than the collection agency. Either way, students remain responsible for full payment of outstanding balances and collection costs. Holds on student accounts are removed immediately upon full payment by cash, credit card or money order. Holds will not be released for ten business days for accounts paid in full by personal check.