Frequently Asked Questions 

Tuition & Fees

Q.  Can I use my check card to pay my tuition?

A.  Yes, as long as the check card has a MasterCard, VISA, or Discover logo on it.  Payments are made via the Star System or STAR_NET.

 

Q.  Why do I have to pay a Student Activity Fee if I do not participate in any Student Activities?

A.  The Student Activity Fee is a mandatory fee that is paid by students enrolled in course for credit or audit.  The fee is used to support a variety of student activities.

 

Q.  What is a Technology Fee and why do I have to pay it if I am not in Technology classes?

A.  The Technology Fee is a fee charged to all students enrolled in courses for credit or audit.  The funds collected are used to support instructional technology and to provide open computer labs for students to use.

 

Q.  Can I make a partial payment on my student account?

A.  No, Walters State does not allow students to make partial payments on their accounts.  All fees must be paid in full before registration is considered complete.

 

Q.  Why can’t you talk to my mom/dad/husband/wife/girlfriend/boyfriend about my account?

A.  Please refer to the Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Acts.

 

Q.  Can I post-date a check?

A.  No.

 

Q.  Can I get my fees deferred?

A.  No.  Walters State does not offer any type of deferred payment plan.  If you have not received your financial aid award letter, please plan on paying for the term yourself.  If you are awarded financial aid, you will then receive a financial aid check when the checks are processed.  Please check with the Financial Aid Office at (423) 585 – 6811 for the availability of your specific award(s). 

 

Parking

 

Q.  Do I really need a parking hang tag?

A.  Yes, every student must have a parking permit regardless of the campus which they   attend.  Students enrolled for credit classes my obtain a parking hang tag from the Campus Police Department, located in the Welcome/Information Center, or in the main office of any off-campus location after all tuition and fees are paid.

 

Q.  Does it cost to get a parking hang tag?

A.  The fee is included in your tuition each semester.

 

Q.  What do I do if I get a parking ticket I feel is unjustified?

A.  Students can dispute parking tickets by signing up for student traffic court in Student Services within 10 days of the date the ticket was written.  Business Office staff does not have the authority to void parking tickets.

 

Q.  Where can students park?

A.  Students, faculty, and staff should park in the appropriate designated areas only.  The designated areas are color coded on curbs as follows:  blue for staff, red for students, white for reserved parking only, and yellow for not parking.

 

Financial Aid and Loan Checks

Q.  Why do I have to attend all my classes before I can pick up my check?

A.  It is a federal law passed by the U. S. Congress and implemented by the Department of Education that a student can only receive aid for classes they attend. 

 

Q.  Can my Husband/Wife/Mother/Father/Boyfriend pick up my financial aid check?

A.  No.  Your signature is required for the Business Office to release a financial aid check.  You are also required to present a valid picture ID before the Business Office can release a financial aid check.

 

Q.  Can I have my financial aid check sent to one of the off-campus locations?

A.  Yes.  You can request that a financial aid check be sent to any of the off-campus locations. 

 

Q.  Can I have my loan check sent to one of the off-campus locations?

A.  Yes.  Loan checks can be sent to an off-campus location. 

 

Q.  I have received my award notification and I have been awarded a student loan.  How do I pay my fees?

A.  If you are a returning WSCC Stafford/Supplemental Loan recipient and your disbursement comes in prior to fee payment deadlines, your loan money will automatically be credit to your account for fee payment.  If your loan exceeds your fees, checks will be disbursed according to the check distribution dates as published in the semester timetable.  Students must attend all classes, attendance must be reported electronically, and a student must present a valid picture ID before any check will be disbursed.  First-time borrowers must wait 30 days before their loan money will be disbursed.  Therefore, their loan money is not available to pay fees or purchase books.  If a student wishes to defer fee payment until loan checks are disbursed, he/she must request a “Conditional Fee Payment” form from the Financial Aid Office IN PERSON prior to the fee payment deadline.  These forms WILL NOT be faxed.

 

Q.  When do I receive my Tennessee Student Assistance Award (TSAA) check?

A.  These checks are usually disbursed each semester with your Federal Pell Grant.  However, please read campus bulletins and review the information on the INFO System in case there are updates/revisions.   

 

Q. When do I receive my Lottery check?

A.  Lottery checks are usually available approximately 20 days after the first class of the fall or spring semester.   Please read campus bulletins and review the information on the INFO System for exact dates and location of check distribution.

 

Refunds

Q.  If I drop a class during a refund period when and how do I get my refund?

A.  The Business Office will start processing refunds on dropped classes after the last day of each refund period.  100% refunds on canceled classes will be processed within the refund period that the class was canceled.  Please refer to the refund schedule on the Bursar’s web page or the timetable of classes published each semester.  Checks are mailed approximately 2-3 weeks after each refund period ends.  Checks will be mailed to the current address on file with the Student Records Office.

 

Q.  Why didn’t I get a refund?

A.  For the Fall and Spring terms, students will only receive a refund if they drop below 12 credit hours due to the fact that students are only assessed tuition for 12 hours.