Payment Options
IAU will not allow students to register for classes if their accounts show outstanding balances not related to documented financial aid disbursements and reserves the right to prevent students from sitting for final exams if their invoices are not paid in full.
Payment deadlines are as follows:
Term | Deadline |
Fall Semester | July 30 |
January Term | December 15 |
Spring Semester | December 20 |
Summer Term | May 15 |
Credit Cards/E-Checks
Credit card payments can be made through IAU's secure Payment Portal (video instruction HERE). IAU accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. IAU assesses a service fee equal to 2% for all payments made using a credit or debit card. Users may avoid this fee by paying via E-Check using the information below.
Payments made on the portal should be clearly marked with the student's name in the description section.
Checks
Checks must be clearly marked with the student's name and IAU program listed in the memo section of the check. A $35 fee will be added to invoices if a check is returned due to insufficient funds. Please see below for more information:
Please make checks payable to: The American College of the Mediterranean (ACM)
Checks can be mailed to:
The American College of the Mediterranean
409 Camino del Rio South, Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92108
Students on Financial Aid
Students who expect to receive financial aid disbursements to help pay for some or all of their program fees should notify IAU immediately by submitting the Financial Assistance Form. Students should complete the student portion and then have a financial aid advisor from their home institution complete the final section and return to IAU via e-mail, fax (847-864-6897) or mail (ACM, 409 Camino Del Rio South, Suite 200, San Diego, CA). Students are responsible for paying anything not covered by expected financial aid by the payment deadline.
Students must submit the Financial Assistance Form by the following deadlines:
Term | Deadline |
Fall Semester | June 15 |
January Term | November 1 |
Spring Semester | October 15 |
Summer Term | April 15 |
529 Plans - College Savings Plans
Students who possess 529 plans, legally known as "qualified tuition plans", may be eligible to use them towards their IAU program costs. 529 plans are tax-advantaged savings programs created to help families save for future education costs. Each state has different plan advantages, options, restrictions, and applicable fees. More information about 529 plans and how they are operated can be found here. Moreover, students will need to consult their 529 plan requirements to learn how their funds can be used and if they can be applied towards IAU program costs. It is important to bear in mind that typically only U.S. accredited degree-granting institutions or Title IV institutions accept 529 plan funds. While IAU’s parent organization, the American College of the Mediterranean, is currently pursuing accreditation, students may be able to apply their 529 funds if they are issued by the banking institutions. Please note that while the parent/529 contributor can withdraw funds from the 529 plan at any time and for any reason, tax penalties may apply. Ultimately, students should speak with their 529 provider and home institution to determine the eligibility criteria for applying their 529 plan funds to study abroad.
1098-T Forms
Parents claiming students as dependents often wish to use tuition paid for study abroad programs toward educational tax credits. IAU does not issue 1098-T forms. If a student’s home institution bills for the program’s tuition, it should issue the 1098-T form. If students pay IAU directly, they or their parents are recommended to seek professional tax advice as to whether such payments would be eligible given that the home campus applies the credits toward a degree. While IAU cannot provide any tax advice, the Registrar can furnish a zero-balance account statement.