1. DEFINITIONS
As used in this agreement:
a. “Educational Service” means any course, lab, class, seminar, lecture or lecture series, tutorial, academic project, curriculum, extra-curricular offering, program, or other offering or event (or component or unit thereof) made available to me. To avoid doubt, an “Educational Service” as referred to in this Agreement does not include housing and meals.
b. “Educational Service Modifications” includes the right to modify, alter, amend, suspend, or end any Educational Service, including but not limited to as relates to faculty and instructor staffing for an Educational Service, scheduling, and availability of the Educational Service, frequency and location of meetings, any content associated with an Educational Service, the scope and coverage of the Educational Service, and delivery format of the Educational Service (e.g., in person, remote, or electronic).
c. “Housing Agreement” means the Trinity University Housing License Agreement for on-campus living 2024-2025 Summer, Fall & Spring.
d. “Services” means all services, including any Educational Service, housing and meals, and other services that Trinity University provides.
2. PAYMENT OF FEES/PROMISE TO PAY
In consideration of Trinity University allowing me to register, enroll, or receive Services, I accept full responsibility to pay all tuition, fees, and other costs and expenses associated with such Services assessed as a result of my registration, matriculation, residency or receipt of such Services. My obligations relating to housing and meals are outlined in this Financial Responsibility Agreement (“FRA”), as supplemented in the Housing Agreement.
I understand and agree that my registration and acceptance of these terms constitute a contractual note agreement—namely, a financial obligation in the form of an educational loan, as defined by the U.S. Bankruptcy Code at 11 U.S.C. §523(a)(8)—in which Trinity University is providing me Services and deferring some or all of my payment obligation for those Services. I promise to pay for all assessed tuition, fees, and other associated costs related to such Services by the published or assigned due date.
I understand and affirm that, regardless of any expected reliance on third-party resources, including but not limited to financial aid, family resources, employer reimbursement, government assistance, or any other external or third-party resources, I remain personally responsible for paying, and will pay, any outstanding balances for all Services. I further understand and agree that Trinity may charge, credit, or deduct all or any part of the amounts due as a result of my registration or receipt of Services against any deposits or accounts that I may have with Trinity, at any time and without notice.
3. TRINITY RIGHT TO MODIFY EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
Trinity reserves the right to make Educational Service Modifications. Thus, Educational Services modalities may be altered, amended, suspended, or otherwise modified to be delivered in-person, via distance synchronous or asynchronous methods, or a hybrid approach. As further described in this paragraph, any such Educational Service Modifications do not affect my responsibility to pay tuition and other costs and fees associated with Educational Services or otherwise entitle me to a reduction or refund of any amounts whatsoever. I agree that the decision to make any such Educational Service Modifications may depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to budgetary and organizational efficiencies; instructor availability; demand for the Educational Service; public-health conditions, circumstances involving weather and climate, social unrest, and other events outside of Trinity’s control. Trinity will exercise its sole discretion to deliver Educational Services in a manner that it determines is reasonably conducive to learning, fulfilling Trinity’s educational mission, and promoting the safety of students, faculty, and staff.
I understand and agree that if I drop or withdraw from some or all of the classes for which I register, I will be responsible for paying, and will pay, all or a portion of tuition and fees for the affected Educational Services, in accordance with the published tuition refund schedule in effect at that time, at Tuition Adjustments. (The foregoing link and the other links in the FRA are supplied as a convenience for easy access to the referenced documents). I further understand that my failure to attend classes does not affect my financial obligations, as described in this Agreement.
4. MODIFICATION OF HOUSING AND MEAL PLAN
I understand that there may be circumstances in which my meal plan and housing terms may be modified and that those situations are covered in the Housing Agreement.
5. DELINQUENT ACCOUNT/COLLECTION
Financial Hold: I understand and agree that if I fail to pay my student account bill or any monies due and owing to Trinity University by the scheduled due date, Trinity University has the right to and may place a financial hold on my student account, preventing me from registering for future classes.
Late Payment Charge: I understand and agree that if I fail to pay my student account bill or any monies due and owing to Trinity University by the scheduled due date, Trinity University will assess outstanding charge balances of $100 per semester on the past due portion of my student account until my past due account is paid in full or until Trinity approves an acceptable payment arrangement to bring my account current, and I agree to pay such assessment.
Collection Agency Fees: I understand and accept that if I fail to pay my student account bill or any monies due and owing Trinity University by the scheduled due date and fail to make payment arrangements approved by Trinity University to bring my account current, Trinity University may refer my account to a third party, including an attorney or collection agency, for collection. I further understand that if Trinity University refers my student account for collection, I will be responsible for any costs and fees, including but not limited to reasonable collection fees and reasonable attorney fees, associated with attempting to collect the monies due and owing, and I agree to pay such costs and fees. I understand that a collection fee will be assessed and will be due and owing in full at the time of the referral to the third party. The collection fee will be calculated at the maximum amount permitted by applicable law, not to exceed 10% of the amount outstanding. If a lawsuit is filed to recover an outstanding balance, I shall also be responsible for any costs and fees associated with the lawsuit, including but not limited to reasonable attorney fees, court costs, or other applicable costs, and I agree to pay such costs and fees. Finally, I understand that my delinquent account may be reported to one or more consumer-reporting agencies.
6. FINANCIAL AID
I understand that aid described as “estimated” on my Financial Aid Award does not represent actual or guaranteed payment but is an estimate of the aid that I may receive if I meet all requirements stipulated by that aid program.
I understand that my Financial Aid Award is contingent upon my continued enrollment and attendance in each class upon which my financial aid eligibility was calculated. If I drop any class before completion, I understand that my financial aid eligibility may decrease, and some or all of the financial aid awarded to me may be revoked.
If some or all of my financial aid is revoked because I dropped or failed to attend class, or I am otherwise deemed ineligible for a financial aid award, I agree to repay all revoked aid that was disbursed to my account and resulted in a refunded credit balance.
I agree to allow financial aid that I receive to be applied to and pay any and all charges assessed to my account at Trinity University, such as for Educational Services, campus housing, and meal plans, student health insurance, parking permits, service fees, fines, bookstore charges, or any other amount, by the terms of the financial aid.
Federal Aid: I understand that any federal Title IV financial aid that I receive, except for Federal Work Study wages, will first be applied to any outstanding balance on my account for tuition, fees, room, and board. Title IV financial aid includes aid from the Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Direct Loan, and PLUS Loan programs. I authorize Trinity University to apply my Title IV financial aid to other charges assessed to my student account, such as student health insurance, parking permits, bookstore charges, service fees and fines, and any other education-related charges and Education Services.
Prizes, Awards, Scholarships, Grants: I understand that all prizes, awards, scholarships, and grants awarded to me by Trinity University will be credited to my student account and applied toward any outstanding balance. I further understand that my receipt of a prize, award, scholarship, or grant is considered a financial resource according to federal Title IV financial aid regulations and may, therefore, reduce my eligibility for other federal or state financial aid (i.e., loans, grants, Federal Work Study) which, if already disbursed to my student account, must be reversed and returned to the aid source.
7. METHOD OF BILLING
I understand that Trinity University uses electronic billing (e-bill) as its official billing method. Therefore, I am responsible for viewing and paying, and will pay, my student account e-bill by the scheduled due date. I further understand that my failure to review my e-bill does not constitute a valid reason for paying my bill after the due date. E-bill information is available online.
8. BILLING ERRORS
I understand that administrative, clerical, or technical billing errors do not absolve me of my financial responsibility to pay the correct amount of tuition, fees, and other associated financial obligations assessed as a result of my registration or residency at Trinity University.
9. RETURNED PAYMENTS/FAILED PAYMENT AGREEMENTS
If a payment made to my student account is returned by the bank for any reason, I agree to repay the original amount of the payment, plus a returned payment fee of $25. I understand that multiple returned payments, or failures to comply with the terms of any payment plan or agreement that I sign with Trinity University, may result in the cancellation of my classes or a financial hold on my account. A financial hold means that I may be prevented from registering for future classes.
10. CLERY ACT
Trinity University is required to comply with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (“Clery Act”). Accordingly, each year, Trinity University prepares an Annual Security Report and Fire Report, which provides information about campus crime and fire statistics, as well as Trinity University Police Department services and fire and safety-related policies. More information and the report are available online or by calling the Trinity University Police Department at 210-999-7070 to request a paper copy.
11. STUDENT AGE
I understand and agree that if I am younger than the applicable age of majority when I execute this FRA, the Services provided by Trinity University to me are, to the maximum extent authorized by law, a necessity, and I am contractually obligated to perform this FRA under the “doctrine of necessaries.”
12. COMMUNICATION
Method of Communication: I understand and agree that Trinity University uses email as an official method of communication with me, and that I am responsible for reading the emails I receive from Trinity University on a timely basis. Trinity University emails are deemed received by me when sent via student email.
Contact: I authorize Trinity University and its agents and contractors to contact me at my current and any future phone numbers, email addresses, or wireless devices regarding my delinquent student accounts or loans, any other debt that I owe to Trinity University, for Trinity University business purposes, to provide Services, or to receive general information from Trinity University. I authorize Trinity University and its agents and contractors to use automated telephone-dialing equipment, artificial or prerecorded voice or text messages, and personal calls and emails, in their efforts to contact me. Furthermore, I understand that I may withdraw my consent to call or text my cell phone using automated telephone-dialing equipment by submitting a clear revocation request to the Office of Student Financial Services or directly to the applicable contractor or agent contacting me on behalf of Trinity University.
Updating Contact Information: I understand and agree that I am responsible for keeping Trinity University records up to date with my current mailing addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers by following the procedure at Address Change Request.
Upon leaving Trinity University for any reason, I agree and understand that it is my responsibility to provide Trinity University with updated contact information for purposes of continued communication, including regarding any amounts that remain due and owing to Trinity University.
13. UNIVERSITY POLICIES
I agree and understand that it is my responsibility to familiarize myself and comply, and agree that I will comply, with all Trinity University policies, as amended. I also understand that Trinity University may amend, alter, or cancel any of its policies, rules, or guidelines at any time, with or without notice, and that nothing in any University policy is intended to create or act as an express or implied contract with me.
14. WITHDRAWAL
If I decide to completely withdraw from Trinity University, I will follow the instructions at Registrar – Forms in effect at the time of my withdrawal, which I understand and agree are incorporated herein by reference.
15. PRIVACY RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES
I understand Trinity University is bound by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which limits the ways Trinity University may release information from my education record without my written permission. Therefore, I understand that if I want Trinity University to share information from my education record with someone else, I may be required to provide written permission by following the procedure outlined in the Student Consent to Release Educational Records. I further understand that I may revoke my permission at any time, as instructed in the same procedure.
I understand and agree that in order to provide Services to me, Trinity University and its agents and contractors on Trinity’s behalf may need to collect, process, and use my personal information. Trinity University’s privacy policies provide more information about how my personal information is collected, processed, and used.
16. INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE (IRS) FORM 1098-T
I agree to provide my Social Security number (SSN) or taxpayer-identification number (TIN) to Trinity University upon request, as required by IRS regulations for Form 1098-T reporting purposes. If I fail to provide an accurate SSN or TIN to Trinity University, I agree to pay any and all IRS fines that are assessed due to my missing SSN or TIN.
I consent to receive my annual IRS Form 1098-T Tuition Statement, electronically from Trinity University. I understand I can withdraw this consent or request a paper copy by following the instructions at Tuition Tax Credits.
17. GOVERNING LAW AND VENUE
This Agreement is governed by and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas without regard to choice of law rules. The parties agree that the sole and exclusive venue for any dispute shall be in the state or federal court in Bexar County, Texas.
18. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK OF COVID-19 AND ALL OTHER PANDEMIC DECLARATIONS MADE BY THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL
By executing this agreement, I verify that I understand and acknowledge that registration or attendance at Trinity University during the COVID-19 pandemic or during other pandemics or epidemics, including but not limited to where declarations of such conditions are made by the Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”), may carry an inherent risk of infection. COVID-19 is highly contagious, has caused illnesses ranging from mild to severe, including death, and is believed to spread mainly among people in close contact. Other illnesses giving rise to pandemics or epidemics may carry similarly serious risks. The inherent risk of all such illnesses, including as associated with COVID-19, may vary widely depending on the locality, the behaviors of the individuals present, and the timing through which those circumstances are viewed. Trinity University cannot prevent this risk of infection but will put into place mitigation efforts to reduce the risk. By clicking SUBMIT below, I verify that by registering and enrolling at Trinity University, I understand, acknowledge, and assume any inherent risk from COVID-19 or other illnesses present during my Trinity experience.
By executing this agreement, I also verify that by registering and enrolling at Trinity University, I understand and acknowledge that my Trinity experience, including but not limited to class schedules, housing, dining, and service and social activities, may be impacted by COVID-19 conditions or other pandemic declarations made by the CDC in unpredictable ways, including delay, suspension, control of space, or cancellation of all or part of the original intended experience. I understand and acknowledge that based on health and safety considerations, public-health guidance, and federal, state, or local-government orders, or based on other factors in our sole discretion, Trinity University may choose to make Educational Service Modifications. By registering for or enrolling in a course, I also acknowledge and agree that any such Educational Service Modification is deemed to have no impact on and will not affect the tuition price or any related course fees for the enrolled course or other Educational Service. As noted above, I also understand that other Services, in addition to Educational Services, may be modified, including housing, dining, and service and social activities as a result of factors impacting Educational Services or other factors, in each case such modification to be made in Trinity University’s sole discretion. Except as expressly stated in the Housing Agreement or FRA with respect to fees for Services other than tuition and other fees for Educational Services, the modification of a Service will not affect the fees or costs associated with such modified Service or with any other Service. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event that this paragraph of Section 18 of the FRA or Section 3 of the FRA conflicts with the Trinity University Courses of Study Bulletin, Schedule of Classes, the Trinity University website, or any other Trinity University policy, announcement or publication, this FRA shall control.
By executing this agreement, registering, or enrolling at Trinity University, I understand that protection against COVID-19 and other diseases giving rise to pandemics and epidemics, including as identified by the CDC, an event having a pandemic-level impact, is a shared responsibility. I agree to abide by University Policies instituted, adapted, and posted at www.trinity.edu related to mitigating the risk of exposure to such illnesses. I understand and acknowledge that university policies may be instituted in response to changing pandemic conditions and public health guidance. Federal, state, and local governmental orders, even when such orders may be more restrictive than location-specific restrictions issued by governmental authorities, and failure to follow such policies may impact my registration and enrollment options.
19. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This FRA supersedes all prior understandings, representations, negotiations, and correspondence between the parties and constitutes the entire agreement between the parties concerning the matters described and shall not be modified or affected by any course of dealing or course of performance. This FRA may be modified by Trinity University if I sign the modification. Any modification is specifically limited to those policies or terms addressed in the modification.
20. SEVERABILITY
If any provision, term, or clause of this FRA is declared illegal, unenforceable, or ineffective in a legal forum with competent jurisdiction to do so, this FRA shall be deemed severable, and all other provisions, terms, and clauses of this FRA will remain valid and binding on the parties.
21. ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE
I am attending Trinity University in Summer and/or Fall 2024.
I have read and understood my financial responsibilities as stated above, and I agree to be bound by the same for this and all terms in which I enroll at Trinity University.