Frequently Asked Questions: On Campus

1. How do I contact the Student Accounts Office?
2. I have a question about my student account. Who should I contact?
3. What is FERPA?
4. When can i expect to receive an invoice for my balance due?
5. Where will my invoice be mailed?
6. In addition to tuition, what other charges may appear on my invoice?
7. How many credits can I take as a full time undergraduate student at Lesley College or the Art Institute of Boston?
8. Can I use financial aid to pay my balance due?
9. If my payment is not received by the due date, what are the consequences?
10. How can I make a payment?
11. Can I establish a payment plan?
12. I applied for student loans in excess of my tuition. When will I receive my refund?
13. If I must drop a course, who should I contact?
14. Will I receive a full refund if I withdraw after the course begins?
15. Am I required to pay for health insurance?
16. Does the University offer tuition insurance?
17. My family purchased UPlan/UFund certificates. Can I use them at Lesley University?
18. If I have an outstanding balance, what options do I have?
19. What is the housing deposit for? Will my housing deposit be returned to me?

Q: How do I contact the Student Accounts Office?

A: The Student Accounts Office is located at 1815 Massachusetts Avenue, Third Floor,
Suite 380, Cambridge, MA 02138. Our office hours are Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Friday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The Student Accounts Office can also be contacted by:

Q: I have a question about my student account. Who should I contact?

A: First, view your individual student account online at www.lesley.edu/lois. If you have remaining questions, contact the Student Accounts Office at 800.999.1959 extension 8760 or via email at studentaccounts@lesley.edu.

Q: What is FERPA?

A: FERPA is the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (formerly known as the Buckley Amendment). In accordance with the provisions of FERPA, Lesley University has adopted the regulations to protect the privacy rights of its students. Under these regulations, the Student Accounts Office policy is to communicate only with the student, unless the student has submitted written authorization granting others access to account information. If the student wants members of the Student Accounts Office to speak with a parent, grandparent, or others, this information must be communicated to the Student Accounts Office in writing. Student account information will not be granted without permission. For further information please log onto www.lesley.edu/policies/catalog/ferpa.html.

Q: When can i expect to receive an invoice for my balance due?

A: For the fall semester, invoices are sent out in July with a due date of August 15th. Spring semester invoices are sent out in December with a due date of January 15th. Summer invoices are sent out in April with a due date of May 15th. Students account statements for on-campus students with outstanding balances are sent on a monthly basis. Please refer to Payment Due Dates for more detailed information.

Q: Where will my invoice be mailed?

A: Unless you notify us otherwise, the Student Accounts Office will mail invoices to your permanent home address. If your invoice should be sent to a different address, you must submit your request in writing to the Student Accounts Office. If you do not receive a bill in the mail please refer to www.lesley.edu/lois. During each billing cycle, only one invoice is generated per student. If your invoice needs to go to another location, you should make a photocopy of the invoice so that it can be delivered to another address.

The first statement that a student receives is sent both electronically and on paper. After the initial statement, all subsequent invoices will be sent electronically to a student's Lesley email address. If a student would like to request to continue receiving paper statements they can do so by logging onto LOIS.

If all or part of your educational expenses should be billed to a sponsor or government agency, please refer to Sponsored Billing for more information.

Q: In addition to tuition, what other charges may appear on my invoice?

A: Please refer to the tuition and fees page for your specific school for information about fees.

Q: How many credits can I take as a full time undergraduate student in Lesley College or the Art Institute of Boston?

A: Full time students attending Lesley College or the Art Institute of Boston can take a between 12 and 18 credits per semester. Any credit exceeding 18 will be charged the course overload rate. Please refer to the tuition and fees page of your specific school for the current rates.

Q: Can I use financial aid to pay my balance due?

A: If you are using financial aid in lieu of payment, your file must be complete with the Office of Financial Aid. This means that you have filed a FAFSA form with the federal government, completed a Lesley University application, provided all documentation requested by the Office of Financial Aid and have a tentative award pending registration. Pending Financial Aid may be used in lieu of payment only if the student's financial aid award is complete and covers the balance due in full. Pending financial aid will appear on the first invoice of the academic term as anticipated funds. Any amount not covered by financial aid will appear under "Amount to Pay" and will be due within 30 days of the invoice date. NOTE: Pending financial aid may require further action on the student's part. It is the student's responsibility to check with the Office of Financial Aid to ensure that all financial aid paperwork and applications are complete. Failure to complete all financial aid requirements in a timely manner may result in late payment fees and student account holds. For more information please see the Payment Options page.

Q: If my payment is not received by the due date, what are the consequences?

A: Payments must be received (not postmarked) by the due date listed on an invoice. Payments not received by the due date will result in monthly late payment fees and student account hold that will prevent the release of grades, transcripts, diplomas and the processing of future registrations.

Q: How can I make a payment?

A: Lesley University accepts credit card payments online, available under the "Pay My Bill" link on your LOIS account. Payments can also be made via check or credit card. The University accepts American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa card payments over the phone at 800.999.1959 extension 8760 or 617.349.8760. Checks should be made payable to Lesley University and must include the student's full name and student account number or social security number to ensure proper application to the student account. For more information please see the Payment Options page.

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Q: Can I establish a payment plan?

A: Yes, payment plans are available through Tuition Management Systems (TMS). TMS offers a fall, spring, summer or annual payment plan option of dividing the student account balance into four payments (summer plan), five or six payments (fall or spring plan) or eight, nine or ten payments (annual plan). Each plan requires a non-refundable enrollment fee due with the first payment. Click here for more detailed payment plan information.

TMS plans can only be established according to the time frame of the particular plan chosen. TMS Payment plans cannot be established for past due balances. This plan will only be approved for current tuition charges.

All payment plan options must be completed one month prior to the student's graduation date.

Students who have defaulted on their TMS payment plans due to non payment in the past will not be entitled to enroll in a payment plan again at the University.

Q: I applied for student loans in excess of my tuition. When will I receive my refund?

A: The Office of Financial Aid determines disbursement dates for student loans based on the student's enrollment schedule. Refunds are issued 10-14 days after the student loan is disbursed to the student account. Refunds will be mailed to the student's address. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that a current address is on file with the University. Refunds for the fall semester generally occur in mid October, mid February for the spring semester and mid June for the summer.

Q: If I must drop a course, who should I contact?

A: You must contact the Office of the University Registrar to officially drop a course. Non-attendance does not constitute an official drop/withdrawal. An add/drop form can be obtained at www.lesley.edu/services/registrar/forms.html.

Q: Will I receive a full refund if I withdraw after the course begins?

A: The following schedule is used to determine the portion of tuition that will be refunded depending upon the date that a student withdraws from a course or from the University. University policy does not allow retroactive withdrawals or refunds.

• Applies to courses in 14/15 week semester for fall and spring and 12/13 week semester in the summer.
• For courses with six or fewer class meetings, there is a 100 percent refund prior to the start of classes. Once the course has begun, there is no refund. Classes with six or fewer meetings typically include: weekend intensive classes, seminars, workshops, conferences, and most Off-Campus cohort courses.
• Actual percentage will depend on the official date of formal withdrawal.
• Registration fees are non refundable.
• Course fees will not be refunded after the first class meeting.
• Residence hall residents who withdraw prior to the 7th week of classes will receive a pro-rated refund.

The refund schedule for online courses is as follows:

• Actual percentage will depend on the official date of formal withdrawal.
• Registration fees are non refundable.
• Course fees will not be refunded after the first class meeting.

If you completely withdraw from all coursework during an academic term, or take an approved leave of absence, your financial aid award may be subject to change based upon federal regulations.

You must notify the Office of Financial Aid when your enrollment plans change to avoid delays in your financial aid disbursement.

Q: Am I required to pay for health insurance?

A: Massachusetts State Law requires ALL full or three quarter time students at Lesley University to participate in the school sponsored Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan or have an alternate insurance plan with comparable coverage. (Please note: Student status as full or three quarter time for the semester will be determined as of the last date of the add/drop period) To comply, students must either enroll in a Lesley-sponsored student health insurance plan, or provide proof of enrollment in an alternate qualifying insurance plan by logging into LOIS and selecting the Health Insurance link found under the Financial menu. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that the alternate insurance is adequate.  Students must submit a waiver/enrollment form by September 15 for the fall semester or January 15 for the spring semester once per academic year.  Late waivers will not be accepted.

Questions regarding student health insurance should be directed to the Students Account Office at 617.349.8760, toll free at 800.999.1959 extension 8760 or via email at studentinsurance@lesley.edu.

Q: Does the University offer tuition insurance?

A: Yes. Students are automatically enrolled in tuition insurance. We have a concern for the student who suffers a serious illness or accident and has to withdraw for that reason before the semester is completed. In many instances, it means not only the loss of time invested in studies, but also the financial loss of the semester's costs. In addition to the University refund policy, students have an option to insure greater tuition refund potential through A.W.G. Dewars, Inc.
This plan dramatically enhances the University's refund schedule and provides more generous refunds throughout the entire term. The plan will:

• Return your tuition and allow you to re-enter college when a term must be repeated
• Provide funds which can reduce your loan obligations under programs such as Stafford
• Refund 100% of your insured term tuition and fees if you withdraw from classes because of a personal illness or accident
• Refund 60% of your insured term tuition and fees if the withdrawal results from a mental/nervous disorder

We recommend the Tuition Insurance Plan to every student for whom the loss of a term's fee would represent a significant financial hardship. Information about the tuition refund plan offered to students through A.W.G. Dewar, Inc. is available at www.tuitionrefundplan.com or by calling 617.774.1555. Students have until August 15th to waive tuition insurance.

Q: My family purchased UPlan/UFund certificates. Can I use them at Lesley University?

A: Yes. Lesley University is a participating school for the UPlan Prepaid Tuition Program or the UFund Massachusetts 529 Plan. You will need to follow the instructions on your certificates so that the University is notified of your enrollment. When the University received the roster and payment amounts, the student account will be credited appropriately. For information regarding the UPlan program, please log onto www.mefa.org.

Q: If I have an outstanding balance, what options do I have?

A: Undergraduate and graduate students may use a Chase Select Private Student Loan (School Certified) (www.chasestudentloans.com) for back balances.

Q: What is the housing deposit for? Will my housing deposit be returned to me?

A: Resident students are required to provide a Housing Deposit to the Office of Residence Life. This deposit is used to cover damages assessed during the student's tenancy. If at any point the cost of damages exceeds the Housing Deposit, the student's account will be charged in the amount of the overage and will require payment to satisfy the balance within 30 days In the event a student cancels a Residence Hall contract this deposit is forfeited. Any unused portion of the Housing Deposit will be credited to the student's account at the end of his/her tenancy. This credit will be applied to any past-due balance on the student's account. Any credit balance will be refunded to the student.