How-Tos
Instructions for completing billing-related tasks
Instructions for students:
- Students log in to .
- Enter “1098t” in the “Search Buff Portal” field on the left and click 1098-T Tax Form to open the card.
- Click "View/download 1098T."
- Log in to CU Portal.
- Select the year of the form you want to view and/or download.
- Select "1098-T Form" (to download the form) or "Transaction Detail" (for detailed information) and click "View."
- Click "Allow."
- From here you can print or download the form.
- If you select Transaction Detail, you can view a breakdown of payments received for qualified tuition and expenses; prior year adjustments; grants and scholarships; and prior year grant adjustments. Visit 1098-T Boxes Explained and FAQs for more information.
Parents, guardians and other family members do not automatically have access to view their student’s account ( about getting the bill vs. footing the bill). Students can give up to five people access by authorizing them as payers to view the account and pay online. This access is separate from and the .
- Students log in to (buffportal.colorado.edu)
- Locate the Tuition & Fees card. It will be on the main Buff Portal page. Then click "Account Setup."
- Click "Authorize Payers."
- Log in to AttributeContract.
- Click "Add New."
- Enter your authorized payer’s name and email address. Click "Save."
- An email will be sent to the authorized payer’s email address that you entered. They will then be prompted to set a password. You can add up to five authorized payers (click "Add New"). You can delete them at any time. They will be notified by email when their status changes.
Please see Apply aid to All University Charges for instructions.
Bills are online only.
- Students log in to (buffportal.colorado.edu.) (Authorized payers log in to , select "View & Pay Accounts" and go to step 5 below.)
- Locate the Tuition & Fees card. It will be on the main Buff Portal page. Then click "View Balance/Pay Bill."
- On the View Balance/Pay Bill view, you can see your current balance. To see the bill, click "View/Pay Bill."
- Log in to AttributeContract.
- You will see options for main campus (CU Boulder Tuition and Fees) and Continuing Education. Click "View Account Details" for the bill you want to view.
- At the top of the page, you will see general information.
- Scroll down to view details.
- Account Detail shows Charges and Adjustments in the top section and Credits and Payments below.
- The Current Balance includes recent activity and is the difference between the charges and credits.
- This view shows all transactions since your last bill date.
- Bill History shows previous bills.
- If you need to print the bill, scroll up and click Print.
- If you would like to pay the bill, click Make a Payment.
- Students log in to (buffportal.colorado.edu.) (Authorized payers log in to , select "View & Pay Accounts" and go to step 5 below.)
- Locate the Tuition & Fees card. It will be on the main Buff Portal page. Then click "View Balance/Pay Bill."
- On the View Balance/Pay Bill view, you can see your current balance. To see the bill, click "View/Pay Bill."
- Log in to AttributeContract.
- You will see options for CU Boulder Tuition and Fees (Main Campus) and Continuing Education. Click the pay button for the campus you wish to pay. Pay each campus separately.
- Select amount to pay and click "Next-Payment Method."
- Click "Proceed to Vendor Site."
- Select the country or region you are paying from and click "Next."
- Select your preferred payment method by clicking "Select."
- Enter the payer information by filling out the required fields. Flywire will give you an option to create an account to keep track of your payment. Check the box next to "Receive text notification on your payment status," if desired. When the fields are complete, click "Next."
- Enter the contact, payment and student information. Click "Next."
- Review the information and click "Pay."
- Your payment is now pending. Print the page and follow the instructions to complete the payment process.
- Students log in to (buffportal.colorado.edu.) (Authorized payers log in to , select "View & Pay Accounts" and go to step 4 below.)
- Locate the Tuition & Fees card. It will be on the main Buff Portal page. Then click "Balance Summary."
- On the Balance Summary view, you can see your current balance. To see the bill, click "View/Pay Bill."
- You will see options for CU Boulder Tuition and Fees (Main Campus) and Continuing Education. Click the pay button for the campus you wish to pay. Pay each campus separately.
- Enter payment amount and choose a payment method. (A nonrefundable 2.85% service fee is assessed by NelNet Campus Commerce for all debit or credit transactions. We encourage payment from a checking or savings account (eCheck) in order to save money and avoid paying the service fee charged by NelNet. Paying with eCheck is secure, fast and free.)
- Click "Continue."
- Enter payment information and click "Continue."
- Review the information and click "Confirm" to make your payment.
- If you paid with a credit or debit card, you will see two receipts: one for payment of tuition and fees to CU Boulder; and one for the service fee to NelNet.
- Apply once in your lifetime at . When you’re finished applying, it will take 2–7 days before you can complete the next step (authorization of the stipend to your bursar account).
- Log in to (buffportal.colorado.edu).
- Search for "cof" or "college opportunity fund" in the Buff Portal search bar. Click "College Opportunity Fund (COF)."
- Click "View your COF status."
- If you have been enrolled on more than one CU campus, select CU Boulder for COF Institution.
- Click "Update Authorization."
- Click "Lifetime Authorization" and click "Submit."
- Click "Confirm." The stipend will appear on your student account in 24-48 hours.
- Activate your .
- Students log in to (buffportal.colorado.edu).
- Locate the Tuition & Fees card.
- Click "More Items."
- Click "Returning Student Confirmation Deposit."
- Click "Pay Deposit."
- Choose a payment method and click "Continue." (A nonrefundable 2.85% is assessed by NelNet Campus Commerce for all debit or credit transactions. We encourage payment from a checking or savings account (eCheck) in order to save money and avoid paying the service fee. ECheck is secure, fast and free.)
- Enter payment information and click "Continue."
- Confirm that the information is correct click "Confirm" to complete your payment.
Direct deposit for tuition and fees is separate from direct deposit for your paycheck.
To set up direct deposit, you will need a U.S. checking or savings account in your name, your bank routing number and your account number. Credit, debit or Buff OneCard numbers are not routing numbers. Your bank routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your bank. It can usually be found on your bank's website or you can call them directly.
- Log in to (buffportal.colorado.edu).
- Search for “direct deposit” in the Buff Portal search bar. Click "Direct Deposit for Tuition & Fee Refunds."
- Click "Set Up Direct Deposit."
- Read the authorization and disclosure, and then click "Next."
- Enter your banking information and click "Next."
- Confirm the information and click "Submit." If your banking information changes, you'll need to update this information.
- Next you will see a confirmation page. When you see a credit on your tuition account and you have set up direct deposit, refunds will be deposited into your bank account in 2-3 business days, depending on your bank.
Please see Health and Wellness Services for instructions.
Please visit .
- Students log in to (buffportal.colorado.edu.) (Authorized payers log in to , select "Payment Plan" and go to step 4 below.)
- Locate the Tuition & Fees card. It will be on the main Buff Portal page. Then click "View Balance/Pay Bill."
- Click "View Payment Plans."
- Click "Payment Plan."
- Choose a plan and click "Sign Up for New Payment Plan."
- Amounts the Budget Worksheet may be filled in with actual amounts from your tuition bill. If not, you can enter an estimate for planning purposes and the payment plan will be adjusted later when your actual bill is calculated. See Tuition & Fee Rate Sheets for help entering amounts. Click "Continue."
- You may see more than one option here, depending on how early you sign up. Pick the option that works for you. Then choose a security question and fill in the answer. Then choose a payment method and click "Continue." (A nonrefundable 2.85% service fee is assessed by NelNet Campus Commerce for all debit or credit transactions. We encourage payment from a checking or savings account (eCheck) in order to save money and avoid paying the service fee charged by NelNet. Paying with eCheck is secure, fast and free.)
- Enter payment information and click "Continue."
- Confirm that the information is correct, note the estimated installment amount and click "Continue."
- Read the Payment Plan Terms and Conditions. We recommend printing the Terms and Conditions so you can refer to them later. Check the box to accept the terms and click "Confirm" to activate the agreement.
This task can be completed by the payment plan owner. If you don't see all of these options when you log in, then you are not the plan owner.
- Students log in to (buffportal.colorado.edu.) (Authorized payers log in to , select "Payment Plan" and go to step 4 below.)
- Locate the Tuition & Fees card. It will be on the main Buff Portal page. Then click "Balance Summary."
- Click "View Payment Plans."
- On View & Pay Accounts, click "Adjust Balance."
- On Payment Plan Details, click "Balance Management."
- Select Rebalance Payments Evenly and then click "Rebalance Payments."
- Review the new details of your payment plan and note the updated installment amounts.
​ Step-by-Step Instructions to Rebalance in a Payment Plan
- Students log in to (buffportal.colorado.edu.) (Authorized payers log in to and go to step 4 below.)
- Locate the Tuition & Fees card. It will be on the main Buff Portal page. Then click "View Balance/Pay Bill" and "View/Pay Bill."
- Select "Payment Profiles" and then click on the profile you want to edit. To create a profile, click "Add Credit/Debit Card Profile" or "Add eCheck Profile."
- To add or edit a profile, enter new information and click "Save."
- Check number.
- Date the check is written. Write out the month, date, and year as shown above.
- Pay to the order of: this is where you write the name of the person, company, or business that you are paying.
- Write the amount of the check in words, as shown above. This is very important; the check may be returned if not written correctly.
- The amount of the check written in numbers. The amount must match the written words on line 4.
- This line is the “memo” line where you can write what the check is for, examples: rent, tuition bill, textbooks.
- Bank routing number.
- Your checking account number.
- Your signature.