Billing and Payments

Figures include tuition for a full-time student (between 12-18 credit hours a semester), room, full board and fees. Alternate meal plans are available and charges may vary according to the meal plan chosen.

Expenses stated for books and supplies, personal expenses, and travel are estimates and will not be billed by the College. These costs may vary significantly from student to student.

An overload charge of $1,416 per credit hour is assessed for registration in excess of 18 credit hours each semester.

A part-time charge of $1,699 per credit hour is assessed for registration below 12 credit hours each semester.

Earlham fees cover student activities, access to health services (excluding drugs and laboratory tests), athletic events admission, use of facilities including the Wellness Center, subscriptions to student publications and special events. Some courses require the payment of additional fees for materials, equipment or special instruction such as private music lessons.

[Tuition & Fees]

Earlham bills students roughly one month prior to the start of each semester for that semester’s tuition, room, board and fees, less anticipated financial aid. Payment in full of the amount due must be made, or an acceptable payment arrangement must be in place, before the semester begins.

Beginning July 1, 2021, Earlham is partnering with Nelnet to create an online Student Account Center through which students can view or print semester bills, review account activity and make payments on their accounts. Students log in to Nelnet using their Earlham username and password. Students may invite their parents or others who will pay their bills to have access to their account as well. Due to Federal student privacy regulations (FERPA), parents may only access the Student Account Center if they are granted access by the student.

[Student Account Center Login]

Emails are sent each semester to all students and family members who are registered with the Student Account Center when bills are ready to view. Emails are also sent periodically with reminders to check the on-line Student Account Center for current information about student accounts.

Payment Options

Students have several options for paying their semester bills:

1. Payment in full before the semester begins.
   1. Make a payment through Nelnet. Use your bank account at no charge or your credit card for an additional fee.
   2. Request a distribution from your 529 Plan.
   3. Apply for a private loan through a bank, credit union, or another lender.
   4. Mail a check payable to Earlham College to
      Earlham College
      ATTN: Office of Accounting
      801 National Rd West, Drawer #201
      Richmond, IN  47374
   5. For bank wire transfer instructions, write us at [email protected].
2. Nelnet Monthly Payment Plan: A 4- or 5-month payment option is offered to cover semester charges. Nelnet charges a $36 enrollment fee, but Earlham’s monthly 1% service charge is waived. Monthly payments are automatically withdrawn from your bank account at no additional cost or your credit card for additional fees. Sign up through Nelnet.
3. Deferred Plan: Pay one-half the amount due before the semester begins and pay the remaining balance in three equal installments due monthly during the semester. A 1% service charge on the outstanding balance will be added to the account each month-end. To sign up for this plan, write us at [email protected].

Students who fail to select and communicate to the accounting office an acceptable payment arrangement before the start of each semester will be charged a $50 fine and will be prevented from confirming their registration for classes that semester.

Additional charges such as health service fees, library or traffic fines, or other charges may be added to a student’s account during the semester.

Accounts with an outstanding balance will be charged a 1% service fee at the end of every month.

If a payment is returned by a bank due to insufficient funds, Earlham will charge a fee.

Transcripts are released only for those students whose accounts are in good standing. Diplomas and transcripts for graduating seniors will be held until all financial obligations have been met.

See the Statement of Student Financial Responsibility for further information.

Enrollment Deposit

Each student accepted for admission must pay a $150 enrollment deposit to confirm her or his intention to enroll at Earlham. Of this deposit, $150 covers expenses for New Student Orientation.

Each student is required to be covered by a health insurance plan. Once a year, students will be charged for health insurance provided through the College. Students who are covered under another plan may choose to waive the College plan by signing into Aetna. Any student who does not waive the insurance will be enrolled automatically in the College plan.

All Health Center charges for prescriptions, supplies and tests will be billed monthly. The Health Center does not file any insurance claims. Students will receive documentation of medical services provided to use in filing their insurance claims.

All students who reside in residence halls must take at least a 10-meal plan. All first-year students must take a 19-meal plan for the first semester. Alternate meal plans are available and charges may vary according to the meal plan selected. Changes to a meal plan selection must be made by Enrollment Confirmation Day. Meal plans also are available to students who reside in College houses or who live off campus.