Student Financial Responsibility Agreement

Houston Community College

Student Financial Responsibility Agreement and Acknowledgement of HCC Policies

I acknowledge that enrolling for courses at Houston Community College (“HCC”) constitutes a financial obligation to the College and that I will abide by the terms and conditions of this agreement to include and incorporate by reference all registration, payment, and financial aid policies and procedures.

PAYMENT OF TUITION AND FEES:

I understand that when I register for any class at Houston Community College (HCC) or receive any service from HCC, I accept full responsibility to pay all tuition, fees and other associated costs assessed as a result of my registration and/or receipt of services. I further understand and agree my registration is in fact acceptance of these terms and constitutes a promissory note agreement (i.e., a financial obligation in the form of an educational loan as defined by the U.S. Bankruptcy Code at 11 U.S.C. §523(a)(8)) in which HCC is providing me educational services, deferring some or all of my payment obligation for those services, and I promise to pay for all assessed tuition, fees and other associated costs and/or balances by the published or assigned due date.

I understand and agree that it is my responsibility to drop or withdraw from courses I do not attend, and should I drop or withdraw from some or all of the courses for which I register, I will be responsible for paying all or a portion of tuition and fees in accordance with the published “Drop and Withdrawal Refunds Schedule” located at https://catalog.hccs.edu

I understand and agree that the current HCC Course Catalog is incorporated herein - https://catalog.hccs.edu

I understand that the aid described as “estimated” on my Financial Aid Award does not represent an actual or guaranteed award, but is an estimate of the aid I may receive if I meet all requirements stipulated by that aid program. I understand that my Financial Aid Award is contingent upon my continued enrollment and attendance in each class upon which my financial aid eligibility was calculated. If I drop any class before completion, I understand that my financial aid eligibility may decrease and some or all of the financial aid awarded to me may be revoked. If some or all of my financial aid is revoked because I dropped or failed to attend class, I agree to repay all revoked aid that was disbursed to my account and resulted in a credit balance that was refunded to me. I agree to allow the financial aid I receive to pay any and all allowable charges assessed to my account at HCC, in accordance with the terms of the aid.

I agree to pay the balance of my tuition and fees using one of the options:

OPTION 1

I may choose to pay my balance in FULL upon enrollment or use my anticipated financial aid award to hold my seat in the class(es) upon enrollment and to pay my balance by awarded financial aid upon its release to my account. I understand that:

  • Changes in my class schedule may affect my charges and/or the amount of financial aid I am eligible for or even my eligibility to receive financial aid.
  • In the case where the college determines that I am not eligible to receive financial aid and the amount previously awarded is withdrawn, I am fully responsible for paying all charges including refunds that may have been released to me prior to the final determination of my eligibility.

 

OPTION 2

I may choose to pay my balance by enrolling in the Installment Payment Plan option offered for the semester or term. By doing so, I understand that:

  • I must enroll for this option online by the payment deadline through the student’s self-service page of the college’s website.
  • A minimum required down payment must be made at the time of enrollment in the plan.
  • A payment plan fee/installment fee will be calculated in my initial payment.
  • A late payment fee will be assessed for each late payment.
  • Installment amounts may be updated for any new charges and/or payments.

 

OPTION 3 - SPONSORED (THIRD PARTY) ACCOUNTS

I understand that as a sponsored student:

  • I am responsible for submitting to the college’s business office any third-party letter of credit or payment agreement within the period allowed by the enrollment process for every change of my enrollment.
  • I am responsible for any charge(s) not covered by my sponsor’s letter of credit or payment agreement and/or any charges not paid by my sponsor.

 

FAILED PAYMENT/DELINQUENT ACCOUNT:

A STUDENT WHO FAILS TO MAKE FULL PAYMENT OF TUITION AND MANDATORY FEES, INCLUDING ANY INCIDENTAL FEES, BY THE DUE DATE MAY BE PROHIBITED FROM REGISTERING FOR CLASSES UNTIL FULL PAYMENT IS MADE. A STUDENT WHO FAILS TO MAKE FULL PAYMENT PRIOR TO THE END OF THE SEMESTER OR TERM MAY BE DENIED CREDIT FOR THE WORK DONE THAT SEMESTER OR TERM.

I understand and agree that returned payments and/or failure to comply with the terms of any payment plan or agreement I signed with HCC may result in my withdrawal from the plan and may consequently result in the cancellation of my classes and/or suspension of my eligibility to register for future classes at HCC. I also understand that any account balance must be satisfied before I will be allowed to register for future semesters, receive any services, or receive official college documents. If a payment made to my student account is returned by the bank or refused settlement by the credit card company for any reason, I agree to repay the original amount of the payment plus a returned payment fee of $25.00. I understand that if the reason for my payment being returned is due to Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF), or an account not found, HCC may refuse to accept further check payments from me.

I understand and accept that unpaid balances are subject to collection activity and HCC may place for collection any unpaid balance/delinquent account with a professional collection agency or collection attorney. I understand and agree that HCC may report unpaid/delinquent balances to national credit-reporting agencies. I understand and accept that I will be responsible for the collection fees which may be based on a percentage of the debt up to 24%, and all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, Houston Community College may incur in collection efforts in accordance with Texas statutes. The delinquency may be reported to the State of Texas preventing reimbursement of funds payable to me from any state agency. I understand and agree my financial obligation to HCC constitutes an educational loan to assist in financing my education and therefore is not dischargeable pursuant to the United States Bankruptcy Code section 523(a)(8). I also understand and agree that all disputes relating to registration and payment will be governed by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to the principles of conflicts of laws of the State of Texas. The venue for any legal disputes shall be Harris County, Texas.

I understand that any federal Title IV financial aid that I receive, except for Federal Work-Study wages, will first be applied to any outstanding balance on my account for tuition and fees. Title IV financial aid includes aid from Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Direct Loan, PLUS Loan, Perkins Loan, and TEACH Grant programs. I authorize HCC to apply my Title IV financial aid to pay toward allowable charges assessed to my student account, in accordance with the terms of the aid. I further understand that this authorization will remain in effect until I rescind it or the end of the financial aid award year authorized and that I may withdraw it at any time by submitting written notice to HCC’s Student Financial Services & Cashiering Operations Department (Bursar). bursar.office@hccs.edu

I understand that all prizes, awards, scholarships, and grants awarded to me by HCC will be credited to my student account and applied toward any outstanding balance in accordance with the terms of the aid. I further understand that my receipt of a prize, award, scholarship, or grant is considered a financial resource according to federal Title IV financial aid regulations, and may therefore reduce my eligibility for other federal and/or state financial aid (i.e., loans, grants, Federal Work-Study) which, if already disbursed to my student account, must be reversed and returned to the aid source.

REFUNDS:

I understand that Houston Community College (HCC) has engaged the services of a Third Party to handle all refunds electronically. As a student, I am given the option to either open a bank account with the Third Party for refunds to be directed to such bank account, or to direct my refund amounts to an existing bank account.

To complete the registration of my refund option, HCC will provide my directory information (i.e. Name, Student ID Number, Mailing Address, and Date of Birth) to the Third Party in order to set up a Debit Card for me to activate and open an account, or to set up a key to register and choose Direct Deposit to an existing bank account. Further information is located at https://www.hccs.edu/applying-and-paying/student-financial-services/refunds-and-credit-balances/

BILLING ERRORS:

I am responsible for viewing and paying my student account bill by the scheduled due date. I further understand that failure to review my bill does not constitute a valid reason for not paying my bill on time. I understand that administrative, clerical or technical billing errors do not absolve me of my financial responsibility to pay the correct amount of tuition, fees and other associated financial obligations assessed as a result of my registration at HCC.

IRS FORM 1098-T

I understand and agree to provide HCC with a social security number (SSN) or taxpayer identification number (TIN) as required by the IRS for Form 1098-T reporting purposes. If I fail to provide my social security number (SSN) or taxpayer identification number (TIN) to HCC, I understand that I may be subject to IRS fines and agree to pay any and all IRS fines resulting from my failure to provide my social security number (SSN) or taxpayer identification number (TIN). I consent to receive my annual IRS Form 1098-T electronically from HCC. I understand that if I do not consent to receive my Form 1098-T electronically, a paper copy will be provided. I understand that I can withdraw this consent on the 1098-T section of my “Student Center” page.

COMMUNICATION:

I understand and agree that HCC uses the school-issued e-mail address as an official method of communication with me, and that therefore I am responsible for reading the emails I receive from HCC.

I authorize HCC and its agents and contractors to contact me at my current and any future cellular phone number(s), email address(es) or wireless device(s) to receive general information from HCC or to inform me of my due and/or delinquent account, or any other debt I owe to HCC. I also authorize HCC and its agents and contractors to use automated telephone dialing equipment, artificial or pre-recorded voice or text messages, and personal calls and emails, in their efforts to contact me. Furthermore, I understand that I may withdraw my consent to call my cellular phone using automated dialing equipment by submitting my request in writing to the appropriate HCC department or in writing to the applicable contractor or agent contacting me on behalf of HCC.

I understand and agree that I am responsible for keeping HCC records up to date with my current physical address, email address, and phone number. Upon leaving HCC, it is my responsibility to provide HCC with updated contact information for purposes of continued communication regarding any amounts that remain due and owing to HCC.

I further understand and agree that:

I understand and agree that if I am younger than the applicable age of majority when I execute this agreement the educational services provided by HCC are a necessity, and I am contractually obligated pursuant to the “doctrine of necessaries.”

I understand and agree that any disputes arising out of my registration and/or relating to the terms and conditions of this agreement with HCC shall be settled through mediation or arbitration.


This agreement supersedes all prior understandings, representations, negotiations and correspondence between me and HCC, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the matters described, and shall not be modified or affected by any course of dealing or course of performance. This agreement may be modified by HCC if the modification is signed by me. Any modification is specifically limited to those policies and/or terms addressed in the modification.

HCC’s annual security report is available for review at www.hccs.edu/clery. This report includes an overview of how the HCCS Police Department is structured, the types of activities in which it becomes involved and a statistical accounting of HCC campus crimes.

Houston Community College (HCC) is committed to providing its students a drug and alcohol-free workplace and learning environment to promote the reputation of HCC as responsible citizens of public trust, and to provide a consistent model of substance-free behavior for students. HCC prohibits the unlawful possession, use, manufacture, or distribution of unauthorized drugs and alcohol in the workplace, on the campuses, or at any HCC activities. HCC, including all of its colleges and campuses, shall provide a safe, responsive environment for all students. Information can be found online at https://www.hccs.edu/support-services/drug--alcohol-abuse-prevention/ 

 revised April 2024