Fees and Billing

Fees and payments

Students must pay a number of charges to meet all financial obligations relating to study. These mandatory charges include:

Application fee — This nonrefundable, one-time payment is paid during the application process.
Deposit — This one-time payment is made upon acceptance of an offer of admission. The deposit may be refundable in the event of visa denial.
Hokie Passport ID fee — Upon arrival, the LCI will assist students in obtaining their initial identification card. They should carry this card with them at all times so that they can receive services throughout the campus community.
Tuition — Students must pay their tuition prior to the start of classes and before established Virginia Tech deadlines. Failure to do so could result in assessment of late penalties or being dropped from the class altogether, which could impact visa status. The cost of books and lab supplies, for example, are not included in tuition costs and must be paid for separately.
Mandatory fees — In order to receive services throughout campus, students must pay a number of mandatory, nonrefundable fees each semester including:
- Comprehensive fees — these include the Student Activity Fee, Arts Fee, Health Services Fee, Athletic Fee, Transportation Services Fee, Recreational Sports Fee, and Student Services Fee.
- Educational and general fees — these include technology service fee, library fee, and commonwealth facility and equipment fee.
- Supplemental fees/colleges or major-specific fees — The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors has established a number of mandatory fees that students must pay in additional to tuition. Typically, these apply to students taking classes in or majoring in certain academic disciplines, such as engineering, architecture, building construction, or business. These additional supplemental fees are mandatory and are in addition to any other tuition and fees.

Please visit the bursar’s website for a description of fees and more information on tuition and fees.

Tuition payments and refunds

The Bursar's Office generates billing statements monthly that show the tuition and fees due. Full payment is due prior to the beginning of classes each semester. A schedule of payment deadlines is posted on the Virginia Tech Bursar’s webpage.

Failure to pay tuition and fees and by the established payment deadlines may result in additional finance charges, late fees, reinstatement fees, and the possible cancellation of classes. Imposition of these fees can also result in the withholding of transcripts or other documents until the account is settled. If the matter is referred for collection to an attorney or a collection agency, then the student will be liable for attorney's fees or additional collection fees of 33⅓% of the then unpaid balance.

Payment options

Students may pay their tuition and fees in one of three ways.

Online — Virginia Tech, in partnership with e-commerce service provider Nelnet Business Solutions, offers an electronic bill and payment system called QuikPAY. Students may pay online using their checking account (free), or credit card (service fee for credit card payments). They may access the QuikPAY system's “View and Pay e-Bill” option through their Hokie SPA account by clicking on “Hokie Wallet.”
Check — When paying by check, students must write their Virginia Tech account number on their check and enclose the bottom portion of their statement — the remittance advice. They must make the checks payable in U.S. dollars to “Treasurer of Virginia Tech.” If a paper check is used, they should access the eBill system, print the PDF version of their statement, enclose the bottom portion (remittance) with their check, and mail to the address indicated:
Office of the University Bursar (MC0143)
Student Services Building, Suite 150, Virginia Tech
800 Washington St. SW
Blacksburg, VA 24061
USA
A delay may occur if payment is mailed without the bottom portion of the eBill statement (remittance advice).
Flywire by peerTransfer — Virginia Tech has partnered with Flywire by peerTransfer to streamline the tuition payment process for international students. Flywire by peerTransfer allows students to pay from any country and any bank. It also offers excellent foreign exchange rates, allowing students to pay in many home currencies and save a significant amount of money compared with traditional banks. Students will be able to track the progress of their payment throughout the transfer process via a student dashboard, and they will also be notified via email when their payment is received by Virginia Tech.

Any service fees associated with the aforementioned payments are the responsibility of the students.

Late fees/holds

A late payment fee of 10% of the past due balance (not to exceed $125 per term) will be assessed if students have not paid and have no other credit in their student accounts (e.g., scholarships) to cover institutional charges.

A hold will be placed on their account if there is a past due balance. In that event, they would not be able to view their schedule, access drop/add, access course request, or receive a transcript until their payment for the past due balance is received.

Reinstatement fees

Students who are dropped from classes for nonpayment and have their classes reinstated will be assessed a late fee of 10% of the past due balance (not to exceed $125 per term) and a reinstatement fee of $75.

Finance charges

Finance charges will be assessed to all accounts with a past due balance. However, students will not be assessed finance charges unless there is a past due balance at the end of the term.

Finance charges will be charged monthly at the rate of .42% per month (5% APY) on the past due billed balance on nonstudent accounts. Finance charges will be assessed on any prior term past due charges. For example, if students have a past due balance at the end of the spring semester, they will incur a finance charge of .42% per month on these unpaid charges after the end of the spring semester.

Returned payments

Any payment returned to Virginia Tech (via paper or electronic means) will result in a $50 returned item fee being placed on the account of the student, individual, vendor, or employee on whose behalf the payment was presented for each returned item, no matter the reason, as required by the Commonwealth of Virginia’s statute § 8.01-27.1. The amount of the returned item will also be added back to the payer's account. It is important to note that checks and online eChecks are submitted only once for payment.

A hold and late fee may also be placed on the payer's account. All related charges should be paid in person at the Bursar cashier’s window with guaranteed funds (cash, cashier's check or money order). If payment is not made in this manner, there will be a 10-day delay in removal of any holds associated with the returned item. Moreover, the university may refuse to accept checks or other forms of payment from students if they have previously had returned payments.

Collections

Any amount owed to the university — including, but not limited to, tuition, fees, room, board, loans, notes receivable, and amount due for goods and services provided — is considered a receivable. A receivable becomes past due if not satisfied by the payment deadline date. At 90 days past due, the receivable becomes delinquent.

For currently enrolled students, the primary collection tool is the placement of a "HOLD" by the Office of the University Bursar on students’ records. This "HOLD" restricts certain student activities such as the ability to add or drop classes, receive grade transcripts, and register for future academic terms. Once established, the "HOLD" remains in place until the debt is paid in full. Once the students are no longer enrolled, the collection procedures utilized for other "nonstudent" receivables are implemented. In addition, if students have applied for graduation and have a balance on their student account, their diploma may be held.

Refund policy

Tuition and fees paid for noncredit courses that are a part of LCI programs are nonrefundable.

The program deposit r=required upon acceptance of an offer of admission is refundable in the event that a student has not attended courses and is unable to obtain a visa. The denial letter issued by the U.S. Consulate is required to substantiate the refund request.

Students who want to drop or withdraw from a credit class or classes may or may not be entitled to a refund depending on their course load and the date they drop a course. It is necessary to consult the Bursar’s Office to see if a refund is possible given their unique circumstances and the process for requesting a refund.

If a refund is given, it will be returned by direct deposit if students have this feature on their bank account and provide the university with banking information. Otherwise, a check will be printed and mailed to the permanent address on file at the time the refund is issued.

Budget Tuition Plan

Students participating in LCI programs are not eligible to utilize the Budget Tuition Plan. All payments must be paid by established deadlines.