We believe that an investment in a college education is a true partnership between parents and students and requires open communication and collaboration, from the point of the first application through the payment of the last bill. This is an important step to preparing students for life after graduation.
While we expect families to work together through this process, it is important to remember that the responsibilities of an Ithaca education rest with your student.
Here are a few things you should know about your student’s financial responsibilities
- Financial aid belongs to the student, not the parent. While the entire family’s finances affect aid, in the eyes of the law it is the student who is responsible. It starts with the student’s FAFSA application for financial aid.
- Billing notifications from the college are sent electronically, and statements can be viewed on HomerConnect through the QuikPay portal. We highly recommend that students designate family members as “Authorized Payers,” using the tools on QuikPay, so that family members can access the bill, make electronic payments, and receive emails when bills are ready to view.
There are several ways you and your student can work together through this process:
- When you begin to complete the financial aid applications, we suggest students and parents complete them together. Remember, this is your student’s application—you are just there to help with details of your family’s finances.
- Be sure your student reads the bills each semester. This sounds like common sense, but in many households parents take care of the bill and the student never even knows about it.
- Students have the ability to authorize their parents (or anyone else) to view online billing statements through HomerConnect. This is the proper way to access billing information. You should not ask your son or daughter for his or her log-in credentials.
Every family’s circumstances are unique and may change throughout a student’s time at the College. We encourage you and your student to contact our office with questions and concerns. We’re here to help you!