Third Party Billing

Using Third Party Billing to Pay Your Bill

Third Party Billing is when a student's tuition and fees are paid by an outside agency or sponsor. These agencies include, but are not limited to:

  • other educational institutions (private or public)
  • tribal organizations
  • VA benefits
  • college prepaid plans
  • Department of Rehabilitation
  • international governmental sponsors

How to Establish a Third Party Billing Agreement

To establish a Third Party Billing Agreement, the Third Party and the sponsored student must submit the sponsorship letter or a Third Party Billing Authorization to thirdparty@umontana.edu prior to the published payment deadline. Payment deadline dates can be found here.

Sponsorship Letter

The scholarship letter should define the terms of the sponsorship and containing the following information: 

  1. Student’s full name
  2. Student’s UM ID number (begins with 790)
  3. Sponsorship term and date of validity
    • The letter should be submitted every academic term or every academic year.
  4. The authorized fees covered by the sponsorship per term
  5. Email address to submit billing invoices
  6. Sponsor contact information
  7. Purchase Order or specific agency identification number, if applicable.

Note: If the form is submitted after the student has paid their bill, a refund will be processed for the payment within 4 to 6 weeks. 

Military-Affiliated Students

Military-affiliated students using VA benefits are a form of Third Party Billing. These benefits may include:

  • Chapter 31
  • Chapter 33
  • Chapter 35
  • Tuition Assistance

These students must complete a  with UM's Military and Veteran Services Office. MVSO then notifies Third Party Billing of the students who are approved for VA benefits. If you are a military-affiliated student, contact MVSO for assistance to establish your Third Party Billing Agreement.

Third Party Billing Process

The charges sponsored by the Third Party will be coded on the student account up to seven business days after the sponsorship letter is received.

The invoices will be sent to the Third Party agency after census has passed. The sponsor has 45 days after receipt of invoice to satisfy the balance.

Student responsibility regarding Third Party Billing

Having an outside agency or sponsor does not relieve the student of their financial obligations to the University. If the sponsor fails to pay any amount for any reason, the student will remain responsible for paying their financial obligations to the University. Any payments not received by the sponsor will result in the removal of the credit posted by the University and the student will be responsible for the balance due. Past due balances will result in a hold being placed on the students account and will prevent registration for future terms.