Student Business Services Third Party Process

Purpose:

To set an efficient and proper process for Third-Party Sponsorships in order to successfully meet state mandates and educational codes for tuition and fee payments.

Student Account

Students who have submitted valid Third-Party documents, at least 10 days prior to the due date of the term, will receive placeholder payments on their student account for the given semester. Student Business Services reserves the right not to accept Third-Party documents after the 12th class day for fall/spring or 4th class day for summer. These placeholder payments do not constitute the real payment from the sponsor but are applied as an estimate until sponsor payment is received. If a sponsor should fail to make payment within 90 days of the first invoice, the student may become responsible for all related balances. In this case, the placeholder payments will be removed and the student's Ebill account will reflect an outstanding balance. This balance must be paid in 30 days to prevent applicable holds and late fees

Those with Third-Party sponsors who do not cover 100% of tuition and fees must make payment arrangements for the remaining balance by the semester due date in order to avoid cancellation. Students who do not submit Third-Party sponsorship requirements will not receive placeholder payments and will be responsible for the entire account balance. It is the student's responsibility to be certain their account is paid according to state statute.

Billing

Sponsors will receive invoices from the Third-Party Office after the 12th class day in fall/spring and the 4th class day in summer. This timeline allows the student to add/drop courses as necessary for the semester and allows a single, concise bill to be sent to Third-Party sponsors. The Third-Party Office will not submit early bills which prevent scholarships, financial aid, or fee waivers from appearing on the sponsor invoice. Third-Party students must not submit invoices to their sponsors as official invoices will be sent by the Third-Party Office. These duplicate invoices result in payment errors and may delay sponsor payment to the university. It is also recommended that students do not set their sponsor up as an authorized user on Ebill. All payment information and sponsor requirements will be included in a cover letter that will accompany the detailed bills for each student.

If a sponsor requires a copy of the student's course schedule or grades, the student will be responsible for providing this information directly to the sponsor. Sponsor invoices which remain unpaid after 90 days will become the direct responsibility of the student.

Information for Potential Third-Party Sponsors

Third Parties are sponsoring organizations or agencies who take responsibility for paying a student's tuition and fee balance. Third parties do not include parents or other family members. To determine whether your agency is currently approved as a sponsor, please contact Student Business Services.

If your agency would like to be considered as a new-third party sponsor, please contact Student Services. Please note that new sponsor establishment can take up to 30 business days. To expedite the process, please include the following in the body of your email:

1. Your Agency's Name
2. Contact name, email, phone number, and address for your agency
3. The Student's Name
4. Billing Requirements of your Agency
5. A voucher, purchase order, or sponsorship letter which specifies the student's approval and any charges eligible for payment

If a new sponsorship is approved, the sponsor will be required to sign an agreement with Texas Tech University. The Third-Party Office will not apply sponsor benefits to a student account and will not submit invoices until this agreement has been signed and returned.

Military Benefits

Student Business Services is dedicated to serving our military veterans, their dependents, and their spouses as they pursue their educational goals at Texas Tech University. We are proud to help our students navigate the process of utilizing military and veteran educational benefits for tuition and fee payments. For more information about military resources at Texas Tech University, please contact the Office of Military and Veterans Programs (MVP).

Military Payment Plan

The Military Payment Plan is available to military veterans, their dependents, and their spouses who are eligible for and awaiting payment from a military benefit. The Military Payment Plan will delay the first payment plan installment due date until October 25th for the fall semester, March 25th for the spring semester, and July 25th for the summer semester. There is no enrollment fee associated with the Military Payment Plan; however, the Military Payment Plan Enrollment Request form must be submitted each semester the student wishes to enroll in the plan. Student Business Services will accept Military Payment Plan request forms no earlier than 10 days prior to the first day of each semester.

Military Payment Plan Enrollment Request

Post 9-11 GI Bill and Fry Scholarship

Students who plan to use Post 9-11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) benefits or the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship must submit a valid Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and Third Party Agreement for Chapter 33 to Student Business Services at least 10 days prior to the due date of the term. The COE must reflect an issue date no earlier than 6 months prior to the first day of the semester. Students who have not received a current COE from the VA, may access an Ebenefits page by visiting the VA's website.

Students using the Post 9-11 GI Bill and Fry Scholarship must also submit forms each semester to the Office of Military and Veterans Programs. Please contact the MVP Office for more information about these requirements.

Third Party Agreement for Ch 33
Ebenefits instructions

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program

Please contact the Office of Military and Veterans Programs for information about the Vocational and Rehabilitation Employment program (VR&E, Chapter 31). Eligible students must be approved for Chapter 31 benefits by both the student's VR&E Case Manager and the MVP Office before Student Business Services may apply placeholder payments to the student account.

Military Tuition Assistance (TA)

Military students planning to use DoD Tuition Assistance must speak with their Educational Services Officer (ESO), or counselor within their military service, prior to enrolling at TTU.

Course Enrollment Information. TTU will provide course enrollment, course withdrawal, course cancellation, course completion or failure, grade, verification of degree completion, and billing information to the TA issuing Service's education office, as outlined in the Service's regulations and instructions.

Students should submit the following:

• Completed Third Party Agreement Form to sbs@ttu.edu
• Completed Tuition Assistance Authorization Form to sbs@ttu.edu prior to the bill due date. Please contact SBS at (806) 742-3272 for additional information.
• FERPA Student Consent to Release Education Records release form authorizing TTU to release and forward course enrollment information described above to DoD.
• Students covered less than 100% by a benefit or combination of benefits, can complete and submit a Tuition Deferment request.
• Students wishing to use GI Bill benefits to supplement TA should ensure the "Check if VA Top-Up will be used" box is checked on their TA form prior to submitting to SBS. All documentation for VA benefits must be submitted through the Raiderlink  as well.

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC)

For more information about ROTC benefits, please contact either the Air Force ROTC or Army ROTC offices at Texas Tech University. Eligible students must be approved for ROTC benefits by their respective ROTC office before Student Business Services may apply placeholder payments to the student account.

Hazlewood Act Exemption and Non-Resident Waivers

Please visit the link below for more information about the Hazlewood Exemption and non-resident waivers:

https://www.depts.ttu.edu/studentbusinessservices/payingBill/waiver.php

Other Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents, and Spouses

Chapter 30, Chapter 32, Chapter 35, Chapter 1606, and Chapter 1607 are paid directly to the student by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). As such, Texas Tech University does not receive payment from the VA and each student will be responsible for paying his or her account balance on Ebill. Eligible students may still enroll in the Military Payment Plan. For more information about these benefits, please contact the Office of Military and Veterans Programs or the VA.

Prepaid Plan Overview

Prepaid plans are sponsors who pay a specified number of semesters or credit hour units based upon an original plan purchase made by the student's family. Please contact your prepaid plan directly for information about prepaid plan eligibility or your remaining prepaid plan benefits.

Students who plan to use a prepaid plan at Texas Tech University are required to submit paperwork to Student Business Services at least 10 days prior to the due date of the term. Student Business Services will not invoice your prepaid plan or accept payments from that plan until all required paperwork is received. Prepaid plan students are required to pay any charges not covered by their plan or to enroll in a payment plan by the established semester due dates.

Prepaid Plans only include those sponsors who pay at a specified rate and require an official invoice from Texas Tech University. College savings plans are not considered prepaid plans. Please contact your savings plan or bank directly for more information about making payment to Texas Tech University from a college savings plan.

Texas Tuition Promise Fund

Students who use the Texas Tuition Promise Fund (TTPF) must submit a Third Party Agreement for TTPF to Student Business Services at least 10 days prior to the due date of the term.

Third Party Sponsor Agreement TTPF

The plan purchaser must also authorize the release of TTPF units to Texas Tech University each semester. Please contact TTPF directly for more information about the unit authorization process.

Texas Guaranteed Tuition Plan

Students who plan to use the Texas Guaranteed Tuition Plan (TGTP) are required to sign a one-time Third Party agreement for TGTP. This agreement will remain valid for the duration of the student's continued enrollment at Texas Tech University; however, students who do not enroll in courses for either a fall or spring semester will be required to sign a new agreement upon their return to Texas Tech University.

A signed copy of the Third Party Agreement for TGTP will allow Student Business Services to invoice TGTP for each fall and spring semester in which the student is continuously enrolled. Students who plan to use TGTP for the summer semester, must email a request to Student Business Services at least 10 days prior to the due date of the term. The email may be sent to sbs@ttu.edu, and must include your student ID (R#), name, and the contract number found on your TGTP ID card.

Third Party Sponsor Agreement TGTP Contract

Other Prepaid Plans

Students who plan to use a prepaid plan from a state other than Texas must submit a signed Third Party Agreement and a plan benefit letter to Student Business Services at least 10 days prior to the due date of the term. The plan benefit letter must include the student's prepaid plan rate and remaining prepaid plan benefits. Students should contact their prepaid plan directly to receive a copy of the plan benefit letter. Texas Tech University currently utilizes the following out of state prepaid plans:

• College of Illinois! 529 Prepaid Tuition Plan
• Florida Prepaid College Plan
• Kentucky Affordable Prepaid Tuition (KAPT)
• Mississippi Prepaid Affordable College Savings Program (MPACT)
• Nevada Prepaid Tuition Program
• Alabama Prepaid Affordable College Tuition Program (PACT)

Third Party Sponsor Agreement

Other Third Party Sponsor Overview

Other third party sponsors may include companies, state entities, or federal or foreign government benefits. Students who plan to use an approved third party at Texas Tech University are required to submit paperwork to Student Business Services at least 10 days prior to the due date of the term. Student Business Services will not invoice a sponsor nor accept payments from a sponsor until all required paperwork is received. All third party students are required to pay any charges not covered by their sponsor or to enroll in a payment plan by the established semester due dates.

Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) or Department of Assistive and Rehabilitation Services (DARS)

Students who plan to use TWC benefits should contact their TWC counselor directly to discuss eligibility and to begin the sponsorship process. TWC counselors will be required to submit a service authorization for all eligible charges at least 10 days prior to the due date of the term. Student Business Services will not invoice TWC nor accept payments until all required paperwork is received.

Please visit the link below for more information about the Blind/Deaf Student Exemption Program.

www.depts.ttu.edu/studentbusinessservices/payingBill/waiver.php

International Sponsorships

Students who plan to use International sponsor benefits should contact the Texas Tech University Office of International Affairs to discuss eligibility and requirements. Please visit the link below for more information about International Sponsorships.

www.depts.ttu.edu/international/ieem/SponsoredStudents/InformationStudents.php

Other Third Party Sponsors

Students who plan to use a third party sponsor must submit a signed Third Party Agreement and a sponsor letter or purchase order to Student Business Services at least 10 days prior to the due date of the term. The sponsor letter or purchase order must include the student's eligible sponsorship amount for the given semester. Students should contact their sponsor directly to receive a copy of the sponsor letter or purchase order. Please contact Student Business Services for more information about eligible sponsors and requirements.

Third Party Sponsor Agreement