Payment Information

 

Fall Semester 2023

Office of Student Accounting Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

PAYMENT DEADLINE: August 16, 2023

Students must pay all semester charges by August 16, 2023 to retain their schedule. Payment can be made via cash, check, money order, ACH web check, Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover card. Financial aid awarded to a student's account, enrollment in the University Payment Plan or enrollment in the USA Credit Union Tuition Payment Plan is also applied as payment toward the semester tuition and fees, including housing and meals. Payments can be processed at the Office of Student Accounting or online (PAWS).

IF A STUDENT MISSES THIS DEADLINE AND THEIR SCHEDULE IS CANCELED, THEY WILL BE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO RE-REGISTER FOR CLASSES. However, if a student's schedule is cancelled, there is no guarantee that their preferred classes will remain available.

A late registration and re-registration period will be from August 22nd – 28th. A $100 late registration fee will be assessed. Students registering or adding courses during this period must pay their tuition and fees, including housing and meal plans by August 28, 2023. Unpaid registrations will subject to cancellation on August 29, 2023. THERE WILL BE NO REINSTATEMENT PERIOD.

  • ACH Web checks are accepted online on PAWS.
  • Checks should be made payable to: University of South Alabama.
  • Always write student number on checks.
  • VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover are accepted for fee payment. If a credit card payment is received and the student becomes eligible for any refund on their account, the refund will be returned to the credit card not to exceed the original amount charged. No exceptions. PIN Debit card transactions processed at the point of sale at the Office of Student Accounting or Housing Office will be refunded via check or electronic direct deposit.
  • Mailed payments must be received by the Payment Deadlines.
  • Student's name will not appear on instructor's class roster if all charges are not paid.

PAYMENT POLICIES

Withdrawal Refunds:

  • A student who withdraws from one or more courses will be granted a refund. The refund period is the first two weeks of the semester and refunds are made as shown below.

    Withdrawal Date Percent of Tuition & Fees Refunded
    August 22nd – August 29th 100%
    August 30th – September 4th 50%
  • For complete withdrawals, other fees paid are proportionately refunded also, except those listed as non-refundable. The actual dates for withdrawals are shown in the University Calendar.
  • After the last day to withdraw from classes, students may withdraw from the University if medical reasons can be documented.
  • Application fees and registration fees (including the late registration or late payment fees) are non-refundable fees.
  • A student called for military service during the school term should consult the Office of Student Accounting regarding refunds of fees.
  • Any tuition refunds originally paid by credit card will be refunded back to credit card.  PIN Debit card transactions processed at the point of sale at the Office of Student Accounting or Housing Office will be refunded via check or electronic direct deposit.
  • Housing and meal plan refund policy.
    • Within the first forty-five (45) calendar days of the published residence hall opening date each semester, housing and meals – excluding bonus bucks – will be prorated based on the date the student properly checks-out. No adjustment will be made thereafter. Proper check-out procedures can be reviewed on the housing website.
    • The break housing rate will be charged for periods between semesters. Bonus buck usage will be charged through the third week of classes. Bonus Bucks will be charged in full after the third week of classes and will be available for use until the end of the spring semester. A contract cancellation fee will be charged when applicable.

Return of Federal Financial Aid Refunds

In accordance with federal guidelines, when a student completely withdraws from school, a portion of Federal Financial aid grant or loan funds, except for Federal Work-Study earnings, must be returned to the applicable federal program (s). If a federal aid recipient completely withdraws from school after beginning attendance, the amount of federal aid earned by the student must be determined based on the number of days the student attended in the given term. If the amount disbursed to the student is greater than the amount the student earned, the unearned federal aid funds must be returned. Federal aid funds will be returned in the following order:

  • Unsubsidized Direct Stafford loans (other than PLUS loans)
  • Subsidized Direct Stafford loans
  • Federal Perkins loans
  • Direct PLUS loans
  • Federal Pell Grants
  • Federal SEOG
  • Federal TEACH Grants
  • Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant

NOTE: If your Title IV Financial Aid required return is greater than the posted University refund at the time of your withdrawal, you will owe the difference to the University. The Office of Student Accounting will notify you of the amount due.

If a student completely withdraws after completing 60% of the term, then it is assumed that the student has earned 100% of their federal aid award, and no funds will be returned to the federal programs.


Return of Department of Defense Tuition Assistance Funds

In accordance with the Department of Defense Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the University is required to return unearned funds to the program, if a student withdraws from a course paid for by Department of Defense funds (tuition assistance), based on the following schedules:

 

5- Week Course Withdrawal

Day 1-7 100% return
Day 8 77% return
Day 9 74% return
Day 10 71% return
Day 11 69% return
Day 12 66% return
Day 13 63% return
Day 14 60% return
Day 15 57% return
Day 16 54% return
Day 17 51% return
Day 18 49% return
Day 19 46% return
Day 20 43% return
Day 21 40% return (60% of course is completed)
Day 22 0% returns

8- Week Course Withdrawal
Before or during week 1       100 % return
During week 2                         75% return
During weeks 3-4                     50% return
During week 5                           40% return
                                                 (which is 60% of course is completed)
During weeks 6-8                        0% return

  

 

16-week Course Withdrawal
Before or during weeks 1-2      100% return
During weeks 3-4                        75% return
During weeks 5-8                        50% return
During weeks 9-10                       40% return
                                                    (60% of course is completed)
During weeks 11-16                       0% return


Returned Checks:

Students who have tuition checks returned from the bank may be administratively withdrawn from the University. These students will still be responsible for any charges deemed necessary by the University.


Offset of Funds

If a student’s University account has an outstanding balance due, of any nature, including departmental fines and the University has in its possession any funds payable to the student (from payments or credits applied to the student’s account, payroll checks, and/or any other source, except federal financial aid awards), the University reserves the right to withhold the funds necessary to clear the student’s outstanding balance and to cover any collection costs incurred. Once those amounts are paid, any remaining funds are paid to the student.


Delinquent Accounts

If a student’s University account has an outstanding balance due, of any nature, including departmental fines and the University has in its possession any funds payable to the student (from payments or credits applied to the student’s account, payroll checks, and/or any other source, except federal financial aid awards), the University reserves the right to withhold the funds necessary to clear the student’s outstanding balance and to cover any collection costs incurred. Once those amounts are paid, any remaining funds are paid to the student.

In the event of an unpaid balance of any nature on the student's account (including any unpaid check returned by a bank), the following services will be withheld until the balance is paid in full:

  • Enrollment for subsequent terms
  • Transcripts, including any for transfer of college credits
  • Diploma

If it is necessary to refer an unpaid account to an outside collection agency, any costs and fees of collection (up to 34% of the debt) will be added to the student's account, and the account will be reported to credit bureaus. If legal action is required to collect the account, attorney fees will be added to the amount due.


Tuition Assistance

Notification of any tuition assistance should be given to the Office of Student Accounting prior to registration. Tuition assistance includes State VA and State Rehabilitation benefits, and other third-party assistance. After notification, the total amount due for tuition and fees will reflect any tuition assistance.


Out-of-State Students Taking USAonline Courses

Students taking both USAonline and on-campus courses are subject to additional on-campus fees including non-resident fees.


Veterans Benefits

Students who are eligible to receive educational assistance must check with the Office of Veterans Affairs, Academic Support Center Room 1345, no later than August 16, 2023. No student will be certified to receive educational benefits from the VA until the student's schedule is verified with the Office of Veteran Affairs. Any questions should be directed to the Veterans Affairs Specialist, (251) 460-6230.


FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION

Financial Aid Refunds

If you are paying your tuition with financial aid (loans, grants, scholarships), and you have met all financial aid eligibility requirements, your aid will be applied to your USA bill on the first day of classes.

If you are due a financial aid refund and signed up for Electronic Direct Deposit in time, the refund will be electronically deposited to your checking account within 14 business days after being applied to your student account. Be sure and verify the deposit at your bank before writing any checks against the refund.

If you do not participate in Electronic Direct Deposit, a refund check will be mailed to your permanent home address within fourteen business days following the credit to your USA student account.

If you are a financial aid recipient and have a balance due to the University, the amount and payment deadline will appear on your electronic bill. Account information is available at https://paws.southalabama.edu or at the Office of Student Accounting, Room 1300, Meisler Hall.


Charging Privileges at the USA Bookstore (for Financial Aid Recipients Only)

If a student has been awarded financial aid by the USA's Office of Financial Aid and has excess funds after all tuition, fees, meals, and housing have been paid, the student may charge up to $1,500 (or the available balance, whichever is less) of books at the USA Bookstore. The Bookstore will have the available amount at checkout. Bookstore charges will be placed on the student's account and covered by the financial aid disbursement. Bookstore charges will run from July 24th – August 30th 2023.