SOU Payment Policies

Payment Schedules

Pay in Full at the Beginning of the Term

Tuition is due upon registration for classes. Students are encouraged to pay all charges in full at the beginning of the term to avoid late fees or penalties.

SOU Revolving Charge Account Plan (RCA)

If a student does not pay in full by the due date, SOU automatically activates the RCA.

It is not a credit card, although the terms and conditions are similar:

Space your payments. Instead of paying in full at the onset of the term, students may pay only the first third of tuition, the first third of residence hall charges, and all other charges. The remainder of the account balance must be paid by the first day of the last month of the term: December 1 for fall, March 1 for winter, and June 1 for spring.
Pay a fee of $15, charged if tuition and housing are not paid by the required date in any given term.
Pay a 9% per annum interest.

If you receive grants, loans, or scholarships, you must use those funds to cover educational expenses. You may not be eligible to choose the Revolving Charge Account Plan unless your financial aid is insufficient to cover all tuition, fees, housing, and related expenses.

Be sure to read the Revolving Charge Account Plan Terms and Conditions. You are required to sign the terms and conditions of the plan prior to being able to access Banner Self-Service.

Avoid Late Fees or Other Collection Activity

The total-due or minimum-due amount is due the first Friday of the term of the the first week of classes. This means that at the beginning of the term, you must pay all past-due amounts, the first third of your assessed tuition plus any course fees, and the first third of your housing costs. Missing these or other payment deadlines could subject you to late fees and penalties.

Although we are reluctant to do so, SOU has the right to suspend the extension of credit and services; to withhold grade reports, transcripts, and graduation. The right to services may also be in jeopardy if students are in debt to any institution within the Oregon University System.

Students are strongly encouraged to contact the Raider Student Services 541.552.6600 studentservices@sou.edu prior to the beginning of class – and at any time during the term – if they know they will have difficulty meeting any payment deadlines.

If the full amount or the minimum due amount is not paid by the due date, late fees are assessed:

$25.00 flat fee on all late payments
$1.00 per day up to $100 per term on full-time students
$0.50 per day up to $50 per term on part-time students

Find Out What You Owe

When you sign up for classes, you are assessed current tuition and fees. If you are living in the residence halls, you should request a list of fees and payment schedules from the hall staff.

If someone other than you is helping to pay your tuition and fees, you must arrange to keep them informed. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, as amended, prevents Southern Oregon University from discussing your student account with anyone except you – unless we have written consent on file. If you have questions regarding FERPA, contact the Raider Student Services at 541.552.6600 .

SOU no longer generates paper statements. An email is sent to your SOU email account on or about the 10th of the month when your eBill is available for viewing. Check your Inside SOU account for the most recent statement, and to view charges and payments.

The university provided email account is the official means of communication. Please make sure to check your university email for announcements.

Important Dates and Deadlines

Important: Payment is due the end of the first week of class. If you register before the first billing of the term (around the 10th of the month), your billing will reflect those charges. If you register or make changes to your registration after the first billing of the term, your billing will not show that activity. Watch for these changes by checking your account via InsideSOU.

Use InsideSOU at any time to check your account and review charges and payments. Select the Student & Registration Tools link and then the Account Detail link.

Winter 2024

First Billing – December 10
Classes Begin – January 8
Fee Payment – January 8 – January 12
Last Day to Pay Minimum Due – January 12
Late Fees Begin – January 13
Last day for 100% Tuition Credit – January 22
Final term payment due – March 1

Spring 2024

First Billing – March 10
Classes Begin – April 1
Fee Payment – April 1 – April 5
Last Day to Pay Minimum Due – April 5
Late Fees Begin – April 6
Last day for 100% Tuition Credit – April 15
Final term payment due – June 1

Note: There are times when InsideSOU may be unavailable. For your own protection, be sure to complete any drop/add activities by the close of the business day on Friday. Appeals will be denied to students who are unable to access InsideSOU on the weekend due to system maintenance.

Keep your billing address current. You can change your billing address online through InsideSOU (“Personal Information” on the Student & Registration Tools link).

Check Acceptance

We cannot accept personal or third-party checks if they exceed tuition, fees, and charges by more than $50.00. A $29.00 fee is assessed for any check returned by your bank, and the return of more than two checks may revoke your check- writing privileges.

Financial Aid and Sponsoring Agencies

The majority of students attending SOU receive some form of financial aid. We encourage you to stay in close touch with the Raider Student Services about filing deadlines and your aid status. If you are awarded financial aid, you will be notified by the Financial Aid Office via an award letter, which you must sign and return. The annual financial aid is packaged in thirds and credited directly to your account each term if you are enrolled in the appropriate number of hours.

Assistance from financial aid or a sponsoring agency may not be as much as expected. Students are still liable for all charges they incur. Should problems arise, please see an associate in the Raider Student Services. Special terms and conditions apply to sponsoring agency agreements. For example, students must provide the Raider Student Services with a written authorization or commitment to pay from the sponsoring agency.

Financial Aid is usually disbursed the Monday before the term begins (see financial aid disbursement). Any loan proceeds or other financial aid is first applied to tuition, fees, and other charges before the remaining balance is released to the student.

Withdrawal and Tuition/Fee Credits Eligibility

If you must withdraw from a class or classes, you may be eligible for a credit, but specific rules apply:

You must withdraw during the refund period as noted in the Academic Calendar.
You must drop your class or classes through InsideSOU, or by emailing Raider Student Services at studentservices@sou.edu.
Your withdrawal date is the date you drop your class or classes or the date the ESC receives your official notification via email; you are liable for tuition for the class or classes until that date. Any monetary credit to your account that results from your withdrawal is calculated from the date of receipt of the withdrawal, not from the date you stopped attending class or classes.
Any tuition credit due must first be applied to all debts owed to SOU, or financial aid programs. The application of refunds to financial aid programs is a complex process governed by federal law. Contact the ESC for further information at 541-552-6600.
After the refund period, you are responsible for 100% of tuition and fees.
To be eligible for a 100% tuition credit, you must drop your class or classes by the date listed on the Academic Calendar. Failure to do so will result in tuition charges.
Caution: If you withdraw from classes and you have received financial aid, you may be required to repay some or all of that aid. If you are considering complete withdrawal, it is critical that you read about the implications for complete withdrawal.
A refund is issued to the student after application of the credit to any and all charges remaining on an account or due back to financial aid programs. This procedure may take up to six weeks after partial or complete withdrawal.

Refund Schedule

Dates for complete or partial refunds are noted on the Academic Calendar.

Important: If you are receiving financial aid and you completely withdraw after classes have started, you may owe additional money. Be sure to read about the financial implications of complete withdrawal.

Appeals

Students who feel their special circumstances warrant consideration may appeal the procedures defined above by filing an academic appeal.

Questions?

Contact Raider Student Services, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm to 4 pm, Pacific Time in person, by phone at 541.552.6600 or by E-mail at studentservices@sou.edu .

*Hours subject to change during breaks and holidays.