The traditionally long line to pay last-minute tuition in the Student Services Building might be shorter this year, as more students are opting to pay their bills online.
“We’re finding that it’s becoming a turnover from everyone having to come to the window to pay tuition, to now more doing it online,” said Steffany Forrest, assistant manager at Income Accounting.
The popular online option to pay has been in place for two or three years, Forrest said. In the past, students either had to come in physically or mail in checks to pay for tuition. But students who grew up in the online generation seem to be taking the Web payment option in stride.
“I’ve always paid tuition online,” said Josh Taylor, a junior in psychology. “I’ve never actually gone into Income Accounting to pay. It’s just a lot easier.”
The online option has also benefited the office of Income Accounting, Forrest said. “We don’t have to send out the paper bills anymore, so that’s been a plus for us,” Forrest said.
However, not all students choose the option to pay online.
“I’m actually a little bit scared to pay for tuition online,” said Amberlee Bryant, an undeclared sophomore. “It’s a big purchase, and I just feel safer if I go in and actually see them swipe my card.”
Online, students have the option to pay with a checking account, a credit card or to use the deferral plan, which allows the student roughly two more months to gather enough funds to pay fully for tuition, Forrest said.
“It’s an extended 60 days from the due date,” Forrest said. “What the student is responsible for is 30 percent of their unpaid tuition balance and a 30 dollar application fee at the due date.”
Students can reach the online payment option by logging into their account in the Campus Information System and clicking the link “Tuition Bill/Pay Tuition.”
Lennie MahlerDavid Chu waits in line at the Student Services Building to pay tuition for his classes last fall. As the online tuition payment method becomes more popular, student might find these lines shorter every year.