http://www.jmu.edu/ubo

http://www.jmu.edu/ubo

http://www.jmu.edu/finaid/directloans.shtml

James Madison University - Index

James Madison University - Madison Family Connection Summer 2009 - Index

The student
account
bill 101
You’ve been dreaming, planning and saving for years, anticipating with pride
the day your son or daughter arrives on campus to start their college career.
While you may be the one funding this “major life event,” there are important
things to know about how student financial accounts are handled at JMU.
Student bills are the
legal responsibility
and property of
the student. Your
child controls who
has access to his or her
financial account and they
are personally liable if the
account is not paid. The
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of
1974 (FERPA) assures the privacy of student
records and therefore, because the account is
listed in the student’s name, he or she become
legally responsible for the account. Don’t worry
– we have 3 quick tips to help both you and your
child through this process.
Tip #1
Get to know QuikBILL
JMU student accounts operate through an electronic
billing system called “QuikBILL.” Student
account bills are not mailed. They are presented
electronically each semester. Students access their
bills through their eCampus account and it is their
responsibility to monitor the account for outstanding
balances and due dates. Don’t worry, JMU will
send them an email when the bill is ready to view
and place a reminder “hold” on their account if
there is a past due balance.
Tip #2
Become an Authorized Payer in QuikBILL
Your child can set you up in the QuikBILL system
as an “Authorized Payer” so that you have
access to their student financial account through
the University Business Office web site. As an
“AP,” you will also receive email notification each
time a new bill is processed and will have 24/7
access to your child’s student account “real-time”
activity. The JMU bill includes itemized charges,
the semester class schedule, balance due, due
date and, if applicable, any anticipated financial
aid, installment payment plan budget and Virginia
Prepaid Plan. There
is a PDF format of the bill
which can be easily printed
for your records. Remember
that only the student can set
up an Authorized Payer in
QuikBILL. JMU will walk
your child through the set
up process by phone, email
or at one of our computers if you send them to the
University Business Office.
Tip #3
What to expect if you are not an Authorized
Payer in QuikBILL
If you call the University Business Office to discuss
your child’s financial account and you are
not listed as an Authorized Payer in QuikBILL,
you will be asked for the JMU ID# or social security
number of the student. No information can
be given to you without one of these numbers and
you may be asked to verify additional information
such as birth date or home address. With
one of those two identifying numbers, we will be
able to give you basic information on the account,
however, we will not be able to discuss anything
considered confidential or mail you account information
or the 1098T tax form. Your child should
be happy to take a few minutes and set you up in
QuikBILL the first time registration is blocked
because of an unpaid balance.
All kidding aside, you can get detailed information
on QuikBILL, including payment
methods and due dates, in the JMU One Book,
on the University Business Office web site –
www.jmu.edu/ubo or at freshman orientation
this summer. M
Un i v e r s i t y Bu s i n e s s Of f i c e
Warren Hall, Room 302, MSC 3516
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
(540) 568-6505
Important
Financial
Information
The balance on all fall
semester student accounts is
due in full by Friday, Aug.
28, 2009.
If you intend to use financial
aid, your student must
have accepted any loans by
the payment due date. If you
plan on using the monthly
installment payment plan,
you must have a current
contract set up by the payment
due date.
The Commonwealth of
Virginia has mandated late
payment fees on delinquent
accounts. If your student
has an outstanding balance
without payment
arrangements, a late payment
fee will be applied to
the account that cannot be
waived.
For additional information
or assistance, please
contact The University
Business Office at (540)
568-6505, ubo@jmu.edu or
www.jmu.edu/ubo.
Direct Lending
(cont. from page 4)
the Financial Aid Office staff
conducted extensive research
to determine which program
would be in the best interest
of student and parent borrowers.
That research led to
the conclusion that the Direct
Loan Programs offer a better,
more affordable, product.
Instructions for how to apply
for a Federal Direct Loan
(subsidized and unsubsidized),
Federal Parent PLUS
Direct Loan, or Federal Grad
PLUS Direct Loan will be
provided with the financial
aid award notice.
Please go to www.jmu.edu/
finaid/directloans.shtml to
learn more about why JMU is
making this change.
summer 2009 5