Student Accounts - Frequently Asked Questions

     FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Is there a charge for an unpaid tuition balance?
   Yes. Unpaid balances will result in a penalty charge of 1-1/2% of the balance per month.
2. What are the Cashier's Office hours?
   The Cashier's Office is open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
3. Where do I make a name, address, or social security number change?
   All changes should be made with your Student Advisor or the Registrar's Office.
4. What happens when a check is returned NSF from the bank?
   Tuition and fee payments with NSF checks will result in cancellation of registration. There will also be a service charge.
5. How long do I have to set up a payment plan?
   All deferments must be processed by the end of the second week of class for the Fall and Spring semesters.
6. When paying by mail, what should be put on the check?
   The student's ID number must be put on all checks.
7. Where do I sign my Stafford Student Loan check?
   All Stafford Loan checks are sent by the banks to the Cashier's Office.
8. How do I find out if my loan check has been received by the Cashier'sOffice?
   Call the Loan Check Line at (412) 396-5562 or call the Student Accounts Information Line at (412)396-4301.
9. When is it necessary to schedule an Exit Interview with the Student Loan Office?
   Students who are graduating and have a National Direct Student Loan, Perkins Loan, Health Profession Loan, Nursing Loan, Gulf Loan, Powers Loan, Pittsburgh Communications Loan, Heinz Loan, Alcoa Loan, or Kerschgens Loan must schedule an Exit Interview with the Student Loan Office prior to the end of the semester. Failure to do so will result in withholding the student's transcripts.
10. What happens if I have an outstanding balance owed to the University?
    No transcripts or diplomas will be released if there is a balance owed to the University.
11. I paid my balance forward. Why is it still showing on my bill?
    The balance forward will show on your account until the end of each term. Any payments that you make are credited at the bottom of your bill.
12. Why is my financial aid missing from my bill?
    Financial aid will not be applied to your bill if you have not correctly completed and submitted all the necessary forms to the Financial Aid Office. Also, If you fail to sign and return to the Financial Aid Office the promissory notes for loans, such as the Perkins Student Loan, that credit will not appear on your account until the note is signed and returned to the Financial Aid Office.
13. How do I get a bookstore credit?
    The bookstore credit can be picked up in the Student Accounts Office. You must have a credit balance on your account to receive a bookstore credit.
14. When is my registration valid?
    Your registration is valid when you pay for your total charges in full or set up a deferment.
15. I applied for a Stafford Student Loan and it has been approved but the Cashier's Office has not yet received it. What should I do?
    A deferment can be processed using the Stafford Student Loan amount as part of the one-half down requirement for the deferment.
16. I have a credit balance on my account. Where can I apply for a refund?
    Refund forms can be obtained from the Student Accounts Office, Room 208 of the Administration Building, by calling (412) 396-6585 and a form will be mailed to you or you may print a refund form from our Student Accounts - Refund Form web page.
17. When does processing of refunds begin for each semester?
    Because of the necessity to verify the accuracy of enrollment and financial aid data, refunds cannot begin to be processed until the second week of each semester. All financial aid and registration problems must be resolved in order for a refund to be issued. Refunds requested because of a cash overpayment are generally processed the week after the payment resulting in the credit balance is made. If an overpayment is made on an account with a financial aid or registration problem, no refund can be issued until the problem is resolved.
18. When are refund checks available?
    Refund checks are processed each week and are available in the Student Accounts Office on Fridays between 12:00 pm and 3:30 pm. Checks not picked up by 3:30 pm are mailed to the address indicated on the refund form.