Failure to pay an account balance or any monies due to Western Michigan University by the scheduled due date, and failure to make acceptable payment arrangements to bring an account current, may result in WMU referring the delinquent account to a third party collection agency. Account holders agree that they are responsible for paying the collection agency fee, which may be based on a percentage at a maximum of thirty-nine percent of the delinquent account balance, together with all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees and court cost, necessary for the collection of the delinquent account. Account holders also agree that the delinquent account may be reported to one or more of the national credit bureaus. As a state chartered University, there is no statute of limitations on delinquent balances owed to WMU.
Department holds
Accounts receivable hold
A WMU account with outstanding charges or any monies past due not received by the scheduled due date, will result in an Accounts Receivable Hold. This hold type will prevent future services, including but not limited to: registration for current or future term, release of transcripts requests, or a diploma from the University.
Accounts receivable exception
Indicates a hold has been assessed by the Accounts Receivable Department for a specific reason. To resolve this hold, an account holder will need to contact Accounts Receivable (269) 387-4141.
Certified funds
Indicates that only certified payments will be accepted on the account. Payment methods considered as certified include: cash, debit or credit cards (online only), cashier’s checks and money orders. Payments made online though TouchNet using a debit or credit card, are subject to a convenience fee of 2.85% or $3, whichever is larger. This hold does not prevent a student from receiving services, or registering for courses.
Collections hold
Indicates the account has been placed with a third party collection agency. To resolve this hold, payment in full with certified funds to WMU, or to the collection agency servicing the account is required. The account holder should contact Accounts Receivable (269) 387-4141 for the account to be reviewed.
Dining services
Indicates that past due dining charges are present on the account. Individuals with this hold are prevented from charging dining dollars to their account and may be required to pay with cash at the dining centers until this hold is resolved. To resolve this hold, payment in full for all past due dining charges may be required. Once the account is paid current, the account holder should contact Accounts Receivable (269) 387-4141 for the account to be reviewed.
Employer deferred payment plan
Indicates the student is enrolled in an employer deferred payment plan. This hold does not prevent the student from receiving services or registering for courses.
Payment agreement required
Indicates the student is required to sign a payment agreement before they are able to register for courses. Students are prompted to sign the payment agreement when they access the registration system through GoWMU. The agreement is completed entirely online (There are no physical paper forms to complete), and the hold releases automatically once the student completes the form and agrees to the terms. Students must complete the payment agreement before an advisor or department chair can enroll them in courses. The payment agreement may only be completed if all other holds on a student account have been resolved first.
Perkins hold
Indicates the student has a delinquent Perkin’s Loan. To resolve this hold, the student may contact the Perkin’s Loan Coordinator at (269) 387-4262 or Accounts Receivable (269) 387-4141.
Returned item unpaid/NSF check
Indicates that a web-check or check payment was rejected. The payment could have been returned for insufficient funds, incorrect account information, the bank account was closed, a stop payment was issued, etc. To resolve this hold, a certified funds payment that fully covers the amount of the returned check plus a $25 returned check fee, (assessed on any returned check) is required. A payment made to WMU by ACH payment or check, may be automatically re-presented to the financial institution for processing a second time. If the item is returned unpaid a second time, no further attempts will be made. If the payment for the unpaid item is not made with certified funds, this hold may remain on the account for 20 business days, or until WMU has been provided with documentation confirming the payment has fully cleared the bank.
Returned payments made towards tuition and fee charges could result in current/future courses being cancelled if not repaid with certified funds in a timely manner.
Diploma hold
Indicates the student has been issued a diploma, but has a remaining financial obligation to WMU. To resolve this hold, the outstanding financial obligation needs to be resolved. If the payment is not received with certified funds, the diploma may be held for 20 business days, or until WMU has been provided with documentation confirming the payment has fully cleared the bank.
Need valid address
Indicates that the address on record at WMU for the account may no longer be accurate. This may be due to WMU mail being returned from that address, an update from the National Change of Address database, if a student has moved out of an on-campus dorm/apartment, or for several other reasons. To resolve this hold, the address must be updated through GoWMU. Once the address has been updated, the account holder will need to contact Accounts Receivable .
Cash basis - health center
Indicates the account has past due charges from the health center. Individuals with this hold are prevented from charging additional health center charges to their account and will be required to pay at the time of service at Sindecuse until this hold is resolved. To resolve hold, the account must be current. Once the balance has been resolved, the account holder may contact Accounts Receivable for review and hold release.
Write off hold
Indicates a past due balance remains due on the account from previous semesters/sessions or previous years. To resolve this hold, the account holder may contact Accounts Receivable for instructions.
Payment agreements
Students with a history of delinquency may be required to sign a payment agreement before registration may be completed for a current term, or to complete a future semester’s registration. The payment agreement is an electronic document that students may review and e-sign through their GoWMU registration system during their open enrollment period for the semester. The payment agreement may only be completed if a student has first resolved all other holds on their student account. It must be completed before an academic advisor or department chair is able to complete register for a student. The payment agreement outlines the terms of WMU’s billing policy for the term covered by the agreement, and serves as a reminder to students their courses may be cancelled, or the account balance may be placed with a Third Party collection agency, and they may be responsible for paying the collection agency fee which may be based on a percentage at a maximum of thirty-nine percent of the delinquent account balance, together with all costs, and expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs necessary for the collection of delinquent account if they fail to comply with all terms of the payment agreement required.
Delinquent accounts
Any charges on a Western Michigan University billing account that remain unpaid by the statement due date will result in a hold on being placed on the account. This may prevent future services from the University, which may include (but not limited to) student course registration, issuing of official or unofficial transcripts, the release of a diploma, credit-based services at the heath center, the ability to charge dining dollars, and the ability to sign-up for on-campus housing. Service charges are assessed monthly on any past due account balance.
Service charges
Account balances that are 30 days past due or greater, are subject to the assessment of service charges at 1.5% monthly (18% annually) on approximately the 15th of each month. Service charges will continue to assess monthly on any past due balance until the account is current. Service charges cease when an account is placed with a third party for collection.