Axe ’Em, Jacks!
Who is considered a third-party sponsor?
Third parties are sponsoring organizations or agencies who take responsibility for paying a student's tuition and fee balance. Third party sponsors may include companies, state entities, or federal or foreign government benefits. Third parties do not include parents or other family members.
Becoming an approved third-party sponsor
If your organization/agency would like to be considered as a new third-party sponsor, contact Student Business Services at 3rdpartycontracts@sfasu.edu.
New-sponsor establishment can take up to 30 business days. To expedite the process, include the following in the body of your email:
- Organization/agency name
- Organization/agency address
- Organization/agency billing requirements
- Billing contact name, email and phone number
- Student's name and SFA ID number
- Voucher, purchase order or sponsorship letter which specifies the student's approval and any charges eligible for payment.
Using third-party funds toward your eBill
Contact Student Business Services to determine whether your third-party sponsor is approved and has an established billing arrangement with SFA. The approval process can take up to 30 days, which may delay billing coverage.
To use an approved third-party sponsor, proper documents must be submitted at least 10 days before the term's payment due date. Student Business Services will not invoice a sponsor or accept payments from a sponsor until all required paperwork is received, and may not accept third-party documents after the official reporting day of the term. The student is required to pay any charges not covered by the sponsor. Check the semester's payment plan deadlines.
Submitting documents to receive third-party funds
Reminder: Contact Student Business Services to determine whether your third-party sponsor is approved and has an established billing arrangement with SFA. The approval process can take up to 30 days, which may delay billing coverage.
Submit a copy of a sponsorship/benefit letter at least 10 days before the term's payment due date.
The letter must include:
- Exactly what charges or dollar amount the third-party sponsor will pay.
- Billing contact name, phone number, email and mailing address.
Uploading your sponsorship/benefit letter
- Log in to your mySFA account.
- Select "Billing" from the menu tabs.
- Locate the "Billing Information" box.
- Click "Upload Contract/Exemption Paperwork."
- Select "Other Contract" from the dropdown menu.
- Upload your plan benefit letter.
Sponsorship changes
If there is a change in the third-party sponsorship you're receiving, you must notify Student Business Services by emailing sbs@sfasu.edu.
After proper paperwork is submitted, what's next?
After you submit proper documentation of third-party sponsorship through your mySFA account at least 10 days before the term's payment due date, Student Business Services will apply a placeholder payment on your eBill.
A placeholder payment is not a real payment made on your account. This serves as an estimate until your third-party sponsor's payment is received and processed. Read details on delayed billing coverage and unpaid balances to understand your responsibilities if third-party sponsor payments do not cover your eBill in full by the deadline.
Billing your third-party sponsor
Do not send an invoice to your third-party sponsor or add them as an authorized user on your eBill. This will create a duplicate invoice for the sponsor, resulting in payment errors or delays.
Student Business Services will send official invoices to third-party sponsors on:
- the 20th class day of the fall/spring terms
- and the fourth class day of the summer term.
This allows time for financial aid and any fee waivers to apply on the student's account, as well as any adjustments from the student adding or dropping a course. Invoices are itemized and include all payment details and sponsor requirements.
Important: If your third-party sponsor requires a copy of your course schedule or grades, it is your responsibility to provide this information directly to them. Read details on delayed billing coverage and unpaid balances to understand your responsibilities if third-party sponsor payments do not cover your eBill in full by the deadline.
Delayed billing coverage and unpaid balances
If you do not submit all proper paperwork by the deadline
Placeholder payments are not issued on accounts with which third-party sponsor paperwork is incomplete or submitted less than 10 days before the term's payment due date. You will be responsible for the entire account balance and it's your responsibility to ensure your account is paid according to state statute.
If sponsor payment is not received
If payment is not received from your third-party sponsor within 30 days of the invoice date, the placeholder payment will be removed from your eBill and your account will reflect an outstanding balance. Payment must be received within 30 days from this occurrence to avoid applicable holds and late fees. At which time, any outstanding balance and applicable holds and late fees will become your responsibility to pay immediately.
If sponsor payment does not pay balance in full
If your third-party sponsor's payment does not pay your balance in full, you must make payment arrangements for the remaining balance by the semester's payment plan deadlines to avoid being dropped from your classes or further penalty.
Delinquent eBill accounts
If any unpaid charges on your eBill account become delinquent, you'll be responsible for fees and expenses that SFA may incur in its effort to collect as allowed by Texas Government Code Sec. 2107.003, including:
- fees of any collection agency
- may be based on a percentage of the debt
- and all costs and expenses
- including reasonable attorney fees.
Texas Tuition Promise Fund
If you use the Texas Tuition Promise Fund, you must notify Student Business Services that you authorize units from your account by emailing sbs@sfasu.edu at least 10 days before the term's payment due date.
Texas Guaranteed Tuition Plan
If you plan to use the Texas Guaranteed Tuition Plan (formerly the Texas Tomorrow Fund), at least 10 days before the term's payment due date:
- Upload a copy of your TGTP ID card through your mySFA account.
- first semester only
- Email sbs@sfasu.edu to confirm continued use of TGTP.
- subsequent semesters only
Uploading your TGTP ID card the first semester
- Log in to your mySFA account.
- Select "Billing" from the menu tabs.
- Locate the "Billing Information" box.
- Click "Upload Contract/Exemption Paperwork."
- Select "Texas Tomorrow (Guaranteed) Tuition Plan" from the dropdown menu.
- Upload your TGTP ID card.
Other states' prepaid plans
If you plan to use a prepaid plan from a state other than Texas, upload the plan benefit letter through your mySFA account at least 10 days before the term's payment due date.
The plan benefit letter must include:
- your prepaid plan rate
- and remaining prepaid plan benefits.
Contact your prepaid plan administrator to receive a copy of the plan benefit letter.
Uploading your plan benefit letter
- Log in to your mySFA account.
- Select "Billing" from the menu tabs.
- Locate the "Billing Information" box.
- Click "Upload Contract/Exemption Paperwork."
- Select "Other Prepaid Plan" from the dropdown menu.
- Upload your plan benefit letter.
Texas Workforce Commission
If you plan to use Texas Workforce Commission benefits, contact your TWC counselor to discuss eligibility and begin the sponsorship process.
TWC counselors will be required to submit a service authorization to 3rdpartycontracts@sfasu.edu for all eligible charges at least 10 days before the term's payment due date. Student Business Services will not invoice TWC or accept payments until all required paperwork is received.
If you have questions regarding your bill and receive TWC benefits, email Student Business Services at sbs@sfasu.edu.
View more information about the Blind,Deaf Student Exemption Program.