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Financial Responsibility Policy

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All Students, whether new, visiting, returning or continuing are responsible for reviewing, understanding, and abiding by the University's regulations, procedures, requirements, and deadlines as described in all official University publications.

Students are also responsible for:

  • Reviewing their bill for accuracy, (including verification of the tuition rate charged)
  • Registering for classes
  • Knowing the classes they are registered for
  • Paying billing statements by the stated due date
  • Understanding and following the correct procedures to withdraw from classes.

Charges, Payment of Tuition and Fees

  • All tuition, fees, charges, and University expenses are due at the beginning of each academic term. Failure to pay the semester balance in full, and/or enroll in an installment payment plan, can result in late payment fees of up to $40 a month being assessed to your balance.
  • In accordance with State University of New York (SUNY) policy, the University reserves the right to withhold future services, including further registration and release of official academic records, for any student with an outstanding balance to the University or its related divisions.
  • In the event that financial aid is reduced or cancelled, or in the event that the student has not met the specified requirements for receiving such aid, the student will become responsible for the full balance of the outstanding charges.
  • Failure to pay the semester balance in full by the final day of the semester as indicated on the term academic calendar can result in the referral of the remaining balance to a private collection agency and/or the New York State Attorney General's Office to recover the amount you owe plus interest, collection fees and other costs.
  • In the event that all charges are not paid when due, I agree to pay the balance due as well as an additional 19% of the total amount due if my balance is referred to a third-party collections agency, or an additional 22% of the total amount due if/when my balance is referred to the New York State Attorney General's Office, Student Recoveries Unit. I agree to pay the additional percentages indicated above, regardless of whether those charges have been incurred by SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, a third party collections agency, or the New York State Attorney General’s Office, Student Recoveries Unit at the time that demand for payment is made.

Health Insurance, Charge and Waiver

  • All students are automatically enrolled in and billed for the Student Health Insurance Plan. Students with alternative coverage can apply for a waiver of this fee.
  • Students who fail to waive the University Health Insurance by the appropriate semester deadline will be enrolled in the plan for the remainder of the semester.

Withdrawals/Cancellations and Tuition Liability

  • It is the student's responsibility to cancel their registration by dropping all courses, via Banner, before classes begin if they do not wish to attend, or if proper financial arrangements cannot be made. Enrollment will not be automatically cancelled for failure to pay your semester bill.
  • If you decide not to attend SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, it is your obligation to properly withdraw through the appropriate office. Nonattendance of classes does not classify as an official withdrawal, and does not relieve the student of his or her financial obligation or entitle the student to a refund. Up until the first day of the semester, students can withdraw by dropping all courses on their Banner portal. Students should contact their department for specific withdrawal instructions.
  • Withdrawal from the University after the start of the semester may subject the student to tuition and fee liability in accordance with the Tuition Liability Schedule. The Schedule is published on the semester academic calendar. Students are encouraged to discuss the financial implications of their withdrawal with the Bursar’s Office or the Office of Financial Aid before making the decision to withdraw.
  • A student who is dismissed for academic or disciplinary reasons prior to the end of an academic term shall be liable for tuition and fees due for the term according to the Tuition Liability Schedule.