Southwestern University

The 2008-09 academic year at Southwestern University is fast approaching. Your tuition bill for the fall semester will be mailed on July 20, 2008. Payment for the fall term is due August 3, 2008; payment for the spring term is due December 14, 2008. With this in mind, Southwestern University is pleased to introduce the Southwestern University Payment Plan, an interest-free tuition payment plan to help students and parents pay the cost of education.

The Payment Plan enables you to spread the cost of education for the academic year over 10 months (June 1-March 1). There are no credit checks or other eligibility requirements. Southwestern University and a third party billing service, Educational Computer System, Inc. (ECSI), administer the plan.

Enrolling in the Payment Plan

First, determine your Annual Budget Amount using the enclosed worksheet, or by using the on-line application at www.ecsi.net, using these steps:

1. Determine Total Annual Expenses using the cost figures provided.
2. Determine Total Financial Aid, student loans, scholarships and other funds that will be applied to your account. This information appears on your 2008-09 financial aid award letter.
3. Subtract the Total Financial Aid from the Total Annual Expenses to arrive at your Annual Budget Amount. Divide the Annual Budget Amount by 10 to determine your monthly payment amount if you are financing both the fall and spring semesters; divide by 5 if you are only financing the fall semester.

Next, complete the enclosed application and return it by June 1st to ECSI with your first monthly payment and the non-refundable administration fee of $40.00 (you may combine these amounts into one check). Make your check payable to Southwestern University. Mail your application and check to: Southwestern University, C/O ECSI, 181 Montour Run Road, Coraopolis, PA 15108-9408.

ECSI will send you confirmation that they have successfully created your Payment Plan account. Around June 15th, you will receive a billing statement from ECSI for your second monthly payment, with payment due by July 1st. Thereafter, you will receive a billing statement on the 15th of each month for your remaining payments, with payment due on the first of the following month.

Payment methods available in the Payment Plan

The Payment Plan offers great flexibility in making your monthly payments. You may pay by check or money order using the monthly billing statements you will receive each month from ECSI. Using ECSI's website payment tools at www.ecsi.net, you can set up automatic monthly drafts from your bank account, make a single ACH transfer from your bank account, or charge your payment to your credit card.

Is enrollment in the Payment Plan allowed after June 1st?

Yes, you may enroll in the Payment Plan through August 1st. However, you must make up-front payment for all payments which would normally have been paid if you enrolled on June 1st. For example, if you enroll in the Payment Plan on July 15th, you would pay the June 1st and July 1st payments with your application, with the next payment due on August 1st.

1. Enrollment. Enrollment is accomplished by completing, signing and returning the Payment Plan Application, together with payment of the first month and the non-refundable $40.00 administration fee prior to June 1, 2008. Alternatively, you may complete the application process via the internet by going on-line at www.ecsi.net, and following the instructions. Enrollment can be made after June 1st, but before August 1st, by making up prior payments due on the regular June-March payment cycle. No enrollment in the plan may be made after August 1st.
2. Allowable Educational Expenses. You may finance estimated tuition, fees, room and board charges for the academic year (using the 10-payment plan) or for the fall semester only (using the 5-payment plan).
3. Annual Budget Amount. The total Annual Budget Amount is payable in ten equal monthly installments due on the first of each month beginning June 1st and continuing through March 1st. In no case can the last payment due date be extended beyond March 1st. Payment may be made by check (US funds only), money order, credit card (online Application only) or ACH (Automated Clearing House). To make payment using credit card or ACH, please visit the ECSI website at www.eesi.net or call ECSI at 866-927-1438.
4. Fees and Other Charges. The participation fee is non-refundable. Payment for this fee must be included with your application and first month's payment. A return check handling fee of $20.00 will be charged for any check returned by the bank. Return of more than one check by your bank may result in termination from the program. All fees assessed will be deducted directly from your payment before funds are applied as payment on the student account. The Payment Plan is an interest-free payment plan.
5. Failure to Pay. A reminder notification will be sent if you are 15 days late in paying any installment. Failure to make full payment within 30 days of the due date will result in termination from the plan and acceleration of balance due so that all unpaid balances are immediately due and payable in full.
6. Changes in the Annual Budget Amount. Changes in the Annual Budget Amount may be made at any time during the contract period by calling ECSI at 866-927-1438. You may also email your budget adjustment to ecsi-tpp@ecsi.net or haydend@southwestern.edu. If the budget is decreased below the amounts already paid by the participant, Southwestern University will refund the credit balance through its normal refund process. To help you follow your monthly payments and make any needed adjustments to your contract, access to your account is available on the ECSI website at www.ecsi.net.