Third-Party Payment Policy at the University of Maine at Augusta

Many students have charges partially or fully covered by employers, government agencies, the military, or other external sponsors. The following outlines the University’s third-party payment policies:

  • Authorization Requirements:
    • The University only accepts unconditional payment authorizations (not contingent on grades, GPA, or other factors).
    • Authorizations must be submitted at registration and specify covered charges and amounts for the term.
  • Student Responsibility:
    • Students must arrange payment for charges not covered by the sponsor at registration.
    • Students are responsible for any costs not paid by the sponsor.
    • If the sponsor declines payment, the payment is the responsibility of the student.
  • Billing Process:
    • Sponsored tuition, fees, and book charges are transferred from the student’s account to a sponsor’s billing account.
    • A Third Party Authorization Form clarifies billing rules, such as:
      • Payment amount(s) for tuition, fees, and books.
      • Coverage of balances after federal aid is applied.
      • Specific conditions for payment after applying grants and scholarships.
  • Form Submission:
    • The completed authorization form, signed by the sponsor, should be submitted to Student Accounts at least two weeks before the term starts.
      • If submitted after the term starts, expect delays in the transfer of balances and issuance of bills.
  • Additional Notes:
    • Registration and financial aid adjustments can affect account balances; the authorization must reflect the sponsor’s intent and any expected pre-payments.
    • Late submission or unresolved balances may incur late fees.
    • Students must report all outside resources (i.e. waivers, scholarships, or other assistance) to avoid potential repayment of financial aid.
  • Book Purchases
    • Students can order books using third-party funding through the online bookstore.