General Information

In addition to the important first steps, we would also like to share some general information with you to help in preparing for the upcoming academic year.

• Students can access their monthly statements through the Self Service portal

• Student bills will be generated by semester.  The July bill will only reflect your fall charges as well as your fall financial aid (if you have completed all necessary paperwork).  In early December, another bill will be generated for spring charges and spring financial aid.

• Cornell College is able to accept credit card payments (MasterCard, Discovery, American Express, and VISA) and payments through ACH (directly from your bank account).  There is a processing fee on all credit and debit card payments, but no fee for ACH (electronic check) payments.

• Review the payment deadlines for the upcoming year.

• Any outstanding balance not paid in full or through a payment plan (or is late on pay plan payments) by the 10th of each month, will be assessed a late fee of $25 per month.

• Read your monthly emails from Student Accounts for important information and announcements regarding your account (sent around the 15th of each month).

• Set up your main payment method of choice (checking account, credit/debit card) on CashNet.   If you choose the payment plan option, you will do this as you set up your payment plan.  If you do not choose that option, however, you may still find it helpful to set up your bank or credit card information at this time.  Please note, if you choose to pay with a credit or debit card, a processing fee will be applied. However, there is not a processing fee involved if you pay via ACH (electronic check).

• Students can sign up for EFT (electronic funds transfer) by completing the ACH Authorization form so any refunds or reimbursements they receive during their time at Cornell will be deposited directly into their bank account.   Students should hand-deliver their completed forms to the Student Accounts Office (Old Sem, third floor), along with a photo ID for verification.  
• All students will be responsible for ensuring their accounts are kept current.   Failure to do so may result in financial suspension from the college.    

Financial Aid Information:

• All financial aid paperwork must be complete so that aid is released as well as any loans that need to be processed. 
• Outside scholarships cannot be credited until the funds are received by Cornell College.  It is the responsibility of the student to ensure the funds will be forwarded to Cornell by the scholarship provider.  Payment plans should be established based on the amount due and will be adjusted when other funds arrive at Cornell.  Scholarship checks should be directed to:

  Student Accounts
  Cornell College
  600 First Street SW
  Mount Vernon, IA  52314

• If a family is unable to make the payment by those dates or have all paperwork complete for financial aid, you may explore loan options on the Financial Aid website to ensure that a student’s registration is unaffected. 
• If you are exploring loan options, remember this can take several weeks.  This must be completed and disbursed by the last day of the first block of the semester, not in process.

Contact Information:

As always, both the Student Accounts Staff and Financial Assistance Staff are here to assist you in preparing for the financial implications of your/your student’s college education. 

Contact the Student Accounts office at studentaccounts@cornellcollege.edu or 319.895.4593 for questions regarding:

• Charges
• Payment Options
• Setting up a Payment Plan
• Signing your Promissory note for Perkins, McElroy or Sherman Loans
• Please remember without a FERPA release, Cornell will not be able to speak with parents regarding student’s bill and the student will be solely responsible for providing information to the parent. You will need to assign a FERPA code to each individual you authorize to speak to College personnel on your behalf.

Contact Financial Assistance at financialassistance@cornellcollege.edu or 319-895-4216 for questions regarding:

• Financial aid
• Parent Plus Loans
• Private Student Loans