Student Financial Services Hold Guidance: Registration Hold (Past-Due Balance) & Diploma Hold (Student Financials)
Registration Hold – Past-Due Balance
A Registration Hold – Past-Due Balance is placed on a student account when the outstanding past-due balance meets or exceeds the institutional threshold (currently $3,000 or more).
International Student Past-Due Balance Hold
International students, including Undergraduate, Graduate, and English Language Institute (ELI) students, are subject to the same past-due balance policies as all other students.
International students with a past-due balance may receive a registration hold that prevents future course registration. To have the hold removed, the outstanding past-due balance must be paid in full unless otherwise approved by Student Financial Services.
Impact:
- Prevents registration for future semesters
- May restrict schedule changes until the balance is reduced below the required threshold
- Does not necessarily prevent diploma release unless a separate diploma hold applies
How to Resolve:
- Make a payment to reduce the past-due balance below the required threshold
- Enroll in an approved payment arrangement, if eligible
- Submit approved third-party authorization, sponsorship, or financial documentation if applicable
- Contact Student Financial Services to review account details
Important Note:
Once the balance is reduced below the threshold and all qualifying requirements are met, the registration hold may be removed based on policy and processing timelines.
Continuing Education (CE) students are not subject to registration holds for past-due balances.
Diploma Hold – Student Financials
A Diploma Hold – Student Financials is placed on student accounts with unresolved outstanding balances, regardless of registration status, to prevent diploma release until the account is financially cleared.
Impact:
- Prevents diploma issuance and/or release
- May apply to graduating students or students already graduated with unresolved balances
- Does not affect housing or meal plan applications under the updated configuration
How to Resolve:
- Pay the outstanding balance in full (or meet approved institutional resolution requirements)
- Ensure all financial obligations are satisfied
- Work with Student Financial Services if there are pending authorizations, sponsorships, or payment arrangements
Important Note:
Once the account balance is resolved to zero (unless otherwise approved), the diploma hold can be removed.
Key Difference
Registration Hold – Past-Due Balance: Primarily impacts course registration when balances exceed the threshold.
Diploma Hold – Student Financials: Primarily impacts diploma release for students with unresolved balances.
International Student Past-Due Balance Hold: International students (Undergraduate, Graduate, and ELI) must pay their outstanding balance in full before registering for future courses. The standard past-due balance threshold exception does not apply to international students.
Need Help?
If you have questions regarding your balance, payment options, or hold status, please contact Student Financial Services at Click to reveal email. For diploma-related questions, please contact Click to reveal email.
