Financial Regulations and Expenses

Student Financial Responsibility

Financial Requirements for Registration

All students who register for classes incur a financial obligation to the Bowie State University. Students are responsible for all charges incurred at the University. Failure to attend classes does not constitute withdrawal from the Institution or a class. Students must formally withdraw from the University or a class through the Registrar’s Office. Any adjustment in charges will follow the policy presented in the Schedule of Classes (www.bowiestate.edu).

Returning students will not be permitted to register for a subsequent semester until all financial obligations, including current semester fees, parking violations, library fines, and any other outstanding charges, have been paid. Account balances must be cleared before students will be allowed to participate in future registrations and graduation or to receive transcripts or diplomas.

Cancellation of a student’s registration may occur if the bill is not paid in full or if approved arrangements have not been made to cover the outstanding balance. Bill due dates and class cancellation dates are published on the University Website (www.bowiestate.edu.)

Failure to receive a billing statement does not relieve the student of the payment obligation.

Payment Policy

Acceptable payment methods are cash, check, money order, cashier’s check, certified check, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover Card. Payment may be made at the Student Accounts Office. 

Students who register before the billing date will receive a bill via e-mail and must make payment or approved payment arrangements prior to the bill due date or their enrollment may be canceled. Students who register after the billing date may review their bill on-line via Bulldog Connection and must pay their bill or make approved payment arrangements prior to the due date of the bill or enrollment may be cancelled.

Students who register for the 2nd 8 week session are expected to make payment or approved payment arrangements at the time of registration.

Approved payment arrangements authorized by Board of Regents policy are:

  1. Students who are approved for a Guaranteed Student Loan;
  2. Third Party Billings (sponsor pays all or part of the students’ charges)**;
  3. Students who are enrolled in a University approved installment payment program; and
  4. Financial aid awarded by the institution that has not been completely processed.

**Note: If the sponsor does not pay the University within 60 days of the billing date, the student will then be responsible for full payment of the balance due and will not be permitted to register for a subsequent semester until all financial obligations have been paid.  Account balance must be cleared before students will be allowed to participate in future registrations, graduation or to receive transcripts. 

The student is responsible for any portion of tuition and fees not covered by the third party agency.

The University does not participate in employer reimbursement plans where the student is reimbursed tuition expenses from his/her employer. 

Students who register during late registration will incur a $50.00 late registration fee.

During late registration, payment for semester charges is due and payable at the time of registration.

Returned Checks

In the event that a check rendered as payment is returned by the bank unpaid for any reason, the privilege of using a personal check as payment to the University will be immediately revoked. A fee of $30.00 will be assessed for any returned check. If the University determines that a student’s check is invalid, his/her courses maybe removed from the PeopleSoft Registration system and he/she must officially withdraw from the University. If the student fails to withdraw, he/she remains liable to the University for all incurred charges.

Errors in Billings

The University retroactively adjusts accounts and bills if accounting errors or charge omissions are identified.

Referral to Collection Agency

The University will make every effort to collect all outstanding balances pursuant to State of Maryland regulations. Accounts are reviewed and considered for submission to the State Central Collections Unit (SCCU) ninety (90) days after the official start date of classes. As an agency of the State of Maryland, the University is required by state law to refer delinquent accounts to the State Central Collections Unit. At the time of referral, a collection charge of 17% is added to the balance of the account, plus any additional attorney and/or court costs. In addition, SCCU is authorized by state law to intercept an individual’s state income tax refund or other payment made through the State to apply toward an outstanding debt. The SCCU also reports delinquent accounts to credit bureaus.