Billing Frequently Asked Questions

1. The amount of financial aid I’m receiving exceeds my charges. When will I receive a refund?

Most loans and grants are disbursed after the end of the add/drop period each semester. All refund checks will be processed through Direct Deposit. To sign up for direct deposit, you will need to sign into your Banner Self-Service and click on Student Accounts then Refunds to add your bank account information. If you do not sign up for direct deposit, refund checks will be mailed to your home address. You are no longer be able to pick up your refund check in the Student Billing Office.

2. Why Direct Deposit of refund checks?

You have access to your money earlier because the deposit will be credited on the payment date, thereby eliminating any mail delays and the chance of a lost or stolen check.

3. The financial aid I’m receiving is not listed on my bill. What should I do?

If you have written notification of a grant, loan, or scholarship deduct the amount that will be received this semester and make a payment of any remaining balance.

4. I only recently applied for financial aid. What should I do with the bill?

If you have not received written notification of your financial aid, you must pay the balance due. If you have any questions concerning your financial aid, please contact the Financial Aid office at financialaid@commonwealthu.edu.

5. If I pay the bill now, can I still apply for financial aid?

Yes, even if you pay now, you can still apply for financial aid. If you receive financial aid after you have paid the student bill, you will receive a refund when your student account has a credit balance.

6. I’ve altered my original registration (e.g. dropped or added a course). Will my financial aid change?

Financial aid may change due to the change in the number of credits. Please contact the Financial Aid office at financialaid@commonwealthu.edu to discuss your concerns with a staff member.

7. I am going to receive a scholarship but it is not reflected on my invoice, what should I do?

If you have received written notification of the scholarship, you can deduct the amount from your invoice. If the second billing does not reflect payment of the scholarship, please check with the issuing agency to expedite payment to Commonwealth University.

1. Do you have any payment plan options?

Yes. Commonwealth University of PA offers the option to make tuition payments on a monthly basis through your Student Self-Service Student Account. For additional information, please visit our office page under Commonwealth University Payment Plan.

2. My employer is reimbursing me for my class, what should I do with the bill?

The student may apply to have 75% of the charges deferred until the end of the semester by submitting an Application for Deferment and having the employer submit the Employer Certification of Eligibility for Tuition Deferment to the Student Billing Office before the end of the drop/add period. The student should make payment for the non-deferred fees before class begins. If you have any questions, you can contact the Student Billing Office at 570-389-4013 or studentbilling@commonwealthu.edu.

3. How can I pay the balance on my account?

Payments can be made online by logging into My CommonwealthU using your CU ID & Password. Commonwealth University accepts MasterCard, VISA, Discover, American Express, Diners Club, JCB Card, China Union Pay Card, BC Card, and Dina Card. This service is offered through a third party vendor, TouchNet, who charges a 2.95% convenience fee for each payment made by credit/debit card. Payment can also be made online by electronic check (eCheck). The eCheck option is a fast and secure method to pay your account from any checking account. There is no fee to pay by eCheck. As always, payments of cash, checks, and money orders will still be accepted in the Student Billing Office. In an effort to make the payment process more convenient and to streamline business processes, credit/debit card payments will be accepted online only.

4. Is electronic payment available 24 hours a day?

Yes. Electronic payment options (eCheck and credit/debit cards) are available seven days a week 24-hours-a-day.

5. What credit cards do you accept?

MasterCard, VISA, Discover, American Express, Diners Club, JCB Card, China Union Pay Card, BC Card, and Dina Card.

6. What charges can be paid for online?

• Commonwealth University has 2 payment types:
  • Tuition, Fees, Housing, Meals and Flex
  • Admission Deposits

7. Why does Commonwealth University accept credit/debit cards for student account payments only over the Internet?

Unfortunately, the Student Billing Office cannot accept credit cards over the counter, over the phone, or by mail. Student account payments utilizing a credit card can only be made online in My CommonwealthU. This payment method is intended to be a convenience for Commonwealth University students and their families.

8. Can I wire money to Commonwealth University to pay my student account?

Yes. We have partnered with TransferMate to provide seamless International payments through your online student accounts. Log into Banner Self-Service and click on Student Accounts and Make a Payment, choose TransferMate from the dropdown menu and follow prompts.

Bank Wires: Bank wires may also be initiated through your online student account via our partnership with TransferMate. Log into Banner Self-Service and click on Student Accounts and Make a Payment, choose TransferMate in the dropdown menu and follow prompts to complete your transaction. Domestic wires may be completed this way by selecting the United States from the country menu.

9. I overpaid the balance on my account, how do I get a refund?

All excess payments will be processed as refunds through Direct Deposit. To sign up for direct deposit, you will need to sign into your Banner Self-Service and click on Student Accounts. From there, you’ll see the Refund option in the menu bar.  Add your account information here. If you do not sign up for direct deposit, refund checks will be mailed to your home address. You will no longer be able to pick up your check in the Student Billing Office.

10. What is FERPA?

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records, both financial and academic. For the student’s protection, FERPA limits release of student record information without the student’s explicit written consent; however, it also gives the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) the right to review those records if the parent(s)/guardian(s) claim the student as a dependent on their Federal Income Tax Return. Click here for the form - login required.

FERPA Explanation

1. There are no housing charges listed on my bill. What should I do?

• Depending on your campus, use the contact information below:
  • Bloomsburg Campus: 800-287-7543 or buhouse@commonwealthu.edu
  • Lock Haven Campus: 570-484-2317 or housing@lockhaven.edu
  • Mansfield Campus: 570-662-4934 or housing@mansfield.edu
  • Clearfield Campus: 570-484-2994 or stacey.horner@lhufoundation.org

2. There is no meal plan listed on my bill. What should I do?

Please refer to Dining Services Meal Plans & Flex web page for the most current information on meal plans and how to add them.  Meal plans may take some time to activate, so please plan accordingly.

3. When can I sign up for next semester’s meal plan?

You can sign up for next semester’s meal plan during the same period as scheduling. Fall meal plans will be reassigned for the Spring Semester unless you change or cancel it.

In order for your charges to be accurately reflected on your first billing statement, you should make sure you have signed up for the correct meal plan by the beginning of July for the fall semester and by the beginning of December for the Spring semester.  You can always sign up for a meal plan later, but your first billing will not reflect the correct charges.

4. How do I make a change to my meal plan?

Visit the Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield Housing pages for more information about making a change to your meal plan.

5. How do I add Flex Dollars to my account?

Visit the Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield Housing pages for more information about adding FLEX.

6. What happens to unused Flex Dollars on my account?

Flex dollars are non-refundable except when a student withdraws from the university during the semester. A $10 administrative fee will be charged to students withdrawing from Bloomsburg University and/or the flex program. Flex can be used during the fall and spring semesters only. Any balance remaining at the end of the spring semester is non-refundable, non-transferable and will be forfeited.

7. I am in a triple room, why am I being charged a double room rate? (Bloomsburg Campus only)

All students, whether doubled or tripled, will be billed at the same double room rate. A credit will be issued on the student’s account for the amount of time they were required to be tripled. Once a student moves out of the room, or chooses to decline the offer to detriple, the triple credit ends. The credit will be applied toward the outstanding balance for the current semester or applied to the next semester’s charges.

8. Will I get a refund check when I detriple? (Bloomsburg Campus only)

If, there are no charges on your account when the credit is applied, you will be issued a refund through our normal refund process.

9. If I am offered the opportunity to detriple, but choose to stay tripled, will I get a credit? (Bloomsburg Campus only)

The student will receive a credit for the time that they were required to be tripled. Once a student is offered the opportunity to detriple, and refuses, they will be billed at the double room rate for the remainder of the semester. The room charges will be prorated with a credit being applied to their account for the time that they were required to be tripled. The triple room charges are equal to 1/3 off the double room rate.

1. Will I be charged for my internship?

Yes. Credits related to internships are billed in the same manner as any other credit bearing course. Please reference the chart below for specifics:

2. I need a copy of my class schedule.

Class schedules can be found on Banner Student Self-Service and Student Class Schedule on the left hand menu.

3. I’ve been charged Non-PA tuition, but I think I qualify as a Pennsylvania resident. What should I do?

Students who would like to apply for Pennsylvania residency status for tuition purposes should contact The Office of the Registrar.

4. What are the extra fees on my bill?

More information about the fees on your bill.