Answer

That depends. You received a message from our accounting team a couple of weeks ago explaining that everyone’s first payment in August would be $1,000. Many of you shared your concerns about this — especially if your monthly payments would be less than $1,000.

We listened to what you had to say and made a little adjustment:

Your first payment due at registration is either A) your estimated monthly payment or B) $1,000, whichever is less.

So how does this work?

We typically don’t know your exact charges or financial aid in August. So we’ll estimate them from your financial plan and calculate an estimated monthly payment.

• Let’s say your estimated monthly payment is less than $1,000, maybe $500. Then your payment due at registration would be $500.
• Maybe your estimated monthly payment comes out to be more than $1,000, let’s say $1750. Your payment due at registration will be $1,000. Simple, right?
• Keep in mind, this first payment due will be in addition to any balance carried over from the previous year. This amount needs to be paid as well.

Answer

We are introducing a new process designed to give you a clearer, more accurate picture of your charges each semester, making it easier for you to plan and manage your payments.

Starting in 2025-2026, here’s how your payment schedule will work:

• Your first payment will be due at registration (when classes begin) as described in the question above.
• When your charges for tuition, housing, etc., are applied to your account, Union will take your total charges and subtract all estimated financial aid FOR THE SEMESTER. This result will show the balance you owe for the current semester.
• We will then divide what you owe into four equal payments due on the 10th of September, October, November and December (or February, March, April and May for spring).
  
  Note: The monthly payment will adjust up and down during the semester if you add additional charges (such as increasing your meal plan) or get an extra scholarship (excellent surprise!).

Answer

Union has made some changes this year designed to provide clarity and consistency around your student account — and help ensure that you can effectively manage your payments.

First payment: Since the first payment is part of the Registration Checklist in the “Required Payments Current” item, it will be treated like the rest of the items on the checklist. Remember, you can complete nearly all checklist items online before arriving at Union.

• If the checklist is not completed by the first day of classes, you’ll begin receiving a reminder every time you log into Portal — including making the first payment.
• If any items are not completed by Census Day (September 10 for Fall 2025), then you will not be able to access Portal (including Canvas, the time clock, etc.) until you have completed all checklist items.

Note: Be sure to read the Portal reminder messages because they will give you specific instructions about what needs to be completed.

Subsequent payments: Making regular payments is an important part of your educational experience. Wait, now hear me out. Staying consistent means you’re not faced with a big balance at the end of the year. Plus, Union needs a strong financial foundation to be able to supply the great professors and other services and activities that provide the foundation for our amazing campus community. Also, by managing payments, you build valuable financial skills that will benefit you for life.

So here’s the process:

• After the initial payment noted above, subsequent monthly payments are due on the 10th of September, October, November, and December (or February, March, April, and May for spring). Be sure to check your statement for the latest amount.
• After the 15th of those months, your payment will be considered late, leading to the following:
  • Your account will be assessed a $25 late fee.
  • A bill stop will be placed on your account — meaning you won’t be able to register for classes in current or future terms.
  • Eight weeks after the bill stop goes into effect, you will not be able to access Portal (which includes Canvas, the time clock, etc) if the payment is not made.

Answer

If you anticipate challenges with payments, we can help you explore additional options for financial aid. Here are some things to think about:

• Has your family’s financial situation changed? The FAFSA looks at your financial situation from 2023, and a lot may have changed since then. Maybe a parent lost their job. Or maybe you turned 24 or got married and became independent. If so, Union’s financial aid advisors may be able to adjust your FAFSA. Click here to fill out a form for a change in income, and here for a change in dependency status.
• Have you taken out all your loans? No one wants to take student loans, but getting a college degree is an investment in your future earning potential. If you’re unsure about loans, a financial aid advisor can help you decide if taking loans is the right decision for you.

Other ways to find money for college:

• Matching scholarships: Union offers matching scholarships for working at summer camp, as a literature evangelist, serving as a student missionary or even working on campus in the summer. Learn more
• Campus work: Union pays $13.50/hour, and that will go up to $15/hour in January. That means you can earn up to $8,000 working on campus during the school year, which can significantly reduce your educational costs.
• Outside scholarships: Use ScholarshipUniverse to help find scholarship money from thousands of organizations around the country.
• Talk to your church: Many local churches and Adventist conferences provide scholarship funds for college. It never hurts to ask. 

Answer

If you submitted your FAFSA (studentaid.gov) and your Financial Aid Questionnaire (on Portal) by June 30, you have most likely received your financial aid plan by now through email. This will give you an outline of estimated costs and financial aid for the year. 

Union will automatically accept all Union and federal scholarships and grants (free money!) on your behalf, but you still need to accept any federal loans or state grants in order to have them applied to your account. 

To accept (or decline) your awards, visit Portal, click on the piggy bank icon, and select “To Do” from the menu at the top left corner of the screen. You will then be able to accept or decline your awards if available.

If you are accepting federal loans for the first time, you’ll also need to complete a Master Promissory Note and loan entrance counseling. These will also show up in your “To Do” list.

Completed these items quickly is the key to getting aid dispersed — helping you manage your student account more effectively. Also, please note that financial aid forms remain incomplete, you will receive a warning when you log into Portal. If you have not finished by September 10, access to Portal will be suspended until they are completed. 

Answer

Union is committed to making it easy for you to access information about your account and get help when you need it. Here are some examples of how we are making support more accessible for you:

• In person: The Financial Aid Office has moved to the fifth floor of the Everett Dick Administration Building. If you have questions, you can stop by the new help desk on the fifth floor in the Enrollment Office to get help, pick up forms, or schedule an appointment to speak with helpful financial aid advisor or student accounts specialist.
• Online: For online support, visit our online help guide or easily schedule an appointment with a financial aid advisor or student accounts specialist.
• Statement: Your student statement at uau.edu/statement is your central hub for financial information. Here you can access your monthly statement and even view your full yearly statement by selecting the full year option.
• Union Market funds: If you need more funds on your Union Market or Campus Store accounts, you can add them yourself on Portal. Log into Portal, and select “Change Plan Amounts” under the “Misc” dropdown in the top menu. You can then add to your meal, book or supplies plan by selecting a new value from the dropdown for any of the items and pressing “Submit.”