Installment Payment Plan FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do I need to be an authorized user to sign for the IPP plan?
A. The student or an authorized user may sign up for the IPP Plan.
Q. Can more than one parent sign up for the Installment Payment Plan?
A. No. Only one plan may be opened each semester for each student.
Q. I am not set up as an authorized user and want to pay through the Installment Payment Plan how do I sign up?
A. The student must add you as an authorized user in Touchnet by following the instructions located here.
Q. Will I receive an acceptance confirmation of my IPP?
A. Yes. You will receive an email confirmation of your accepted enrollment into the IPP shortly after you submit your application. If you do not, please contact the Bursar Office to review your records.
Q. What happens if my student account balance changes as a result of a change to my qualified charges and/or Financial Aid?
A. Any adjustments to charges or aid will also adjust the remaining payments in the IPP. Plan participants will automatically be notified via email from the University’s EBill and Payment system each time an adjustment is made. It is recommended to review your student account on-line prior to each installment due date.
Q. What happens if I signed up for the Installment Payment Plan, then my son/daughter drops or changes the meal plan?
A. Any changes to fees financed through the IPP fees are recalculated daily. Future payments will adjust automatically and may result in an increase or decrease to the outstanding payments. PLEASE NOTE that we have set a limit of 3 days before the payment due date that recalculation WILL NOT take place to allow our participants time to review any payment changes.
Q. My son or daughter purchased a computer in the bookstore I want to put that fee on the IPP?
A. Bookstore charges are not considered required fees and must be paid separately.
Q. What is a "down payment"?
A. The "down payment" is any amount you wish to pay now to decrease the outstanding student account balance. It is important to understand that the amount posted in the "down payment" box will be deducted from your bank account at the time you complete the enrollment application.
Q. My son or daughter’s account receives Outside Scholarships and other outside aid. Can we use the Installment payment plan?
A. Any portion of the students required fees not covered by financial aid or outside scholarships can be budgeted for payment via the Installment Payment Plan. Please note that memos fall off the account shortly after classes begin. If the outside source is not received before the memo expires, payment for the unpaid balance will be deducted from the remaining installments
Q. I signed up for the IPP then received additional Financial Aid that paid off the student account; I received an email that the IPP was cancelled for that term. I just received a bill for an additional charge and want to re-sign up for the IPP Plan?
A. Once the IPP is paid off, it cannot be re-opened again for that term.
Q. My son or daughter is taking a summer course at Brown I want to put that charge onto the IPP?
A. The Installment Payment Plan is available to finance Fall and Spring semesters qualified charges only.
Q. Can I cancel my plan at any time?
A. Yes. The Bursar’s Office can cancel the plan at any time at the request of the participant (student or authorized user). Once the plan is cancelled you will receive an email notification of any balance due at that time.
Q. Can I mail a check instead of signing up for ACH?
A. No. If you choose to sign up for the IPP, the payment is automatically deducted from your personal checking or savings account on the 10th of each month.
Q. What happens to the IPP if the student does not attend, or becomes inactive?
A. The Plan will be cancelled and any outstanding balances will be due immediately.
Q. Will we receive a reminder to sign up for the next term?
A. Information about signing up for a new plan will be available at www.brown.edu/bursar or https://payment.brown.edu when a new plan is available. New students will be sent a mailing mid May letting them know that the plan is available. Participants currently on the plan will be sent correspondence prior to the end of the term I plan.
Q. When will I see the payment deduction on my bank records reflecting my payment?
A. It may take up to 48 hours after the next business day of when you made your payment for the electronic funds to be deducted from your bank account.
Q. I signed up for the Installment Payment Plan then realized that I used the wrong checking/savings account what do I do?
A. You can log onto your account and change your saved payment method at any time.
Q. Will I receive a notification when the monthly payment will be withdrawn from my checking or savings account?
A. A reminder notice will be sent to your email address two (2) days before the scheduled payment is deducted.
Q. My ACH did not go through how do I send in the payment and will the IPP Plan be cancelled?
A. It is important to use the correct bank account number and sufficient funds are in your account at the time of the automatic payment deduction. It is important to contact the Bursar’s Office when payment problems occur. Rejections may cause the IPP to be cancelled.
Q. I am a readmitted student and my charges were not posted to my account until recently. I tried signing up for the IPP I received a notice that the plan is closed?
A. The application deadlines for each term are August 9 and January 9. The IPP plans are closed to everyone after the deadlines.
Q. I signed up for the Installment Payment Plan then realized that I used the wrong checking/savings account what do I do?
A. You can log onto your account and change your saved payment method at any time.