Navigating Tuition Payment Options at the University of Washington
Paying for college can be a daunting task, but the University of Washington (UW) offers a variety of payment options to make the process as smooth as possible. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the available methods for paying tuition and fees at the UW, designed to help students and their families understand their choices and make informed decisions.
Understanding Your Tuition Statement
After registering for classes each quarter, students can access their tuition statement on their MyUW tuition account. This statement outlines the expenses due to the UW, including tuition charges and other related fees. Tuition charges are typically due by the third Friday of every quarter, and a late payment fee is charged for payments made after these dates. It's crucial to understand how and when to pay tuition and fees related to your UW education.
Online Payment Options
The fastest and most convenient way to pay tuition is online. The UW offers several online payment methods, each with its own features and considerations.
Web Check (ACH)
An electronic check, also known as ACH (Automated Clearing House), is a free and convenient online payment method that uses the routing and account numbers of a checking or savings account. This option allows for an electronic debit of the bank account.
Key Considerations:
- Verify that the bank allows electronic debiting before attempting to make a webcheck payment.
- Depending on the bank, the transaction could take from 1 to 10 business days to be deducted from the bank account.
- Double-check the account and routing number, amount, and type of account before submitting payment.
- The UW cannot cancel/edit the payment under any circumstances once submitted.
- If a payment is returned as unpaid by the bank for any reason, the student account will be assessed a returned item fee of $25. Late payment fees may be added if the returned item causes the account not to be paid by the tuition due date. Student Fiscal Services reserves the right to disable the ability to use Web Check due to returned items.
- Payments may be returned by banks for many reasons, including lack of sufficient funds, use of an incorrect or invalid bank routing or account number, a closed or frozen account, or if the account is a non-transaction account.
Credit or Debit Card
The UW accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover online. However, it's important to note that there is a nonrefundable service fee associated with credit and debit card payments. There’s a nonrefundable 2.95% service fee (minimum $3) when paying with a U.S-issued card, and a 4.25% fee for international cards.
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Key Considerations:
- The service fee is displayed prior to completion of the transaction.
- Completion of the transaction acknowledges acceptance of these payment terms.
- Completion of the payment transaction is contingent upon successful authorization and payment of this transaction by the card company/bank.
- Debit card holders should contact their bank to identify their routing and account numbers and make use of the free Web Check payment option.
- Once a payment is made with a credit/debit card, UW cannot cancel the payment even if an error in amount is made.
- Credit card payments become eligible for refund 30 days after the date of payment.
Friends and Family Payments
Friends and Family can access online payment options through a dedicated login. Students will first need to set up the additional person and grant them permission to make a payment, view account activity, and view student statements.
Other Payment Methods
While online payments are the most convenient, the UW also offers alternative payment methods.
Check Payments
Checks are accepted, but must be made payable to the University of Washington. Be sure to include the seven-digit student number written clearly on the front of the check. If the name is not printed on the check, please write the name on the front so that the tuition account will be properly credited. Payments must be received by Student Fiscal Services by the tuition due date.
Mailing Address:
Student Fiscal ServicesBox 3981Seattle, WA 98124-3981
Important Note: UW P.O. Box cannot accept FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc.
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In-Person Payments
Students can make a payment in person by going to Student Financial Services located in Sumers Welcome Center in the lower level. Payments via check, money order, and travelers check will be accepted. There are no options to make payment for tuition and related fees with a credit card in person.
Wire Transfers
Payments via wire transfer from any bank in the United States to the university’s bank account at Bank of America is allowed. Please contact Student Accounting for wiring instructions. Please note that the university will not accept a wire transfer for more than $10,000 over the balance due on a student account.
International Payments via Flywire
The University of Washington has partnered with Flywire to streamline the process of international payments. Flywire allows you to pay securely from any country and any bank, generally in your home currency.
Benefits of using Flywire:
- Pay with accounts in your home country, in your currency for most countries.
- Offers payment methods like bank transfer, credit cards, and e-payments.
- Avoid unnecessary bank fees and receive favorable foreign exchange rates.
- Track the progress of your payment anytime.
Please ensure that you include the UW student’s full name, student number, and invoice (if applicable) in the wire. Also, note that the university will not be able to process a refund to the student for a wire payment that is posted to the student account that exceeds more than $10,000 over the balance due on a student account.
Payment Plans
The Student Installment Payment Plan allows students to spread academic expenses and other charges into convenient monthly payments.
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Key Features:
- Only students have access to sign up for payment plans in Workday; the sign-up option is not available through the Friends and Family login.
- Students may enroll in a payment plan in Workday after charges have been assessed for an academic period and their balance is above $500.
- There is a $50 enrollment fee per academic period/semester.
- Payments are due on the installment due date.
- Workday will automatically drop the Payment Plan if two installment payments are missed.
- Workday calculates the payment plan balance, then divides the balance by the number of installments to calculate the installment amount.
- There are five installments for the fall and spring academic periods/semesters and two installments for summer.
- If any of the payment plan due dates have passed when the student signs up for the payment plan, the balance due will be divided by the remaining number of installments.
- The Payment Plan will automatically recalculate to reflect any changes to a student’s account after enrolled in a Payment Plan.
- Note: Workday does not offer automatic payments with payment plans.
Other Ways to Fund Tuition
Besides direct payments, students can explore other avenues to fund their education.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
The UW offers financial assistance - from grants and loans to scholarships and work-study opportunities. Students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you receive a “Notice of Preliminary Award” (an estimate of your eligibility for aid) you may accept this initial award; however, we’ll complete the review of information you provided on your FAFSA before your award can be confirmed. If you receive a “Notice of Award,” then your application has been reviewed and your eligibility confirmed. You must accept your award online in your MyUW portal by the date indicated to reserve your aid.
The Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships & Awards (OMSFA) helps UW undergraduates develop the skills and personal insights necessary to pursue scholarships appropriate to their goals.
529 Plans
529 accounts cannot be used as an electronic payment method in Workday. For electronic payment options, you will need to contact your 529 directly to see what they offer. Please make 529 checks payable to Washington University in St. Louis and include the student name and student ID number.
Third-Party Payments
If an employer or another party (other than a family member) has agreed to pay UW fees on your behalf, this is a third-party payment. We'll invoice the third party directly for payment. Your account statement will not be available to view until shortly before the start of the quarter. To pay via third-party, you must present a purchase order or letter of authorization to bill from the employer with your registration form.
VA Benefits
If you're a current or former service member or a military dependent, you may be able to use VA benefits to pay program costs.
Private Loans
Private loan funds must be certified by the UW Office of Student Financial Aid before they can be applied to your account.
On-Campus Jobs
Students can search for jobs (on campus or off) in Handshake, the UW’s online job and internship database.
Important Considerations
- Information Release Authorization: If someone is helping a student pay for tuition, the student must submit an online Information Release Authorization to give family members access to tuition billing and reminders. Students living in residence halls can authorize family members to access their accounts and billing reminders through the HFS Payment Portal.
- Workday Access: Students can view their account and pay their balances in Workday under the Financials Hub on the homepage. To use this option, complete “Payment Elections” in Workday using this guidance. If planning to use multiple bank accounts to pay the balance due, you must make the payments at least 1 business day apart. Workday is unable to process multiple online payments using different bank accounts on the same day.
- Payment Application: Payments are applied to charges on the tuition account in order of the charge due dates. For charges with the same due date, payments are applied first to tuition and related University fees and then to other charges on your account. You may request that a payment be applied to a specific charge when paying in person at the Student Fiscal Services Office.
- Late Payment Fees: If you have been assessed a fee for late payment of tuition, financial aid cannot be used to pay this fee. You will need to make a separate payment to cover this charge.
- Refunds: Student Fiscal Services will only accept payments for tuition and fees for the current academic quarters. Due to banking requirements, funds submitted in excess of outstanding balances may result in the payment being rejected and returned to the payer in its entirety. Excess payments may be rejected even if the extra funds are intended for use for books, off-campus housing, or other living expenses. If a balance shows a "CR" (credit), contact Student Fiscal Services for a refund. Do not pay if your balance shows a "CR".
- Note your residency status on your offer letter.
- Some scholarship funds can be used only to pay course fees and any overage cannot be disbursed to the student.
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