Frequently Asked Questions
Bill Related Questions
How can I get an extra copy of my student bill?
How can I pay my student bill?
When are bills due for Fall 2012? Spring 2013?
What happens if I register or change my class schedule after the semester due date?
Payment Plan Related Questions
Does USM have a payment plan for tuition?
Is there interest added for use of a USM payment plan?
Financial Aid Related Questions
What if I have financial aid to pay for my tuition?
Why doesn't my financial aid doesn't appear on my bill?
When can I expect to receive a refund for the semester?
Late Payment Fee Related Questions
Why do I have a late payment fee on my account?
Can I appeal the late payment fee(s)?
Is there a grace period for due dates?
Why do I have a financial hold on my student account?
Miscellaneous Questions
How do I obtain access to the parking garage? Or get a parking decal for ground lots?
How do I request a change of residency?
Can I have my bills mailed to my home address?
How long do I have to adjust my course schedule and still get 100% refund?
If I have a third party (e.g. Employer) paying my tuition, what do I have to do?
I have received an outside (not from USM) scholarship, what do I do?
How can I get an extra copy of my student bill?
You may access semester bills via MaineStreet
How can I pay my student bill?
A student bill can be paid by e-check or credit card (Visa is not accepted), 24 hours a day-7 days a week, via the web at http://mainestreet.maine.edu (A student ID sign on and password are required to use this system.)
A student may drop off cash or check payments at one of the Student Accounts Office locations. - OR -
Mail check payments ONLY to:
USM - Student Accounts Office
PO Box 9300
Portland, ME 04104-9300
When are bills due?
Fall 2012 bills are due on August 15, 2012
Spring 2013 bills are due on January 5, 2013.
What happens if I register or change my class schedule after the semester due date?
Balances are due: at time of registration after the semester due date. If you adjust your schedule after the semester due date, it is your responsibility to check with the Student Accounts Office to ensure you don't have an outstanding balance. (This will avoid any unnecessary late payment fees.)
Does USM have a payment plan for tuition?
USM offers three different payment plans. Click here for more information and due dates for each of the payment plans.
Is there interest added for the use of a USM payment plan?
No, there is no interest for using a USM payment plan. However, there is a non-refundable enrollment fee of $30.00 for each semester you utilize a payment plan.
Will my bills be mailed to me?
The first bill of the each semester will go the student's billing address. Future notifications will be emailed to the student's University assigned email account, "FirstName.LastName@maine.edu". Complete details on the Email Communication Policy can be found at http://usm.maine.edu/doit.
NOTE: Only one paper bill will be mailed to student for the Fall and Spring semester. Paper bills are not mailed for Summer and Winter Sessions.
Any address changes can be updated through Maine Street (Student sign on and password are required).
What if I have financial aid to pay my student bill?
USM allows students with a sufficient financial aid award an extended deadline of September 19 , 2012 for the Fall 2010 semester, January 31, 2013 for the Spring 2011 semester. The balance must be covered entirely by a financial aid package in order for this deadline to be applicable.
However, if there is a balance not covered by the financial aid package, payment for this balance is due no later than the semester due date. You may opt to use one of USM's threepayment plans. (This will avoid any unnecessary late payment fees.)
Why doesn't my Financial Aid appear on my bill?
In most cases your anticpated financial aid should appear on the first billing statement of the semester. However, financial aid funds, including Stafford and PLUS loans cannot be disbursed until 10 days prior to the start of the semester. Most loans are electronically posted to the student account. Once the loan is received on your behalf, USM will send a notification to your University assigned email account. To check your student account, anytime, visit Maine Street.
NOTE: Work-study funds have to be earned by obtaining a work-study position for USM. Therefore, it cannot be deducted as a financial aid payment from the balance.
NOTE: Aid will not be officially credited to your student account until you are registered for the planned enrollment hours upon which your financial award is based. If you are applying for a Stafford or PLUS loan, any applicable promissory note(s) must be complete and accurate before the funds may be released to the University of your behalf.
You may contact the Student Financial Aid Office for further assistance.
When can I get a refund for the semester?
It is federal regulations that a student may not receive a refund from financial aid funds until the first day of the semester. Refunds are mailed out twice a week.
Why do I have a late payment fee on my account?
If a balance exists on a student account after the semester due date a late payment fee will be assessed to the account. If the outstanding balance still exists the balance is liable for up to $200.00 in late payment fees per semester.
Also, late payment fees apply to delinquent payment plan payments. If a payment isn't made by the payment due dates, a $50.00 late payment fee can be assessed to the account on each installment, up to $200.00 per semester.
Can I appeal late payment fee(s)?
Yes, a student may appeal late payment fee(s). See the Late Fee Appeal Form for details.
Is there a grace period for due dates?
No. All payments must reach the Student Accounts Office by the specified due date. Outstanding balances are assessed a late payment fee of $50.00, maximum $200.00 per semester. This applies to all students who owe an outstanding balance to USM.
Why do I have a financial hold on my student account?
A financial hold is placed on a students account when the balance for the semester is 30 days past due. If you are in debt to the University:
-
You may not be permitted to register
-
You may not obtain an official transcript
-
You may not receive your diploma
NOTE: A financial hold may lead to potential future collection efforts.
To get a financial hold removed from the student account, the balance must be paid if full. To discuss payment arrangements, contact the Student Accounts Office at (207) 780-5210.
How do I obtain access to the parking garage? or get a parking decal for ground lots?
Students who are registered for a Portland or Gorham class pay a transportation fee which covers garage access. To access the USM parking garage on the Portland campus, you must have a valid USM ID card. To obtain the USM ID card please visit the USM Card Office.
To access the USM ground lots, a parking decal can be obtained at the Parking Office inside the Parking Garage.
How do I request a change of residency?
The University of Maine System governs which students are eligible to receive Maine Residency status. Please check the guidelines to determine if you may qualify.
To begin the change of residency process an application must be received at the Student Billing Office before the start of the semester. Please allow the review committee 2-3 weeks for a complete assessment.
How long do I have to adjust my course schedule and still get 100% refund?
You have the first two weeks of the semester to drop a course from your schedule with no grade notation and receive a 100% refund. After the first two weeks, you may receive an automatic grade of "W" but no refund will be made for a drop.
Last Day to receive 100% refund:
Fall Semester: September 17, 2012
Spring Semester: January 28, 2013
Summer Semester: Varies upon length of course, call the Registrar's Office at 780-5230 for specifics or visit http://usm.maine.edu/reg/addingdroppingwithdrawal
If I have a third party (e.g. Employer) paying my tuition, what do I have to do?
3rd Party Billing
It is the student’s responsibility to obtain authorization from the third party sponsor. The student or the third party sponsor will need to provide a hard copy of the authorization form to the Student Accounts Office before the payment due date. (A late authorization could result in a late payment fee.)
An authorization requires specific information pertaining to what the third party sponsor is willing to pay on the students’ behalf (i.e. tuition, fees, books, room, or board) and the specific dollar amount(s). However, the third party sponsor must be willing to pay in advance of the student completing the class. If the third party sponsor will not pay until completion of the class the student is responsible for the bill before the payment due date. USM offers payment plans to help assist students in paying for their classes.
The authorizations can be mailed, faxed, or emailed to the following:
Student Accounts Office
University of Southern Maine
37 College Avenue
Gorham, ME 04038
Fax #: (207) 780-5590
Email: cdecosta@usm.maine.edu
NOTE: It is the student responsibility to make payment for any portion of the bill not covered by the third party sponsor, by the payment due date, to avoid late payment fees.
For questions about third party billing, contact us at the Student Accounts Office at (207) 780-4027or by email at cdecosta@usm.maine.edu
I have received an outside (not from USM) scholarship, what do I do?
The student needs to provide copies of the outside scholarship(s) to the Financial Aid Office AND the Student Accounts Office.
NOTE: The Student Accounts Office will mail out a bill for the scholarship after the add/drop period of each semester. Further questions can be directed to Pat Fecteau at (207) 780-4028.
USM Social Dashboard »
Check out our new Social Dashboard to see other ways to stay connected across the USM community.