Financial Responsibility Statement

The following is the Financial Responsibility Statement that a student is required to accept each semester (Fall, Spring, Summer) before being allow to register for classes.  You will be prompted to accept the statement each semester once you select the Look Up Classes or Add or Drop Classes link in PipelineMT.

I: PAYMENT OF FEES / PROMISE TO PAY

By agreeing to this Financial Responsibility and Promissory Note Agreement, 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, (hereinafter referred to as “MTSU”).

These charges may include any of the following:

1. Tuition, fees, housing, meal plans, books, and other charges assessed by MTSU in accordance with current University policies in connection with the courses for which I have registered;
2. All penalties and late fees assessed by MTSU in accordance with then-current University policies;
3. The amount of any funds erroneously disbursed to me;
4. Any deficiency in tuition, fees or other University charges that results from non-payment or reversals of payment of loans and advances from federal, state, institutional providers, or other third party providers;
5. Any costs incurred by MTSU in connection with the processing of a third party payment on my behalf;
6. Parking citations as a result of my failure to follow University Traffic and Parking Regulations as agreed upon when, and by, accepting my student parking permit;
7. Collection fees incurred in connection with the collection of any outstanding debt owed to MTSU by me, as described below in Section II: Delinquent Accounts and Collections.

I understand that, when registered, unless enrolled in the Installment Payment Plan, any assessed tuition and fees are due in full (minus any Authorized Financial Aid) by the payment deadlines established for that particular term, as published in the appropriate Registration Guide, which is located online at https://www.mtsu.edu/registration/registration-guide/. Additionally, I understand that if there is any outstanding balance due once the payment deadline passes, regardless of any partial payments made, it could result in my being purged from any and all courses I am currently registered for in that particular term.

I understand that if I enroll in the Installment Payment Plan, that my remaining three (3) payments will be “deferred” to a later date. By enrolling in the payment plan, I am confirming my attendance and will not be purged from any course I am registered for, or any courses that I might add after enrolling in the payment plan. I further understand and agree that my registration and acceptance of these terms constitutes a promissory note agreement, (a financial obligation in the form of an educational loan as defined by the U.S. Bankruptcy Code 11 U.S.C. §523(a)(8)), in which MTSU is providing me educational services, deferring a portion of my payment for those services. I understand that by enrolling in the Payment Plan, I am accepting full legal obligation for the total charges in connection with my registration.

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 the published tuition fee adjustment schedule, located at https://www.mtsu.edu/registration/registration-guide/. I confirm that I have read the terms and conditions of the published tuition fee adjustment schedule and understand that dropping or withdrawing could result in owing a balance, even if tuition and fees had been paid in full, as a result of financial aid, scholarships, discounts, and third-party payments and disbursements being adjusted after the fact. I understand that it is my responsibility to verify the fee adjustment schedule and amounts at the time of my change in registration, if I so choose to initiate that change by dropping and/or withdrawing from any one, or all, courses.

Additionally, I further understand that my failure to attend class could result in an unofficial withdrawal and that this action could have the same effect as if I withdrew manually. I understand that this action on my part, while not guaranteed, would most likely have the result of me having a balance due, based on the likelihood of financial aid, scholarships, discounts, and third-party payments and disbursements being adjusted after the fact, if I so receive said benefits. I understand that if this were to happen, I am legally obligated to pay the balance due in a timely manner.

If I expect financial aid to pay all or part of my financial obligations to MTSU, I understand and agree that it is my responsibility to meet all requirements for disbursement to my student account. I authorize MTSU to use the financial aid to pay for all education costs charged to my student account for my current term of enrollment or attendance at MTSU. I understand that it is my responsibility to ensure that all requirements of grantors, lenders, employers, and other third party payers are met on a timely basis. I understand that despite my expectations for payment from financial aid or other sources, I am ultimately responsible for all charges incurred. I understand that my financial aid may be adjusted due to eligibility, even after disbursement. I agree to pay back to MTSU any amounts for which I am not eligible under applicable financial aid guidelines. See Section VI: Financial Aid below.

I also agree regularly to review my MTSU email account and my account history via PipelineMT for notifications regarding balances due and payment deadlines each semester. I understand that my student billing account is my responsibility and that it not the responsibility of MTSU to ensure that I know what my balance is and when that balance is due, as this information is posted in my PipelineMT account.

II: DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS AND COLLECTIONS

I understand and agree I will be in default if:

• (1) I break any promise made to MTSU or fail to perform promptly at the time and in the manner provided in my housing plan, meal plan, or tuition plan agreement with MTSU;
• (2) If I fail to pay other charges, including but not limited to, parking fees/fines, or financial aid adjustments that post to my student account by the date due or at the point at which I am no longer enrolled.

If there is an event of default, MTSU may exercise any remedy allowed by law, including one or more of the following, without notice or demand (except as required by law);

• (1) MTSU may declare the principal balance plus any late fees, fines or penalties immediately due and payable in full;
• (2) MTSU may hire or pay a third-party to collect the debt including, without limitation, the pursuit of litigation.

Financial Hold: I understand and agree that if I fail to pay my financial obligation to MTSU, that MTSU will, in accordance with the provisions of T.C.A. § 49-7-166 and other applicable law, place a financial hold on my student account. This business office hold may prevent me from registering for future classes, receiving grades or transcripts, or receiving my diploma.

Late Payment Charge: I understand and agree that if I fail to pay my financial obligation to MTSU by the scheduled due date, MTSU may assess a late payment fee to my account. I understand that if I am late two or more times in one term, that I will become ineligible to utilize the Installment Payment Plan in the future. I understand that the Installment Payment Plan is a privilege and that this benefit may be denied as a result of my actions.

Collection Agency Fees: I understand and accept that if I fail to pay my financial obligation to MTSU or fail to make acceptable payment arrangements to bring my account current, that MTSU may refer my delinquent account to a collection agency. I further understand that I may be responsible for paying the collection agency fee, which may be based on a percentage at a maximum of 33-1/3 percent (33.33%) of the debt AND any additional costs and expenses incurred by MTSU as a direct result of activities in effect from the collection of any amount deemed delinquent, including attorney fees, and other charges as determined by MTSU. I understand that my delinquent account may be reported to one or more of the national credit bureaus. I further understand that some debts that are a result of Title IV funds do not have a statute of limitations and can be reported to credit agencies indefinitely, until said debt is satisfied.

Bankruptcy: I understand and agree that tuition and other related fees or charges in connection with registration, and enrollment/attendance, may not be dischargeable in bankruptcy and may survive after the bankruptcy has closed and that I may still owe the debt to MTSU after the bankruptcy.

III: COMMUNICATION

Method of Communication: I understand and agree that MTSU uses email addresses assigned by MTSU as an official method of communication with me, and that I am responsible for reading the emails I receive from MTSU on a timely basis.

Contact: I authorize MTSU and its agents and contractors to contact me at my current and any future cellular phone number(s), mailing address(es) email address(es) or wireless device(s) regarding my delinquent student account(s)/loan(s), any other debt I owe to MTSU, or to receive general information from MTSU. I authorize MTSU 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 the MTSU Bursar’s Office or in writing to the applicable contractor or agent contacting me on behalf of MTSU.

Updating Contact Information: I understand and agree that I am responsible for keeping MTSU records up to date with my current physical addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers. Upon leaving MTSU for any reason, it is my responsibility to provide MTSU with updated contact information for purposes of continued communication regarding any amounts that remain due to MTSU.

IV: BILLING ERRORS

I understand that administrative, clerical or technical billing errors do not absolve me of my financial responsibility to pay any and all legally valid amounts of tuition, fees, and other associated financial obligations assessed as a result of my registration and attendance at MTSU.

V: 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 $30.00 and any applicable late fees. I understand that returned payments for tuition or multiple returned payments for non-tuition items may result in a permanent cash only payment status for any future debts incurred at MTSU. If any initial term payments for tuition are returned, MTSU reserves the right to delete my class schedule if not settled by the notification deadline.

VI: FINANCIAL AID

I understand that aid described as “memo”, “estimated”, or “authorized” 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 fail to attend, drop any class, or stop attending 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 or adjusted. If some or all of my financial aid is revoked or adjusted because I dropped, failed to attend, or stopped attending class, I agree to repay all revoked or adjusted aid that was disbursed to my account.

VII: IRS FORM 1098-T

I agree to provide my correct Social Security number (SSN) or taxpayer identification number (TIN) to MTSU upon request as required by Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations for Form 1098-T reporting purposes. If I fail to provide my correct SSN or TIN to MTSU, I may be responsible for paying any and all IRS fines assessed as a result of my missing SSN/TIN.

I also hereby consent to receive my 1098-T in an electronic format sent to my MTSU email account. I understand that I may request a copy of my 1098-T form by U.S. Mail, by sending said request to;

Bursar’s Office – SSAC 290
1301 East Main Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37132

OR, by emailing said request to [email protected].

VIII: ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This agreement, which is governed by Tennessee law, supersedes all prior understandings, representations, negotiations and correspondence between the student and MTSU, 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 MTSU if the modification is signed by me. Any modification is specifically limited to those policies and/or terms addressed in the modification.