UCSC Student Financial Agreement FAQs
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https://sbs.ucsc.edu/financial-literacy/slug-cents/index.html
Q: What is the UCSC Student Financial Agreement (SFA)?
A: The UCSC Student Financial Agreement (SFA) provides important information to students about their financial responsibilities associated with enrollment at UC Santa Cruz. Tuition and fee charges post to a student account for each term and other charges post throughout a student’s enrollment at UCSC. The SFA sets forth expectations for making payment on charges when they are due. The university feels it is important that students understand and acknowledge their responsibilities when it comes to their student account. The agreement also addresses policies related to, among other things, non-payment and communications.
Q: Why do I need to sign the Student Financial Agreement?
A: Our goal is to help students understand the cost of their education and the financial policies associated with their enrollment at UC Santa Cruz. The SFA is another means for the university to be transparent about our policies and requirements. This agreement, in conjunction with university websites and communications, helps to define UCSC’s expectations for payment and allows us to clearly inform students of related policies.
Q: What happens if I do not sign the Student Financial Agreement?
A: The Student Financial Agreement serves as notification of potential consequences of non-payment and provides important policy information. At this time, a student would not be negatively impacted if they do not sign the agreement. The To Do will remain on their account and they may be contacted to remind them to sign the agreement. If this changes in the future, any student without a signed agreement would be notified of the change.
Q: Do other institutions/universities have this type of agreement?
A: Yes, it is common practice among higher education institutions across the United States, including other campuses in the UC system. It is consistent with the national movement to increase financial literacy among college students.
Q: Does the SFA have to be completed if financial aid or a third party covers the cost of tuition?
A: All students need to accept/sign the agreement.
Certain eligibility is required and must be maintained in order to have tuition and fees covered by other means. Some types of charges, or a portion of charges/fees may not be covered by financial aid/third parties. Students are ultimately responsible for all charges on their student account (Tuition, Fees, Housing and anything other charge they have incurred at UCSC).
If a student’s financial aid is reduced or the third party agency has not paid towards the student account, the student is required to pay remaining unpaid charges on their account.
Q: Why must I complete the SFA if my tuition and other fees are being covered by the university or outside funding sources?
A: Students who are receiving funding may accrue charges on their account which are not covered (paid) by the university and/or outside sources of aid. Students are financially responsible for those additional charges and as such need to accept/sign the SFA. Additionally, in the event charges are left unpaid due to a change of circumstance in a funding source, students are responsible for paying those charges.
Q: Will completing the SFA affect my financial aid eligibility?
A: The SFA is independent of your financial aid, and completing the agreement will not have an impact on the aid you are awarded.
Q: My parents pay my tuition. Can they complete the form?
A: No. While payment by a third party (including parents) is acceptable, the student account belongs to the student and they are ultimately responsible for that account. The student must be the one to complete (accept/sign) the agreement.
Q: How do I complete the Student Financial Agreement?
A: Students who need to sign/accept (complete) the Student Financial Agreement will find a ‘To Do’ item under their ‘To do/Tasks’ tile on MyUCSC.
The ‘To Do’ will be called the Student Financial Agreement.
Once the agreement is accepted/signed, the ‘To Do’ will automatically be completed for you within 24 hours.
Signing/accepting the SFA is the only way to complete the ‘To Do’.
Q: When will the Student Financial Agreement be assigned?
A: UCSC will be assigning the agreement to any student who does not have a completed agreement. Once you have signed the agreement, you do not currently need to do so again. If this changes in the future, students will be notified.
Q: How do I see the agreement I signed?
A: You will be emailed a copy of the agreement when you accept/sign it. You may keep this for your records.
You can also see a copy of the agreement that you signed in MyUCSC. This is only available on MyUCSC's full site interface. If you're logging in from a mobile device, such as a smart phone or tablet, select the Full Site Login checkbox upon login.
Undergraduate students: Go to the Undergraduate eForms tile on your student homepage, select View an eForm and click Search. Look for the Student Financial Agreement.
Graduate students: Go to the Graduate Student eForms tile on your student homepage, select View an eForm and click Search. Look for the Student Financial Agreement.
