Office of Student Financial Services

Billing Checklist

.pdf Checklist

We understand that students and Trailblazer Teams may feel overwhelmed when they receive their bill, but Student Financial Services is here to help every step of the way! We strongly encourage that you to use this checklist as a starting point and reaching out if you have any questions.  

Do you want a detailed overview of the billing process? Check out our Billing Overview.

Do you have any questions about the bill or the fees? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions or Explanation of Fees. You may also contact us at 413.662.5230 or StudentAccounts@mcla.edu.

Make a Health Insurance Decision

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires all undergraduate students enrolled for 9 or more credits  to have health insurance. Once every academic year, students waive or enroll in the insurance if they meet this requirement. If a student already waives in the fall semester, they will not be required to waive in the spring semester. This requirement will be posted as a charge on the bill only if the student needs to do this.

• To waive OR enroll in the health insurance, visit the University Health Plans website.
• Waivers or enrollments are usually reflected on an account within 24-48 business hours. Revised eBills are not issued when a health insurance waiver has been processed, but are available upon request of the student.

Complete or Update Your FERPA Form

MCLA cannot release any financial information, including refunds, pertaining to an account to anyone except the student. In order to release information to others, the student must complete a FERPA form. The student has the right to rescind this authorization at any time throughout the academic year. (Please note that completing the FERPA form does not grant online account access as an Authorized User.)

• Students may click here to complete or rescind the Student Financial Services FERPA Information Release. (Students must be logged into the myMCLA Portal to access the form.)
• Paper forms are available in the Student Financial Services Office upon request.

Verify Completion of Financial Aid File (if applicable)

In order for a student to receive any financial aid, including Federal Student Loans, the student must complete the FAFSA and any other documentation as required by the MCLA Financial Aid Office. Students must accept their financial aid on Banner Self Service. Accepted aid will be shown as a credit on the invoice.  

• A student who is a first-time Federal Loan borrower must complete mandatory Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note for Federal Student Loans to be credited on an account.
• If a student has an incomplete file with Financial Aid, financial aid will not show on the bill. Contact Financial Aid at 413-662-5219 or finaid@mcla.edu for assistance.
• If a student has a credit balance on the bill after all financial aid has been applied, that student may be eligible for a book advance. 

Enroll in Electronic Refunds/update Your Banking with BankMobile

All students are strongly encouraged to enroll in BankMobile for electronic refunds, even if they do not expect to receive a refund. This will expedite the return of funds should a refund become available on a student's account.

• New students will a bright green envelope from BankMobile with a personal activation code used to set up their accounts. They will also receive an email. If a student did not receive their code, they can visit RefundSelection.com and click "Need a Code?"
• Students who have already enrolled in BankMobile can view/update their account at anytime by logging into RefundSelection.com.

Pay Your Bill/Make Acceptable Payment Arrangement By Due Date*

To remain enrolled in coursework, students have the following options for payment:

• Pay the balance online with credit/debit card or ACH.**
• Pay the balance fee free with cash (in-office only) or personal check/money order.
• Apply for an alternative student loan or Federal Parent Plus Loan.
• Enroll in a monthly payment plan by Nelnet. For costs, schedules, or to enroll, visit MyCollegePaymentPlan.com/MCLA.

*The Student Accounts office reserves the right to request payment in advance for coursework if a student has demonstrated an unsatisfactory payment history, or has defaulted on a prior payment arrangement. This includes any default of prior monthly payment plans, and/or repeated collection efforts.

**Credit card and ACH payments are not processed on the phone and must be made online. ACH payments are fee free, but credit/debit card payments are subject to a credit card processing fee. If someone besides the student wants to pay by credit card or ACH, the student will need to authorize them as a user. Instructions for adding an authorized user are available here.