What We Do
We Can't Help, If We Don't Know You're In Trouble
There are Usually Options
Sometimes Our Hands are Tied
Need to Contact Us?

What We Do

We realize that it is not always possible for you to pay your bills in full and on time.  Life is full of unforeseen problems like losing your job, finding your car needs repairs, or getting sick.  Sometimes these difficulties add up so you feel unable to pay your debts to the University.  In these situations, you need to understand how Campus Billing Services operates. 

Like most university collection offices, Campus Billing Services uses "carrot or stick" methods to encourage debtors to clear balances as soon as possible.  At UCI, the "carrot" provides current students with some essential benefits:  unrestricted registration; no-hassle disbursement of financial aid; and unimpeded access to student records like transcripts and diplomas.  The "stick" results in some undesirable consequences:  holds on your registration, financial aid, and student records; increasing late charges; and accelerating collection penalties.

Although we are obliged to use the "stick" to ensure that the University receives amounts due, we prefer to offer the "carrot" whenever circumstances allow.  As a service department, one of our goals is keeping UCI students enrolled and attending classes.  If we can find a way for you to pay your bills, and stay in school, that's a win-win situation for everybody.

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We Can't Help, If We Don't Know You're In Trouble

The key to getting along with Campus Billing Services is keeping us informed when you have a problem meeting your obligations.  If you are a current student, use QuickSearch often during the quarter to check your Accounts Receivable and Collections (AR/C) balance.  If you cannot pay an invoice in full, here are some simple steps you can take:

1. Contact us immediately.  Don't wait until you need transcripts, can't get your financial aid check, or are faced with having your classes dropped because you are unable to register.  The longer you delay, the shorter the time we have to find a solution.  In the meantime, you may be subject to late charges or other penalties.
   
2. Return any materials (books, keys, cameras, microscopes, uniforms, etc.) for which you have been billed, as soon as you locate them.  Obtain receipts, if possible.  If you have more than one item checked out, do not hesitate to return materials individually.  Many departments will cancel parts of invoice amounts as their property is returned undamaged.  
   
3. Make a partial payment on all outstanding invoices.  Do not wait to receive credit for returning materials.  Even a small payment may  prevent additional late charges from accruing.  To avoid having the entire payment applied to one invoice, pay in person, or include a note with instructions.
   
4. Don't give up.  Balances that seem overwhelming at first may become manageable when you work with us.  Getting started may be as simple as filling out paperwork and making a down payment.  But remember -- we can't help if we don't hear from you.  

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There Are Usually Options

If you have money for a down payment, we may offer a payment agreement.   After evaluating your circumstances, our goal is to recommend a payment schedule that won't burden you overly, yet still gets your debts paid in a reasonable amount of time.  Typically we provide payment periods of six months or less, allowing time for you to recover financially, while avoiding payments stretching over more than two quarters.

Setting up a payment agreement is faster and more effective when you visit our office.  Please come prepared with picture identification and the ability to make a down payment.  We will ask you to complete a one-page questionnaire, sign the payment agreement note, and submit your down payment.  If necessary, we can mail the paperwork to your current address.  However, the payment agreement is not valid until we receive the completed questionnaire, signed agreement, and down payment.

Your payment agreement remains valid as long as payments are applied to the outstanding debts as specified by the agreement you signed.  If your payment is less than the stated amount, or your payment is missing or late, or your payment results in a returned check, you are not keeping your promise to pay.  As a consequence, we may suspend or void your agreement, particularly if we haven't heard from you.  If you are having difficulties making a payment, contact your account representative immediately. 

While you are a current UCI student, you will remain in "good standing" with Campus Billing Services as long as your payment agreement is valid.  In other words, your records will not be held, and your registration will not be blocked, due to the outstanding debts covered by the agreement.  Note, however, that new bills and holds from other departments may result in denial of campus services (including registration), even if you have made all your payments on time.

If you cease to be a UCI student, you may continue to make payments to keep your agreement valid.  Nevertheless a hold will be placed on your student records until you have finished the payment schedule.  If you anticipate needing your transcripts or diploma before the end of the stated payment period, then talk to us about accelerating your payments or even paying the remainder in full.  If you decide to re-enroll at UCI, please contact your account representative for assistance.

Setting up a payment agreement is a little more complicated for former students or non-students, but we are still willing to discuss special  arrangements.  If you are not attending UCI, a valid payment agreement helps to protect your credit rating and prevent further collection action, which may include referral to an outside collection agency and even litigation.  However, the records of former students remain on hold while special arrangements are in progress.

For UCI employees (including student workers, TAs, and RAs), we offer convenient, affordable payroll deductions to clear debts. Contact the appropriate account representative by the middle of the month to set up a deduction from your next paycheck.

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Sometimes Our Hands Are Tied

Unfortunately, under campus policies we cannot offer payment agreements on certain types of debts.  These include PACE installments and financial aid emergency loans (for which you have already made a promise to pay) and returned checks or stopped payments.  Now, having said that, we don't want you to avoid contacting us or instantly give up hope if you have these sorts of debts.

You can help yourself by following some of the simple steps above.  Regular partial payments are particularly meaningful, as they show your good faith and commitment to clear the debt.  When we evaluate your account for referral to a collection agency, your payment history is an important factor.  Just don't expect access to your student records.  We strictly enforce holds on transcripts, diplomas, and future registration when PACE, emergency loans, and returned checks are outstanding.

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Need to Contact Us?

We'll be happy to assist you or answer any questions you might have.  You may speak to an account representative by telephone or visit in person during business hours (Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM PST).  At any time you may send a letter by mail, FAX, or email, or leave a voice mail message.

University of California, Irvine
Campus Billing Services
109 Administration
Irvine, CA  92697-3020

FAX: (949) 824-9807
Phone: (949) UCI-BILL (824-2455)

Or contact one of our staff members directly:

If you telephone or send a FAX, be sure to state the number with area code where you expect us to reach you.  Note that we are unable to call or FAX outside the continental United States.  When responding to a letter, in the absence of a return address, we may use any of the mailing addresses we have on file for you.  When sending email, use your valid UCI email account whenever possible, as verification of your identity.

In correspondence with our office, we request your name (first and last) and UCI student ID number so that we may identify your account.  When visiting Campus Billing Services, please be prepared to show current picture identificaiton (UCI student ID card, driver's license, or passport) to an account representative.  For your protection, do not disclose your Social Security Number (SSN) or any other sensitive personal information in a FAX or email message.

Your privacy is important to us.  Unless you say so, we avoid divulging information on answering or FAX machines, which may be shared with other people.  Furthermore, we will not discuss your account with third parties (including parents, spouses, relatives, friends, and employers) without your explicit written permission.  Please read our page on Student Privacy for more information.

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