The George Washington University TPP FAQ

Question One: What is The George Washington University Monthly Payment Plan offered through ECSI?

Answer One: Student account balances for the semester are due on the first day of the semester. The monthly payment plan allows you to make monthly payments interest-free for the academic year (fall and spring semesters). The plan starts in June and ends in the following March. [Back to top]

Question Two: Who is ECSI? What do they do?

Answer Two: ECSI is Educational Computer Systems, Inc., an independent service organization authorized by GW to offer monthly payment plans. ECSI coordinates student enrollment in the plans and collects payments for GW. [Back to top]

Question Three: How does the plan work?

Answer Three: The annual plan has a total of 10 monthly payments. The first five payments, June, July, August, September, and October payments are applied to the fall semester. The second five payments, November, December, January, February, and March apply towards the spring semester. Since you are paying some of your payments early and some after the semester begins, GW is able to offer this interest-free provided the sum of your payments cover the semester balance. There are no late fees provided your payments are made on time. [Back to top]

Question Four: Is there any other cost to the plan?

Answer Four: There is an annual, non-refundable enrollment fee of as little as $65 for the annual plan depending on when you sign up. See the table below for the fees. [Back to top]

Plan	Fee
10 Month Plan	$65 before 7/10 $85 from 7/11 to 7/31 $135 from 8/1 to 8/20
5 Month Fall Plan	$45 before 7/10 $60 from 7/11 to 7/31 $90 from 8/1 to 8/20
5 Month Spring Plan	$45 before 11/1 $60 from 11/2 to 11/30 $90 from 12/1 to 1/1
3 Month Summer Plan	$35

Question Five: Can I use the Monthly Payment Plan for just the fall or spring semester?

Answer Five: You cannot use the annual 10 pay plans for the fall or spring semesters. There are fall-only and spring-only plans. In all cases, the fall balance must be paid by the October payment and the spring semester must be paid by the March payment. [Back to top]

Question Six: Does GW offer a summer semester tuition payment plan?

Answer Six: Yes.the summer tuition payment plan has a total of 3 monthly payments (April/May/June). The first payment is due 4/20. Registration begins 3/1 and ends 5/1. There is a $35.00 non-refundable application fee and all payments MUST be made by automatic withdraw from your checking/savings account only. Since you are paying some of your payments early and some after the semester begins, GW is able to offer this interest-free provided the sum of your payments cover the semester balance. There are no late fees provided your payments are made on time. [Back to top]

Question Seven: What happens after enrollment?

Answer Seven: Upon completion of your application, a payment is due. Whether it is just the enrollment fee or your enrollment plus your monthly installment, you are not technically enrolled until payment is received. Payment is due on the 20th of each month. [Back to top]

Question Eight: Can I pay the school directly?

Answer Eight: All payments for the Monthly Payment Plan must be sent to ECSI. A payment sent directly to the school is not credited against the monthly payment plan. Your payment plan will be canceled if you miss 2 or more of your monthly payments, and you will be subject to interest and late fees. [Back to top]

Question Nine: Will I have both a GW bill and a Monthly Payment Plan bill from ECSI?

Answer Nine: Yes. The Monthly Payment Plan through ECSI does not take the place of the GW bill. The payments paid through the Monthly Payment Plan are credited to the student’s account as they are received by GW. If the sum of the payments through the Monthly Payment Plan totals the amount due on the GW bill, there is nothing else that needs to be done. [Back to top]

Question Ten: What if there are changes in the amount I owe GW?

Answer Ten: If the balance owed to GW changes from when you initially set up the plan, contact ECSI to amend your payment amount. If your balance has increased, you have the right to change your remaining monthly payments or pay the difference at one time directly to GW immediately and keep your remaining contract as is. The choice is yours. [Back to top]

Question Eleven: What if I withdraw from GW and would like to stop making payments?

Answer Eleven: To end your contract with ECSI, simply notify them of your intention to cancel the plan. This will stop billing notices from being sent by ECSI. If the account is cancelled or terminated, you are still obligated to fulfill all financial obligations to GW. Any refunds of tuition or other expenses are dictated by GW’s refund policy as outlined in the University Bulletin (http://bulletin.gwu.edu/). [Back to top]

Question Twelve: The plan starts in June but I have not received an invoice from GW. How do I determine what to pay monthly?

Answer Twelve: You should estimate your costs taking published tuition, fee, housing and meal rates found on GW’s website. Also you may consider any scholarships and/or loans and deduct these amounts to calculate an estimated cost. Once the invoice comes out, you can adjust your payments accordingly. The Student Accounts Office can assist with estimating your costs. [Back to top]

Question Thirteen: What if I have a question? What are ECSI’s customer service hours?

Answer Thirteen: Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM Eastern Time at their toll-free number 1-866-927-1438 or via the web at www.ecsi.net. [Back to top]

Question Fourteen: May a GW student have more than one person use this plan? May both parents use this plan separately?

Answer Fourteen: Yes, more than one plan can be established but it is important that the multiple plans be coordinated to insure the full amount of the student’s GW bill is paid by the established due dates. Each plan is subject to an enrollment fee. [Back to top]

Question Fifteen: Whom do I make checks payable to and where do I send my payment?

Answer Fifteen: Checks are payable to and mailed to:

ECSI
c/o The George Washington University
PO Box 718
Wexford, PA 15090-0718

Please ensure the student’s name and GWid is on all payments and correspondence. [Back to top]

Question Sixteen: Can I arrange to automatically debit my checking account to make my payments?

Answer Sixteen: Yes, you can make payments via automatic debit (also called ACH) for no additional charge. To set up your account for this method of payment, please contact a customer service representative or log on to the website at www.ecsi.net. [Back to top]

Question Seventeen: Can I pay online?

Answer Seventeen: Yes, you can pay online by ACH or credit card. There is no fee for a recurring ACH payment, however, there is a fee of $1.95 for a one time ACH payment, and there is a fee of 3.25% + $1.00 charged for a credit card payment. [Back to top]

Question Eighteen: Will I pay interest or finance charges?

Answer Eighteen: No. The only fee is a small non-refundable application fee of as little as $65.00 depending on the plan selected. Late fees are not incurred if the sum of the payments through October pays the fall semester balance in full and the sum of the payments from November through March pays the spring semester balance in full. If the sum of those payments is not sufficient to cover the balance, you will incur late fees so it is important to compare your ECSI Monthly Payment Plan statement and your GW statement(s) to ensure your plan will cover your semester balance. [Back to top]

Frequently Asked Questions