Tuition

When it comes to collecting tuition, it usually doesn't pay to have your university's payment solution on autopilot.

There are many software tools available for scheduling and processing tuition payments. But what happens if a student adds a class unexpectedly, or is assessed additional or unexpected fees? Many software solutions can't adjust on the fly and school officials are the ones who end up spending extra time untangling the mess.

Tuition refunds require intense administrative attention at many colleges and universities. If a student receives financial aid after tuition has been paid, or if he or she drops a course early in the term, schools are obligated by federal law to issue refunds within 14 days.

The call for increased transparency in the college pricing and financial aid arenas is coming from many directions and is ringing louder and more clearly than ever. Institutional customers, students and families who have for some time been expecting more information, now want it more quickly and in terms they can understand easily and compare consistently across institutions.

Not so long ago, Kutztown University found itself struggling to work out flexible tuition payment arrangements for strapped parents.

"It became so cumbersome that it was taking a staff member and a half just to monitor payment plans here," said Wendy Pursell, bursar of the Kutztown, Pa., school.

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.

Charles Dickens penned the opening lines of "A Tale of Two Cities" to describe French Revolutionary times, but they could easily apply to the modern world of student refunds. Or, more specifically, to two of the primary alternatives to paper checks.

One is simple, secure and smart. The other can be convoluted, controversial and painful for students.

Charles Dickens penned the opening lines of “A Tale of Two Cities” to describe French Revolutionary times, but they could easily apply to the modern world of student refunds. Or, more specifically, to two of the primary alternatives to paper checks. One is simple, secure and smart. The other can be convoluted, controversial and painful for students.

Blinn College has been in the business of educating students since 1883, a point of pride for its administrators. Even as it honors its pioneering roots, the college also has evolved to meet the needs of students. Founded initially to train young men for the ministry, Blinn became the first county-owned junior college in Texas and one of the largest of the state’s 50 community/junior college districts.

Blinn College has been in the business of educating students since 1883, a point of pride for its administrators. Even as it honors its pioneering roots, the college also has evolved to meet the needs of students. Founded initially to train young men for the ministry, Blinn became the first county-owned junior college in Texas and one of the largest of the state’s 50 community/junior college districts.

Welcome to the third Streamlined of 2009! My colleagues and I are proud to continue this series of publications designed to inform college and university administrators about new and innovative methods of streamlining business office operations.