Financial Responsibility Agreement

Student Financial Responsibility Agreement

Starting with Fall 2021 registration, acceptance of the University’s student Financial Responsibility Agreement (FRA) is required by each student in order to access the portal. The student Financial Responsibility Agreement provides important information to students about the cost of their education and the financial policies associated with their enrollment at UMassD. This agreement sets forth the expectations for payment and policies related to, among other things, non-payment, collections, communications, financial aid, and student privacy (FERPA). The agreement also describes UMassD’s business processes. By signing the agreement, students acknowledge they have read the FRA and agree to its terms.

Payment of Fees/Promise to Pay

I understand and agree that when I register for any class at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth or receive any service from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, I agree to accept full responsibility to pay all tuition, fees and other associated costs assessed as a result of my registration and/or receipt of services. I further understand and agree that my registration and acceptance of these terms constitutes a promissory note agreement (i.e., a financial obligation in the form of an educational loan as defined by the U.S. Bankruptcy Code at 11 U.S.C. §523(a)(8)) in which the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is providing me educational services, deferring some or all of my payment obligation for those services, and I promise to pay for all assessed tuition, fees and other associated costs by the published or assigned due date.)

Financial Aid

I understand that aid described as “estimated” on my Financial Aid Award does not represent actual or guaranteed payment, but is an estimate of the aid I may receive if I meet all requirements stipulated by that aid program.

I understand that my Financial Aid Award is contingent upon my continued enrollment and attendance in each class upon which my financial aid eligibility was calculated. If I drop any class before completion, I understand and agree that my financial aid eligibility may decrease and some or all of the financial aid awarded to me may be revoked. If some or all of my financial aid is revoked because I dropped or failed to attend class, I agree to repay all revoked aid that was disbursed to my account and resulted in a credit balance that was refunded to me.

I agree to allow financial aid I receive to pay any and all charges assessed to my account at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth such as tuition, fees, campus housing and meal plans, student health insurance, parking permits, service fees, fines, bookstore charges, or any other amount, in accordance with the terms of the aid.

Withdrawal/Failure to Withdraw

I understand and agree that if I drop or withdraw from some or all of the classes for which I register, I will be responsible for paying all or a portion of tuition and fees in accordance with the published tuition refund schedule at Withdrawal and Refund Policy.

I have read the terms and conditions of the published tuition refund schedule and understand those terms are incorporated herein by reference. I further understand that my failure to attend class or receive a bill does not absolve me of my financial responsibility as described above.

Delinquent Account/Collection

Financial Hold: I understand and agree that if I fail to pay my student account bill or any monies due and owing the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth by the scheduled due date, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth will place a financial hold on my student account, preventing me from registering for future classes, requesting transcripts, or receiving my diploma.

Late Payment Charge: I understand and agree that if I fail to pay my student account bill or any monies due and owing the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth by the scheduled due date, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth may assess late payment and/or finance charges, as noted under the Explanation of Invoice, on the past due portion of my student account until my past due account is paid in full.

Collection Agency Fees: I understand and agree that if I fail to pay my student account bill or any monies due and owing the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth by the scheduled due date, and fail to make acceptable payment arrangements to bring my account current, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth may refer my delinquent account to a collection agency. I further understand that if the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth refers my student account balance to a third party for collections, a collection fee will be assess and will be due in full at the time of the referral to the third party. The collection fee will be calculated at the maximum amount permitted by applicable law but not to exceed 33% of the amount outstanding. For purposes of this provision, the third party may be a debt collection company or an attorney. If a lawsuit is filed to recover an outstanding balance, I shall be responsible for any costs associated with the lawsuit such as court costs or other applicable costs. Finally, I understand that my delinquent account may be reported to one or more of the national credit bureaus, i.e. Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion.

Communication

Method of Communication: I understand and agree that the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth uses e-mail as an official method of communication with me, and that therefore I am responsible for reading the e-mails I receive from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth on a timely basis.

Contact: I authorize the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and its agents and contractors to contact me at my current and any future cellular phone number(s), email address(es) or wireless device(s) regarding my delinquent student account(s)/loan(s), any other debt I owe to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, or to receive general information from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. I authorize the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and its agents and contractors to use automated telephone dialing equipment, artificial or pre-recorded voice or text messages, and personal calls and emails, in their efforts to contact me. Furthermore, I understand that I may withdraw my consent to call my cellular phone using automated telephone dialing equipment by submitting my request in writing to the Collections Manager at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth or in writing to the applicable contractor or agent contacting me on behalf of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

Updating Contact Information: I understand and agree that I am responsible for keeping the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth records up to date with my current physical addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers by updating my information directly in COIN or by completing and submitting a Change of Address Form at Student Forms. Upon leaving the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth for any reason, it is my responsibility to provide the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth with updated contact information for purposes of continued communication regarding any amounts that remain due and owing to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

Upon leaving the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth for any reason, it is my responsibility to provide the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth with updated contact information for purposes of continued communication regarding any amounts that remain due and owing to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

Method of Billing

I understand that the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth conducts business electronically. This includes but is not limited to receiving billing information through my student account at MyUMassD in COIN for Students. I am responsible for viewing and paying my student account by the scheduled due dates.

Billing Errors

I understand that administrative, clerical or technical billing errors do not absolve me of my financial responsibility to pay the correct amount of tuition, fees and other associated financial obligations assessed as a result of my registration at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

Returned Payments/Failed Payment Agreements

If a payment made to my student account is returned by the bank for any reason, I agree to repay the original amount of the payment plus a returned payment fee. I understand that multiple returned payments and/or failure to comply with the terms of any payment plan or agreement I sign with the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth may result in cancellation of my classes and/or suspension of my eligibility to register for future classes at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

Student Age

I understand and agree that if I am younger than the applicable age of majority when I execute this agreement that the educational services provided by the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth are a necessity, and I am contractually obligated pursuant to the “doctrine of necessaries.”

IRS Form 1098-T

I agree to provide my Social Security number (SSN) or taxpayer identification number (TIN) to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth upon request as required by Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations for Form 1098-T reporting purposes. If I fail to provide my SSN or TIN to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, I agree to pay any and all IRS fines assessed as a result of my missing SSN/TIN. Additionally, I consent to receive my annual IRS Form 1098-T, Tuition Statement, electronically from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. I understand that I can withdraw this consent or request a paper copy by following the instructions on the Tax Information page.

Entire Agreement

This agreement supersedes all prior understandings, representations, negotiations and correspondence between the student and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the matters described, and shall not be modified or affected by any course or dealing or course of performance. The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth may modify this agreement if I sign the modification. Any modification is specifically limited to those policies and/or terms addressed in the modification.

Governing Law/Forum

I understand and agree that this Agreement is entered into in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the laws of the Commonwealth, without giving effect to its conflicts of law principles, govern all matters arising out of or relating to this Agreement and all of the transactions it contemplates, including, without limitation, its validity, interpretation, construction, performance and enforcement.

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and I agree that any action arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the relationship between the myself and the University shall be brought in the state courts of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which shall have exclusive jurisdiction thereof. I expressly consent to the jurisdiction of the state courts of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in any action brought by the Commonwealth or the University arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the relationship between myself and the University, waiving any claim or defense that such forum is not convenient or proper. This paragraph shall not be construed to limit any other legal rights of myself or the University.