Payment Procedures
Please read closely this important information on payment procedures. They are designed to help the College treat all families fairly and to minimize disruptions in students' experiences at Williams.
Williams College Policy for Payment of Student Semester Bills
Bills for enrollment at the College are issued each semester, payable by August 15 and January 15. A $250.00 late fee may be added to bills not paid by the due dates.
Students with bills unpaid on the due date who have not made a satisfactory arrangement for payment with the Bursar, will not be able to participate in the registration process, enroll in courses, or remain in residence at the College.
Students who make a special arrangement with the Bursar but then fail to abide by it will not be permitted to enroll or remain in residence at the College in any future terms until all outstanding obligations are paid in full. Academic transcripts and diplomas will not be provided to or on behalf of students with unpaid balances. Communication with the Bursar regarding accounts is critical to minimize disruptions in students' experiences at Williams. Any questions regarding this policy should be directed to the Bursar (P. O. Box 406, Williamstown, MA 01267, 413-597-4396).
Students who separate from the College, either due to withdrawal or graduation, are responsible for the prompt payment of any outstanding balance owed to the College. If payment is not made, the account will be sent to our collection agency. The student will then be responsible for the full balance on the account plus collection costs.
Semester Term Bills
Term bills will itemize the basic College charges of tuition, room and telephone, board, student activity fee and the residential house fee less any financial aid applied. Charges will be divided equally between the Fall and Spring term bills.
Checks should be made payable to Williams College and mailed in the return envelope provided to:
Williams College
P.O. Box 3474
Boston, MA 02241-3474
All payments must be made in United States dollars through a United States bank. Credit cards cannot be accepted for payment of tuition and fees.
Accounts with outstanding balances due to incomplete or late financial aid settlements are subject to a late fee in accordance with the payment policy.
Monthly Bills
Bills for additional charges (meals, fines, etc.) and unpaid balance s are issued every month. These bills are due upon receipt.
How Financial Aid, Various Payment Plans and Provisional Credits Will Affect Your Term Bills
Awards from the Williams Office of Financial Aid
The Financial Aid Office determines eligibility for the various kinds of financial aid and the actual disbursement of most funds administered by their office. Questions regarding financial aid may be directed to (413) 597-4181 or by mail at P. O. Box 37, Williamstown, MA 01267.
Payment Options - Loans and Ten-Month Payment Plan
The total due on your bill may be reduced by the expected proceeds of any anticipated loans or the amount which will be paid through any other payment option such as the Ten-Month Payment Plan. To grant temporary credit for any loans or the contract amount of the payment plan, the College must receive confirmation that the loan/contract has been approved by August 16. It is important to review all bills issued by the College to ensure that the original contract amount will cover the semester charges and any additional charges incurred.
Provisional Credits
A provisional credit is an allowance for an anticipated payment against a student's account. Provisional credit will be posted to the semester bill for the following:
- Anticipated disbursements for loans which have been approved by the lender.
- Outside scholarships, as indicated on the Scholarship Information Sheet, which have not yet been received and applied against the student account.
- The remaining semester contract amount for the Ten Month Payment Plan. The contract amount is divided evenly between the Fall and Spring semesters.
If actual payments for the above provisional credits are not received by the date anticipated, the provisional credit will expire and be removed from the student's account creating a balance due.
Outside Scholarships
Students who receive a scholarship that was not awarded through the Office of Financial Aid must complete the enclosed Scholarship Information Sheet and mail it to the Financial Aid Office (upper-class students by May 30, first year students as soon as the scholarship information is available).
- If the College is required to bill the scholarship agency in order to receive payment, please note this on the Scholarship Information Sheet and include a copy of the award notification indicating an address to which the bill is to be sent.
- Receipt of the completed Scholarship Information Sheet will result in a provisional credit of one half of the scholarship award on the first semester bill. Scholarships will be credited to student accounts when received. If the scholarship is remitted to Williams in one payment the entire scholarship will be applied in the semester received. If the scholarship is remitted in two payments, a provisional credit will be posted on the Spring bill for the amount of the scholarships that remain outstanding.
topWilliams College Refund Policy
Federal regulations require that all educational institutions disclose their refund policy to all students. In accordance with that regulation, below please find the Williams College Refund Policy: Refunds on student accounts in the event of withdrawal or separation are as follows:
| Fall Semester, 2007 Date of Withdrawal |
Amount Refunded | Spring Semester, 2008 Date of Withdrawal |
|---|---|---|
| Prior to Sept. 6 | 100% tuition & all fees | Prior to start of classes Jan. 31 |
| Week 1 Sept. 6 - 12 | 90% tuition, board only* | Jan. 31 - Feb 6 |
| Week 2 Sept. 13 - 19 | 80% tuition, board only | Feb. 7 - 13 |
| Week 3 Sept. 20 - 26 | 70% tuition, board only | Feb. 13 - 20 |
| Week 4 Sept. 27 - Oct. 3 | 60% tuition, board only | Feb. 21 - 27 |
| Week 5 Oct. 4 - 10 | 50% tuition, board only | Feb. 28 - March 5 |
| Week 6 Oct. 11 - 17 | 40% tuition, board only | March 6 - 12 |
| Week 7 Oct. 18 - 24 | 30% tuition, board only | March 13 - 19 |
| Week 8 Oct. 25 - Oct. 31 | 20% tuition, board only | March 20 - 26 |
| No refund after October 31, 2007 | No refund after March 26, 2008 |
- * Housing and miscellaneous fees are not pro-rated after the start of classes. Coverage under the College's student health insurance plan will continue for the length of the plan (September 1, 2007 - August 30, 2008)
- Students who are considering withdrawal from the College should be sure to meet with the Dean's Office, the Financial Aid Office and the Bursar's Office before rendering their final decision.
- The College offers, through A.W.G. Dewar, Inc., a Tuition Refund Plan which supplements the Williams College Refund Policy in certain circumstances. A brochure describing this plan will be sent under separate cover, or you may contact Dewar, Inc. directly at (617)774-1555.