But a college bill also has some unique elements. Unlike many other bills, you have different kinds of charges like tuition, housing, and special fees. You also have multiple payment sources feeding into your account, which can add complexity.
This makes it essential to get to know your Azusa Pacific University bill and the elements inside. Empowered with this knowledge, you may find ways to save or enhance the value of the return. Here’s what you need to know.
Getting to Know Your APU Bill
APU works hard to make your bill simple to understand so there are no surprises when you’re paying for college. The first elements to identify when you open the bill are the “due date” and “balance due.” Your due date is at the top of the bill under your student ID. You’ll find the balance due toward the middle of the page on the right-hand side.
Seven more elements on your bill to understand are:
- Your student ID: This number is the quickest way for the university to identify and help you. It’s a good number to memorize or keep on hand. If not, you’ll always find it at the top of your latest bill.
- Payment methods: In this section of the bill, just under the student ID and due date, you’ll find the payment methods APU accepts. The simplest way to pay your bill is to do so online using CASHNet.
- Your mailing address: Below the payment methods, you’ll see your mailing address. If this address is incorrect, log on to your APU profile to correct it. Next to your address, you’ll see the address for the APU Cashier. If you’d rather mail in your payment, you can send it to that address.
- Balance due breakdown: You’ll see four due dates in this section, each on the first of the semester’s four months. Your balance should be divided evenly between those four due dates. Just realize that those installment amounts may change as new charges are added to your account or incoming financial aid lowers the total.
- Transaction list: This lists all of your transactions from the current semester. When you see “prior term,” that’s the sum of all charges for previous semesters. Note that if an adjustment is made to the prior semester, you won’t find it in this list. Instead, it will be included in the “Prior Term Balance Forward.”
- Pending financial aid: Under the transaction list, you can review your pending financial aid and loans. Your bill will reflect your financial aid shortly after Sept. 15 once it’s disbursed. You won’t see outside aid reflected until the university receives it.
- Monthly reminders: Make sure to review the important monthly reminders and contact information in the blue box at the bottom of your bill.
Common Terms on Your Bill
The terms you’ll find in your bill matter when you’re paying for college. Not only is it important to know what you’re paying for, but each cost may have specific ramifications for your financial aid.
- Tuition: This is what you owe for the courses you take. It’s calculated based on a per-unit cost and is per semester. For students with between 12 and 18 hours of courses, tuition will be $20,825 a semester for the 2022–23 school year.
- Fees: You’ll usually have a number of fees on your bill, which are costs on top of your tuition. Sometimes they’re connected to specific classes. Other times, they’re broader student fees you’ll need to pay regardless of your specific course load.
- Dining plan: These are costs associated with the on-campus meal plans.
- Housing: If you live on campus, you’ll see a charge related to this expense on your bill. Your APU bill will note your specific housing location as well.
Want more information about paying for college costs at APU? Check out our Net Price Calculator so you know what to expect.