MSU Controller's Office

Why does the University require eBilling as the official billing method?

There are several reasons why the University requires eBilling. One reason is that many other applications and processes at the University are paperless or electronic including grade reporting, applying for admission, applying for and accepting financial aid, and processing student refunds via direct deposit. Many courses convey course materials electronically, and students prepare and submit required course work electronically. The vast majority of students are familiar with STUINFO and it has become more commonplace these days for a student to obtain information such as fee receipts, account information, IRS Form 1098-T’s, Confirm Attendance, and request a transcript all in STUINFO. Many institutions around the country are now adopting electronic billing as their primary method of billing. During these times of economic hardship, electronic billing brings time and monetary savings to both the customer and the institution.

What are the benefits of eBilling and ePay?

Benefits Include:

• Contributes to budget savings which indirectly affect the cost of tuition.
• On-line history of eBills and ePayments
• In the past only one bill could be mailed. Now a STUINFO enhancement called Guest Authorization makes it possible for the student to designate up to four guests (parents, spouse, etc.) who will also have access to electronic bills.
• Whenever a new bill is ready to view in STUINFO, MSU will send a courtesy notification via e-mail to students at their FREE MSU provided e-mail account. Guests will receive a notification via the e-mail address that the student designates in STUINFO.
• No more mail delays. Earlier notification of a bill due date gives you more planning time.
• Additional payment options such as electronic check from a savings or checking account and credit card payments.
• Electronic bills are user friendly, color coded and much easier to read than the old paper bills.
• Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from anywhere in the world via the Internet
• Payments submitted by 6 pm Eastern Standard Time are processed the same day
• Private and secure

Does the University charge for eBilling or ePay?

There are no charges for eBilling. Paying by electronic check from a savings or checking account is also free. Paying by credit card does carry a fee.

How do students, parents, and other authorized guests receive the billing statement?

Bills are available electronically only on STUINFO (STUINFO.msu.edu) within the World Wide Web. STUINFO is MSU’s on-line student information system. STUINFO is a secured web site that can be accessed by all students. Students will receive an email whenever a new bill has been produced. Parents and other authorized guests will also receive an email and can view bills in STUINFO only if the student authorizes the person as a guest within STUINFO.

My parents (or other authorized guest) would like to be notified when I have a bill. Can an email be sent to them?

Yes, an e-mail will be sent to your parents or any authorized guest. When authorizing a guest you will be instructed to provide a valid e-mail address for your authorized guest. The eBill subject line will read MSU eBill Notification and come from the student’s MSU email address. If the eBill notification sent to your authorized guest bounces, it will be returned to the student’s University e-mail address.

How does a parent or other authorized user login to STUINFO?

The student must first authorize their guests (up to 4) in STUINFO and assign a password to each guest. Once the student has authorized a guest, the guest will receive a confirmation e-mail that the student has enrolled them. The guest must contact the student for their guest password. A guest may login to STUINFO at http://STUINFO.msu.edu

• Login to the system by entering the word "guest" in the Net ID box on the main login page. (Do not enter a password on this screen.)

• Login to the Guest Page by entering the 1) Student MSUNet ID, 2) Guest First Name, 3) Guest Last Name and 4) password assigned by the student. The guest MUST obtain their guest password directly from their student.

As a parent or authorized guest, what do I do if I have forgotten my password?

You will need to contact your student for your password. MSU personnel do not have access to passwords. If your student has also forgotten the password they assigned to their guest, the student can re-establish a password for the guest in STUINFO.

I have tried to login to STUINFO multiple times unsuccessfully and now have been locked out of the system. What should I do?

If you are the student and you received the error message “Too Many Invalid Attempts”, you may call AIS's Help & Support at 517-353-4420 ext. 311, or email ais311@msu.edu to have your account unlocked. Normal Business hours are 7:45 AM - 5 PM, Eastern Standard Time, Monday – Friday.

Assistance for calls received outside normal business hours is covered by AIS Computer Operations staff after 5:00pm Monday - Friday and Saturday until 3:30pm by phone at (517) 353-4420, x311.

AIS is unattended from 3:30pm Saturday until 8:00pm Sunday and on University Holidays. During unattended hours, contact AIS by phone at (517) 353-4420, x311 and the AIS voice mail system will pickup and provide further instructions, including emergency contact information

If you are the guest and you receive the message “You have exceeded the maximum invalid attempts allowed for this MSU NetID, first name, and last name combination”, contact your student to unlock (“Login Reset”) your guest account in STUINFO under menu item On-line Guest Authorization. If you have forgotten your guest password, contact your student to have a new one assigned in STUINFO under menu item On-line Guest Authorization.

My parents do not have a computer at home. How can they receive a bill?

The student can print off a copy of the e-Bill and provide it to their parents. The bill in STUINFO has a Printer Friendly version.

What’s the difference between a Registration Bill and a Monthly Bill?

A Registration Bill is produced only once per semester for each enrolled student. If the Minimum Amount Due (MAD) is zero, or you do not plan to make any payment because you are anticipating financial aid to cover your costs, you MUST confirm your intention to become a registered student for the semester in STUINFO with menu item Confirm Attendance. If you do not confirm your attendance (or pay at least your MAD and/or clear your holds) your classes will be dropped.

A Monthly Bill is produced each month if there are new or unpaid charges on the student account. Failure to pay the Minimum Amount Due on a Monthly Bill will result in a $20 late fee for each month the charges go unpaid. If the Minimum Amount Due is zero on a Monthly Bill, you do not need to confirm attendance.

Why must attendance be confirmed if the MAD is zero?

Because students are allowed to enroll or make class reservations many months in advance of the semester starting, confirmation is required. Receipt of a payment confirms intention to attend the semester. If no payment is required, then the student MUST confirm their intention to attend the semester by clicking on the Confirm Attendance button when viewing the bill in STUINFO or by selecting the Confirm Attendance menu item in STUINFO. Failure to confirm attendance will result in classes being dropped.

What’s the difference between “Enrolled” and “Registered”?

Will I receive a new Registration Bill if I drop or add classes or receive late financial aid?

NO. You will NOT receive a revised Registration Bill. You may either pay the amount on your original bill (and wait for a subsequent monthly bill for the changes) or visit STUINFO for a revised Minimum Amount Due (MAD). If you have not responded to your Registration Bill, links are provided on the View Bill and Account Detail screen or you may call the Student Accounts Office for a revised balance or a revised minimum amount due (MAD).

I don’t feel comfortable paying a bill on-line. How can I pay the bill?

The e-Pay on-line service is safe and secure. Your data is encrypted by a 128 bit Secure Certificate at all times and is certified by Comodo. Paying on-line is much easier and convenient than paying by mail or in person and saves you time.

If you choose not to pay the bill electronically, the Payment Coupon that MUST accompany your payment can be obtained under STUINFO menu item Pay Bill, “Instructions to Mail Payments”. Cut and send the bottom portion of the page with a check, money order, traveler’s check or cashier’s check to:

What is an electronic check payment?

An electronic check payment is an electronic withdrawal from either a savings or checking account at any US bank or credit union. MSU does not charge for this type of payment. To process your electronic (ACH) payment the payer will need their bank’s 9-digit routing number (found on the bottom left corner of a check) and their account number. We do recommend you check with your banking institution for your actual account number. Payments rejected due to inaccurate account numbers are subject to a $20 bad check/ACH fee. A $50 late registration fee will also be assessed to a student whose registration check/ACH does not clear the bank when presented.

What credit cards does MSU accept?

MSU accepts MasterCard, American Express and Discover. Credit card payments can only be made on-line in STUINFO. They cannot be made in person, over the phone, or by mail.

Why doesn’t MSU accept Visa?

Michigan State University’s current practice is to charge a pro-rate convenience fee. Visa allows a flat fee but not a pro-rata convenience fee. As an example, a pro-rata fee schedule would charge a $5.00 convenience fee on a $200.00 transaction and $43.00 convenience fee on a $2000.00 transaction. Visa’s flat fee method would require the same $43.00 fee to be charged regardless of whether the transaction is a $200.00 or $2000.00 transaction. The current pro-rata method allows MSU to re-coup its cost of doing business while those customers who choose to pay with a credit card share this expense at an equal rate. Visa’s method of charging a convenience fee would disadvantage many credit card customers.

Why is MSU charging a fee for the use of my credit card?

Michigan State University charges a Convenience Fee to the cardholder for payments over the web for tuition, fees and other charges on the Student Account. This fee covers the costs of maintaining the Internet site as well as the administrative costs of processing the data. Payment of tuition & fees via credit cards over the web is intended to be a convenience for MSU students. With this payment method, students may make payments at any time of the day from any location.

The Convenience Fee is only charged to those students/guests using this particular technology for payment of Student Account charges. It is not equitable to expect these technology costs to be absorbed by all MSU students. Therefore, only those MSU students that are using credit cards over the Web are paying for this special technology.

Is there any way I can know how much the Convenience Fee is before I make my credit card payment?

Yes. The first credit card screen will ask you to enter your personal information (name, address, phone, email, etc.) and the card type (MasterCard, American Express or Discover). Once you have entered this information click on the Calculate Fee button. The next screen will display the Convenience Fee. After viewing the fee you may proceed with the payment by clicking Submit or cancel the transaction by clicking Cancel. Once the transaction has been processed the fee cannot be reversed. Convenience fees are non-refundable.

Is there any way I can avoid paying a Convenience Fee?

Use of the credit card over the web for payment of Student Account charges is an additional customer service provided to anyone who is interested. Students are not required to use this method of payment. They may make an electronic check/ACH payment (automatic debit to their bank account) at no additional charge. MSU students are also welcome to pay the charges on their Student Account with the traditional payment methods of cash, check, or money order.

Can I make a credit card payment over the phone?

Unfortunately, the Student Accounts Office cannot accept credit cards at the counter, over the phone, or by mail. Credit card payments can only be made in STUINFO (a Web-based system). Payment via credit cards is intended to be a convenience for MSU students. With this payment method, students can make payments at any time of the day from any location.

When will I see the electronic payment post to the student account?

The daily payment cut-off time is 6 PM Eastern Time. Any payments made after 6PM will be processed on the next business day. (For example, a payment made on Monday at 7:00 PM will be processed Tuesday night and reflected on the student Account Detail screen on Wednesday morning.) Any payments made after 6 PM Friday will be processed at the end of the business day on Monday and reflected on the student Account Detail screen in STUINFO on Tuesday morning.

Does MSU accept e-Payments from non-United States bank accounts?

No. Any e-Payments must be made from a U.S. bank account. We are unable to accept payments from foreign bank accounts.

Often I receive checks from my credit card company. Can I use the routing number and account number on these checks to make an electronic check (ACH) payment?

No. The credit card companies will not honor checks used electronically. The payment will be returned as "Account Not Found" and the student's MSU account will be charged NSF/ACH penalties. You may use these checks through the mail only. Send mail payments accompanied by the Payment Coupon to the address below. Always include the student's PID number on the check. The Payment Coupon is located in STUINFO under menu item Pay Bill, option Instruction to Mail Payment.

I would like to send a Wire Transfer. What information do I need?

Wire transfers should be sent to the University's bank, LaSalle Bank, 2600 W. Big Beaver Rd, Troy, MI 48084, marked "for the account of the Board of Trustees, Michigan State University." The indicated ABA routing number should be 0720-0080-5. The MSU account number should be listed as 1935-218139. The sending party must provide detailed information (name, student number, etc.) to enable MSU Cashier's Office to accurately deposit funds. If the wire is originating from outside the United States, the Swift Code is MICH US 33.

Please email the Cashier's Office to inform them that you are sending a wire. In your email, include: 1) your name and PID, 2) the amount you are sending, 3) where the wire is originating from and 4) that the wire is intended for your Student Account. Transfers coming from outside the United States may take as long as 10-15 business days to be credited to the University's bank account.

It is also the sending parties’ responsibility to include enough funds in their transfer to cover all fees associated with the wire transfer.

I need to send my payment overnight. What address should I use?

NEVER SEND AN OVERNIGHT PAYMENT TO THE P.O. BOX. Print the bill coupon from STUINFO under menu item Pay Bill, option Instructions to Mail Payment, cut where indicated and send the payment coupon along with payment to:

Are there additional fees if I only pay the Minimum Amount Due?

Yes. If you pay the Minimum Amount Due, (or any amount above the Minimum Amount Due, but less than the Account Balance), a payment plan will be set up on your account. There is a $10 payment plan fee per semester and there is a 1% per month interest charge on outstanding tuition and tuition related charges. For more information, see the next question regarding payment plans.

Does the University offer any payment plans?

Yes, MSU offers a deferred payment plan to help students and families finance educational costs. The deferred payment plan allows students to defer up to one-half (50%) of tuition, matriculation fees, energy fee and any program fees (if applicable); and up to two-thirds (66%) of residence hall charges. You can opt for the deferred payment plan simply by paying the Minimum Amount Due (MAD) or by paying at least the MAD, but less than the Adjusted Account Balance on the Registration Bill. Deferred amounts are usually payable in two installments. The costs associated with this plan are as follows:

1. A $10.00 payment plan fee per semester (charged when the student becomes registered).
2. A 1% per month charge (12% Annual Percentage Rate) on the outstanding tuition and tuition related charges.

The deferred FALL payments are due the first business day of October and November. For SPRING semester, the deferred payments are due the first business day of March and April.

For more information, please refer to our web site by clicking on Student Accounts located on the side menu of this page.

What do I need to do if my employer or some other agency is paying my tuition?

You should submit your voucher or billing authorization paperwork to Student Fees, Sponsored Aid & Fellowships (140 Administration, East Lansing, MI 48824). Send Ford vouchers to Financial Aid (252 Student Services Bldg., East Lansing, MI 48824). Michigan State University currently charges an invoice processing fee to your sponsor. Unfortunately some sponsors have been reluctant to pay the fee. If your sponsor refuses to pay the fee Michigan State University reserves the right to place a $5.00 fee on your Student Account. Questions, call 517-355-5050.

Can I send multiple students’ payments on one check?

NO. Each account must be paid with a separate check or money order and corresponding payment coupon. Paying multiple accounts with one check or money order will result in the payment being applied to only one account and a possible drop of classes or additional fees charged to the other accounts.

Can I send a postdated check?

NO. The check will be processed as normal regardless of the date.

What happens if I don’t pay my bill on time?

If you do not pay your Registration Bill by the due date, you risk being charged a Late Registration Fee of up to $50 and possible dis-enrollment. If you do not pay your monthly bill by the due date, you will be charged a $20 late payment fee on a monthly basis until the balance has been paid. In addition, interest will continue to accrue on your unpaid tuition balance if you have a tuition deferment. You will also be held from future enrollment, registration, and from obtaining a transcript and diploma until the debt has been paid.

Could the dropping and adding of classes affect my financial aid?

YES. Financial aid may be affected when class schedules are changed. If you change your schedule you may want to call the Office of Financial Aid. For more information of requirements by aid type, refer to the Financial Aid web site, Enrollment Effects on Financial Aid.

Should I send my scholarship checks along with my tuition check to the Student Accounts Office?

No. Scholarship checks need to be sent directly to the Office of Financial Aid. (252 Student Services Bldg., East Lansing, MI 48824). If the check is made out to you and the University, sign the check before forwarding the check to Financial Aid.

Why is my scholarship not showing on my bill?

If you have a scholarship from a private donor, you must notify the Office of Financial Aid of the source and amount. They will put it in your aid package. However, the funds will not be applied to your bill until the check is received from your donor.

How are loans paid to my Student Account?

If you have accepted your loan(s) with MSU and completed an on-line promissory note (first-time borrowers) or completed the web acceptance only (previous borrowers) prior to the billing date, a credit for this loan will appear on your bill as Anticipated Financial Aid. If you enroll at least half-time, the loan will disburse (pay) to your account ten days prior to the start of classes. Any excess funds will be refunded to you during the week prior to classes.

Why is my Federal Loan showing up as Anticipated Financial Aid on my Registration Bill?

This could be because you have not completed your on-line promissory and web acceptance note (first-time borrowers) or completed your web acceptance (previous borrowers), or it could be more than ten days prior to the start of classes. Federal regulations prohibit actual payment of a loan more than ten days before classes begin. Thus, most students who enroll and are billed promptly will have Anticipated Financial Aid on their bills, since bills are produced nearly six weeks before the start of classes.

Why isn’t Anticipated Financial Aid showing on my Registration Bill for my Parent PLUS loan?

A parent PLUS loan will not create a temporary transaction until the Office of Financial Aid has received a signed promissory note from your parent(s) AND also received an approval on the credit check from the loan provider. Credit checks take five to seven business days to process once the loan servicer receives the signed promissory note.

Which financial aid awards pay for my different kinds of educational expenses? For example, does my loan pay for tuition and does my scholarship pay for books?

Most financial aid awards are not designated to pay for specific charges. Aid is applied until all the charges are covered, without regard to the types of charges you have. If you have an award which only pays certain charges (for example, a state or private scholarship), you will be notified when the award is made.

Where do I send GM or Ford vouchers?

Send GM vouchers to Student Fees, Sponsored Aid & Fellowships (140 Administration, East Lansing, MI 48824). Send Ford vouchers to Office of Financial Aid (252 Student Services Bldg., East Lansing, MI 48824).

Can I have the MESP payment sent directly to the University?

Yes. When initiating the payment ensure with your processor that the student’s number will be written on the check. Checks received without the student number are unidentifiable and may take longer to be processed. It is the parent’s/student’s responsibility to see that the MESP payment is received by MSU before your bill due date to avoid additional fees and possible disenrollment.

I’ve been awarded funds for the Computer Requirement. How will I receive the award?

All financial aid funds, including increases for computer cost, are applied to the Student Account at the normal time of disbursement (ten days before classes begin). Only financial aid that exceeds the charges on the bill (tuition, fees, housing, etc.) will be refunded to the student. Please note that this means there will be no refund in cases where University charges equal or exceed the total financial aid.

For more information, please visit the Financial Aid web site.

How often are credit balances refunded?

Refunds are processed daily for all eligible registered students during a two week period beginning the week before the start of classes, and processed on a weekly basis thereafter. Refunds will be issued in either check format or directly deposited into the checking or savings account of your choice. Emails are sent to students who receive a Direct Deposit refund.

Refund checks will be mailed to the student’s local mailing address. ALWAYS BE SURE TO KEEP THE UNIVERSITY INFORMED OF YOUR MOST CURRENT ADDRESS SO THAT YOUR REFUND CHECK WILL BE MAILED TO THE CORRECT LOCATION. 

Refunds that have been processed can be viewed in STUINFO under menu item Student Account, option Refund Status or Account Detail.

How do I enroll in Direct Deposit?

Enrolling in our Direct Deposit program is easy! Simply go to STUINFO and click on Direct Deposit Enrollment under the Student Account Section. You will need your bank account number and routing number.

For more information regarding Direct Deposit, click on the Student Accounts tab to the left of the page. From the Student Accounts page select Direct Deposit Refund Program.

What is a HOLD and how do I remove one from my Student Account?

Holds are placed on an account when University charges are not paid by the due date. A hold may prevent registration, future enrollment and release of a transcript and diploma until the debt is paid. To remove the hold from your Student Account, you must pay the debt to the imposing department.

What is a Matriculation Fee?

A matriculation fee is charged to all degree earning students to cover institutional support costs that are somewhat fixed, regardless of the number of credits or location of the course. The fee covers the costs of services available to students such as libraries, counseling center, career placement center, administrative support, computer labs, STUINFO, e-mail and overall infrastructure maintenance of the university.

Will MSU send tax information to assist me in filing for the federal Education Tax Credit?

Yes. A 1098-T Form will be mailed to the student’s permanent address in late January. If you lose your statement you may reprint the 1098-T tax statement from STUINFO. For more information regarding the Federal Hope and Lifetime Learning Education tax credits, go to Student Accounts on the left menu item of this page.