Bills for tuition, room, board, and fees are issued by the Office of Accounting and Control each semester: in July (due August 1) and in December (due January 1). A monthly payment program is also available through Key Education Resources. The monthly payment program allows Colgate families to spread annual expenses over ten months. Complete details on the monthly payment program are available through the Office of Accounting and Control.

Colgate University also acts as a billing agent for the Fraternity/Sorority Management Association (FSMA) by billing room and board charges for the various houses that have contracted with FSMA.

A student who officially withdraws or is granted a leave of absence from Colgate will receive a refund on tuition, fees, room and board based on the percentage of time enrolled. The same percentage of refund will be applied against federal aid programs, institutional grant and cash payments. After 60% of the enrollment period has passed, no refund of expenses or payment resources will be made. This policy applies only to tuition, fees, room and board charged by Colgate University to a student’s tuition account. A sample of this refund policy is available by contacting the Office of Financial Aid at 315-228-7431.

A student planning to take a term off must request a leave from his or her administrative adviser. Once a request is approved, a $300 non-refundable leave deposit is required. For fall leave the deposit is due
by August 1, and for spring leave it is due by January 1. When the student returns the following semester the deposit is applied to the term bill.

To ensure that students will be assisted in meeting the unexpected and sometimes heavy expense of illness or accident, Colgate requires that students have health and accident insurance coverage.

Parents are strongly urged to retain their sons/daughters on their family insurance policies. When this is not possible, Markel Underwriters offers a limited benefits student health policy including basic accident benefits and a supplemental expense benefit.

Colgate seeks to maintain a talented and diverse student body and awards financial assistance on the basis of demonstrated need to outstanding students whose personal and family resources are inadequate to meet college costs. Aid in the form of grants, loans,
and work opportunities is available. The Office of Financial Aid is responsible for determining a student’s financial need. While all students may apply for financial aid, the university is not able to assist all who demonstrate need, nor does Colgate offer any merit awards.

There are various loan options available to parents and students to supplement aid or to provide primary financing. These options are outlined in the "Financing a Colgate Education" brochure that is sent out to all accepted students in April. Contact the Office of Financial Aid if you have any additional questions.

The Bookstore honors student checks with a valid Colgate ID, driver’s license, or sheriff’s photo ID. MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover are accepted. The card must be in the user’s name.