General Overview
Although HLS Student Financial Services works closely with Harvard University’s centrally administered Office of Student Financial Services regarding billing matters, e-bill presentation and e-payments are not handled locally here at HLS. The University's Student Receivables Office posts charges and credits (anticipated and actual) from each school and administrative unit, generates monthly e-bills, and collects e-payments.
Here at HLS, Student Financial Services works proactively to help J.D. students meet their financial obligations. We monitor all J.D. student billing accounts during the year to identify and work with students who might be headed into financial trouble that could affect their registration status. Our goal is to help students be fully informed of their payment responsibilities and options.
Prior to Fall Registration (September), Spring Registration (January) & Commencement (June) we review students' accounts to ensure that they can continue in progress toward their degree. During these times, representatives from our office will be in regular contact, via mail and email, with all J.D. students having outstanding balances. Students will be given every opportunity to rectify the situation before any action is taken that may negatively affect their registration or graduation status.
No HLS student is allowed to pre-register, register or graduate without first settling any outstanding balance owed to the University. In addition, students are not allowed to carry balances over from one academic year into the next; all back balances must be paid in full prior to registration. Furthermore, financial aid funds awarded in any one academic year cannot be used to cover prior academic years' unpaid charges.
Students who do not meet the requirements for Fall or Spring term registration clearance will be charged a $250 late registration fee. The deadline for Fall term registration clearance is the first day of fall classes, and the deadline for Spring term registration clearance is the due date of the bill on which spring term charges are assessed, typically in early January. In addition to the late registration fee, students who have not obtained financial clearance are barred from Registrar's Office services such as add/drop, course registration, and access to grades, and will be reviewed by the Law School Administrative Board for cancellation of enrollment, as outlined in the HLS Handbook of Academic Policies.
While the University Student Receivables Office administers e-bills, it is the responsibility of each local financial aid office to issue cash advance checks on anticipated financial aid credits and refund checks of actual credits to its own students. Also, each local aid office is responsible for monitoring its own students' online billing accounts (regardless of whether or not a student is on financial aid) and holding students accountable to payment obligations.
The following concerns should be addressed directly to the Student Receivables Office at: 1350 Massachusetts Avenue; Holyoke Center 556; Cambridge, MA 02138; 617-495-2739; student_billing@harvard.edu
- Acceptable payment methods
- Mistaken charges (i.e. rent, library, etc.)
The following concerns should be addressed directly to J.D. Student Financial Services: 1563 Massachusetts Avenue; Pound 324; Cambridge, MA 02138; 617-495-4606; sfs@law.harvard.edu
- Anticipated aid & financial aid on the billing account and e-bills
- Cash advances & refunds
- Financial clearance for fall registration, spring registration & graduation