FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (FAQ’s)
NSU STUDENT ACCOUNT, FEE PAYMENT AND BILLING PROCESSES
SECTION 1: GENERAL INFORMATION – Payment Options, Address Changes, and
Office Contacts
SECTION 2: REFUNDS
SECTION 3: ACCOUNT BALANCE/CHARGES/CREDITS
SECTION 4: ACCOUNT BALANCE HOLDS
SECTION 5: FINANCIAL AID
SECTION 6: INSTALLMENT PLAN POLICY
SECTION 7: FEE PAYMENT AND REGISTRATION
SECTION 1: GENERAL INFORMATION
This site has been developed especially for students to aid in
answering many of your common questions, concerns and inquiries about
student account, fee payment and billing processes at Northwestern
State University. It is our goal at Northwestern to make your college
experience both memorable and satisfying. Therefore, we would like to
share with you this information in effort to provide you with both
prompt and effective service to meet your needs.
PAYMENT OPTIONS FOR STUDENTS:
The University accepts cash, checks, money orders, Visa and Mastercard.
If you cannot attend scheduled fee payment or come to the Cashier’s
Window in St. Denis Hall between 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday –
Friday, the following payment options are also available:
1. Credit cards, Visa or Mastercard, can be accepted through the NSU
Student Web Portal under “My Student Account.” Click on “Account
Summary/On-Line Payment,” select the term and, on the account detail
screen, click on “Credit Card Payment.” Follow all the instructions as
printed on-line. Deviation from any instructions can cause your
transaction to be rejected.
2. Credit cards, Visa or Mastercard, can be accepted by mail using the
Credit Card Authorization Form located in the Schedule of Classes
publication or over the phone at (318) 357-5447.
3. Payments can be dropped off at any of the 24-Hour Drop Boxes.
Currently, there are two drop box locations - outside the front doors
of St. Denis Hall and on the second floor of the Student Union-Back
Entrance. Please, no cash payments! Remittance envelopes are available
at each drop box location. Please include your name and campus
identification or social security number on the payment and remittance
envelope.
4. Check and money order payments can be mailed to Northwestern State
University, P. O. Box 5656, Natchitoches LA 71497. Please, no cash
payment! Include your name and campus identification or social
security number on the check or money order.
Students who have been billed and cannot pay their full account
balance by the last day of scheduled fee payment will be automatically
assigned the Installment Plan. This plan allows students to pay
certain deferrable charges in three installments. The Installment Plan
Policy is printed in the Schedule of Classes publication and you can
see Section 6: Installment Plan Policy of this FAQ site.
HOW TO CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS
It is very important for all students to keep updated their local and
permanent addresses with the University and the U. S. Post Office.
These records are used by the University to send you University
correspondence, credit balance refund checks, monthly bill statements,
etc…
If you find that changes need to be made to your address records, you
should mail or fax to the Registrar’s Office an address change request
for your Student Local and/or Permanent Address. Below is the
Registrar’s Office address and fax number:
Northwestern State University
Attn: Registrar’s Office
Roy Hall
Natchitoches LA 71497
Fax (318) 357-5823
Please be sure to verify that any requested changes are made to your
records by using the NSU Student Web Portal. If changes are not
reflected timely, please contact the Registrar’s Office to make sure
that the request was received at (318) 357-6127.
OFFICES FOR STUDENTS TO CONTACT:
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS:
REGISTRAR’S OFFICE (318) 357-6127
-Enrollment/Class Withdrawals and Cancellations
-Term Resignations
-Call to Active Duty
-Out of State Fees/Residency Status
-International Student Fees
-Drop/Add Courses
-Registration Cancellation for a Previous Balance and Related Appeals
-Installment Plan and/or Late Payment Charge and Related Appeals
-Late Registration Charges and Related Appeals
-Hours/Classes Enrolled
-Credit Exams and Related Charges
-1098-T Form Reprints
-Address Changes
-Transcript Requests
WATSON LIBRARY (318) 357-4403
-Library Fines and Other Charges
-Library Fines and Other Charges Appeals
INFORMATION SYSTEMS (318) 357-5594
-Establish NSU Computer/E-Mail Account
-Question regarding internet, e-mail or web access
BUSINESS AFFAIRS:
ACCOUNTING & REPORTING SECTION (318) 357-5178
-NSU Credit Balance Refund Checks not received by mail
LOAN REPAYMENT SECTION (318) 357-4376
-Federal Perkins & Nursing Loan Repayments,
Deferments, Cancellations
-1098-E/Loan Interest Paid for Tax Year
STUDENT ACCOUNTING SECTION (318) 357-5447
-Returned Check Charges on Student Account
-Collection Agency and Credit Bureau Placements
-Student Account Balances Written Off
-Non-Financial Aid Credit Balance Refund Checks
-Account Statement Print-Outs for 1098-T Form Backup
STUDENT AFFAIRS:
STUDENT AFFAIRS OFFICE (318) 357-5286
-Student Association Fees
FINANCIAL AID OFFICE (318) 357-5961
-Financial Aid Refunds and Balance Checks
-Student Loan and Other Aid Status
-Financial Aid Eligibility, Adjustments, Reductions, Returns to Lender
-Estimated Financial Aid
-“Miscellaneous Bank Payable” Charges on Student Account
SCHOLARSHIPS & FEE EXEMPTIONS OFFICE (318) 357-4357
-NSU Institutional Aid and All Fee Exemptions
HOUSING OFFICE (318) 357-6703
-Dormitory, Married Student Housing and University Columns
-Meal Plans
-Student ID
-Non-Student Visitor Pass
UNIVERSITY POLICE (318) 357-5431
-Parking Permits
-Traffic Fines and Traffic Fines Appeals
SECTION 2: REFUNDS
GENERAL REFUND INFORMATION:
A phone number contact can be found above in Section 1: General
Information - “Offices for Students to Contact” for all offices
referenced in this FAQ site.
You can view your student account on-line using the NSU Student Web
Portal. Summary information is available within the “My Student
Account” box. You can view detailed account information by clicking on
the “Account Summary/On-Line Payments” option.
Credit (Negative) Balance: If you have a credit (negative) balance,
your balance check will be in line to process with the University’s
next automated Financial Aid check cycle if you are a financial aid
recipient, or Business Affairs’ check cycle if you are not a financial
aid recipient. In most cases, checks are generated nightly, Monday
through Friday, and mailed the following business day.
Estimated Aid: If your aid still shows as estimated (pending), a
refund will not generate. Once the funds are received and posted by
the Financial Aid Office and if a credit balance results on your
account, a check will be in line to print with the University’s next
automated Financial Aid check cycle. In most cases, checks are
generated nightly, Monday through Friday, and mailed the following
business day.
Refund Check Posted: If your account shows a refund check transaction
for your credit balance, please allow seven (7) days from the check’s
transaction date on your account to receive your check by mail
(fourteen (14) days when there has been a Federal or State holiday).
If you have not received your check within this timeframe, please
contact the Financial Aid or Scholarship Office, whichever is
applicable, if you are a financial aid recipient, or the Business
Affairs – Student Accounting Section if you are not a financial aid
recipient.
Cancellations and Resignations: If you have resigned or been cancelled
from the current term and no adjustments are reflected on your on-line
account or if the resignation or cancellation is for a prior term,
please contact the Registrar’s Office to discuss the status of your
resignation or cancellation. If adjustments for your resignation or
cancellation have been made to your on-line account, but you have
concerns regarding your refund, please contact the Financial Aid or
Scholarship Office, whichever is applicable, if you are a financial
aid recipient, or the Business Affairs Office – Student Accounting
Section if you are not a financial aid recipient.
OTHER COMMON REFUND QUESTIONS & ANSWERS:
1. Q: Can you write my refund check today?
A: To provide the most expedient service to all students, NSU
generates all credit balance refund checks through automated computer
programs and mails them immediately after printing. In most cases,
checks are generated nightly, Monday through Friday, and are mailed
the following business day.
If extenuating circumstances exist, such as utility or phone
disconnection, please bring documentation of such circumstance to the
Financial Aid or Scholarship Office, whichever is applicable, if you
are a financial aid recipient, or to the Business Affairs Office –
Student Accounting Section if you are not a financial aid recipient.
We will always give appropriate consideration to your circumstance.
2. Q: Can I pick up my refund check instead of having it mailed?
A: To provide the most expedient service to all students, NSU
generates all credit balance refund checks through automated computer
programs and mails them immediately after printing. In most cases,
checks are generated nightly, Monday through Friday, and are mailed
the following business day. Please ensure that your University address
records are current using the NSU Student Web Portal. If your address
records are not current, please see Section 1: General Information -
“How to Change your Address.” Also, you should notify the U. S. Post
Office immediately of any address change so that your mail can be
properly forwarded.
Note: The priority of addresses to which your checks and bills will be
mailed is 1) Local 2) Permanent.
3. Q: Has my refund for my cancellation of or resignation from classes
been written?
A:
Note: The Registrar’s Office must be notified in writing by the
deadline specified in the “Schedule of Classes” to avoid being charged
for all fees associated with your registration.
You can view your account balance using the NSU Student Web Portal –
“My Student Account” section. For detailed account information, click
on “Account Summary/On-Line Payments” and select the term. If no
adjustments have been made to your on-line account, please contact the
Registrar’s Office to make sure your paperwork was received or to
discuss the nature of your cancellation or resignation. If adjustments
do show made to your on-line account but you need additional
information or have concerns regarding the refund, please contact the
Financial Aid or Scholarship Office, whichever is applicable, if you
are a financial aid recipient, or the Business Affairs Office –
Student Accounting Section if you are not a financial aid recipient.
4. Q: I dropped a course/s, why did I not receive a reduction in my
charges and a refund?
A: Per University Policy, there is no reduction in charges for courses
dropped after the last day to register for classes. If you would like
more information related to your dropped course or your resignation or
if you have questions regarding this policy, please contact the
Registrar’s Office.
5. Q: I resigned from school, why did I not receive a refund?
A:
Note: The Registrar’s Office must be notified in writing by the
deadline specified in the “Schedule of Classes” to avoid being charged
for all fees associated with your registration.
You can view your account status using the NSU Student Web Portal –
“My Student Account” section. If no adjustments have been made to your
on-line account or if the resignation is for a prior term, please
contact the Registrar’s Office. If adjustments do show made to your
on-line account but you need additional information or have concerns
regarding not being eligible for a refund, please contact the
Financial Aid or Scholarship Office, whichever is applicable, if you
are a financial aid recipient, or the Business Affairs Office –
Student Accounting Section if you are not a financial aid recipient.
6. Q: Why did I not receive a refund on my room, apartment rent,
health services and/or meal plan charges?
A: If no adjustments have been made to your on-line account for these
charges or if you disagree with the adjustments, please contact the
Housing Office. If adjustments to these charges and a refund check do
show on your on-line account, but you have not received the check by
mail, please contact the Financial Aid or Scholarship Office,
whichever is applicable, if you are a financial aid recipient, or the
Business Affairs Office – Student Accounting Section if you are not a
financial aid recipient.
7. Q: I have not received my refund check in the mail. When should it
arrive? Can you reissue a new check?
A: You can see the date of your refund check using the NSU Student Web
Portal – “My Student Account” section. Click on “Account
Summary/On-Line Payment” to view your detailed account information. If
a refund check does show on your on-line account, please allow seven
(7) days from the check’s transaction date on your account to receive
your check by mail (fourteen (14) days when there has been a Federal
or State holiday). If you have not received your check within this
timeframe, please contact the Financial Aid or Scholarship Office,
whichever is applicable, if you are a financial aid recipient, or the
Business Affairs – Student Accounting Section if you are not a
financial aid recipient.
Note: If a stop payment is issued on the original check and a new
check is printed, the original check is no longer valid. If you should
locate or receive the original check, please return it to the Business
Affairs – Accounting and Reporting Section in St. Denis Hall. It must
not be cashed or negotiated.
SECTION 3: ACCOUNT BALANCE/CHARGES/CREDITS
GENERAL ACCOUNT INFORMATION:
A phone number contact can be found under Section 1: General
Information - “Offices for Students to Contact” for all offices
referenced in this FAQ site.
You can view your student account balance using the NSU Student Web
Portal – “My Student Account” section. This will display your total
account balance and show if you have been assigned the Installment
Plan. If you need detailed information, click on “Account
Summary/On-Line Payment” to see your current balance due through the
selected term, the detail of all charges, payments, financial aid,
credit balance refund check transactions and other credits posted to
your account and any previous balance that may be remaining from prior
term/s. Your current due amount may not equal your total account
balance if you have been assigned the Installment Plan per the
University’s Installment Plan Policy (See the “Schedule of Classes”
for a copy of the Installment Plan Policy) or if you still have
estimated (pending) financial aid for the selected term.
Credit (Negative) Balance: If you have a credit (negative) balance,
your check will be in line to process with the University’s next
automated Financial Aid check cycle if you are a financial aid
recipient, or Business Affairs check cycle if you are not a financial
aid recipient. In most cases, checks are generated nightly, Monday
through Friday, and are mailed the following business day.
Previous Balance: A previous balance means that you owe the University
for a prior term. If you have questions regarding your previous
balance, please contact the Financial Aid Office if you are a
financial aid recipient, or the Business Affairs Office – Student
Accounting Section if you are not a financial aid recipient. Previous
balances must be paid in full before you can register or receive an
official transcript.
Estimated Aid: Estimated Aid is pending aid not yet received and
posted by the Financial Aid Office. Once the aid is received and
posted by the Financial Aid Office and if a credit balance results on
your account, a check will be in line to print with the University’s
next automated Financial Aid check cycle. In most cases, checks are
generated nightly, Monday through Friday, and are mailed the following
business day.
Refund Checks: To expedite processes for all students, NSU generates
all refund checks through automated computer programs and mails them
the following business day. If your account shows that a check has
printed for your credit balance, please allow seven (7) days from the
check’s transaction date on your account to receive your check by mail
(fourteen (14) days when there has been a Federal or State holiday).
If you have not received your check within this timeframe, please
contact the Financial Aid or Scholarship Office, whichever is
applicable, if you are a financial aid recipient, or the Business
Affairs – Student Accounting Section if you are not a financial aid
recipient.
Installment Plan/Late Payment Charges: The Installment Plan and
related charges are assigned and assessed in accordance with the
University’s Installment Plan Policy (A copy of the Policy is
available in the “Schedule of Classes”) established by the
University’s Accounts Receivable Committee and per ULS Board Policy
and Procedure Memorandum FB-IV.(3) – “Students With Debt Policy.” You
can appeal to have these charges removed. Appeal forms are available
in most student support offices such as the Registrar, Financial Aid,
Student Affairs and Business Affairs and can be downloaded from the
Enrollment Services website at http://www.nsula.edu/enrollmentservices/
.
Note: Previous balances must be paid in full in order to re-enter the
University. If you are unable to pay your account balance in full
because of extenuating circumstances, you may appeal to re-enter owing
a previous balance. If you have any questions regarding this process,
please contact the Registrar’s Office. Appeal forms are available
through most student support offices such as the Registrar, Financial
Aid, Student Affairs and Business Affairs and can be downloaded from
the Enrollment Services website at http://www.nsula.edu/enrollmentservices/
.
OTHER COMMON ACCOUNT QUESTIONS & ANSWERS:
1. Q: Why am I being billed for a parking/traffic fine?
A: These charges are assessed by the University Police and are based
on ticket documents issued to your registered vehicle. Your bill and
on-line account will display parking/traffic fines, the date the fine
was assessed to your account, and the amount owed. If you have
questions regarding why these fine/s were assessed to your account or
how to appeal traffic fines, please contact the University Police.
2. Q: Why am I being billed for a library fine or lost book charge?
A: These charges are assessed by the Watson Library and are based on
documented book delinquency or losses as well as late computer rental
charges linked to your student ID. Your bill and on-line account will
display these fines, the date the fine was assessed to your account
and the amount owed. If you have questions regarding why these fine/s
were assessed to your account, please contact the Watson Library.
3. Q: Why am I being billed tuition and fees for a term that I did not
attend?
A:
Note: The Registrar’s Office must be notified in writing by the
deadline specified in the “Schedule of Classes” to avoid being charged
for all fees associated with your registration.
Based on the dates listed in the “Schedule of Classes,” you may not
have resigned or cancelled your enrollment within the allowable period
of time. However, you may contact the Registrar’s Office to discuss
your resignation or cancellation.
4. Q: My account was paid in full at fee payment. Why am I now being
billed for additional fees?
A: There are many reasons why additional charges may have been added
to your account after you attended fee payment which may include, but
are not limited to, adding new courses (which can also result in
additional lab fees and technology fee), changes in housing/meal
plans, credit exam fees, Installment Plan or Late Payment Charges,
bookstore charges (for financial aid recipients), parking permits,
traffic fines, library fines, and lost ID charges. Also, as printed in
the “Schedule of Classes,” fees are subject to change without notice.
5. Q: Can you please tell me how much I will owe for next semester?
A: If you are a pre-registered student, you will receive a bill in the
mail for the future term of enrollment. Also, as of the same date as
the bill, you can view your on-line account for the future term using
the NSU Student Web Portal – “My Student Account” section. For
detailed information or to make an on-line credit card payment, click
on “Account Summary/Make On-Line Payment” and select the term in the
term selection box. The balance due for this future term will not be
owed until scheduled fee payment for that term. However, please
understand that this amount will only be an estimate. There are many
changes that could occur on your account between the bill date and the
beginning of the semester which include, but are not limited to,
adding new courses (which can also result in additional lab fees and
technology fee), changes in housing/meal plans, credit exam fees,
Installment Plan or Late Payment Charges, bookstore charges (for
financial aid recipients), parking permits, traffic fines, library
fines, and lost ID charges. Also, as printed in the “Schedule of
Classes,” fees are subject to change without notice.
6. Q: Why am I being charged for a lab fee when I am not in a lab?
A: Lab Fee descriptions generally reflect the department who is
responsible for the charge; however, in some circumstances it may
appear different (for example: Fine Arts – FA 1040 Lab Fee will be
listed as Lab Fee-Music because the Music Department is responsible
for the Fine Arts course). The main purpose of Lab Fees is to allow
departments to provide necessary services and supplies to students
enrolled in specific courses. Among these costs are tutors, computer
access, books, and special course supplies. If you have been enrolled
in a course in error or need additional information regarding a Lab
Fee, please contact the Registrar’s Office or the Department
responsible for assessing the Lab Fee.
7. Q: Why am I being charged for Student Insurance when I do not need
it or want it?
A: Student Insurance is assessed by the University for the protection
of our students. It is University Policy that all full-time students
on the Natchitoches and Shreveport Campuses who are enrolled in twelve
(12) or more hours during the Fall and Spring Semesters and six (6) or
more hours during the Summer Sessions be charged for Student
Insurance. If you do not need or want Student Insurance through NSU,
you can request in writing to the Student Affairs – Health Services
Office, within the first two (2) weeks after the first day to register
for each semester (date is available in the “Schedule of Classes”) to
reverse the charge as long as you can show proof of coverage under
another policy. If you need further information, please contact the
Student Affairs – Health Services Office.
8. Q: Why am I still being billed for Student Insurance and/or Health
Services when I resigned from or did not
attend school during that term?
A: Student Insurance: Per University Policy, this is a non-refundable
charge unless requested removed in writing to the Student Affairs –
Health Services Office along with proof or other insurance coverage
within the first two (2) weeks of the first day to register for the
semester (date is available in the “Schedule of Classes”). We want to
ensure that all of our students are protected with Medical Insurance.
Health Services Fee: This is a non-refundable fee per University
Policy. If you have questions or need any further information about
this charge, please contact the Student Affairs – Housing Office if
the fee was assessed in conjunction with a dormitory or the University
Columns Apartments or the Student Affairs – Health Services Office if
the charge was assessed at your request or if you live off campus.
9. Q: Why am I being billed for a parking permit when I never picked
up a permit or I do not have a car?
A: NSU only assesses parking permit charges at a student’s request. If
you feel that you were assessed in error or if you never picked up the
permit for which you were assessed, please contact the University
Police. They will be able to verify this information and, if
applicable, make the appropriate adjustment to your account.
10. Q: Where do I get/pay for a Parking Permit? I was not able to
attend fee payment?
A: With the exception of scheduled fee payment, Parking Permits can be
obtained any time at the University Police Station. The University
Police will charge to your account the amount of the Parking Permit/s,
and you will be billed for the charge in the University’s next billing
cycle. You can also view your balance due and make an on-line payment
using the NSU Student Portal – “My Student Account” section.
11. Q: Why am I being charged Student Association Fees when I live in
or commute from out-of-town and do not
wish to participate in activities on the Natchitoches Campus?
A: Student Association Fees are student self-assessed fees mandated by
the student body. All students enrolled in five (5) or more hours on
the Natchitoches Campus and six (6) or more hours on the Shreveport
Campus pay part-time or full-time Student Association Fees depending
on the total hours of enrollment at each campus. The activities
provided by these various student organizations are available to all
students who have been charged. If you have any questions or need
further information about these fees, please contact the Student
Affairs’ Office.
12. Q: Why have I been turned over to a collection agency and/or
credit bureau?
A:
Note: If you have been placed for collection due to a Federal Perkins
or Nursing Student Loan, it is imperative that you contact the
Business Affairs – Loan Repayment Section immediately at (318)
357-4376 to discuss your loan status.
According to NSU records, you have a balance owed to the University
from a prior term. Per policy established by the University’s Accounts
Receivable Committee and the ULS Board Policy and Procedure Memorandum
FB-IV.(3) – “Students With Debt Policy,” NSU is required to place
students with prior term balances with the University’s contracted
collection agency. This may also lead to credit bureau reporting by
the collection agency. This policy is outlined in the Installment Plan
Policy published in the “Schedule of Classes” and each year in the
University Catalog. If you have filed bankruptcy or are receiving
bills/collection notices for a deceased relative, you should forward a
copy of the Bankruptcy Papers to the Business Affairs – Student
Accounting Section or the Death Certificate to the Registrar’s Office.
It is possible for you to have a prior-term balance that is not
reflected in your on-line account balance as a “Previous Balance”
because it may have been written off your account. Even though it has
been written off your account, NSU is required by Louisiana Revised
Statute 9:5701 to retain and collect on prior term educational debt
for 30 years.
SECTION 4: ACCOUNT BALANCE HOLDS
GENERAL HOLDS INFORMATION
A phone number contact can be found under Section 1: General
Information - “Offices for Students to Contact” for all offices
referenced in this FAQ site.
Using the NSU Student Web Portal - “MyHolds” section, you can view if
you have any holds and, if so, the type of hold, the reason and the
office to contact.
Account Balance Holds are placed on student accounts with outstanding
prior-term balances as mandated by the University’s official written
policy established by the University’s Accounts Receivable Committee
and per ULS Board Policy and Procedure Memorandum FB-IV.(3) –
“Students With Debt Policy.” Account Balance Holds place a hold on all
transcript and registration processing until the account is paid in
full.
If you have an Account Balance Hold, the following options are
available:
1. The University does not offer payment plans for prior-term balances;
however, you may appeal for admission to the University with a
previous balance. Appeals forms are available through most student
support offices such as the Registrar, Financial Aid, Student Affairs
and Business Affairs and can be downloaded from the Enrollment
Services webite at http://www.nsula.edu/enrollmentservices/ .
2. You may receive an unofficial transcript by contacting the
Registrar’s Office.
3. You may pay in full by credit card, Visa or Mastercard; and, in
turn, pay the credit card off in installments. See Section 1: General
Information – “Payment Options for Students” this FAQ site for credit
card payment instructions.
4. You may pay your account balance in full by cash, check or money
order. See Section 1: General Information – “Payment Options for
Students” of this FAQ site for payment instructions.
If you have checked your on-line account using the NSU Student Web
Portal or through some other means and have found no previous balance
owed, your balance may have been past due for several semesters and
written off of your account; however, per Louisiana Revised Statue
9:5701, the statute of limitation on educational debt is 30-years. You
can contact the Business Affairs – Student Accounting Section for more
details and to obtain the balance owed.
If prior-term financial aid has been reversed off of your account by
the Financial Aid or Scholarship Office, the resulting balance owed
has to be paid in full to re-enter the University or you can appeal
for re-entry with a previous balance. It is also not allowable, per
the Financial Aid Office, to use current term Federal Title IV
Financial Aid (such as Pell Grants, SEOG, Stafford Loans, Perkins
Loans) to pay off a prior-term balance, and current-term aid cannot be
released to your account until the prior-term balance is satisfied.
However, if you cannot pay the balance in full or if an appeal is
denied, there are loans available from lenders for the purpose of
paying off prior term balances. Please contact the Financial Aid
Office for details and/or to discuss your account balance options.
OTHER COMMON HOLDS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS:
1. Q: Can my account balance hold be released temporarily so that I
can get my transcript or register if I promise
to pay everything during this semester?
A: NSU is not permitted to do this per the policy established by the
University’s Accounts Receivable Committee and per ULS Board Policy
and Procedure Memorandum FB-IV.(3) – “Students With Debt Policy.”
Please see the above for alternatives.
2. Q: Whom do I need to contact regarding the charge causing my account
balance hold?
A: Below is a list of departments and the charges for which they are
responsible for assessing and reviewing appeals:
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Registrar’s Office
Resignations/Cancellations
Out-of-State Fees/International Student Fees
Late Registration, Installment or Late Payment
Charges and Related Appeals
Dropped or Added Courses
Hours of Enrollment linked to Tuition Charges
Credit Exams
Watson Library
Library Fines/Charges and Related Appeals
BUSINESS AFFAIRS
Loan Repayment Section
Perkins or Nursing Student Loan repayment issues ONLY.
Student Accounting Section
Student Returned Check Charges
Account Balances and Write-Offs
Collection Agency/Credit Bureau Placements
STUDENT AFFAIRS
Student Association Fees
STUDENT AFFAIRS (Continued)
Housing Office
Dormitory, Married Student Housing and University Columns
Meal Plans
Health Services Fee for On-Campus Residents
Student ID’s and Non-Visitor Passes
Financial Aid Office
Financial Aid adjustments and reductions
Student Loan amounts returned to lenders by University
“ Miscellaneous Bank Payable” on student account
Estimated Financial Aid
Scholarships Office
NSU funded Institutional Aid and all fee exemption adjustments and
reductions
Health Services
Student Insurance
Health Services Fee for off-campus residents
University Police
Parking Permits
Parking/Traffic Fines and Related Appeals
SECTION 5: FINANCIAL AID
GENERAL FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION
A phone number contact can be found under Section 1: General
Information - “Offices for Students to Contact” for all offices
referenced in this FAQ site.
You should review the most up-to-date record of your student account
and financial aid using the NSU Student Web Portal – “My Student
Account” and “My Financial Aid” sections.
If your student account reflects “estimated” financial aid, the
Financial Aid or Scholarship Office has not yet received your funds
from the lender or third party organization. The University is not
able to generate refunds based on estimated aid. Once the funds are
received and posted by the Financial Aid Office and if a credit
balance results, your refund will be in line to process with the next
automated Financial Aid Check Cycle. In most cases, checks are printed
nightly, Monday through Friday, and are mailed the following business
day.
If you have a question regarding your financial aid status or need an
explanation of any reductions/adjustments of aid, you should contact
the Financial Aid or Scholarship Office, whichever is applicable, to
talk with a Financial Aid Counselor.
If prior-term or current-term aid has been reversed off of your
account by the Financial Aid or Scholarship Office, the resulting
balance owed has to be paid in full to re-enter the University or you
can appeal for re-entry with a previous balance. It is also not
allowable, per the Financial Aid Office, to use current term Federal
Title IV Financial Aid (such as Pell Grants, SEOG, Stafford Loans,
Perkins Loans) to pay off a prior-term balance, and current-term aid
cannot be released to your account until the prior-term balance is
satisfied. However, if you cannot pay the balance in full or if an
appeal is denied, there are loans available from lenders for the
purpose of paying off prior term balances. Please contact the
Financial Aid Office for details and/or to discuss your account
balance options.
OTHER FINANCIAL AID COMMON QUESTIONS & ANSWERS:
1. Q: Why do I have a “Miscellaneous Bank Payable” charge on my
account (for old accounts through Spring
Term 2001)?
A: Per the Financial Aid Office, this amount had to be repaid to the
lender because you either withdrew from the University or were
overawarded for that term. If you have any questions regarding this
charge back, please contact the Financial Aid Office. Financial Aid
Counselors are available to discuss your financial aid history and
explain the return of funds.
2. Q: Why have I not received my financial aid or scholarship?
A: If your financial aid has not been received and awarded or does not
appear as “Estimated Aid” on your account, you should contact the
Financial Aid or Scholarship Office, whichever is applicable, to
discuss your financial aid status with a Financial Aid Counselor.
3. Q: Why did I get a bill? Why do I show an Account Balance? My
account balance should be covered in full by
my financial aid.
A: Estimated Aid: If your financial aid funds have not been received
by the Financial Aid Office, it will appear as “Estimated Aid” on your
account. As long as the aid is only estimated, a bill will generate
for the total “Account Balance.” If the estimated aid is equal to or
greater than your account balance for the semester, the bill will
reflect that $0 is currently due. Although no action is necessary on
your part, you should continue to follow up on your financial aid
status and contact the Financial Aid or Scholarship Office, whichever
is applicable, if you have concerns. If your estimated aid does not
cover your total charges, you will need to remit the difference or
contact the Financial Aid or Scholarship Office, whichever is
applicable, to discuss your financial aid status with a Financial Aid
Counselor. You should take immediate action on this to avoid being
assigned the Installment Plan Charge and related Late Payment Charges
per the Installment Plan Policy (This policy is printed in the
“Schedule of Classes”).
Aid has been posted: If your aid has been posted to your account and
is not enough to cover your full account balance, you will have to pay
the remaining balance shown on the bill. If you disagree with the aid
received or would like to see if you qualify for additional aid, you
should contact the Financial Aid or Scholarship Office, whichever is
applicable, to discuss your financial aid options with a Financial Aid
Counselor. You should take immediate action on this to avoid being
assigned the Installment Plan Charge and related Late Payment Charges
per the Installment Plan Policy (This policy is printed in the
“Schedule of Classes”).
Please see Section 1: General Information – “Payment Options for
Student” of this site if you need to pay your remaining balance.
4. Q: I need information regarding repayment, cancellation or
deferment of my student loan.
A: If you are needing information regarding repayment, cancellation or
deferment of your Federal Perkins or Nursing Student Loan, please
contact the Business Affairs – Loan Repayment Section at (318)
357-4376.
If your loan is not a Federal Perkins or Nursing Student Loan, please
contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss your loan status or to be
directed to the appropriate lender.
5. Q: Why has my Grant/Contract Stipend not been posted to my account?
A: If your stipend is posted as “Estimated Aid” to your account, it is
still in a pending status. Once the funds are received by the
Financial Aid Office, they will be posted against your account balance.
If a credit balance results after the aid is posted, a credit balance
refund check will be scheduled for the next automated Financial Aid
Refund Cycle. In most cases, checks are generated nightly, Monday
through Friday, and are mailed the following day.
If there is no evidence of the stipend posted to your account as a
credit or estimated aid, you should contact the Scholarship Office to
discuss your stipend status.
6. Q: Where do I get a Bookstore Voucher?
A: If you are a financial aid student, you may be eligible to receive
a Bookstore Voucher to purchase course books and supplies at the
beginning of the semester based on your estimated (pending) financial
aid amount. You should attend scheduled fee payment to discuss with a
Financial Aid Counselor your eligibility for a Bookstore Voucher. If
you are unable to attend fee payment, please contact the Financial Aid
Office.
7. Q: Why do I have Bookstore Charges on my account?
A: Financial Aid Student who receive a Bookstore Voucher at the
beginning of the semester based on estimated (pending) aid amounts may
use the voucher to purchase course books and supplies from eligible
local bookstores. At a specified date set by the Financial Aid Office,
these charges are fed to your student account by the Bookstores. If
you made more than one trip to purchase course books and supplies from
a bookstore or multiple bookstores, each purchase will be reflected as
a separate charge to your account. The amounts are subsequently
deducted from your financial aid amount when the funds are received
and posted by the Financial Aid Office. If you have any questions
regarding Bookstore Vouchers and Bookstore Charges on your account,
you should contact the Financial Aid Office.
SECTION 6: INSTALLMENT PLAN POLICY
GENERAL INSTALLMENT PLAN POLICY INFORMATION:
A phone number contact can be found under Section 1: General
Information - “Offices for Students to Contact” for all offices
referenced in this FAQ site.
The University has a payment plan, for the current term only,
available to all students in good financial standing who cannot pay
their full account balance at fee payment and who do not wish to
receive financial aid. The plan is called the “Installment Plan,” and
it allows students to pay in three installments certain deferrable
fees. A copy of the “Installment Plan Policy” can be found in the
“Schedule of Classes” and should be read by all students to understand
the obligations and the consequences of default. This plan was
established by the University’s Accounts Receivable Committee based on
the ULS Board Policy and Procedure Memorandum FB-IV.(3) – “Students
with Debt Policy.”
Students who have been billed and do not pay their full balance by the
last day of scheduled fee payment will be automatically assigned the
Installment Plan and assessed the Installment Plan Charge (currently
$45). For your first payment, you will be billed beginning with the
University’s first bill cycle following fee payment and asked to pay
one-third of the deferrable fees, the Installment Plan Charge and any
non-deferrable charges (i.e. parking permit fee) by the bill due date.
Each month thereafter, you will be billed for the remaining thirds,
and, for each month during the current term that the Current Amount
Due is not paid by the Bill Due Date, you will be assessed an
additional Late Payment Charge (currently $25).
Students should also be aware that, if you pay your full balance owed
at fee payment but later incur additional charges (such as, but not
limited to, added classes/associated fees, credit exam fees, parking
permits, bookstore charges for financial aid recipients, lost ID
charges, parking/library fines, meal or housing changes) that are not
paid by the last day of fee payment or by the next bill due date (for
changes are made after fee payment), you will be automatically
assigned the Installment Plan and assessed the Installment Plan Fee
(for choosing to defer payment) and possibly incur Late Payment
Charges for each subsequent missed due date.
Note: Installment Plan and Late Payment Charges can be appealed.
Appeal forms are available through most student support offices such
as the Registrar, Financial Aid, Student Affairs and Business Affairs
and can be downloaded from the Enrollment Services website at http://www.nsula.edu/enrollmentservices/
.
OTHER COMMON INSTALLMENT PLAN QUESTIONS & ANSWERS:
1. Q: Has my appeal for the Installment Plan Fee and/or Late Payment
Charge/s been approved?
A: You can view your student account balance and detail using the NSU
Student Web Portal – “My Student Account” section. For detailed
account information, click on “Account Summary/On-Line Payments” to
see if the charges have been reversed off of your account since being
billed. If the charges/amounts have not been reversed off of your
account, please contact the Registrar’s Office to discuss the status
of your appeal.
2. Q: Why am I still being billed for an Installment Plan Fee and/or
Late Payment Charge/s that were approved
by the Appeals Committee to be reversed?
A: You can view your student account balance and detail using the NSU
Student Web Portal – “My Student Account” section. For detailed
account information, click on “Account Summary/On-Line Payments” to
see if the charges have been reversed off of your account since being
billed. If the charges/amounts have not been reversed off of your
account, please contact the Registrar’s Office to discuss the status
of your appeal.
SECTION 7: FEE PAYMENT/REGISTRATION
GENERAL FEE PAYMENT/REGISTRATION INFORMATION:
A phone number contact can be found under Section 1: General
Information - “Offices for Students to Contact” for all offices
referenced in this FAQ site.
Please review your student account using the NSU Student Web Portal –
“My Student Account” section. For detailed account information, click
on “Account Summary/On-Line Payments.” This will display your account
balance, current balance due through the selected term, previous
balances from prior terms, and current term charges, payments,
financial aid, estimated aid and any other miscellaneous credits. If
you need further information, please contact the Financial Aid or
Scholarship Office, whichever is applicable, if you are a financial
aid recipient, or the Business Affairs – Student Accounting Section if
you are not a financial aid recipient.
Please see “Section 6: Installment Plan Policy” of this site for
information on the University’s current term payment plan option.
OTHER COMMON FEE PAYMENT/REGISTRATION QUESTIONS & ANSWERS:
1. Q: How much are the University’s tuition and fees for next
semester?
A: If you are a pre-registered student, you will receive a bill in the
mail for the future term of enrollment. Also, as of the date of this
bill, you will be able to view this information on the NSU Student Web
Portal – “My Student Account” section. To view the detailed account
information or make an on-line payment, click on “Account
Summary/On-Line Payments” and select the term in the term selection
box. The balance due for this future term will not be owed until
scheduled fee payment for that term. However, please understand that
this amount will only be an estimate. There are many changes that
could occur on your account between the bill date and the beginning of
the semester which include, but are not limited to, adding new courses
(which can also result in additional lab fees and technology fee),
changes in housing/meal plans, credit exam fees, Installment Plan or
Late Payment Charges, bookstore charges (for financial aid
recipients), parking permits, traffic fines, library fines, and lost
ID charges. Also, as printed in the “Schedule of Classes,” fees are
subject to change without notice.
2. Q: Why have my check writing privileges been canceled? All I have
with me to pay is a personal check?
A: Check writing privileges are canceled after you have had returned
one (1) check for insufficient funds, a closed account or stop
payment. This University policy is printed in the “Schedule of
Classes.”
If your check writing privileges have been canceled, please see
Section 1: General Information – “Payment Options Available to
Students” of this site for other payment alternatives. However, if
your check was returned by your bank in error, your check writing
privileges can be reinstated if the bank verifies in writing that the
check was returned due to bank error.
3. Q: What is the deadline for withdrawing/resigning to receive a
reduction in charges or refund?
A: The University’s refund policy is outlined in the “Schedule of
Classes” and will list the refund dates for that term. The policy is
also included in the University Catalog.
If you are a Non-Financial Aid Student or a Non-Federal Title IV Aid
Financial Aid Recipient (all students whose account is paid in full by
cash, check, credit card, money order, institutional and state
aid/grants, and/or third-party organizations), refunds will be issued
according to the Standard Refund Policy which is dictated by either a
100% or 50% refund if done within the stated time period listed in the
“Schedule of Classes.” If you need further information, please contact
the Registrar’s Office.
If you are a Federal Title IV Financial Aid Recipient (students whose
accounts are partially or fully paid by Federal Programs such as Pell
Grants, SEOG, Stafford Loans, Perkins Loans), the deadline for refunds
is based on the withdrawal date and the Department of Education
Formula calculated by the Financial Aid Office. If you need further
information, please contact the Financial Aid Office.
4. Q: I want to pay my fees, but there are no charges on my account or
charges for only room and board. What
do I need to do?
A: You should review your class schedule using the NSU Student Web
Portal. If you do not have a schedule, you are not registered or your
registration may have been cancelled due to non-payment of a
prior-term account balance. If you simply need to register, refer to
the “Schedule of Classes” for registration processes or, if you have
been cancelled due to a previous balance, you may appeal for re-entry.
Appeals forms are available at most student support offices such as
the Registrar’s Office, Financial Aid, Student Affairs and Business
Affairs or can be downloaded from the Enrollment Services website at
http://www.nsula.edu/enrollmentservices/. For more information or if
you have any questions, please contact the Registrar’s Office.
If you have a previous balance that needs to be paid in order to
reinstate your registration and if you do not wish to appeal for
re-entry with a previous balance, please see Section 1: General
Information – “Payment Options for Student” of this site or contact
the Financial Aid Office for details about loans available to students
to pay off prior term balances.
5. Q: When do I pay my fees? What are the drop dates? When do classes
begin?
A: Answers to all of the above questions are published in the
“Schedule of Classes.” The academic calendar lists the class begins
date and the last day to drop. There is also a section that explains
the Standard Refund Policy and the time, dates and alphabetical order
of fee payment.
You may attend fee payment during your scheduled time or after, but
not earlier, than your scheduled time. You should not miss class to
attend fee payment.
6. Q: Do I have to attend fee payment? I cannot attend fee payment,
what are my alternatives?
A: You are not required to attend fee payment to make a payment on
your account (See Section 1: General Information – “Payment Options
for Student”) However, financial aid students should attend fee
payment to receive bookstore vouchers. Also, if you cannot attend fee
payment, you may receive inquiries from the Registrar’s Office to
confirm that you are attending class (Letter of Intent). If you do
receive a Letter of Intent, you must reply timely to the Registrar’s
Office to avoid cancellation of your classes.
To obtain the amount owed for the term, you can view your account
on-line using the NSU Student Web Portal – “My Student Account”
section.
You should also understand that you will be automatically assigned the
Installment Plan and assessed the related Installment Plan Charge if
you have been billed and do not pay your account balance in full by
the last day of scheduled fee payment. The Installment Plan Policy is
published in the “Schedule of Classes.” You will be subsequently
billed in three installments. (See Section 6: Installment Plan Policy
of this site for questions pertaining to the University’s Installment
Plan).
7. Q: I am registered for an Internet Course or B-Term Class. How much
do I owe and when do I need to pay?
A: Verify your schedule using the NSU Student Web Portal. If your
courses are reflected in your schedule, check your account balance due
under “My Student Account.” You should pay by the last day of
scheduled fee payment per the “Schedule of Classes” or immediately
upon registration for B-Term Courses to avoid being assigned the
Installment Plan and Late Payment Charges. (See Section 1: General
Information – “Payment Options for Student” of this FAQ site.
8. Q: Why did I receive a Letter of Intent?
A: If you did not attend fee payment and/or are not a financial aid
student who received a bookstore voucher, you will most likely receive
a Letter of Intent from the Registrar’s Office. This is to confirm
your attendance at NSU for the current term. If you do receive this
letter, you must reply timely to the Registrar’s Office to avoid
cancellation of your classes.
9. Q: Can I get a copy of my class schedule?
A: You can obtain a copy of your class schedule using the NSU Student
Web Portal. This information is available on the screen once you have
logged in to the portal using your ID and PIN.
myNSU