Review the policy on late payments to student accounts.
I. POLICY STATEMENT.
This policy establishes the College's payment deadlines, late payment assessments, and administrative actions related to unpaid student account balances.
II. APPLICABILITY.
This policy applies to the student accounts of all Occidental College students who are pre registered or registered in classes (any number of credits).
III. DEFINITIONS.
Current Term Balance: Any financial balance due to the College for an upcoming or ongoing semester.
Monthly Payment Plan: An authorized institutional installment plan allowing students and families to pay term charges across scheduled monthly payments rather than in a single lump sum.
Prior Term Balance: Any financial balance due to the College for a semester that has officially concluded.
IV. POLICY.
A. Payment Deadlines
Student account balances must be paid in full or covered by confirmed financial aid or an approved payment plan by the following due dates:
- Fall Semester: August 1
- Spring Semester: January 2
- Summer Session: July 1
Students who anticipate difficulty meeting these deadlines should contact Student Account before the payment due date to discuss available payment options.
B. Late Payment Assessments
Accounts with unpaid balances after the applicable payment due date are subject to the following late payment assessments.
- Semester Balances: A late fee equal to 1% of the total past due balance will be added to the student account on the 10th day of each month until the balance is resolved.
- Monthly Payment Plan Installments: Students enrolled in the College's monthly payment plan who fail to make a scheduled installment within ten (10) days of its due date will be assessed a $15 late fee for each late installment. Students who become delinquent on three (3) monthly payment plan installments may be removed from the payment plan, and any remaining balance may become immediately due.
C. Balances
Students with an outstanding balance of $1,000 or more may be subject to administrative restrictions until the balance is paid in full or reduced below the threshold.
Administrative restrictions may include:
- Cancellation of registration
- Deactivation of I.D card (including meal plans, access to buildings)
- Ineligibility to move into or remain in College housing
Registration cancellations are processed by the Office of the Registrar at the request of the Student Accounts Office.
Once the outstanding balance has been resolved, and the student has indicated that they wish to register for the upcoming semester, the Student Accounts Office will notify the Office of the Registrar that all financial restrictions on registration have been lifted. If approved to enroll by the Registrar’s Office by the end of the add/drop period, the student may attempt to re-register through myOxy. Reinstatement into previously selected courses is not guaranteed and remains subject to course availability, registration capacity, and registration deadlines. If the add/drop period is no longer open, students must work directly with the Office of the Registrar.
D. Financial Aid and Pending Payments
Pending financial aid, outside scholarships, employer reimbursements, third-party sponsorships, or other anticipated payments do not satisfy payment requirements until the funds have been received and posted to the student's account.
Students are responsible for ensuring all required documentation has been submitted in sufficient time for funds to be applied by the applicable payment deadline.
E. Payment Arrangements
Students experiencing financial hardship should contact the Student Account Office before the applicable payment deadline to discuss available payment options.
V. POLICY HISTORY.
Responsible Officer(s): Controller
Effective Date: 08/01/2026
Last Revised Date: