Navigating Tuition Payment Options at the University of Wisconsin

Paying for college can be a daunting task. The University of Wisconsin offers a variety of tuition payment options to help students and their families manage educational expenses. This article provides a comprehensive overview of these options, ensuring a smooth and stress-free payment process.

Understanding Your Tuition Account

Before exploring payment methods, it's crucial to understand how payments and financial aid are applied to your account. Payments are applied to charges based on their due dates. Charges with the same due date are paid in the following order: tuition and related university fees first, followed by other charges. When paying in person at the Student Fiscal Services Office, you can request that a payment be applied to a specific charge.

If a late payment fee has been assessed, financial aid cannot be used to cover it, and a separate payment will be necessary.

A "CR" on your balance indicates a credit; in such cases, contact Student Fiscal Services for a refund and do not make any payments.

Student Fiscal Services only accepts payments for tuition and fees for the current academic quarters. Due to banking regulations, overpayments may be rejected and returned, even if intended for books, housing, or other living expenses.

Payment Methods

The University of Wisconsin provides multiple avenues for settling tuition bills, each with its own set of instructions and potential fees.

1. Web Check Payment (E-Check/ACH)

This secure and convenient payment method allows you to pay tuition and related charges online using your checking or savings account. A Web Check payment results in an electronic debit of your bank account. It is important to verify that your bank allows electronic debiting before attempting to make a webcheck payment. After the Web Check payment has been posted to your student account, it will be sent to your bank for processing. Depending on your bank, the transaction could take from 1-10 business days to be deducted from your bank account. Before submitting payment, verify your account and routing number, amount and type of account are correct. Once payment has been submitted, UW cannot cancel/edit the payment under any circumstances.

Who Can Use It: Students and parents.
How It Works: You'll need your UW student ID, bank routing number, and bank account number. Valid routing numbers usually begin with the first two digits of 01-12, 21-32, or 61-72.
Fees: Typically, there is a non-refundable transactional fee of $0.50. At UWM, paying with E-CHECK has NO FEE!
Important Considerations: Ensure your bank allows electronic debits. Carefully verify your account and routing numbers to avoid rejection.

2. Credit and Debit Card Payments

The University of Wisconsin accepts major credit and debit cards online, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, JCB, Union Pay, BCcard, and DinaCard.

How It Works: Payments are processed through an external vendor, TouchNet PayPath, or Transact, available 24/7.
Fees: A non-refundable service fee is assessed for each transaction. Domestic cards are subject to a fee, and international credit cards may incur a higher fee. The service fee is displayed before completing the transaction. At UWM, Each PAWS online Credit Card AND Debit card transactions will be assessed a 2.85% non-refundable convenience fee and 4.25% if using an international card.
Important Considerations: The fee is non-refundable. UW cannot cancel the payment once it's made, even if there's an error in the amount. Credit card payments become eligible for refund 30 days after the payment date.Debit card holders should contact their bank to identify their routing and account numbers, and make use of the free Web Check payment option.

3. Paying in Person

While Student Fiscal Services personnel are available in-office for informational and document processing, options for in-person payments may be limited.

Accepted methods: Check payments are generally accepted.
Important Considerations: Payments must be received by the tuition due date. There are generally no options to make payment for tuition and related fees with a credit card in person.

4. International Student Payment Options

The University of Wisconsin partners with Flywire and Transact to simplify the payment process for international students.

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How It Works: Flywire allows you to pay online from banks and countries around the world, usually in your home currency. Transact, in partnership with TransferMate, provides the opportunity for students to make international payments directly through the student payment portal. Available payment options vary by country and are listed on the Transact portal.
Benefits: Pay with accounts in your home country, in your currency for most countries. Offers payment methods like bank transfer, credit cards and e-payments making the process familiar and easy for you. Avoid unnecessary bank fees and receive favorable foreign exchange rates. Track the progress of your payment anytime. Flywire maintains a Best Price Guarantee to ensure you receive a great exchange rate.
Important Considerations: Ensure that you include the UW student’s full name, student number, and invoice (if applicable) in the wire. International credit cards are subject to a fee per transaction.

5. Payment Plans (e.g., JacketPay)

Payment plans allow you to spread tuition payments over several months.

How It Works: Enroll in a monthly installment plan with automatic deductions.
Fees: A one-time enrollment fee may apply.
Eligibility: Check your E-Hive account for eligibility requirements. To enroll in JacketPay each semester, students must be eligible. To be eligible, all prior term balances must be paid in full.
Important Considerations: UW-Superior will no longer offer in-house payment plans.

6. 529/College Savings Plans

You can make electronic payments from your college savings account.

Benefits: Quick receipt of payment and real-time validation of account posting.
Fees: Some universities charge a processing fee.
How It Works: Pay with many 529 plans through SOLAR.

7. Paying by Check

Checks are a traditional method of payment, though less common with the rise of online options.

How It Works: Make your check payable to the University of Wisconsin. Be sure to include your seven-digit student number written clearly on the (front) of your check. If your name is not printed on the check, please write your name on the front so that your tuition account will be properly credited.
Important Considerations: Payments must be received by Student Fiscal Services by the tuition due date. To make a payment after hours, use the secure payment dropbox located outside of the Cashier’s Office. The after-hours dropbox accepts checks only. Personal checks must include a preprinted name and address.

8. Third Party Payments

If some or all of your tuition and fees will be paid by a qualified Third Party, the authorization guaranteeing payment of a specified amount of your tuition and fees must be received by the fee due date.

Important Considerations: Having a Third Party Authorization on file does not remove your responsibility to assure that all tuition and fees are paid. Third party agreements may impact your eligibility for financial aid.

9. Payroll Deduction

Payroll Deduction is a contractual benefit available to graduate appointments and is limited to Teaching, Project and Research Assistants, and Fellows Fall and Spring only.

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How It Works: Submit a Graduate Assistant and Fellowship Certification and Payroll Deduction Authorization form to the Student Financial Service Center no later than 4:00 PM on the relevant tuition due date.

Rejected Payments

Be aware of the consequences of rejected payments. If your payment is returned as unpaid by your bank for any reason, your student account will be assessed a returned item fee. 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
The account has been closed or frozen
The account is a non-transaction account
The bank does not participate in automated clearing house (ACH) transactions

At UWM, A $20.00 returned check fee may be assessed when a check (e-check or paper) is not paid by the bank on which it is drawn for reasons such as non-sufficient funds, refer to maker, missing signature, account closed etc. In addition, three or more failed payment attempts will result in an account hold that will stay in place for a minimum of one year from the last failed payment to prevent future enrollment and refunds. The replacement payment for a returned check should be in the form of a cashiers check, money order, debit or credit card, or cash - not a personal check.

Financial Aid

Financial aid can significantly offset tuition costs. Awarded financial aid will begin to post to student accounts ten days before the official start of the semester. Financial aid is credited toward your tuition, fees, room and meal plan charges. If you wish to have any excess aid pay other allowable charges on PAWS, you must sign a Student Financial Aid Authorization Form (see Student Account Online Forms). You are responsible for paying any portion of your tuition not covered by your financial aid by the fee due date to avoid late payment fees or finance charges.

Having a financial aid award package visible on PAWS does not remove your responsibility to assure that the funds are paid to your student account by the fee due date.

Most financial aid types will be credited directly to the student’s bill, including direct loans, grants and foundation scholarships. A refund will be issued for any amount of aid that exceeds the student’s charges. Financial aid that cannot be applied directly to the student’s account must be signed at the Cashier’s Office and applied to the student’s account by the billing deadline to avoid the late payment fee.

Important Reminders

Deadlines: Pay attention to tuition due dates, as failure to pay by the deadline may result in late fees and holds on your account. Tuition and fees are due on the date indicated on your PAWS account regardless of the class start date.
Account Access: Regularly check your PAWS account for the correct amount due and due dates.
Terms and Conditions: All students are required to sign a University Terms and Conditions Agreement.
Holds: In order to enroll in classes as a current student, your student account must be under the required threshold. This hold also restricts future enrollment and other campus services.
Withdrawal: Students who do not plan on attending classes after registration must drop their courses on PAWS and withdraw from the university.

Navigating PAWS (Panther Access to Web Services)

PAWS is the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's online portal for students. It's your go-to resource for managing your student account and making payments.

Accessing Your Account: Log into PAWS and click on the Terms and Conditions Agreement link located in the Finances section of your PAWS Student Center (Home Page).
Payment Options: PAWS charges may be paid online through your PAWS account.
Designated Access: Students may want to grant another party such as a parent or guardian access to pay their bill online. In order to comply with FERPA requirements, a student would need to grant access to their record within PAWS by creating a Designate Access account. A student may have up to three designate accounts.

Late Payment Consequences

Failure to pay charges by the due date may result in late fees, finance charges and a hold placed on your account.

Payment Plans for Past Due Balances

UWM provides optional Payment Plans that allows current students/authorized payers to spread payment of anticipated tuition and mandatory fees, room, and board expenses into installments for the Fall and Spring semesters. Past Due payment plans are also now available via the Payment Center on PAWS.

Eligibility: Eligibility applies.
Important Considerations: If there are additional charges or credits to your student account after you set up the payment plan, your account will be rebalanced accordingly at the next scheduled daily rebalance. However, if an unscheduled cancellation or out of pocket payment is made, you are responsible for checking your account to ensure it rebalanced properly. You will also not be able eligible to enroll for a current student payment plan in the next term if your past due balance is $1500.00 or greater.
Enrollment: Enroll in a Past Due Payment Plan: Log in to your PAWS Account, click on Payment Center and enroll in an online self-service payment plan with options up to 36 months (min bal > $400).

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