Billing FAQs
If an answer to your question is not provided here, contact The HUB.
What is an E-Bill, when is it issued and how can I view it?
An E-Bill is a downloadable and official student invoice that includes upcoming student account charges and credits.
New E-Bills are produced at the end of each month and students and authorized bill payers are notified via email.
Email notification includes information about the student's billing statement and a link to our secure Student Information Online (SIO) system where the student will be able to view their invoice. Students can also view their previous monthly invoices on SIO.
To view the most recent account transactions, select 'Student Account Activity' under the Finances tab in SIO.
How do I read my E-Bill?
Please note that E-Bills are produced at the end of each month and reflect the account balance as of the last day of the prior month. To view the most up to date balance, please visit SIO 'Student Account Activity' as charges may be applied or removed on student accounts after an E-Bill is released.
The ‘Summary’ portion of E-Bills displays the amount owed on the previous invoice, the charges for the upcoming or current semester, payments/scholarships/aid received since last month and the amount due.
The ‘Detail for Amount Due’ portion itemizes the charges and credits that comprise the amount due on the previous page.
‘Charges and Credits Due in the Future’ provides students with a list of expenses that are expected to be applied to their student account.
Why does my E-Bill not match my student account balance?
E-Bills are produced on the last day of the month and are not produced again until the end of the following month. Account charges and credits are applied to student accounts throughout the month and affect the student account balance. The University encourages students to view their 'Student Account Activity' under the Finances tab in SIO to stay up-to-date on their account transactions and balance owed.
I am the bill payer, but I do not receive E-Bills. What do I do?
A student may authorize a third-party bill payer, such as a parent, guardian or spouse, to receive an email notification, which includes a PDF attachment of the monthly invoice. If students do not give authorization through SIO and do not provide a current and valid third-party email address, then a monthly invoice notification will only be sent to the student's Andrew ID account.
Another way students can authorize a third-party bill payer to view their invoices is to invite them to use My Plaid Student - a secure website that gives authorized users access to certain information about a student. Learn more about My Plaid Student.
View detailed instructions on how to take advantage of these services.
Why does a student need to provide authorization to Carnegie Mellon to email invoices or for My Plaid Student?
Carnegie Mellon is committed to maintaining the privacy and security of student information. Pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, the university may not disclose personally identifiable information from a student’s education records without his or her consent, except in limited circumstances specified by law. For more information please see the University's Policy on Student Privacy Rights.
How will a student add, update or remove authorization or an email address for a bill payer?
Students may remove, change and/or update permissions for a bill payer (parent, guardian or spouse) to receive an email with an E-Bill attachment or for My Plaid Student by logging into SIO. Under the 'My Info' tab, select 'Manage Family & Friends.'
I am receiving tuition reimbursement from my employer but they require an invoice from CMU. What do I do?
Students may download their student account invoices from SIO and furnish their employer with the PDF as this document is considered official. If an employer requires a course schedule, grades, etc., SIO can provide this information to the student in a printable format.
In the event an employer requires student account information that is not on the downloadable invoice, students can complete and submit a Student Account Record Request form.
I am an international student and would like to wire money to CMU. Do I have to use peerTransfer?
Yes. Carnegie Mellon University has authorized peerTransfer to accept all international wires on our behalf. We see many benefits for our students and University by utilizing this resource.
Some lenders and banks prefer to wire directly to the University, however, peerTransfer is our official vendor that we have selected to receive international wires. If necessary, peerTransfer can provide written authorization in the event a payer is hesitant to wire to an entity other than the university.
I am having a difficult time making payments for my tuition. What can I do?
Carnegie Mellon University does not want financial issues to get in the way of our students’ academic progress. The HUB can provide information on financial aid and payment options that are right for our students.
If a bill is already paid on a student's behalf by a sponsor or academic department, does the student need to authorize either as a bill payer on SIO?
No. Students do not need to take action if a sponsor or academic department pays bills on their behalf. Sponsors and academic departments will continue to receive and pay the students' bills just as they have in the past. Students who are sponsored by an agency other than their department should see our Sponsor Billing Process to learn more about providing supplemental information to the university for billing purposes.
I'm receiving Tuition Assistance from the military. What do I do?
The Student Accounts Office processes Tuition Assistance from the Armed Forces. Please send standard forms to student-accounts@andrew.cmu.edu.
I'm no longer a student, why do I continue to receive E-Bills?
Those who have recently graduated or withdrawn will receive E-Bills through the fiscal year they last had activity (e.g. June 30) or after two months of no activity once they are no longer enrolled.