Account Balances

An important part of every student’s educational experience is learning how to manage money and to responsibly discharge any financial obligations incurred. With this in mind, MTSU maintains the expectation that students will promptly pay all valid university bills and accounts upon the date on which they become due.

As part of the online enrollment process, students must agree to a Financial Responsibility Statement, which in part states:

“I understand that I am willfully accepting, without duress, the full legal obligation that requires me to pay for all tuition, fees and other associated charges assessed as a result of my registration, enrollment/attendance, and/or receipt of services, at, or provided by, Middle Tennessee State University...

For currently enrolled students, an e-Bill statement for unpaid charges will be emailed and available through PipelineMT at the beginning of every month. Students are expected to pay the amount due immediately.

Financial Holds

Failure to meet financial obligations will result in a financial hold being placed on the student record, which will prevent the student from receiving transcripts, grade reports, or diplomas.

For currently enrolled students, balances over $200 will prevent the student from registering for a future semester. Once registered, the prior semester balance is due by the fee payment deadline for that semester.

For students who are not currently enrolled, all balances must be paid in full in order to register or be readmitted to the university.

Once the debt is paid in full, all services will be restored.  Holds will not be released for 10 business days if paid in full by check.

Any refunds or reimbursements will be offset by any balance due to the University.

Delinquent Accounts

Student accounts remaining unpaid at the beginning of the next term are considered delinquent and are placed in the collection process. The student must either resolve the delinquent balance or make satisfactory payment arrangements or the account may be referred to a collection agency and the balance reported to the credit bureaus.  The student may be responsible for paying the collection agency fee, which may be based on a percentage at a maximum of 33-1/3 percent of the delinquent account, together with all fees and expenses, including reasonable attorney's fees, necessary for the collection of the delinquent account.

In accordance with the provisions of T.C.A. § 49-7-166, university policy 640 and 646, all delinquent balances must be paid in full in order to register for classes, be readmitted to the university, or to receive grades, transcripts or diplomas. 

Accounts that are considered uncollectible can only be paid with cash, money order, cashier’s check or with a debit card. Due to credit card merchant guidelines, we cannot accept payments by credit card for accounts deemed as uncollectible or for a dishonored check.

Payment Plan Late Fees

For students on the Installment Payment Plan, an additional late payment charge of $25 will be assessed on each installment not paid on or before the due date. A student who has failed to make timely payments in a previous term will be denied the right to participate in the Installment Payment Plan in future enrollment periods. A student who is denied participation after only one late semester may be allowed to participate again only after completion of payment in full for two consecutive terms.  Any student who makes payment with a check that is subsequently returned will be denied participation in the Installment Payment Plan in all future terms.

Returned Check Charges

Returned checks (paper or electronic) are subject to a $30 fine per check and may result in a late registration fee of $100 and a $25 late fee if the student is enrolled in the Installment Payment Plan. Payments for returned checks must be paid with either cash, cashier’s check, money order or a debit card.

If payment for registration fees is returned and are not promptly repaid, the student will be deleted from the class rolls.

A student will not be permitted to pay registration fees by check if any previous check in payment of registration fees has been returned. Students on a Cash Only status should be prepared to pay registration fees with cash, cashier’s check, certified check, money order, or by authorized credit card or check card.

Payment for fees and charges by personal check will be revoked for a period of one year from the date the last check is returned if more than one check is returned within a 12-month period, or if any check returned is not paid within ten (10) working days. Any student who was previously coded No More Checks and has another check returned will have all check-writing privileges at the University permanently revoked.  Students coded No More Checks may use cash, cashier’s check, money order, or an authorized check card or credit card to make purchases or pay on student accounts.

For questions in regards to account balances or payment arrangements, please email bursarmt@mtsu.edu.