Top 10 Things to Remember for Undergrads

• As the Spring 2011 semester approaches, the Office of the Bursar wishes to remind all undergraduate students and parents about these ten important items to help your arrival at UConn go smoothly. 

• 1. E-bills & Payment Plans.  UConn utilizes electronic billing (e-bill) and does not issue paper statements.  Students can view their e-bill, designate an authorized user such as parent or guardian, make free online e-check payments or enroll in an installment payment plan by logging into the UConn e-Bill and Payment Plan Suite.  The fastest way to access the suite is to go to the Bursar’s home page at www.bursar.uconn.edu and click on the large View and Pay e-Bill button.  Students and authorized users should check their e-mail accounts often.  At UConn, your e-mail = your business.

  2. Due Date. Be sure your fee bill is settled by January 8, 2011.  Unsettled fee bills can result in a late fee and an account “hold” that prevents students from adding or dropping classes, using the recreation center and other important services.  Your fee bill is considered settled if you have paid it in full or if your balance will be covered by one or more of the following conditions:  1) you are paying through UConn’s installment payment plan and are current;  2) You’ve been granted a deferment for an outside scholarship; 3) You have completely finished the financial aid process with UConn’s financial aid office.  Incomplete financial aid is not considered settled.

  3. Paying Online. Students and authorized users can make free online e-check payments by logging into the e-Bill and Payment Plan Suite.  However, credit card payments can only be performed by students through the Student Administration System.  The university accepts MasterCard, Discover, American Express and Diners Club.  A 2.5% convenience fee will be charged for credit card transactions.

  4. Health Insurance Waiver. If you weren't here this past Fall, don’t forget to waive the health insurance charge if you have your own private health insurance.  This will reduce your fee bill.  You may complete the waiver by logging into the Student Administration System and going to the Student Permissions area of the Student Center.  Print out or write down your waiver confirmation number.

  5. Title IV Waiver. Due to federal regulations, if you want your financial aid to pay all your UConn charges you must grant us permission through a “Title IV Financial Aid Waiver.”  Otherwise, certain kinds of charges may remain on your account resulting in a hold.  If you’ve never done this waiver you may do so by logging into the Student Administration System and navigating to the Student Permissions area of the Student Center.  If you completed the waiver in a previous semester you do not need to do it again.

  6. Parent PLUS Loans. Similarly, if your parents are taking out a parent PLUS loan they must indicate whether they want their loan funds to pay all your charges and whether or not they want any excess loan funds to be refunded to you or to themselves.  They may do this when filling out their PLUS Loan Information Form.

  7. Review Your Bill.  It is strongly recommended that you review your online fee bill a few days before arriving on campus to ensure your account is in order.

  8. Refund Checks.  Financial Aid refund checks will be handed out beginning the first day of classes. Lines for refund checks at the start of each semester are very long so if you can afford to wait a few days you may want to do so.  Also, before coming to the Bursar's Office, you should login to the Student Administration System to make sure your check has been written.  A check is ready when it appears in the “Refunds” section of your online fee bill and will be available for pick-up at your campus Bursar's Office.  Refund checks for excess financial aid will be written automatically but only after your financial aid has actually paid out to your account. If you have a credit balance that is not based on federal financial aid you should request a refund check online by going to the “Forms” area of the Bursar’s website.

  9. Private Scholarships. If you are expecting a private scholarship that has not yet been received by UConn, you may request a deferment on-line by going to the “Forms” area of the Bursar’s website.

  10. Lastly, please know that both the Bursar’s Office and the Financial Aid Office experience extraordinarily high phone traffic during the month of January.  We request your patience during this period.  Also, don’t forget that most questions can be answered by viewing your account online through the Student Administration System or by going to either www.bursar.uconn.edu or www.financialaid.uconn.edu.

  Happy New Year and we look forward to seeing you this semester!