Past Due Accounts
Billing Statements
Electronic billing statements (E-Bills) are sent periodically throughout the semester to inform students of an outstanding balance. Once the semester is over, paper statements are then mailed monthly to students with an unpaid balance.
Holds
Student accounts with outstanding balances are subject to holds being added which will prevent registration, viewing grades, obtaining a transcript, or receiving a diploma. Once a hold has been placed on a student's account, the account balance must be paid in full in order for the hold to be removed. After the balance has been paid, you must contact the Treasurer’s Office in order to have the hold removed.
Students should review their account regularly for balance information, and pay any balance promptly to avoid holds being placed on their account.
North Carolina Attorney General’s Office – Department of Justice
Delinquent student accounts are sent to the North Carolina Department of Justice - Attorney General’s Office (AG’s office) for collection. The AG’s office sends a letter to the person with a past due account that outlines the amount owed, and contact information for the university.
Interest Charges on Delinquent Accounts
Balances on student accounts are due by the date listed on the billing statement. In accordance with the requirements of General Statute 147-86.23, accounts will be assessed interest on any unpaid balance. The annual interest rate used is established by the State of North Carolina, and is currently 5% annually. This interest charge is assessed to delinquent accounts monthly at the rate of 0.41%.
Late Payment Penalty on Delinquent Accounts
In accordance with State of North Carolina General Statute 147-86.23, all delinquent accounts are assessed a one-time Late Payment Penalty charge of 10% of the outstanding balance. This late payment penalty will be assessed to the student’s account at the end of the semester for which their balance originates.
Third Party Collection Agencies
If the student fails to make satisfactory arrangements to satisfy the balance or neglects to respond to the correspondences mentioned above, then the University will assign the student’s account to a state contracted third party collection agency.
Setoff Debt Collection Act (SODCA)
The North Carolina Setoff Debt Collection Act (SODCA) provides that North Carolina individual income tax refunds are subject to state claims to cover past due accounts of $50 or more. The University will notify students of its intent to garnish state tax refunds through SODCA prior to the submission. The account is placed with SODCA thirty days after the account is sent to the AG’s office.
The NC Department of Revenue notifies the person with a past due account that the University has a claim against their income tax refund at the time that a refund is seized. The amount owed to the University plus a SODCA collection fee is deducted from the individual’s state tax refund. The amount owed is then forwarded to the University and the collection fee is retained by the NC Department of Revenue. The University will apply the funds received as a payment against the outstanding account balance.