Frequently Asked Questions about Payments

• I have financial aid but the difference checks don't come two weeks after school starts!
• My financial aid is not finished; I am waiting on the Financial Aid office.
• What if I add a class at the last minute and it changes my bill?
• In the past if I paid by check it took several days for the check to clear. Will I lose my classes?
• If I don't pay by the payment deadline and I am dropped and I re-register, what happens then?
• In the past I used money from next semester to pay this semester's bills. Can I do that so I can register now?
• What has to be paid by the deadlines - just tuition and fees or everything?
• What if I can't get enough money to pay for school?
• How can I tell if my financial aid will cover my whole bill?
• If I am dropped after the end of the drop/add period what can I do to get back in my classes?
• You didn't drop me for non-payment, even though I was expecting you to. What happens now?

I have financial aid but the difference checks don't pay out until two weeks after school starts!
There is a feature on the financial aid SHIP page called "What You Owe" that will show you the difference between your total bill and your anticipated aid. It is under Student Services/Financial Aid>Academic and Account Information, at the bottom of the list of links. If your financial aid award will not cover your entire bill, you are responsible to make payment by the published deadlines. Failure to do so on a timely basis may result in having your class schedule dropped.
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My financial aid is not finished; I am waiting on the Financial Aid office.
The financial aid process can be long and cumbersome. We encourage you to keep in constant contact with your financial aid counselor to ensure that you have completed all the required tasks for getting your aid. The sooner you start the process, the better.
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What if I add a class at the last minute and it changes my bill?
Changes to your course schedule will most likely result in additional or reduced charges on your student account. After you have made changes you should refer to your Touchnet account to verify the impact of those changes on your current balance.
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In the past if I paid by check it took several days for the check to clear. Will I lose my classes?
No, the Bursar's Office will be monitoring the checks and will save anyone who has paid on-time. However, students who write a bad check will have to pay a fine, will not be able to write checks to the university again, and may still have their classes dropped.
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If I don't pay by the posted deadline (or subsequent drop dates) and I am dropped and I re-register, what happens then?
You must pay your balance (or have more awarded financial aid) by subsequent payment deadlines or your classes will be dropped again.
Each time you re-register you may find it harder to get the classes you want.
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In the past I used money from next semester to pay this semester's bills. Can I do that so I can register now?
No. this practice was bad for students and bad for the university. You need to make sure you have enough money (through available financial aid or personal funds) to pay your balance BEFORE school starts.
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What has to be paid by the deadlines - just tuition and fees or everything?
All balances posted to your student account must be paid in full by the payment deadlines. Failure to do so may result in your courses being dropped. It is best to frequently check your Touchnet account to verify your current balance.
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What if I can't get enough money to pay for school?
We realize that many of our students are sacrificing to attend college. If you have sought out all sources of financial aid and still do not have enough to cover expenses, then you need to realistically evaluate if should attend college right now. The financial aid counselors are available to help you make sure you are getting all the aid you can. In additition, you may want to consider a pre-payment plan through Nelnet.
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How can I tell if my financial aid will cover my whole bill?
There is a feature on the Accounts and Financial Aid screens in SHIP called "What You Owe" or "Bill + Payment" that will show you the difference between your total bill and your anticipated aid. It is near the bookstore credit. You can also get to it by clicking whenever you see a "Pay Online" button on Armstrong's website, or by choosing Touchnet Bill Pay System from the list of Student Services on the Home tab in the Port. If you will receive a refund, your balance will read $0. If your financial aid award will not cover your entire bill you MUST pay your balance by posted deadlines or your classes may be dropped.
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If I am dropped after the end of the drop/add period what can I do to get back in my classes?
Students who are dropped after the end or the drop/add period will need to see the Registrar to ask about the possibility of getting classes back. Students will be required to pay in full, including applicable late fees ($108). Students will not be allowed to attend class if they are not registered.
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 You didn't drop me for non-payment, even though I was expecting you to. What happens now?
If you are not dropped for non-payment, even though you have not submitted a payment, you are still responsible for your bill. If you do not wish to be enrolled, you must drop your classes by the end of late registration, officially withdraw through the enrollment office, or contact your professors to make sure you are not marked in attendance on the roll during attendance verification at the beginning of the term. Failure to make payment does not consitute an official withdrawal from school. You are responsible to make sure your class schedule is correct and your bill is paid. See the Registrar or Bursar's Office for help.
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