MSU’s Office of Accounting and Financial Services will be making changes to the way students pay fees in fall 2010, Assistant Director for Student Services Carol Ford said.
Ford said students will be able to pay fees through two different payment plan options- the Standard Payment Plan and the Financial Aid Pending Plan. These plans will take the place of the Statement of Intent.
According to the e-mail sent to students from the billing office, students will be able to begin enrollment in the payment plans July 1. Students will be charged an enrollment fee of $40 for an account balance of less than $1,000 and $75 for an account balance of more than $1,000.
These fees are the same as the payment extension fees on the Statement of Intent. The balance will then be split into three payments, and the enrollment fee and first payment will be due at the time of enrollment in the payment plan. Students also have the choice to pay their fees in full at any time.
“This gives students more options and allows them to have actual scheduled payments,” Ford said. “It also helps our students fully understand the financial obligations created with University enrollment.”
Ford said students who have received enough financial aid to cover their charges must enroll in the Financial Aid Pending Plan a week before classes start to avoid cancellation of class schedules if their financial aid is not transmitted on time.
Ford said the new payment plans have been in the works for about a year.
“We’re trying to promote student services and make the enrollment process better and more efficient,” Ford said.
Accounting and Financial Services Director Kelli Owen said, “We believe these process changes will help students better understand their financial obligations and also give students more payment options.”