Student Financial Responsibility Agreement

Payment of Fees/Promise to Pay

I understand that when I register for any class at Seattle Pacific University or receive any service from Seattle Pacific University, I 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 Seattle Pacific University 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.

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 Seattle Pacific University’s published tuition refund policy/schedule at https://catalog.spu.edu/undergraduate/costs-financial-aid/refunds-account-adjustments/#refundschedulestext. It’s my responsibility to 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 Seattle Pacific University by the scheduled due date, Seattle Pacific University will place a financial hold on my student account, preventing me from registering for future classes 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 to Seattle Pacific University by the scheduled due date, Seattle Pacific University will assess late payment and/or finance charges at the rate of 1.25% per month on the past due portion of my student account until my past due account is paid in full.

Collection Agency Fees: I understand and accept that if I fail to pay my student account bill or any monies due and owing Seattle Pacific University by the scheduled due date and fail to make acceptable payment arrangements to bring my account current, Seattle Pacific University may refer my delinquent account to a collection agency. I further understand that I am responsible for paying the collection agency fee which may be based on a percentage at a maximum of 40% percent of my delinquent account, together with all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, necessary for the collection of my delinquent account. Finally, I understand that my delinquent account may be reported to one or more of the national credit bureaus.

Communication

Method of Communication: I understand and agree that Seattle Pacific University 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 Seattle Pacific University on a timely basis.

Contact: I authorize Seattle Pacific University 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 Seattle Pacific University or to receive general information from Seattle Pacific University. I authorize Seattle Pacific University 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 by submitting my request in writing to Student Financial Services or in writing to the applicable contractor or agent contacting me on behalf of Seattle Pacific University.

Updating Contact Information: I understand and agree that I am responsible for keeping Seattle Pacific University records up to date with my current physical addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers by following the procedure at https://spu.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/OTR/pages/34506788/Personal+Information+Updates. The linked procedure is incorporated herein by reference. Upon leaving Seattle Pacific University for any reason, it is my responsibility to provide Seattle Pacific University with updated contact information for purposes of continued communication regarding any amounts that remain due and owing to Seattle Pacific University.

Entire Agreement

This agreement supersedes all prior understandings, representations, negotiations and correspondence between the students and Seattle Pacific University. This constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the matters described and shall not be modified or affected by any course of dealing or course of performance. This agreement may be modified by Seattle Pacific University if the modification is signed by me. Any modification is specifically limited to those policies and/or terms addressed in the modification.

Seattle Pacific University maintains the right to amend or modify, without Student's consent, any Seattle Pacific University policies or procedure incorporated into this Contract by reference or otherwise related to Students financial obligations to Seattle Pacific University. Students will be notified by the Seattle Pacific University Website of any changes in applicable interest rates, fees, tuition rates, etc., before changes go into effect. After any such change is implemented by Seattle Pacific University, the Student’s continued attendance of one or more class(es) offered by Seattle Pacific University or acceptance of any service provided by Seattle Pacific University indicates acceptance of and agreement to be bound by the change.

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 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 Seattle Pacific University 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.

Federal Aid: I understand that any federal Title IV financial aid that I receive, except for Federal Work Study wages, will first be applied to any outstanding balance on my account for tuition, fees, room and board. Title IV financial aid includes aid from the Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Direct Loan, PLUS Loan, and TEACH Grant programs. I understand that I can choose to authorize Seattle Pacific University to apply my Title IV financial aid to other charges assessed to my student account such as student housing, parking permits, bookstore charges, service fees and fines, and any other education related charges. I further understand that I may change my authorization at any time by completing the Master Conditions of Financial Assistance form with Title IV authorization.

Prizes, Awards, Scholarships, Grants: I understand that all prizes, awards, scholarships, and grants awarded to me by Seattle Pacific University will be credited to my student account and applied toward any outstanding balance. I further understand that my receipt of a prize, award, scholarship, or grant is considered a financial resource according to federal Title IV financial aid regulations, and may therefore reduce my eligibility for other federal and/or state financial aid (i.e., loans, grants, Federal Work Study) which, if already disbursed to my student account, must be reversed and returned to the aid source.

Method of Billing/Payments

I understand that Seattle Pacific University uses electronic billing statement (e-bill) as its official billing method, and therefore I am responsible for viewing and paying my student account e-bill by the scheduled due date. I further understand that failure to review my e-bill does not constitute a valid reason for not paying my bill on time. E-bill information is available at https://spu.edu/student-financial-services/student-accounts-and-payments.

The student understands neither Seattle Pacific University nor any agent or third party of Seattle Pacific University requires payment in a particular manner. Students may pay using a credit card, debit card, electronic check, personal or cashier's check, money order, or cash. If the Student pays using a credit card or some other form of payment that requires Seattle Pacific University and/or Seattle Pacific University’s agent or contractor to incur additional costs, the student agrees to pay that additional cost as an appropriate convenience fee for using specific payment methods. More information regarding Seattle Pacific University payment methods is available at https://spu.edu/student-financial-services/student-accounts-and-payments/payments/payment-methods.

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 Seattle Pacific University.

Students may challenge a charge within sixty (60) days after the charge is posted on the student account. Students should submit challenges to the office initiating the charge, including a copy of the bill challenged and documentation evidencing the suspected error or problem.

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 of $30. I understand that multiple returned payments and/or failure to comply with the terms of any payment plan or agreement I signed with Seattle Pacific University may result in cancellation of my classes and/or suspension of my eligibility to register for future classes at Seattle Pacific University.

Withdrawal

If I decide to completely withdraw from Seattle Pacific University, I will follow the instructions at https://spu.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/OTR/pages/34508088/Withdrawing+From+the+University which I understand and agree are incorporated herein by reference.

Privacy Rights & Responsibilities

I understand that Seattle Pacific University is bound by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) which prohibits Seattle Pacific University from releasing any information from my education record without my written permission. Therefore, I understand that if I want Seattle Pacific University to share information from my education record with someone else, I must provide written permission by following the procedure outlined at https://spu.edu/student-financial-services/student-accounts-and-payments/ferpa. I further understand that I may revoke my permission at any time as instructed in the same procedure.

IRS Form 1098-T

I agree to provide my Social Security number (SSN) or taxpayer identification number (TIN) to

Seattle Pacific University 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 Seattle Pacific University, I agree to pay any and all IRS fines assessed as a result of my missing SSN/TIN.

I understand that Seattle Pacific University will mail my annual IRS Form 1098-T, Tuition Statement, to my permanent address on file. I understand I can elect to receive my Form 1098-T electronically from Seattle Pacific University by following the instructions at https://spu.edu/student-financial-services/student-accounts-and-payments/tax-information.

 Applicable Law/Jurisdiction

The Contract shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the state of Washington. By signing this Agreement, Student consents to the jurisdiction of the state and federal courts in King County, Washington, to resolve any dispute with SPU.

Severability

If any portion of this Contract is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall in no way be impacted or impaired.

Non-Waiver

The failure of Student or Seattle Pacific University at any time to require performance by the other of any provision of the Contract shall in no way affect that party's right to enforce such provision, nor shall the waiver by either party of any breach of any provision of the Contract be taken or held to be a waiver of any further breach of the same provision or any other provision.

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 Seattle Pacific University are a necessity, and I am contractually obligated pursuant to the “doctrine of necessaries.”

The student further understands and agrees that continued enrollment, continued attendance at one or more class(es) offered by Seattle Pacific University, and/or acceptance of any services provided by Seattle Pacific University after reaching the age of majority constitutes acceptance of and agreement to be bound by the terms of this Agreement, thereby ratifying the original execution.