Harper College

Tuition and Payment

Harper welcomes you to schedule an in-person appointment. Please see the contact information below for both on-campus and remote availability. We look forward to seeing you.

Tuition Rates

Payment Policy and Procedures

Students are required to make a payment arrangement at the time of registration. If payment arrangements are not made by the deadline, the student's registration will be removed. Students are not allowed to attend classes until payment arrangements are in place for the term.

How to Make Payment Arrangements

Method One (if actively registering)

  1. Log in to MyHarper Portal.
  2. Find and select your courses.
  3. Choose Pay in Full Online.

Quick Guide to Pay in Full While Registering

Method Two (if already registered)

  1. Log in to MyHarper Portal.
  2. Select the Finances icon
  3. Next select Online Payments icon

Quick Guide to Pay in Full

Quick Guide to Pay in Full for Unresolved Balance

Authorized Parties (parents, spouses, legal guardians, etc.) whom would like either access to a student’s payment/charge account information or the ability to submit payments on behalf of the student will need to be set up as an authorized party by the student. 

The student is required to complete the form for all interested authorized parties. The student is responsible for notifying the authorized party when payment is due.

Authorized parties will receive an email with a link and log in information so they may make future payments.

An authorized party may have multiple students assigned to their "Authorized Party portal".

Please Note: Beginning with the Summer 2018 semester students will need to add an authorized party if they will have someone else paying for their tuition and fees**.  It is recommended that this is completed prior to a student registering for classes.  Those students that had an authorized payer in the previous payment system will need to re-add them as the former authorized parties will not be migrated to the new system.  Authorized parties now have the ability to create a payment plan on behalf of the student.

There are some instances where multiple payers are paying for one student’s account. 

Payment Plan
The Nelnet payment plan only allows one credit card/debit card or checking/savings account number.  It is suggested that if multiple parties want to utilize the ability to make monthly payments, they place funds into a credit card/debit card or checking/savings account the student owns, at least five business days prior to the payment withdrawal date, and use that account for the payment plan.  If a student doesn't currently have any personal accounts to use, a prepaid debit card can be purchased and funds from the multiple parties can be deposited onto the card.  Any prepaid debit card with the MasterCard, Visa, Discover, or American Express logos will work.

Refunds for Payment Plans with Multiple Payers
Any refunds from an overpayment on the students account will be sent by check to the student.

Splitting Paying in Full
The multiple payers will need to coordinate with the student on what amount will need to be paid.  Because of FERPA, the Business Office will not be advising parents, guardians, spouses, etc. on what their portion will be without student’s consent.  See the FERPA & the Business Office section for more information.  Students can grant access to multiple parties to make payments on their behalf.  See Parents, Guardians, Authorized Parties section for more details. 

Refunds for Payment in Full from Multiple Payers
Keep in mind when credit card refunds are processed the refunds will not be split up by the multiple payers.  If refunds occur within 75 days of the credit card payment, refunds are processed to the oldest transaction which is within that 75 day period.  If it is beyond the 75 day period, the refund is issued to the student in the form of a check.  If there is a concern regarding which payer gets the refund, we would suggest the multiple payers pay their portion to the student and the student pays Harper College.  The student would receive the refund and be responsible for distributing the funds to any other parties.

Cash, electronic check, money order, cashiers check, credit union check, personal check, Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover accepted. Harper is now processing checks electronically. Be aware there will be a $25 fee for any declined checks.  Payment must be completed by the personalized payment due date.  In person payments are available by appointment in the Business Office, Building A, Room 214 during the On-Campus hours listed at the bottom of the page.

Using Financial Aid

Steps to complete registration

  1. Log in to MyHarper Portal.
  2. Find and select your courses.
  3. Click the "Finalize Registration" button within 30 minutes to secure your classes.

When registering for the semester the system will calculate your tuition and fees**, along with any expected financial and tuition reductions available to you at the time of registration. 

Frequently Asked Questions
1. My financial aid status has changed after I was able to finalize my registration.  What do I need to do?

  • If it is found that a balance is due because of a change in financial aid eligibility, you will be contacted by the Business Office regarding payment arrangements. 

2. What if I change my schedule?

  • Your balance will be recalculated and you will either be asked to finalize the new changes or requested to make payment arrangements if now a balance is owed.

3. Am I still able to get book vouchers?

  • Yes, book vouchers will be available up to the projected excess financial aid (after aid has covered tuition/fees).  Students are restricted to one set of books for the semester.

Harper College policy limits your book voucher charges to:

  • One computer per student during your enrollment at Harper College.
  • One set of books and supplies per course per term

The HarperStore carries a wide assortment of course materials for all Harper College courses. The Store carries new, used and digital books. Many course materials are available for rent. Visit the HarperStore for information about the textbook rental program.

Be sure you have your final class schedule before buying your books. Save your receipt and do not write in your books until classes have actually begun.

Steps to complete registration

  1. Log in to MyHarper Portal.
  2. Find and select your courses.
  3. Select and complete your payment method to secure your class(es).

When registering for the semester the system will calculate your tuition and fees**, along with any expected financial and tuition reductions available to you at the time of registration and payment will need to be completed by the personalized due date.  If payment arrangements are not completed by the due date the courses will be removed and the student will not be able to attend classes. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What if I change my schedule?

  • Your balance will be recalculated and you will either be asked to finalize the new changes or requested to make payment arrangements if now a balance is owed.

2. Do I need to pay the balance immediately?

  • A payment arrangement will need to be completed by your Personalized Due Date.  Students have the option to either pay the remaining balance in full or can complete a monthly payment plan.  We also offer many scholarships at Harper College.  Learn more about scholarships here.

3. Am I still able to get book vouchers?

  • Book vouchers will not be available since there are no additional financial aid funds to cover those expenses.
  • Students will have the opportunity to purchase textbooks and course materials through the HarperStore with their own personal funds.

The HarperStore carries a wide assortment of course materials for all Harper College courses.  The store carries new books, used books, digital books, and many of the course materials are also available for rent. Please visit the HarperStore website for more information about the textbook rental program.

Employment in district, agreements with other schools or businesses, or other adjustments.

Students are encouraged to turn in their documentation so it may be processed prior to registration so their tuition will be reduced when calculating the amount due.

Students may register prior to providing tuition reduction documents and will have their balance adjusted.  Students that had completed a payment plan prior to turning in the documentation will find their future monthly payments reduced.  Those that have paid in full, will be eligible for a refund.

If you have a Joint Agreement or Business EdVantage waiver please provide them to the One Stop.

If you have a third party paying for your tuition please provide that voucher to the Business Office.

Using Veteran Benefits

Harper College is required to meet specific processing timelines. Due to these timelines, all requests for Veterans educational benefits must be submitted no later than the last day of the requested term. Any request that is submitted after the last day of the term must come with a letter detailing extenuating circumstances which prevented the student from completing the necessary paperwork within the allotted semester timeframe. All decisions made on late processing appeals are final.

For more information about veteran education benefits, be sure to check out the veteran education page.

The Veterans Enrollment Confirmation (VEC) form is an online form that must be completed every semester after enrolling in courses and any time you make adjustments to your enrollment (adding or dropping courses). Unless we have a VEC on file we will not know that you would like to utilize your benefits so it is important that you complete this as soon as you enroll or make adjustments to your schedule.

Tuition rates are adjusted for students receiving the following veteran benefits.

  • CH30, CH31 and CH33 recipients are billed at the in-district tuition rate. 
  • Illinois National Guard, Illinois Veteran Grant, MIA-POW and Veteran Voc Rehab recipients are billed at the out-of-district tuition rate. 

All students are required to make payment arrangements at the time of registration. Students that utilize tuition-specific benefits that are applied directly to Harper (see below) will NOT need to arrange payment methods at time of registration, however, if there is a remaining balance after your benefits have posted you will be responsible for covering those expenses. Those utilizing any Veterans benefits not listed below will be responsible for committing to a payment method at time of registration.

    • Tuition-specific benefits include:
      • Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill®
      • Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment
      • Illinois Veterans Grant
      • Illinois National Guard Grant
      • MIA/POW Scholarship
      • Military Tuition Assistance
  • GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

If we use your DD214 in place of a certificate of eligibility and you are deemed not eligible for educational benefits, you will be financially responsible for any balance accrued with the college. This may also include out-of-district fees that were originally waived due to the benefit you claimed.

Requesting veteran education benefits does not guarantee your classes will be paid for. If you are deemed ineligible, if your entitlements ends, if you select the wrong start date, if the state or federal government make any changes to these chapters or funding you may be responsible for any balance on your account.

**Cost of Attendance Information

Important Financial Aid and Registration Dates

Business Office
Building A, Room A214
847.925.6880
Email Us

On-Campus Hours

Monday through Friday:  8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Last Updated: 12/14/23