Payment Plan FAQs

Our website also answers your frequently asked questions about Student Accounting Services.

About the payment plan

Boston University has partnered with Nelnet Campus Commerce to offer a payment plan that allows you to break down your expenses for each semester into five monthly installments, rather than a lump sum payment. If you enroll in the plan, payments will be automatically debited on the 25th of the month from your U.S. checking or savings account. The Fall semester plan runs from May through September, the Spring semester plan runs from October through February.

How do I enroll?

Students may enroll in a payment plan by selecting the “Payment Plan” link through the Student Account Inquiry. You will then be redirected to Nelnet’s QuikPAY® site where you will complete your enrollment. If you are a ShareLink viewer, you may enroll by selecting the “Payment Plan” link on the ShareLink site.

Why do I see this message: “You are not eligible to enroll in any payment plans at this time.”?

A student may only have one active payment plan per semester. If a ShareLink viewer establishes a payment plan enrollment, they will be able to view the plan details on Nelnet’s QuikPAY® payment plan site. Otherwise, only the student will be able to view the payment plan details.

What is the cost of the payment plan?

You will be provided with the enrollment fee and any other fees at the time of enrollment.

How do the monthly payments work?

After your initial down payment to complete your enrollment, the remaining months’ payments are deducted from your bank account on the 25th of each month of the plan duration. Please note that credit card payments are not accepted.

Are international students eligible to enroll in the payment plan?

International students are eligible to enroll in the payment plan. Please note: a U.S. bank account is required at the time of enrollment. Installments will be automatically withdrawn from the U.S. bank account on the applicable installment dates.

The payment plan started in May/October and I’ve missed some monthly payments. Can I still enroll?

Yes, you can enroll in the payment plan until the semester payment deadline. If you enroll in the payment plan after monthly payments have begun, you will need to include these monthly payments in part of your initial downpayment when you enroll.

How do I determine what my plan amount should be?

The payment plan website has a pre-populated budget worksheet which can assist you. The budget worksheet includes standard tuition, fees, room and dining plan charges for most undergraduate students. You can change the amounts in the budget worksheet to reflect your own charges if they differ from the standard amounts. Alternatively, you can contact Student Accounting Services at 617-353-2264 and a staff member will be happy to help you determine your payment plan agreement amount.

Can I reduce the payment plan amount if other resources become available?

Yes, you can login to your payment plan account and adjust your plan online. The reduction will spread among the remaining payments. Please note: No refund will be made to previously paid amounts unless an actual credit balance exists on the student’s Boston University account.

Can I increase the amount budgeted through the payment plan after I enroll?

Yes, if your initial budget amount is insufficient to cover your balance due, you may increase your semester payment plan agreement amount. Since your initial monthly payments were insufficient, you will be required to pay the discrepancy for those prior payments upon adjustment of your plan amount. Once your contract increase is processed, the additional anticipated payment amount will be applied to the semester invoice and will be reflected on your student account.

I just updated my payment plan amount. When will I see the changes reflected on my student account?

Changes made should appear on your student account statement the following business day. Any payments made will appear on the student account with a transaction date. The remaining agreement amount will appear as a pending item on the your student account.

Why is there a pending item labeled “Payment Plan” on my student account?

You will see this pending item anytime you have scheduled payments remaining in your Payment Plan agreement. The pending amount on your bill should equal the remaining portion of your contract. As you make your monthly payments, the pending amount on your bill will decrease until you have completed your payment plan. At that point, all of your payments should be listed on your student account with a transaction date.

I am a CGS student entering in January. Can I set up a payment plan through the Summer semester?

Yes, there is a Summer Payment Plan for first-year CGS students entering in January. You can set up a five month plan for the Spring semester with payments due October through February, and there will also be an option to set up a separate plan for the Summer 1 or Summer 2 semester, depending on the semester in which you are full-time. More details will be sent to you directly via email when the summer payment plan option becomes available.