FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS AND SERVICES

Registration
SPU uses the Banner Information System to process registration materials and complete financial arrangements. After a student registers for classes online or in Student Academic Services, the student is obligated to pay for the contracted services in accordance with the University�s current schedule of charges. The registration contract between SPU and the student remains binding to both parties unless either party provides proper written notification (see also Refunds and Account Adjustments).

Student Account System
An electronic notification of a statement reflecting tuition and fee charges, payments, and amounts due will be sent to the student�s SPU email address each month. Student Financial Services will also send a copy of the account statement to an additional recipient (such as the student�s parent) with the student�s authorization. It remains the student�s responsibility, however, to see that proper payment reaches Student Financial Services by the payment due date. If students need assistance determining the proper amount due, they should contact Student Financial Services to talk with a representative.

Checks for the correct amount due should be made payable in U.S. dollars ($US) to SEATTLE PACIFIC UNIVERSITY, and should include the student�s name and student identification number. Checks may be mailed to

Seattle Pacific University

Student Financial Services

3307 Third Avenue West, Suite 114

Seattle, Washington 98119-1922

Or checks may be delivered in person to Student Financial Services, located in Demaray Hall 10.

In addition to checks, the University accepts automated payments via an e-check (automated payment directly from a checking or savings account) toward student accounts. The University does not directly accept any credit cards for payment of student-account balances. Rather, it has arranged for a third-party provider to facilitate this type of payment if desired. Additional fees apply for this service.

Payment Policies
Students have three options to meet their financial obligations:

• (A) Pay in full by the payment in full due dates.
• (B) The combined installment payment plan.
• (C) The three-installment payment plan.

The student account must be paid in full to be able to register for subsequent quarters.

Payment Option A: Pay in Full
Students may meet their financial obligations each quarter by paying in full by October 15 for Autumn Quarter, January 15 for Winter Quarter, and April 15 for Spring Quarter. If payment in full is not received by these dates, the account will be subject to late charges. Students are automatically placed in Payment Option A, unless they are approved through the application process for option B or C.

Payment Option B: Combined Installment Plans
The Seattle Pacific University Combined Installment Plan combines autumn, winter, and spring Three Installment Plans into one application and agreement. Students who plan to attend Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters may choose the Combined Installment Plan. The plan will divide the total quarterly costs (after financial aid* is applied to the account) over three payments instead of one for each quarter (Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters). Student Financial Services will complete a payment plan worksheet and notify the student of his or her monthly payment schedule. In order to participate in this plan, the student must return a completed application (pdf) along with an $80 application fee to Student Financial Services according to the following schedule (a new application and fee must be submitted each academic year). Visit Student Financial Services for more details.

Payment Option C: Three Installment Plan
If students choose this Three Installment Plan option, the total charges after all financial aid* is applied to the account will be divided into three payments. Student Financial Services will complete a payment plan worksheet and notify the student of the monthly payment schedule. In order to participate in this plan, the student must return a completed application along with a $40 application fee each quarter to Student Financial Services according to the following schedule. Visit Student Financial Services for more details.

Example of Payment Alternatives for Families
A student registers for a full course load (12�18 credits) per quarter and lives in a University residence hall. The total balance per quarter is as follows:

Students and their families have three options to meet their University cost obligation:

Option A: Pay in Full
$6,318 due October 15, 2009

Option B: Combined Installment Plans
$80 application fee and application due August 14, 2009.
$6,318 balance owed for each quarter.
$6,318÷3 = $2,106 (due monthly in Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters.)
$2,106 is the monthly payment plan amount and follows the Combined Installment payment schedule:

Option C: Three Installment Plan, With Autumn Quarter Example
$40 application fee and application due August 14, 2009.
$6,318�3 = $2,106 is the monthly payment-plan amount and follows the Three Installment Plan schedule for Autumn Quarter.

*Financial aid includes SPU scholarships, grants, federal and state grants and scholarships, outside scholarships and grants, student loans, and parent PLUS loan. Work study cannot be used in the calculation of payments.

Late Payments
Students who don�t pay their account in full or who fail to make a Combined Installment Plan or Three Installment Plan scheduled payment will have a late fee assessed to their student account. The monthly late fee of 1.25 percent will be assessed on the balance owed after the payment-in-full due dates. Students with past due account balances, including any balance that is adjudged to be discharged, will not be permitted to register for future quarters, obtain an official academic transcript, or receive a diploma.

Reimbursement Program/Third-Party Billing
If your tuition is reimbursed by your employer or a third party (such as an embassy or government agency), you may be eligible for the Employer Reimbursement or Third-Party Billing Program.

Documentation confirming enrollment in an employer reimbursement program is required annually and allows approved student account charges to be deferred up to approximately 30 days after the quarter ends. If a third party is involved, the University will bill the third party directly, provided SFS has been given the appropriate documents, such as a purchase order, official authorization, etc. All other account charges will be due when billed.

Late Charges
A late fee (15 percent per annum, 1.25 percent per month) will be assessed against any owing balance shown on the student�s last statement of account.

Unpaid Student Charges
A student who has delinquent financial obligations, or any financial obligation that is adjudged to be discharged, will not be permitted to register or attend classes for subsequent quarters or order official transcripts until such obligations have been satisfied. The University reserves the right to deny enrollment, including advance registration or extension of credit, to any student who does not meet past-due obligations or fulfill financial commitments to the University. The student will also not be eligible to receive their diploma.

A continued failure to meet financial obligations may result in the referral of the delinquent account to an outside agency for collection of the total amount due, plus all applicable collection costs.

Change of Registration Charges
A change of registration fee of $50 is charged if a student makes adjustments to his or her schedule of classes outside of the deadlines. Students may register for evening courses (courses beginning 4:30 p.m. and later) through 5 p.m. on the fifth day of the quarter. It is expected that all students adhere to registration deadlines.

Registration Petitions
Registration petitions are requests for exceptions to regular policies and procedures. Exceptions are not granted to supersede policies and procedures because of an inconvenience. The petition process provides students and faculty with the possibility of a response outside the normal bounds of policy when extenuating circumstances are judged to warrant such a response. Extenuating circumstances include illness, injury, death in the family, and problems with immigration. Unresolved holds by the deadline do not constitute an extenuating circumstance and are not grounds for petition. The petition must not only voice the request, but must also substantiate the validity of the request.

Petition forms are available online and on the forms rack in the Demaray Hall lobby (first floor). Instructions for completing this process are included on the form. A student seeking late registration must seek permission from the instructor to sit in the class while the petition is pending. In all cases, the final decision to approve or deny a petition will be made by Student Academic Services. SAS reserves the right to deny any petition for any reason. Each approved petition will incur a $50 change of registration fee.

Credit Balances
If financial aid overpays the student account, Student Financial Services will contact the student via email when credit balances are available. Credit balances are delivered via direct deposit or mailed to the student's current address on file.

Banking Services
Commercial banking services are conveniently available to students. U.S. Bank is located on campus adjacent to the SPU Bookstore. There are also three cash machines available on campus. One is located outside of the U.S. Bank, another in the Student Union Building, and the third, and Bank of America ATM, is in the Weter Hall foyer.

Personal Budgeting and Finances
Student Financial Services believes that a college education is a worthy investment in your future. We are committed to creating opportunities, such as Cash Course at SPU, Financial Education Sessions and Helpful Links about Managing your Money, for you to develop foundational financial understanding, knowing that informed financial decisions will help you realize your future goals. 

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