Billing and Payments

 

    All students* who have accepted an offer for housing are billed via Student Financial Services (SFS). Students should visit the SFS website when ready to set up their billing account and make the first payment. With questions about student billing, students may contact Residential Finance at [email protected].

    Student housing through Columbia Residential is billed on a monthly basis. The monthly housing charge should appear on the student account during the last week of each month for the following month, and per the housing agreement, payment is due on the first of the month. Rent for the first month is pro-rated based on the move-in date.

    Benefits of billing via Student Financial Services

    • Several payment options, including online check, wire transfer, and in-person payments.
    • A $750 pre-payment credited against the first month's bill, instead of a full month's rent as a security deposit
    • Ability to manage all University financial obligations in an accessible online account

    *Students in Leased Units

    A small number of students who moved into leased units prior to 2017 are billed through the Office of the Controller. Residents billed by the Office of the Controller must pay by check and should contact that office directly with questions about their bills or payments.

    Please review FAQ | Student Account (Billing) for additional information and tips on this process!

    Faculty, staff and postdocs are billed on a monthly basis. Billing and payment is managed by the Office of the Controller. Residents billed by the Office of the Controller must pay by check and should contact the office directly with questions about their bills or payments. The Office of the Controller can be reached at [email protected].

    When they accept a housing offer in the Housing Portal, faculty, staff and postdocs are asked to confirm whether they have a U.S. Social Security Number or Tax ID Number. Providing this information at the time of acceptance allows Columbia Residential to make sure that the appropriate security deposit tax forms are included in the lease before it is sent to the resident for signature. Residents who have a U.S. Social Security Number or Tax ID Number will complete Form W9, and residents without one will complete a Form W8-BEN and must provide a copy of their visa.

    Please review the FAQ | Billing for Faculty, Staff, and Postdocs for additional information and tips on the process!