Paying Your Student Account

On this page:

• What is the Student Account
• Consequences of Non-Payment
• Monthly Payment Plan Option 
• Information for Students Who Withdraw or Go on a Leave of Absence  

What is the Student Account  

Student accounts are maintained centrally for the University by the Harvard University Student Accounts Office, a division of the University Student Financial Services (SFS). The SFS website includes information on how to access your student account (known as my.harvard) and make payments.  

The Harvard University student account is a record of all tuition charges and fees associated with your education at Harvard, as well as the payments, financial aid, and other credits made toward those charges. Charges for the fall term are usually added to the student account in July with a payment due date in mid-August. Spring term charges are added to the account in December and due in January. Email notifications are sent when new charges are added to the account, or when charges are due within the next two weeks The amount due listed includes all charges on the student’s account that have not been paid and are not being covered by anticipated financial aid. All students are responsible for ensuring their student account is paid in full each term by the due dates indicated on the student account.  

All students at Harvard University are required to sign a Financial Responsibility Agreement (FRA). The FRA provides essential information about the financial policies associated with your enrollment at Harvard. 

Consequences of non-payment  

Any student whose indebtedness to the University remains unpaid after the designated payment due dates may be deprived of the privileges of the University at any time by the Harvard Griffin GSAS administration.  

In addition, students with overdue charges on their accounts that are not settled prior to the start of a given term will not be permitted to register.  

Candidates for degrees must pay in full any amount due to the University before the degree conferral date. Until all indebtedness to the University is paid, diplomas will be withheld, degree conferral may be postponed, and degree completion will not be indicated on the candidate’s transcript. Any graduate whose degree was not conferred due to unpaid financial obligations will be subject to a reinstatement process that requires a vote by the Harvard University Office of the Governing Boards. 

Additionally, students who leave the University with an amount due on their student account and who fail to make acceptable payment arrangements to bring their account current, may be referred to a collection agency. It is further understood that students may be responsible for paying a collection agency fee, which may be based on a percentage at a maximum of 40 percent of their delinquent balance plus all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees necessary for the collection of their delinquent account. Finally, it is understood that their delinquent account may be reported to one or more credit bureaus.  

Monthly Payment Plan Option 

A monthly payment plan is available from the University. The plan allows eligible students to pay tuition and required fees in four monthly installments each term. Under this plan, fall term installments are due in August, September, October, and November. Spring term installments are due in January, February, March, and April. There is a $35 charge per term for use of this plan. Any balance due from a prior term must be paid in full before students can enroll in the payment plan. Once enrolled, payment plan installments must be paid by the due date each month. Students who do not pay their installments on time may not be permitted to continue to use the payment plan. Students can enroll in the monthly payment plan on my.harvard from their student account.  

Information for Students Who Withdraw or Go on a Leave of Absence  

Students who withdraw and/or who go on a leave of absence for any reason must still pay all due charges on their student account. When applicable, tuition charges will be adjusted for students going on leave or withdrawing according to the policies outlined on the withdrawing from the Harvard Griffin GSAS web page. 

When a student leaves Harvard Griffin GSAS, student loans may go directly into grace or repayment. The student’s Last Date of Attendance (LDA) is considered the start of the grace or repayment period. This date will be clearly communicated to the student by GSAS Administration as part of the withdraw/leave approval process. Students with loans are encouraged to contact their servicer directly with any questions regarding their loans. In addition, the GSAS Financial Aid Office is available to assist students who need guidance in this area.  

Contact Financial Aid for Assistance 

Students with questions or concerns about settling their student accounts are encouraged to contact their financial aid officers for assistance.