Payment Information

Summer Semester 2024

• Checks should be made payable to: University of South Alabama.
• Always write student number on checks.
• Mailed payments must be received by the Payment Deadline of May 23, 2024 or the $50.00 late fee will be assessed.
• VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and ACH Web Checks 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.
• All registered students are subject to having their registration canceled if full payment of all semester charges or participation in the payment plan are not received by May 23, 2024.
• Student's name will not appear on instructor's class roster if all charges are not paid.

PAYMENT POLICIES

Refund Dates for Summer 2024 Dropped or Withdrawn Courses*

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: 

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.

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 payment deadline. 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 USA Online Courses:

Students taking both USA online 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 1345, no later than the day before the payment deadline. 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

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 after the first day of class. 

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. All students are responsible for paying any balance due by the published deadlines. 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 May 17 – June 3, 2023.