Collection of Unpaid Accounts

To discuss your outstanding debt and possible payment options, please contact our office at (518) 587-2100 ext. 2516.

A billing statement from Student Accounts will describe a debt currently due to SUNY Empire State College as an agency of the state of New York. Your failure to pay the debt within 30 days of your presumed receipt of the initial invoice will result in an additional assessment of interest or late fees, which ever is greater. Receipt of your invoice is presumed to be five days after the mailing of the initial invoice.

Interest will be assessed from the date of your presumed receipt of the initial invoice, at the corporate underpayment rate set by the commissioner of taxation and finance minus 4 percent. Interest will be compounded daily on the principal balance which is set forth in your bill.

To avoid the assessment of interest or additional late payment charges, you should pay the amount requested in full within the 30-day period. In addition, should you fail to pay this debt in full within 90 days of your presumed receipt of the initial invoice, a collection fee of up to 22 percent of the amount due, including interest, may be added to the amount which you owe.

Please write your ID number on all checks or correspondence, and make checks payable to Empire State College. Please advise us of any change of name or address. If you are replying by mail, please include your current phone number.

State Debt Collection Laws Affecting All Past Due Debts Owed to the State of New York

Certain state laws that became effective on Jan. 1, 1993, have granted additional enforcement powers to New York state agencies for collection of nontax debts. These laws have augmented those codes and regulations that previously existed within the State University of New York. If you have a current or outstanding debt with the college, you are strongly urged to settle this matter now.

Important Provisions

Interest or penalty on overdue nontax debt-State Finance Law Section 18

• State agencies are authorized to assess interest or late payment penalty charges on overdue debts.

Collection Fee-State Finance Law Section 18

• State agencies or their representative may charge collection fees to cover the estimated costs of processing, handling and collecting delinquent debts. The amount can be as much as 22 percent of the outstanding debt.

Authority to Hold Transcripts and Deny Registration

• Section 302.1 (j) of Chapter V, Title 8 of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations - No person shall receive credit or other official recognition for work completed satisfactorily, or be allowed to reregister, until all tuition, fees and other charges authorized by the State University have been paid or college student loan obligations have been satisfied.

Referral of the debt to the Tax Department-State Tax Law Section 171-f

• State agencies are authorized to certify to the Department of Taxation and Finance that past due legally enforceable debts should be offset against any tax refunds, contracts or other state payments.

Returned Item Charge-State Finance Law Section 19

• State agencies are authorized to charge a returned item fee when a check is dishonored.