Frequently Asked Questions

Click on the title of each section to view the answer to the Frequently Asked Questions.

General Questions

How do I get information to present to my employer for reimbursement?
Where can I cash a check from Illinois State University?
What is my student ID number?
How do I pay for my textbooks?

Billing Questions

How do I make a payment?
Are the housing, meal and and tuition charges on the same bill?
Where are my bills sent to?
How do I access my account balance?
Can I pay my bill with a credit card?
What happens if my payment is late or my account is overdue in payment?
If I did not make a payment on time because I did not receive the bill, do I need to pay the Late fee?

Tuition Questions

How much do tuition and fees cost?
What are mandatory fees? Why do I need to pay mandatory fees?
Why do I need to pay the outreach fee?

Refund Questions

Why would I get issued a refund?
Will I be refunded if I withdraw from a course?
Will I be refunded if I withdraw from the university?
When will I get my refund?
Can my refunds be direct-deposited?
Can I pick up my refunds?

Financial Aid Questions

How is my financial aid applied to my charges?
My financial aid is not showing up on my account. What should I do?
Can I use next semester's financial aid to pay for this semester's charge?

Insurance Question

I have already been charged for the Student Health Insurance; however, I already have medical insurance through another carrier. What can I do about this?

Answers

General Questions:

How do I get information to present to my employer for reimbursement?

If you need to provide information to your employer for reimbursement, you can get this information online through your Student Account Service Center. Please follow the steps in the How To Guides for Tuition Reimbursement Requirements. The information gathered in these steps has been approved by State Farm Insurance for their employees.

Where can I cash a check from Illinois State University?

Students can cash checks at the Cashier's Office in the Student Accounts building or at the Bone Student Center. You can also cash personal checks, ISU Student Payroll, and ISU refund checks at these locations with a service charge. For personal checks, the maximum amount that can be cashed per day is $50. For refund checks, the maximum amount that can be cashed per day is $500.00.

What is my student ID number?

Your student ID number is the University Identification number (UID) that was assigned to you when you were admitted to the university. This is a 9-digit number that you can find on your Redbird Card. Additionally, each student is assigned a billing ID number that is 10 digits long, beginning with 1000. This number can be found in the top-right corner of your bill and is designated as an EMPL ID. Some departments that work with outside agencies may require your social security number in some situations.

How do I pay for my textbooks?

Illinois State University does not handle text books. You can purchase textbooks through either one of the two local bookstores or via the Internet.

Billing:

How do I make a payment?

Payment Method options:

Payment Methods through the Student Accounts Service Center
- Electronic Check – Students and Authorized Users can make payments electronically through their portal
- Credit Cards – Students and Authorized Users can make credit card payments electronically through their portal. Most credit cards are accepted and there is a convenience fee that will be charged.
By Mail – You can mail us a check or a money order. This may take a few business days to be received and processed. Please include student ID number.
- Regular mail - Send payment to: Illinois State University, Student Accounts, Campus Box 1210, Normal, IL 61790-1210
- By overnight/express mail - Send payment to: Illinois State University, Student Accounts, 605 W. Dry Grove St, Normal, IL 61761
In Person – You can go to the Student Accounts Building to make a payment. We accept cash, checks, money orders and debit card payments (pin required).
Drop Box – A drop box is located outside of the Student Accounts Building. You can place your payment in the drop box and it will be processed the next business day.
International Students can pay their account through Flywire by PeerTransfer at this link: www.peertransfer.com/school/ilstu

Are the housing fees and tuition on the same bill?

Yes. The University Housing charges, Meal plans, Tuition and Mandatory Fees are on the same billing statement. They are listed separately on the billing statement. You can view the details through your Student Accounts Service Center.

Where are my bills sent to?

Bills can be viewed online by Students and Authorized Users. For more guidance, please see our guide on How To View an Online Statement.

How can I access my account balance?

You can access your account balance through your online billing portal. Online Access is granted to Students and Authorized Users. To register someone as an Authorized User, view our guide on How To Set up an Authorized User. If you have questions you can contact our office at (309) 438-5643.

Can I pay my bill with a credit card?

Students and Authorized Users can make credit card payments electronically through their portal. Most credit cards are accepted and there is a convenience fee that will be charged.

What happens if my payment is late or my account is overdue in payment?

Delinquent accounts will incur late charges, prevent admission, prevent registration, hold transcripts from being released, and may incur collections efforts by the University.

If I did not make a payment on time because I did not receive the bill, do I need to pay the late fee?

Yes, you will still need to pay the late fee. Not receiving a bill is not a valid reason to avoid late charges or payment on the account. You can view your charges through your student portal. It is the student's responsibility to update addresses and to view the billing dates for each semester. This information can be found by referencing the information on our website.

Tuition:

How much do tuition and fees cost?

Tuition and mandatory fees are charged on a per credit hour rate for undergraduate or graduate students. Rates for undergraduate students will depend on when you started at Illinois State University. Please view the Tuition and Mandatory Fee Rates page.

What are mandatory fees? Why do I need to pay mandatory fees?

Mandatory fees are charged to all students registered for courses through Illinois State. Mandatory fees include general activity, athletic and service, Redbird Arena, Bone Student Center, campus enhancement, recreation facilities, Health Services, grant-in-aid and Student-to-Student Grant.

Why do I need to pay the outreach fee?

The fee may be charged instead of mandatory fees for special programs on a per credit hour rate.

Refunds:

Why would I get issued a refund?

A refund is generated when there is an excess of funds on the student account. This can happen from having more Financial Aid than charges or from a change in billing after the account has been paid in full. For more information, see below.

Will I be refunded if I withdraw from a course?

When you make any changes to your schedule, either changes in hours or withdrawing from the University, be sure to reference the Course and University Withdrawal policy for dates and charges that my be assessed to you. If the reduction in your hours will result in a refund, it will be direct deposited or mailed to you.

Will I be refunded if I withdraw from the university?

When you make any changes to your schedule, either changes in hours or withdrawing from the University, be sure to reference the University Registrar website and the Course and University Withdrawal policy for dates and charges that may be assessed to you. These can also be found in the Billing Brochure archives. Refunds are based on the charges assessed at the time of withdrawal and the amount of the payments received to that date. If the payment amount is greater than the charges, you will be issued a refund.

When will I get my refund?

Our office does refunds on a weekly basis and during the fall and spring semester the first refunds for the semester will be available the Friday prior to the start of classes. The student will be emailed at their Illinois State email address when a refund has been generated. Refunds are direct deposited or will have to be picked up in the Student Accounts office if you are not signed up for direct deposit. The Parent PLUS loan will be mailed to the parent address from the PLUS application unless released to the student.

Can my refund be direct-deposited?

Yes. See our How-To Guide on eRefunds (direct deposit) for instructions on how to sign up. Once set up, it takes 7 days for it to become active.

Can I pick up my refunds?

All refunds are direct deposited. If you did not sign up for direct deposit at least 7 days prior to your refund generating, it will be available for pick-up at the Student Accounts Office Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The earliest pick-up for your refund check will be the Friday following the email notification that a refund has been generated.

Financial Aid:

How is my financial aid applied to my charges?

Your financial aid for the school year will be applied to outstanding charges while accounting for any restrictions that may apply. Also be sure that you have signed yes on your Title IV with the Financial Aid Office so your aid can pay other miscellaneous charges on your account besides housing and registration charges.

My financial aid is not showing up on my account. What should I do?

Contact the Financial Aid Office at (309) 438-2231 or email at askfao@ilstu.edu.

Can I use next semester's financial aid to pay for this semester's charges?

No, you must clear your obligation with personal resources.

Student Insurance:

I have already been charged for Student Health Insurance; however, I already have medical insurance through another carrier. What can I do about this?

You must demonstrate equal coverage and complete a written application in the Student Insurance Office in the Student Services Building by the due date each semester. We strongly recommend you remain enrolled in this Plan because it can help close the gaps left by other coverage. Sometimes a family plan has restrictions which limit a student's access to care. The benefits offered by Illinois State are payable anywhere in the world and are designed to provide excellent coverage alone or in combination with other coverage.

For more information about Student Health Insurance, please call (309) 438-2515 or visit the Student Insurance website.