2014-2015 Undergraduate Bulletin > Financial Information > Payment Plans

Payment Plans

Parents and students may choose one of the following payment plans that is the most convenient for them.

Regular Payment Plan

The quarter's tuition, required fees, cafeteria meal plan, and rent plus any previous balance and less any awarded financial aid are paid before the student receives financial clearance for registration. Students and/or parents are billed for variable charges (such as bookstore and other campus purchases and additional meals beyond the student's meal plan) as those charges are incurred. International overseas students are expected to use the Regular Payment Plan.

Monthly Payment Plan

The quarter's tuition, required fees, cafeteria meal plan, and rent less any awarded financial aid are divided into three equal payments. The first payment plus any previous balance is due before the student receives financial clearance for registration. The second and third payments are due by set dates during the following two months. Students and/or parents are billed for other charges (such as bookstore and other campus purchases and additional meals beyond the student's meal plan) as those charges are incurred. Finance charges will accrue on the unpaid balance.

The schedule of payments is as follows:

Automatic Payment Plan

The quarter's expenses (plus any previous balance and less any awarded financial aid) are processed as automatic charges to a MasterCard^®, VISA^® or Discover^® credit card. The card holder may choose to use either the regular payment plan or monthly payment plan. At the end of the school year (or sooner if a student finishes midyear), a final charge or credit is applied to the card. Many people choose this option because it reduces the time spent arranging payment while making the user eligible for rewards many credit cards offer (frequent flyer mileage, discounts, rebates, etc.).

Beginning Autumn 2014, the University plans to outsource credit card processing to a third party vendor who will charge a fee to accept credit card payments. Note: This fee only applies to credit card payments and will not be imposed on checks, cash, or online payments directly from a bank account.

Change in Expenses

Because of fluctuation in the economy, the University Board of Trustees reserves the right to adjust costs and policies throughout the school year or to supersede statements published in this bulletin.

Release of Transcripts or Degrees

By action of the Board of Trustees of the University, a diploma or transcript (official or unofficial) may not be released until the following criteria are met:

The student's account is paid in full.

The student does not have a short-term loan co-signed by WWU.

The student's Nursing, Perkins, and institutional loans are current.

The student's loan exit interviews are complete (Diploma only).

To expedite the release of transcripts, diplomas, and other legal documents, a money order, credit card payment, or certified check should be sent to cover the balance of the student's account. Requests for transcripts must be made in writing and signed by the student, either faxed or mailed to the Academic Records Office.

There is a $5 charge for each transcript requested.

Financial Aid

Families unable to meet the full costs of a Walla Walla University education are encouraged to apply for financial aid from the government and the University. All financial aid applications are evaluated based on the government's standard analysis of need. This analysis determines how much each family can afford to pay for a college education according to federal government guidelines.

Financial aid recipients are then awarded aid packages which typically include a combination of scholarships, grants, low-interest loans, and student employment. Unless otherwise noted, all forms of financial assistance are disbursed one-third each quarter (Autumn, Winter, Spring). The total amount of scholarships, grants, and subsidy (from all sources) which a student receives cannot exceed WWU's packaging budget in any given year. If the total does exceed the packaging budget, the award from WWU will be reduced.

Scholarships are awarded for academic excellence, student leadership, and other accomplishments. They are not awarded based on need and do not have to be repaid. Even though it is recommended that students apply for financial aid, they are not required to do so in order to receive scholarships. Grants are awarded on the basis of financial need and do not have to be repaid. Low-interest loans are an investment in a student's future, allowing the student to attend university with payments and interest typically being deferred until after the student graduates or withdraws from school. Almost all financial aid award packages include a long-term loan. Part-time employment helps students meet the expenses of university life.

In order to receive the maximum financial assistance available, students should plan their finances for the entire academic school year prior to registration and complete their financial aid file by April 30, 2014, for the 2014-2015 school year.