Frequently Asked Questions

Textbooks are considered an out-of-pocket expense and are not billable through Illinois State University. You can purchase textbooks at either of our two local bookstores on campus, Barnes & Noble and Alamo II, or online at a site of your choosing.

We recommend that student’s sign up sponsoring parties as an Authorized User. This grants online access to the financial part of the student account, ability to view the eBill statement, and make online payments. This also allows the Student Accounts Office staff permission to speak with the Authorized User about account information.

Authorized User information is confidential. Payment methods saved under the Authorized User are not viewable on the student's portal. If there are multiple Authorized Users on an account, they can not see any information regarding other users.

For instructions on becoming an Authorized User, visit our How-To Sign up an Authorized User guide.
For guidance navigating the online billing portal as an Authorized User, visit our comprehensive list of How-To Guides.

A student health insurance fee is automatically assessed to all students who register for 9 or more credit hours during the fall and spring semesters or 6 or more credit hours during the summer semester. This fee is included in the mandatory fees charge on the billing statement and can be seen itemized on the student’s online billing portal. 

This world-wide health insurance plan is designed to provide excellent coverage whether you are enrolled in another insurance plan or not. Please contact Student Health Insurance Office at (309) 438-2515 or visit the Student Health Insurance web site for more information.

Insurance Reduction
Students who are assessed the student insurance fee can apply for a waiver. This waiver must be completed each semester you want to waive student insurance. The waiver application and semester deadlines are listed on the Student Health Insurance web site

The Financial Responsibility Agreement (FRA) is an acknowledgement of responsibility for payment in full of all charges accrued for the semester the agreement is signed for. These charges include student account charges for tuition and fees as outlined in the University’s Billing Brochure, late charges, and any additional costs which may be incurred by the University in collection of these debts.

Students must complete the Financial Responsibility Agreement each semester prior to registering.  If this is not completed, you will see a hold on your My.IllinoisState account. To complete the Financial Responsibility Agreement, visit your To Do List, or follow our How-To Guide for the FRA

There are different types of holds that may limit various permissions, such as registering for classes. Check your Holds in My.IllinoisState to learn more information about the hold and which university department assigned it.

There are three kinds of Student Accounts holds in addition to the Financial Responsibility hold detailed above:

Past Due – No ISU Transcript
This hold does not block your registration. The hold prevents you from requesting an official copy of your grades from Illinois State University until your account is paid in full (or up-to-date if currently enrolled). Visit your online billing portal to review your balance and make a payment.

Past Due – No Registration
This hold does block your registration. Visit your online billing portal to review your balance and make a payment. The hold will be released the day after your payment posts. Please call or visit Student Accounts if you need the hold released the same day.

Return Check or E-check Revoked
If a check does not go through, regardless of reason, there will be a hold placed on the account. For more information, please review our E-Check Policy.

If you are needing information on charges, payments or grades to give to an employer, it is available through your online billing portal and your Student Service Center. Follow the steps in the How-To Guide for Tuition Reimbursement Requirements to ensure you have everything you need.

The information gathered in these steps has been approved by State Farm Insurance for their employees.

Students can cash checks at the Cashier’s Office in the Student Accounts Building. The Cashier’s Office handles personal checks, ISU Student Payroll checks, and ISU refund checks. For more information, visit the Cashier’s Office website.

Mandatory fees are a portion of the cost of attendance to cover administrative costs of having services available to all students, whether or not they opt to take advantage of the services. View the Explanation of Mandatory Fees page for information regarding the specific fees included.

Depending on your tuition rate table, some students that are taking special programs may be assessed outreach - fcr fees per semester hour instead of mandatory fees. See individual tuition tables for rates.

The outreach fee covers costs associated with the various methods of delivering online/off-campus instruction. It is charged based on a per-credit hour rate.

Bills can be viewed online by students and Authorized Users. Paper statements are not mailed out.

For more information, please view the online guide for How to View and Online Statement.

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 the online guide for How to Set Up an Authorized User.

Students can log in through the Finances tab in My.IllinoisState by scrolling down to the Student Accounts section and selecting “Pay/Review My Account”.

Authorized Users can log in through the Authorized User Login button on the Student Accounts Homepage.

Each semester, students have the option of paying in full or utilizing a payment plan. Payments may be made online, through the mail, or in-person at the Student Accounts Office. For more information, view Payment Options.

For How-To Guides on making a payment through the billing portal, view How to Make an Installment Payment or How to Make an Individual Payment.

Yes, credit card payments are accepted online through the student billing portal. Most credit cards are accepted through PayPath. There is a convenience fee that will be charged by the processor for credit card payments

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

You should send your 529 checks to the Student Accounts Office.

Please visit Scholarships for information about scholarships and where to send checks.

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 page for dates and charges that may be assessed to you.

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.

The first refund for each semester is available on the Friday before classes start each semester. Refunds continue every Friday throughout the semester. Be sure all requirements in your To Do List are completed to ensure your financial aid disburses in a timely manner.

The earliest date for direct deposit or pickup for your refund check will be the Friday following the email notification that a refund has been generated. Be sure to sign up for eRefunds to avoid the line!

Refunds made payable to the student are available for direct deposit or pickup in our office. Parent PLUS loan refunds made payable to the borrower will be mailed to the address used on the loan application. For more information, visit our Refunds page.

Parent PLUS loan refunds are made payable to the borrower and mailed to the address used on the loan application unless you elected to release excess funds to the student. For more information, visit our Refunds page.

Check your To Do List on My.IllinoisState to verify all requirements are completed. You may also contact the Financial Aid Office at (309) 438-2231 or by email at FinancialAid@IllinoisState.edu.

No, financial aid processed through Illinois State will only apply to the semester it is assigned to. Any remaining charges for the current semester must be cleared through personal resources and/or private loans.