Stanford
Student Services

Late Fees & Penalties to Avoid

Stanford is committed to supporting your student financial experience by ensuring you are informed about your responsibilities and equipped with financial literacy throughout your academic journey. We do this by regularly notifying you of upcoming due dates, sharing information to help you avoid negative financial impacts, and providing programs like Mind Over Money. 

Late Payment Fees

If your full payment is not received by the published due date, a late payment penalty of 1% of the amount past due may be assessed. Anticipated aid (aid that has been accepted but not disbursed) will reduce the total amount due prior to late fees being applied.

If your payment is more than 30 days past due, a financial hold will be placed on your student account and will block future enrollment and diplomas. For more information, see Delinquent Accounts information below.

Penalties for Returned Payments

A returned check or returned eCheck fee will be assessed for payments made by paper check or electronic check that are returned unpaid by the financial institution. Such fees are posted to your student account.

The following rules and penalties apply:

  • A non-refundable $25 administrative fee will be charged for each returned check and/or returned electronic check.
  • Payments returned may cause holds to be placed on your student account which block future enrollment and diplomas from being issued.
  • Late payment fees of 1% may also be applied to any unpaid portion of the student account.

Delinquent Accounts and Financial Holds

You are expected to review your bill monthly and pay amounts by the due date.

Unpaid amounts may result in financial holds being placed on your student account. Financial holds block future term enrollment and diploma dispersal.

In March 2020, Stanford suspended all student billing collection efforts on past due accounts to provide those affected by the COVID pandemic time to navigate through unforeseen financial impacts. This pause was also to align with the Federal Government's temporary suspension of past-due balance notifications and deferment of federally issued loans slated for repayment.

In Autumn 2023, collection efforts will be reinstated. At that time, the following may apply to severely delinquent accounts:

  • National credit reporting agencies may be notified.
  • Collection agency placement and/or litigation may occur.
  • Any collection costs, attorney fees and court costs may be the student’s responsibility.

We are here to guide you and partner with you!

Please reach out to us through the Student Services Center if you need assistance.