Financial Policies

Direct Costs Miscellaneous Fees Financial Policies Payment Plan

To help students and parents understand our Payment Policies and Procedures, we have created a Payment Brochure that answers the important questions of when, how, and what to pay to the College. Frequently asked questions are listed below:

How do I find out what I owe?
Continuing students and applicants to Otis College of Art and Design can use Otis' Self Service system to view the Tuition Statement. The Tuition Statement allows students to see their personalized information including tuition costs, the student's financial aid, and any balance due. Applicants to Otis will be able to access the Self Service system after receiving their Financial Aid award or committing to Otis by submitting their Tuition Deposit. To see the current cost of tuition, select Direct Costs in the menu above.

When is tuition due?
Payment deadlines:
Fall semester: July 24
Spring semester: December 15
Summer semester: May 15

How do I pay?
Tuition balances owed may be paid using any of the following methods:
1. Monthy TuitionPay payment plan (not available to International Students)
2. Received or anticipated award of financial aid
3. Credit card and electronic check payments through the Otis Self Service website (Mastercard, Discover, American Express)
4. Cash, personal check, cashier's check or money order paid at the Otis Cashier's Window or
5. Any combination of the above.

For questions on student account balances, contact Student Accounts Office.
For questions on financial aid, contact Financial Aid Office.

What if I bounce a check?
The fee for a returned check/echeck payment is $50.00. All returned checks/echecks must be replaced with cash, cashier's check, money order, wire transfer, or electronic credit card payment (Mastercard, Discover, or American Express) within five (5) business days. When a payment is returned to the college unpaid by the bank, the student’s account will not accept any check payments for one year after the repayment of the item. Transactions must be made in the form of cash, cashier's check, money order, wire transfer, or electronic credit card during that time.

When will I receive a Financial Aid refund?
Refund checks are processed once the student’s account comes to a credit balance, after classes for the term begin. The check is mailed to the student’s mailing address. This address can be updated at the Registration Office window. Please allow 7-10 business days to receive your refund check in the mail. Please contact the Student Accounts Office for any further questions or visit Self Service to see if your account has come to a credit balance.

What if I decide to withdraw from Otis?
In order to be eligible for tuition refund consideration, students must officially withdraw from Otis by completing and submitting a Change of Status form (complete with required signatures) to the Office of Registration and Records.
The official date of withdrawal used in calculating tuition refunds will be the student's last date of attendance as determined by the Registrar. Refer to "Change of Status" for details. Tuition refunds are distributed according to eligibility categories and dates published each year in the Course catalogue and Academic Planner. Students dismissed from Otis for disciplinary reasons forfeit the right to claim refunds of tuition, deposits, and fees.

What happens if I don't pay a balance I owe?
1. A student's accounts must be at zero balance in order to register for a new semester.
2. Grade reports and/or academic transcripts will not be released if there is a delinquent or outstanding balance on the student's account.
3. Seniors will not be cleared for Commencement or to receive a diploma if account balances are not at a zero balance.
4. Delinquent accounts are referred to an outside collection agency. Students referred to collection are responsible for all collection costs.