Ever get that bill in the mail from Student Financial Services and aren't sure what to do? Or do you just have some questions about financial aid? Here are some frequently asked questions answered by Student Financial Services Assistant Director Maggie Buhs.
When students have a late payment, what should they do?
Buhs: They should always try to get their payments in on time, but if a deadline is missed, they need to pay it as soon as possible. Check their student account or billing statement, and see how much they owe. Deadlines are always on there as well. If there is a problem with paying it, they need to contact Financial Aid. Late fees will be added to any late payments.
What can happen if you don't pay by deadline?
Buhs: You are at risk of having your classes cancelled and getting taken out of housing. The main idea is to be in good financial standing with all your payments. You may be good on your class payments, but if you're not good with your housing payments, it doesn't look good.
How do students know how much they owe?
Buhs: It is either on their billing statement, or they can log on to the Southeast Portal, and go to their account summary to see the amount. When you go to the portal, on the bottom there is something you can click called "Steps to access your student account" and that will give you step-by-step instructions on how to view that.
What should students be looking at when they check their accounts?
Buhs: Changes to personal accounts are made often due to adding or dropping classes, posted scholarships or whatever it may be. We, at the Financial Aid office, keep each account as up to date as possible, and so a billing statement received in the mail may not be correct because of changes that were made.
Do the students get notified if changes are made to their account?
Buhs: Not always. When a change is made, we generally send the student an e-mail telling them that their account has been updated or a change has been made, but they must actually go into the account to check what has been changed.
How are payments to an account made?
Buhs: The student may come into the office or pay over the phone. We accept checks, money orders, cash and debit/credit cards. They may also pay online, but they may only do that through their checking account.
How do loans and scholarships get put into a student's account?
Buhs: We put all financial aid into a student's account. This includes when we receive notification of a scholarship or a loan. The student has to check and see what went through and what they may be eligible for.
Do you give extensions on deadlines in certain cases?
Buhs: It is possible to get an extension. We are on a case-by-case basis, meaning we look at a particular student's case and try to work with them. We understand it can be a complicated process, especially for incoming freshmen, so we try to help out and give them a chance to make the payments. The biggest thing is the student must ask for the help; otherwise it will just be considered late and they will get charged with the consequences.
How do you know if you qualify for financial aid?
Buhs: You must go through the FAFSA -- Free Application for Federal Student Aid -- and fill out the form and then we get it, and if you are eligible we will send you an e-mail notification, and you will check your account and see what you are eligible for.
