Time Option Payment Plan (TOPP)

 

Stony Brook University recognizes the need for helping parents and students cope with the expenses of higher education. To this end, the University offers the Time Option Payment Plan (TOPP), a program that allows you to make equal and consecutive monthly payments towards your semester balance.

The Time Option Payment Plan (TOPP) is a semester-based program. As such, you are required to enroll in the program each semester you would like to participate. Since the plan is not a loan, there are no interest or finance charges. You pay only a $50.00 non-refundable application fee to help defray the program's administrative expenses.

Enrollment in the TOPP program must be completed online through SOLAR under “Campus Financial Services.” In order for your enrollment in the plan to be effective, you must make your first payment at the time of enrollment.

In order to be eligible to participate in the TOPP program, any remaining prior semester balances must be paid in full.

Enrollment in the program will allow for your payments to be distributed equally over three or four months, depending on when you enroll. The application fee of $50.00 will be included in your first payment.

Enrollment in the program must be completed by the appropriate semester deadlines. There are two monthly payment plan options depending on your enrollment date. Please see the tables below for more information.

Fall 2024 Payment Plans:  

Plan	Enrollment Deadline	Plan Details
4 Payment Plan	August 15th	Divides semester balance into 4 equal, consecutive monthly installment payments. Payments due on the 15th of the month.  Due dates for Fall 2024 4-installment plan will be August 15, September 15, October 15, and November 15.
3 Payment Plan	September 15th	Enrollment for the 3-Payment Plan will begin on August 16th.   Divides semester balance into 3 equal, consecutive monthly installment payments. Payments due on the 15th of the month.  Due dates for Fall 2024 3-installment plan will be September 15, October 15, and November 15.

Spring 2025 Payment Plans

Plan	Enrollment Deadline	Plan Details
4 Payment Plan	January 15th	Divides semester balance into 4 equal, consecutive monthly installment payments. Payments due January 15, February 15th, March 15th, and April 15th.
3 Payment Plan	February 15th	Enrollment for the 3-Payment Plan will begin on January  16th.  Divides semester balance into 3 equal, consecutive monthly installment payments. Payments due February 15, March 15th, and April 15th.

Summer/Winter

The Time Option Payment Plan (TOPP) is only available during the Fall and Spring semesters. Due to the brief length of the Summer and Winter terms, the Time Option Payment Plan is not available during these semesters.

TOPP Terms, Conditions, and Details

Your initial payment amount will be calculated by the system, and will need to be made at the time of enrollment. This payment must be processed successfully in order for your enrollment to be effective. Your initial payment will include your $50 non-refundable enrollment fee.

Subsequent payments will be due by the 15th of each month. Two reminder messages will be sent through SOLAR as a courtesy to remind you of upcoming payment due dates. Failure to either receive or review these messages will not excuse a late or missed payment.

Stony Brook University does not save your payment information, and as such, payments will not be made automatically. You are required to make each subsequent monthly payment.

Failure to make subsequent monthly payments by the 15th of each month will result in removal from the plan, causing the entire remaining semester balance to be due in full. Late fees will be assessed on the remaining balance, and will continue to accrue each remaining month that the balance remains unpaid.

Charges relating to room, meal plan, or course load may adjust your student account balance. TOPP contracts are automatically adjusted for any changes to your student account. Your monthly payments are subject to change as a result of changes to your semester balance due.

Certain students are ineligible for participation in TOPP, including students in the Intensive English program and students who owe less than $250 for the term. Monthly apartment charges are billed separately, and will not be included in your TOPP enrollment.

TOPP is a semester based program. Enrollment does not automatically roll over from one semester to another. Students are required to re-enroll each semester they would like to participate. The application fee is charge every semester you participate in the program.

Need Help?

If you have any questions about enrollment in the TOPP program, please email PaymentPlans@stonybrook.edu or visit the Contact Page to LiveChat with a staff member.