Past-due accounts

Student financial responsibility

Students, regardless of age, who attend Virginia Commonwealth University assume the responsibility of:

  • Full payment of tuition and fees
  • Full payment of all charges for housing and dining services
  • Keeping a current address on file
  • Establishing an official VCU email address
  • Reading email regularly

The university does not mail paper bills to enrolled students. Failure to acknowledge and review the electronic bill does not relieve responsibility for timely payments. 

Students are ultimately responsible for any unpaid balance on their accounts as a result of the Office of Financial Aid or their sponsor canceling or reducing the award. The student remains financially liable for the charges deferred based on any financial aid, if later the student is determined ineligible.

It is the student's responsibility for ensuring that all necessary actions have been taken to receive their financial aid awards. Students are also responsible for paying any increase in charges that may occur after the generation of a refund.

The university reserves the right to revise or alter all tuition and fees, regulations about student tuition and fees, and tuition and fee collection procedures whenever such revisions or alterations are deemed necessary.

Late fees

Students whose payments are received after the payment deadline may be assessed a late fee, which is 10% of the unpaid balance, up to $100. Payment of the late fee is due immediately.

Holds

Until balances owed to the university have been paid, students with past-due accounts will have a hold placed on their account and will: 

  • Not be allowed to register for future classes
  • Not be allowed to receive their diplomas

Students participating in the Installment Payment Plan must remain current on the IPP in order to avoid a hold.

To view holds, visit eServices. Students who are unable to access their holds through eServices should contact the Office of the University Registrar at rar@vcu.edu. Students with a Student Accounting and/or Collections hold should contact their financial counselor through Navigate for possible payment assistance options.

Collections

Past-due accounts will be referred to the VCU Collection Unit. Pursuant to Sec. 2.2-4805 et seq., of the Code of Virginia, and in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the state comptroller and attorney general of the Commonwealth of Virginia, will charge interest, costs and fees on all past-due accounts. An additional fee will be assessed upon referral to the VCU Collection Unit.

Debt Set-Off Collection Act

Under the provisions of this act, an individual’s Virginia income tax refund will be subject to the university’s claim for any unpaid balance of tuition and fees.