Frequent Questions About Fees
A. Financial Aid/Scholarships
1. The amount of financial aid I'm receiving exceeds my charges. When will I receive a refund?
Most loans are disbursed ten days after the start of the semester. Federal and state grants are disbursed at the end of the sixth week of the semester. Once a refund has been processed, the student will be notified by email when the check/direct deposit will be available. Refund checks will be available for pick up on the Monday following email notification. Loan refund checks must be picked up at the Business Office within ten (10) days from the date of the notification letter.
**For your convenience, you can have your grant refund deposited directly into your checking or savings account. Forms may be obtained from the Business Office**
2. Why Direct Deposit of grant refund checks?
You have access to your money earlier, because the deposit will be credited on the payment date, thereby eliminating any mail delays and the chance of a lost or stolen check. Also, it would eliminate the need to stand in line at the Business Office to pick up your check.
3. The financial aid I'm receiving is not listed on my bill. What should I do?
If you have written notification of a grant, loan, or scholarship deduct the amount that will be received this semester and enclose any remaining balance due with the top portion of your bill.
4. I only recently applied for financial aid. What should I do with the bill?
If you have not received written notification of your financial aid, you must pay the balance due. If you have any questions concerning your financial aid, please contact the Financial Aid office at (570) 389-4279 or (570) 389-4297.
5. If I pay the bill now, can I still apply for financial aid?
Yes, even if you pay now, you can still apply for financial aid. If you receive financial aid after you have paid the student bill, you will receive a refund when your student account has a credit balance.
6. I've altered my original registration (e.g. dropped or added a course). Will my financial aid change?
Financial aid may change due to the change in the number of credits. Please contact the Financial Aid office at (570) 389-4279 or (570) 389-4297 to discuss your concerns with a staff member.
7. I am receiving a Perkins Loan this semester, how do I get the money applied to my account?
All first time Perkins Loan recipients must visit the Business Office in order to sign a Promissory Note and complete a loan entrance interview form. Bring your Driver's License and the name, address, and telephone number of four references. Call the Business Office in advance to schedule an appointment. If you have received the Perkins Loan in previous semesters, you only need to come to the Business Office front desk to sign for your check.
8. I am going to receive a scholarship but it is not reflected on my invoice, what should I do?
If you have received written notification of the scholarship, you can deduct the amount from your invoice. If the second billing does not reflect payment of the scholarship, please check with the issuing agency to expedite payment to Bloomsburg University.
9. Do I need to bring anything to the Business Office to pick up a refund check?
Yes, bring your Bloomsburg University ID card and your six-digit BU ID number.
B. Payment Options
1. Do you have any payment plan options?
Yes. Bloomsburg University offers the option to make tuition payments on a monthly basis through TuitionPay Plan (AMS) from Sallie Mae. Contact Sallie Mae at (800) 635-0120 or visit them on the web www.TuitionPayEnroll.com.
2. I made more payments to AMS that are not reflected on my statement.
When AMS receives your payment, they hold it for one month and then remit it to Bloomsburg University. The payment will not be reflected on your statement until it is actually received by our Business Office.
3. My employer is reimbursing me for my class, what should I do with the bill?
The student should make payment for the non-reimbursed fees before classes begin. The student may also complete an Application for Deferment for the portion that will be reimbursed. Applications are available online. If you have any questions, you can contact the Business Office at (570) 389-4016.
4. How can I pay the balance on my account?
Bloomsburg University accepts MasterCard, Discover and American Express for payment of Tuition/Fees and Advance Housing Deposits. In addition, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and VISA are accepted for payment of Parking Fines and Boot Fees. Payments can be made at http://departments.bloomu.edu/businessoffice . This service is offered through a third party vendor, JPMorgan Chase, who charges a 2.39% convenience fee for each tuition/fees payment made by credit/debit card. Payment can also be made online by electronic check (eCheck). The eCheck option is a fast and secure method to pay your account from any checking account. There is no fee to pay by eCheck. As always, payments of cash, checks, and money orders will still be accepted in the Business Office. In an effort to make the payment process more convenient and to streamline business processes, credit/debit card payments will be accepted online only. For those who do not have computer access, computers are located in the lobby of Waller Administration Building and Business Office staff is available if assistance is necessary.
5. Why is Bloomsburg University offering the online payment option?
As a state institution, we strive to offer the best services at the lowest possible cost. As the cost of accepting credit cards continues to rise, we have contracted with a third party vendor to offer convenient, online payment options. Online credit card payments for tuition/fees and housing deposits are charged a fee by our third part credit card processor. Please note: payment by eCheck is also available online with no associated fee.
6. What are the benefits of online payments?
Secure and confidential method of making payments
Two options for online payment: electronic checks (eChecks) and credit/debit card payments (Mastercard, Discover, and American Express for tuition/fees and advance housing deposits and VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express for parking fines and boot fees)
Money-saving process - bill payers no longer need to write checks or pay for stamps to send a payment in the mail
7. Is electronic payment available 24 hours a day?
Yes. Electronic payment options (eCheck and credit/debit cards) are available seven days a week 24-hours-a-day.
8. What credit cards do you accept?
MasterCard, Discover and American Express for tuition/fees and advance housing deposits. VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express for parking fines and boot fees.
9. Why does Bloomsburg University not accept VISA for tuition/fees and advance housing deposits?
VISA has been eliminated as a method of payment for reasons related solely to policies of VISA. VISA's operating rules prevent participation in service fee programs of this type.
10. What charges can be paid for online?
Bloomsburg University has 4 payment types:
- Tuition and Fees
- Advanced Housing Deposits
- Parking Fines
- Boot Fees
11. Why does Bloomsburg University accept credit/debit cards for student account payments only over the Internet?
Unfortunately, the Business Office cannot accept credit cards over the counter, over the phone, or by mail. Student account payments can only be made online at http://departments.bloomu.edu/businessoffice. This payment method is intended to be a convenience for Bloomsburg University students and their families.
12. I overpaid the balance on my account, how do I get a refund?
You must request a refund by completing a Credit Balance Refund Request at http://departments.bloomu.edu/businessoffice. If the payment was made by cash, check or money order, a refund check will be issued to the student. Once a refund has been processed, the student will be notified by email when the check will be available. Refund checks will be available for pick up on the Monday following email notification.
If the payment was made by credit/debit card, the amount will be refunded to the card charged for the transaction.
13. What is FERPA?
The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records, both financial and academic. For the student's protection, FERPA limits release of student record information without the student's explicit written consent; however it also gives the student's parent(s)/guardian(s) the right to review those records if the parent(s)/guardian(s) claim the student as a dependent on their Federal Income Tax Return. For more information, http://departments.bloomu.edu/businessoffice.
C. Residence Life (Housing And Meal Plan)
1. There are no housing charges listed on my bill. What should I do?
Contact the Residence Life Office at (570) 389-4089 or 1-800-287-7543.
2. There is no meal plan listed on my bill. What should I do?
A meal plan form must be signed by the student in order to add a meal plan to your bill. These forms can be found in the Business Office, Waller Administration Building or online .
3. When can I sign up for next semester's meal plan?
You can sign up for next semester's meal plan during the same period as scheduling. Meal plan sign up for the Fall Semester will remain the same thru the Spring Semester and will be on your billing for the Spring Semester unless you change or cancel it.
In order for your charges to be accurately reflected on your account, we must have your correct meal plan recorded in our computer. You can always sign up for a meal plan later, but your first billing will not reflect the correct charges.
4. How do I make a change to my meal plan?
Contract changes may be made:
On STINF during the specified period each semester OR
OnlineOR
In Writing by the Student at the Business Office in Waller Administration Building
Contract changes should not be made to the tuition bill. Current meal plans may not be lowered or deleted after the first week of the semester.
5. How do I add Flex Dollars to my account?
A Flex Dollar Form must be completed by the student in order to add flex dollars to your account. These forms are available at http://www.bloomu.edu/forms/busoffice/flexplan. Payments into the Flex Account can be made by cash or check at the Business Office. Payments may also be made online with a credit/debit card (MasterCard, Discover, and American Express) or with an echeck. First time accounts must start with a minimum of $100.00, thereafter increases can be made in any amount over $25.00.
6. What happens to unused Flex Dollars on my account?
Flex dollars are non-refundable except when a student withdraws from the university during the semester. A $10 administrative fee will be charged to students withdrawing from Bloomsburg University and/or the flex program. Flex dollars will carry over from the Fall to the Spring semester, but any remaining balance is forfeited at the end of the academic year.
7. I am in a triple room, why am I being charged a double room rate?
All students, whether doubled or tripled, will be billed at the same double room rate. A credit will be issued on the student's account for the amount of time they were required to be tripled. Once a student moves out of the room, or chooses to decline the offer to detriple, the triple credit ends. The credit will be applied toward outstanding bills or next semester's fees.
8. Will I get a rebate check when I detriple?
No. The credit will be applied toward outstanding bills or next semester's fees.
9. If I am offered the opportunity to detriple, but choose to stay tripled, will I get a credit?
The student will receive a credit for the time that they were required to be tripled. Once a student is offered the opportunity to detriple, and refuses, they will be billed at the double room rate for the remainder of the semester. The room charges will be prorated with a credit being applied to their account for the time that they were required to be tripled. The triple room charges are equal to 1/3 off the double room rate.
D. Miscellaneous Information
1. I need a copy of my class schedule.
Class schedules are available on our website. If your STINF pin number does not work, contact the Office of the Registrar at (570) 389-4263.
2. I've been charged Non-PA tuition, but I think I qualify as a Pennsylvania resident. What should I do?
For information concerning a student's residency status. contact Debra Newman at (570) 389-4574. A student must provide sufficient evidence to support his/her residency reclassification. For more information, go to www.passhe.edu/content/?item=1317.
3. What are the extra fees on my bill?
More information about the fees on your bill can be found on our website
4. I think I already paid an orientation fee. Why is there another one on my invoice?
More information about the orientation fees can be found on our our website