FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Student account payments, payment plans and cashiering 

• When is my payment due?

  Please see Important Dates and Deadlines for past and future payment deadlines and late fee assessment dates. 

• What happens if I don't pay my account on time?

  If your account is unpaid after the payment deadline, it will be subject to late fee assessment and your student account will be put on hold. You may be unable to view grades or add or drop courses until your account has been paid in full.  

  Accounts over 180 days old are subject to reporting to a collections agency. Being sent to collections can negatively affect credit and increase your repayment costs through collection fees. If you have a delinquent account, your Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) may be garnished under Alaska Statute 14.40.251 and Alaska Statute 43.23.190.  

• What can I do if I don't have the money to pay?

  UAA has a payment plan available to students and families through UAOnline.

  You may also visit the Financial Aid website for other aid options. 

• How can I avoid late fees?

  The best way to avoid late fees is to have payment arrangements well before the payment deadline.

  This means making sure all necessary paperwork is submitted to financial aid in a timely fashion, informing scholarship donors of the payment deadline or setting up a payment plan to cover any outstanding balance. 

• Can I use Federal Financial Aid (Title IV aid) to pay a balance I owe from a prior year?

  With written authorization, using the Title IV Authorization, we may apply $200 per aid year to a prior academic year balance. If you owe more than $200 please contact MSC Collections office to make payment arrangements.

• Can I drop/withdraw my class even if I have a hold on my account?

  Yes. Students can still drop classes by:

  • submitting an Registration Changes Form (PDF) to the Mat-Su College Student Services office
  • or by using the online Student-Initiated Drop Form. 

  100 percent refund of tuition and fees is automatically processed when official drop activity is completed before the add/drop deadline. No refund is issued after the deadline. 

  After the add/drop deadline, students may withdraw from classes up until the semester withdrawal deadline as long as no grade has been assigned for the class. Students may withdraw from full-semester classes using the drop procedures listed above.

• I am a parent of a UA student, how can I make a payment on their behalf?

  A student may set up an authorized user through their UAOnline account.

• I have a hold on my account, how can I get that lifted?

  The only way to remove a hold from your account is for your account to be paid in full. Please contact the Collections office to make payment arrangements or pay your account via UAOnline.

• Can I make payments on my account by credit/debit card?

  Yes. Credit/debit card payments are accepted exclusively online via UAOnline and include a non-refundable service fee—a set percentage of the payment amount ($3 minimum).

  You may pay without a fee by using a web check.

• What credit/debit cards can I use to pay my account?

  We accept:

  • MasterCard
  • Discover
  • Visa
  • American Express
  • Other less-common cards accepted include: Diners Club, JCB and China Union.

  Reminder: credit/debit card payments are only accepted online via UAOnline and include a non-refundable service fee—a set percentage of the payment amount ($3 minimum). 

  You may pay without a fee by using a web check.

• Is there a fee for using a credit/debit card to pay my account?

  Beginning June 1, 2016, card users will be assessed a separate, non-refundable service fee—a set percentage of the payment amount ($3 minimum)—at the time of each credit/debit card payment.

  The non-refundable service fee will be assessed by a secure 3rd party and will appear as a separate charge on your credit/debit card statement.

  You may pay without a fee by using a web check.

• Why can't I see the service charge on my UA student account?

  The service fee is assessed by a secure 3rd party, not the University, so it will not appear on your student account. The service fee will appear as a separate charge on your credit/debit card statement.

• Is the service fee refundable?

  The service fee is non-refundable. Any service fee disputes must be taken directly to your credit/debit card company.

• How can I pay my student account and avoid the service fee?

  Web check (ACH) payments from checking and savings accounts will continue to be accepted online by UAA via the ACH (Automated Clearing House) Network without a service fee through UAOnline. Here is a helpful form on How-To find your Routing and Account information (PDF).

  MSC will continue to accept payments via cash, money order or check at the Campus Cache. Please do not send cash through the mail.

• Will MSC accept credit/debit card payments for non-student account charges?

  MSC will continue to accept credit/debit card payments without a service fee for non-student account payments, Campus Cache store purchases, non-student related accounts receivable payments, certain testing fees, etc.

• Will I be able to schedule a payment on my payment plan with a credit/debit card?

  Yes. Credit/debit cards can be used to schedule a payment for a plan installment within the UAOnline payment plans. These payments will include a non-refundable service fee—a set percentage of the payment amount ($3 minimum). 

  You may pay without a fee by using a web check.

• Is there any way I can avoid paying the service fee?

  Yes, you can avoid paying the service fee by paying on UAOnline with a web check (ACH). Here is a helpful form on How-To find your Routing and Account information (PDF).

  Payments by cash, check, or money order can be made in person at the Campus Cache, or by mail at:

  Mat-Su College
  Attn: Cashiering
  8295 E College Dr
  Palmer AK 99645
• I have never written a check, how can I set up a web check?

  Web check payments are a secure, effortless method to pay your student account, and more importantly, it is FREE. Here is a helpful form on How-To find your Routing and Account information (PDF).

• Can I make a credit/debit card payment over the phone?

  No. Credit/debit card payments for tuition, fees, and other charges related to academic courses cannot be made over the phone or via mail. This is a security measure to ensure confidentiality of your payment information.

• I often receive checks from my credit card company. Can I use the routing and account number on those checks to make a web check payment?

  No. The credit card company will not honor these checks used electronically. 

  The payment will be returned as "account not found", returned items (NSF) are subject to a $30 fee. 

  You may use these checks by mail or in person only.

  Mail to:

  Mat-Su College
  Attn: Cashiering
  8295 E College Dr
  Palmer AK 99645
• If I make a credit/debit card payment in error, will my service fee be refunded?
  No. The service fee is not refundable even if the payment to which it relates is canceled, refunded, credited, or charged back.
• Does the service apply for payments made for: transcripts, testing fees or admission fees?

  No. These changes are only on the student account payments as described above and will NOT affect any other transactions on our campuses where credit/debit cards are accepted. However, if you defer the named charge to your student account, then attempt to pay that charge online, the fee would apply for credit/debit card payments.

• If I receive a refund from my student account, and I originally paid my charges with a credit/debit card, will the service fee be refunded?

  No. The service fee is not refundable even if the payment to which it relates is canceled, refunded, credited, or charged back.

 Student Account Refunds and Financial Aid Disbursements

• Where did my check get mailed?

  Your check got mailed to your mailing address. You can view or change this address on UAOnline.

• How do I know if I'm signed up for direct deposit?

  You can view or change your direct deposit information on UAOnline: 

  --->Student Services and Account Information

  --->Direct Deposit Services

  to view existing direct deposit setup:

  --->View your direct deposit setup

  or to make changes:

  --->Change your direct deposit account

  Any changes to direct deposit become effective the following business day

  or to establish direct deposit:

  --->First time set up of direct deposit

• Can I pick up my check?

  Due to the high volume of refunds that are processed through our office, we do not allow students to pick up checks. In addition, not having a valid mailing address is not a valid reason to pick up a check. If you would like to receive your refund quicker, please sign up for direct deposit as they take priority to printed checks. 

  If you are already signed up for direct deposit, canceling your direct deposit to have a check printed will not allow for a faster refund. 

• I think my check got lost in the mail, what should I do?

  If it has been more than 10 business days, you may request a stop pay by emailing the Disbursements Office. An $18.50 fee applies to all stop pay requests and a check will be re-issued. To avoid lost and returned checks, please sign up for direct deposit on UAOnline to have your refunds put directly into your bank account.  

• How do I return loan money that has been disbursed to me?

  You have 14 days from the date a disbursement was issued to return loan funds to your lender through UAA Mat-Su. Please complete a Revision Request to return funds. You may remit payment (if you received direct deposit) or return your uncashed check at the Campus Cache or by mailing it to: 

  Mat-Su College
  Attn: Cashiering
  8295 E College Dr
  Palmer AK 99645 

   

  If you would like to return funds outside of this time frame, contact Financial Aid for your options.

• Why didn't my financial aid pay for my library fines or late fees?

  Federal student financial aid can only cover "institutional charges" as defined by the U.S. Department of Education. This definition includes current year charges for tuition, fees and on-campus room and board. Unless authorization is received, federal financial aid (Title IV) cannot be used to cover non-institutional charges such as: housing damages, parking permits, parking fines, library fine, returned check fees, health center charges, late fees or any charges not directly tied to taking a class.  

• My refund got sent to the wrong bank account, or the credit card I paid with is closed. What should I do?

  The disbursements office is typically notified 5-7 business days after initiation of a direct deposit if it has been rejected. Rejection of a direct deposit will prompt a paper check to print. Please make sure your mailing address is up to date.  

  If you paid with credit/debit card, your refund will be credited back to your account. If that account is closed, your bank will re-route your refund to your new card or issue you a refund. Please contact your bank or credit card company for more information regarding the status of your refund.  

  The full refund policy is available in the catalog. 

• What is Title IV?

  Title IV is the section of the Higher Education Act of 1965 that regulates the administration of the U.S. federal student financial aid programs. Title IV refers to federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, TEACH grants, Direct PLUS Loans, Pell Grants, SEOG and Federal Work-Study funding. 

• I'm expecting a private donor scholarship, how do I know when it has arrived?

  Once the check arrives at Mat-Su or UAA, it will be logged into our paperless repository. The award will then funnel through the Financial Aid office, then to the disbursements office for application to the student account. 

  Due to the manual nature of these awards, processing time can take up to 10 business days from the arrival of the check. 

  Because many have enrollment requirements, these awards will post to your account after the add/drop deadline.  

  To ensure timely payment, please refer to your donor's requirements. Advise your donors of the Donor Instructions on our website.

• I am sponsored by an outside UA entity, how will I know when the payment is posted for that sponsorship?

  Once Mat-Su has received the proper authorization from the outside entity/agency, the charges that are authorized should clear off of your account. 

  We process daily; however, during peak times, it may take 5-7 business days to see those charges paid on your account. 

  Monitor your account via UAOnline.

  Tips:
  - If you change your schedule after the original authorization was processed, please let our offices know so we can review and adjust your student account as needed. 
  - If the agency does not cover all the costs/charges on your student account, you will be responsible for paying the remaining amounts by the payment deadline or your account will be subject to late fees and holds preventing future registration.
  - Authorization must be received prior to the payment deadline to avoid late fees.

• I am a Post 9/11 GI Bill recipient, how does it work?
  1.  Start out by making contact with the VA Educational Benefits page to start the certification process.
  2. Once the certification is made and after the add/drop deadline, the University will submit a payment request to the VA on your behalf.
  3. Any fees or tuition above and beyond what the VA certifies is the students responsibility to pay by the  Payment Deadline. Check current Academic Dates and Deadlines.
  4. Generally speaking, your student account will be in a deferred state up to the amount covered by the VA. 
• I don't understand my 1098T, how can I figure out what amounts are in each box?

  The IRS 1098-T, tuition statement, reports qualified tuition and related expenses reportable by an eligible educational institution. Education tax credits may be available to you if your are paying education costs for yourself or a student who is a member of your immediate family. Form 1098-T enables you to determine if you qualify for one or more of these education tax credits. Additional 1098T Instructions (PDF) are available on the IRS Website. You may also call the UA 1098-T hotline at 1-877-563-7605 for more information.   

  Additional questions? Please visit the University of Alaska 1098-T FAQ's. 

  How to print your 1098-T: 
  Go to UAOnline

  1. Login to the secured area (This can only be done by the student receiving the 1098-T)
  2. Select Student Services & Account Information
  3. Select Student Account
  4. Select Tax Notification
  5. Enter Tax Year and submit 

  Please note: The 1098-T is based on a single calendar year, Jan. 1- Dec. 31 of any year and NOT the academic or aid year.

• I signed up for an electronic 1098T, how can I print that out?

  You can view or change your 1098T information at UAOnline: 

  --->Student Services and Account Information 

  --->Student Account 

  --->Tax Notification (1098T), then enter the tax year

• I did not receive my 1098T in the mail. Why not?
  1. If you are signed up for electronic 1098T's you will need to find your form on UAOnline.
  2. Is your mailing address outdated? If so, please update that on UAOnline. 
  3. You did not have charges or payments during the tax year in question. Please visit the University of Alaska 1098-T FAQ's website. 

  Please see your campus administrator if you need a copy of your current or past 1098T form. For security reasons and to protect your personal information, we cannot email or fax these forms.