Spring 2026 Authorization deadline - Now Closed

Please Note: The sponsor authorization deadline of February 19, 2026 has passed. All submissions must be made through the Sponsor Authorization Portal by the deadlines listed for each semester. If a submission is received after the deadline, sponsor billing will not be available for that term.

Sponsor Billing

Sponsor Billing is the process in which an organization outside the University makes a promise to pay for educational expenses on behalf of the student. Each term a student is sponsored, University Bursar must have a billing authorization on file.

Sponsor Billing does not include payments made by other individuals. Students can add other individuals as Authorized Payers to view their student account activity and make online payments. Please visit our website to add an Authorized Payer. (payments made by other individuals is outside of the scope of sponsor billing).

When the authorization process outlined below is completed, the University will invoice the approved sponsor for the charges they agreed to pay. It is essential to note that if a sponsor doesn't need an invoice from the University, or requests additional information such as grades, it falls outside the scope of sponsor billing. With Sponsor billing, invoices are issued monthly per sponsor, not per student. Requesting invoices per student falls outside sponsor billing and is considered employee reimbursement.

Becoming a Sponsor

To become a sponsor at the University of Illinois and utilize this payment method, sponsors must enroll in and use Nelnet's Third-Party Billing (Sponsor Billing) Portal. This portal serves as the central platform for obtaining invoices, submitting payments, and ensuring enhanced security through email authentication for our sponsors. If you anticipate a sponsor covering your tuition and other fees, it is crucial to establish specific arrangements with us to facilitate billing by this sponsor.

Examples of qualifying sponsors include:

Approved corporations
Vocational rehabilitation offices
Government agencies including Military Tuition Assistance and embassies located in the United States

Once a sponsor completes the authorization process and is approved, University Bursar places a conditional credit on the student’s account as a promise of payment from the sponsor. The conditional credit on the student account does not indicate payment was received from the sponsor. It is the student’s responsibility to pay all charges not covered by the sponsor.

Students who participate in Sponsor Billing will be assessed a Sponsor Billing Fee each term:

Fall/Spring term: $45.00
Summer term: $22.50

Please Note: The student is responsible for paying this fee if it is not paid by the sponsor.

Authorization

For each term a student is sponsored, University Bursar must have a billing authorization on file. Conditional sponsor credits will not be applied to the student account until an authorization is received. Types of authorizations may include:

Financial Guarantee
SF182/Tuition Assistance
Letter of Credit

The authorization letter must:

Be written in English under official Sponsor letterhead and signed by the Sponsor.
- Include the student's full name, date of birth, and University Identification Number (UIN).
- The last four digits of Social Security is acceptable.
Indicate the starting semester and duration of the Authorization.
Provide a contact name, email, phone number and billing address, with specific invoicing instructions.
Include types of charges the sponsor will pay, such as tuition, mandatory fees, optional fees, health insurance, on-campus housing, and parking.
Be loaded to the Sponsor Authorization portal by the listed deadlines:
- Fall semester: November 12th
- Spring semester: February 19th
- Summer semester: July 15th

Sponsor Authorization Portal

Responsibility

Student

Have an approved Sponsor by University Bursar Sponsor Billing department.
Monitor monthly billing notifications, pay all non-Sponsored charges and report any billing errors to University Bursar Sponsor Billing.
Check the sponsor billing card in Banner Self-Service to track unpaid balances by your sponsor. If a charge remains unpaid, follow up with your sponsor directly. Please inform University Bursar if the sponsor confirms they will not cover the unpaid charges, so adjustments can be made.
The sponsor Billing credits placed on the student accounts are conditional credits and do not indicate payment by the Sponsor, nor do they release the student from financial responsibility for the authorized charges. Sponsored students are responsible for adhering to the rules set forth in the University Financial Responsibility Agreement.
Communicate with Bursar Sponsor Billing regarding semester withdrawals and/or add/drop of courses.

Sponsor

Be approved by University Bursar to participate in Sponsor Billing.
Require direct invoicing from the University.
Submit authorizations and payments by deadlines listed above.
Sponsor remittance of payment cannot be contingent upon grades.
Enroll in and use Nelnet's Third-Party Billing (Sponsor Billing) Portal.

Billing and Due Dates

Sponsor invoices will be sent after the course add/drop deadline each semester. All invoices will be made available through Nelnet's Third-Party Billing (Sponsor Billing) Portal to the sponsor. Course add/drop deadlines can be found on the specific Campus Academic Calendar:

Sponsor Payment will be due on the 28th of each month with the main term due date as listed below. For any late authorizations, invoices will be due in subsequent months. Due dates will be clearly stipulated on the invoice provided.

Due Dates:
- Fall: October 28th
- Spring: March 28th
- Summer: July 28th

Payment Instructions

Online Payments

The University accepts both eCheck and credit card payments online through Nelnet's Third-Party Billing (Sponsor Billing) Portal.

International Wire

When paying by international wire, sponsors are required to submit payment via Flywire at uitpb.flywire.com.

Domestic Wire

When paying by domestic wire transfer or ACH/EFT, please advise your Sponsor that payment information can be found on the last page of the invoice. Invoices are available on Nelnet's Third-Party Billing (Sponsor Billing) Portal.

Check

When paying by check, sponsors must send the check with a copy of the invoice to the address below. Payments should be mailed at least five business days prior to due date to allow for mail delivery and processing time.

Mailing Address:

University of Illinois Bursar Sponsor Billing
Attn: ARO Sponsor Billing
809 South Marshfield Ave 2nd Floor MC 557
Chicago IL 60612

Late Payment/Non Payment

Sponsor Payment Responsibilities

Sponsors are required to use Nelnet's Third-Party Billing (Sponsor Billing) Portal, which serves as the secure platform for accessing invoices, submitting payments, and viewing real-time balances. Email authentication ensures added security for all sponsor interactions.

Student Payment Responsibilities

Students should regularly check the sponsor billing card in Banner Self-Service to monitor any unpaid charges. If a balance remains unpaid, please follow up directly with your sponsor. If your sponsor confirms they will not cover specific charges, notify University Bursar so adjustments can be made.

Please Note:
Sponsor credits are a temporary hold for payment, not an official payment. The University Bursar conducts periodic reviews and will remove unpaid sponsor credits, resulting in the balance being transferred to the student’s official university bill.

Email: bursarsponsorbilling@uillinois.edu

Mailing address: