Financial Aid and Student Accounts FAQs
Find answers to common questions about your University bill, payment options, financial aid, and student health insurance.
Whether you’re reviewing your balance, making a payment, or checking your financial aid, we’re here to help you navigate your next steps.
Understanding Your Student Account
How can I check my student account balance and status?
Log in to Self-Service, select the Student tab, and review:
- Student Account: View your current balance, charges, payments, and financial aid.
- Student Records: Check for holds that may affect access to University services.
Your account may change as registration, housing, payments, or financial aid are updated. We encourage you to check regularly.
What is the difference between my University bill and Cost of Attendance?
Your University bill reflects charges billed directly by the University, including tuition, fees, and applicable housing and meal charges, less payments and financial aid applied to your account.
Your Cost of Attendance (COA) includes University charges and estimated additional expenses, such as books, transportation, and personal expenses. The Office of Financial Aid uses the total COA to determine financial aid eligibility.
Learn more about Cost of Attendance.
Student Health Insurance Charges and Waivers
Why is there a Student Health Insurance charge on my bill if I already have insurance?
Students required to have University health insurance are charged for the University’s Student Health Insurance Plan unless an insurance waiver is approved.
If you have comparable health insurance coverage, you may request a waiver by the published deadline.
- Visit the Student Health Insurance Information page.
- Access the Venbrook Student Insurance Portal and submit the online waiver application.
- Monitor your email for submission confirmation and the final waiver decision.
Important: Submitting a waiver does not automatically waive the insurance charge. Your existing coverage must be reviewed and approved before the charge can be waived on your student account.
What should I do if my Student Health Insurance waiver is denied?
If your waiver is denied, contact the Office of Student Accounts for guidance on the appeal process. Our team can help explain the reason for the denial, discuss the appeal process, and review available options based on your circumstances.
Please note: An appeal does not guarantee approval. The Student Health Insurance charge will remain on your account unless the waiver or appeal is approved.
Payments and Payment Plans
How can I pay my student account balance?
The University of Mount Saint Vincent offers online, in-person, and mail-in payment options.
Online Payments
UMSV partners with Nelnet Campus Commerce to provide secure online payment options.
- One-Time Payment: Make a single payment toward your student account balance without enrolling in a payment plan. Log in using your UMSV credentials and select “Make a Payment.”
- Payment Plans: Divide your semester balance into two to four monthly installments. Review available payment plan options and enrollment deadlines, then log in with your UMSV credentials and select “Set Up a Payment Plan.”
For payment plan enrollment or online payment processing assistance, please call Nelnet Campus Commerce at 800-609-8056.
Other Ways to Pay
- Pay In Person: Visit the Office of Student Accounts, Founders Hall, Room 223. Cash, checks, and credit cards are accepted.
- Pay By Mail: Send a check or money order to University of Mount Saint Vincent, Attn: Office of Student Accounts, 6301 Riverdale Avenue, Riverdale, NY 10471. Include the student’s full name and University ID number.
What should I know about payment plans and missed payments?
Payment plans allow you to manage your semester balance through scheduled installments.
- A new payment plan must be established each semester; plans do not automatically renew.
- Available installments and enrollment deadlines may vary by term.
- Missed installments may result in financial holds, late fees, and/or withdrawal of registration for non-payment.
- More than two consecutive late payments will result in cancellation of the plan, and the remaining balance will become immediately due in full to the University.
Payment plan adjustments: If your financial aid, registration, housing, or other charges change, or if you need to modify your payment plan, please contact the Office of Student Accounts for assistance. All adjustments are subject to review and approval.
How much should I include in my payment plan if my financial aid has not been posted?
If your anticipated financial aid is not yet reflected (memoed) on your student account, we encourage you to use your financial aid award letter to estimate your remaining balance and plan your payments accordingly. This will help you stay on track with your payment schedule and avoid missed payments while your financial aid is being processed.
- Review your current account balance in Self-Service.
- Review your financial aid awards and any outstanding requirements in Self-Service.
- Estimate the amount you will owe after anticipated aid.
- Establish a payment plan for the estimated remaining balance.
Important: Financial aid is subject to eligibility and completion of all required steps, which may include submitting the FAFSA, accepting awards, completing verification and loan requirements, and applying for New York State TAP, if applicable. Students are responsible for any remaining balance if financial aid is reduced, canceled, or not received.
Financial Aid and Student Loans
How can I check the status of my financial aid?
Your financial aid, including federal grants, loans, and state grants, may not appear on your student account until all required steps have been completed and your awards have been processed.
If you have outstanding requirements, your anticipated financial aid may not yet be reflected (memoed) on your bill.
To stay on track, check your University email regularly and log in to Self-Service. Select Financial Aid and then Kick-Off to review your Financial Aid Checklist and complete any pending requirements.
Review the steps below to make sure your financial aid is on track.
Have you submitted your FAFSA?
Complete your FAFSA at studentaid.gov/fafsa and include the University of Mount Saint Vincent’s federal school code: 002703.
If you receive a notification about an error or missing information, log in to your Federal Student Aid account to review and correct it.
Have you accepted your financial aid awards?
Log in to Self-Service and follow these steps:
- Select Financial Aid.
- Select Kick-Off.
- Choose the appropriate aid year.
- Select Accept Award Offer.
- Review and accept or decline your awards.
- Select Submit Decision to save your choices.
Have you completed your student loan requirements?
If you are receiving federal student loans, complete any required entrance counseling and Master Promissory Note (MPN) at studentaid.gov.
It may take up to three days for completed loan requirements or accepted aid to be reflected on your account.
Has your parent completed the Parent PLUS Loan requirements?
Parents applying for a Parent PLUS Loan must complete the required application and Master Promissory Note.
Processing may take up to two weeks before the loan is reflected on the student’s account.
Were you selected for verification?
Verification is a process used to confirm information provided on your financial aid application.
If selected, log in to Self-Service to review and submit any required documents using the Upload Documents option. Include your University ID number on submitted documents.
Learn more about the verification process.
Important: Your financial aid and University bill will be updated as awards are approved and processed. Continue monitoring Self-Service for changes.
Were you told that you had to file a SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress) appeal?
If you filed your appeal documents, you should hear soon about the committee’s decision about your eligibility to receive financial aid.
I applied for New York State TAP. Why isn’t it showing on my account?
TAP (New York’s Tuition Assistance Program) often doesn’t show up right away, even after you’ve applied. Correction to a TAP application can take up to 6 weeks for NYS HESC to process.
Ensure the following has been completed:
- HESC only allows one school code on their application. Make sure you have the UMSV TAP code, 0130.
- HESC has not sent you additional requests for information. After you submit the application, they can request documents to finalize the application.
- HESC requires an income verification process (IVP) through the NYS Taxation department. If this is not completed by HESC, then the awards remain estimated and will not credit to your student account.
- Anticipated credit will be applied to the student bill only if the application is complete and IVP has been approved.
- All students under the age of 22 must have a parent signature provided on the application.
- In addition to the completed application, students must meet all requirements for certification, which include but are not limited to: residency requirement, high school completion, and TAP program pursuit (GPA and credit completion). For questions regarding certification contact the UMSV certifying official.
- HESC sends updates to UMSV once a week. UMSV’s student accounts for TAP or other New York state awards are updated on Fridays.
What to do:
- Check your email for communication from HESC.
- Log into your HESC account (the NYHELPS portal) and check your TAP status. It will say whether it was approved, is pending, or needs something from you.
- If it says pending or missing something, finish whatever HESC asks for.
- You must submit any documentation directly to HESC through your HESC portal
Please note: TAP awards must be authorized by New York State in order to reflect anticipated credit (memo) on your bill. After you apply to the State and are certified by the UMSV official, your account will be updated.
I’ve completed all my financial aid requirements. Why isn’t my aid showing?
Even after you complete all required steps, additional processing time may be needed.
Federal student loans may take approximately three business days to process after all requirements are completed. Other awards may require additional review or approval.
Continue checking Self-Service for updates. If your aid remains missing, contact the Office of Financial Aid for assistance.
Our Team is Here for You!
Who should I contact if I have questions?
Office of Financial Aid
For questions about FAFSA, financial aid awards, student loans, TAP, verification, or financial aid eligibility:
- Phone: 718-405-3289
- Email: financial.aid@umsv.edu
- Location: Seton Hall, Room 208 and 209
Office of Student Accounts
For questions about your University bill, payments, payment plans, account balances, financial holds, or Student Health Insurance charges:
- Phone: 718-405-3298
- Email: studentaccounts@umsv.edu
- Location: Founders Hall, Room 223
You may also schedule an appointment using the appointment booking option below.