Once you know what is on your bill, you will need to understand how to pay it. Learn about our different payment methods as well as how other credits can be applied. You should also know about our refunding process in the event you have a credit balance on your account.
Payments
Payment Types
We accept the following type of payments:
Cashiers checks, money orders
These may be mailed or brought in to our Bursar office.
Personal Checks
Make payments out to “University of Nebraska-Lincoln” and include the 8-digit UNL ID number in the reference field to ensure payment is posted properly. The amount of the personal check may not exceed the amount due on the student account at time of payment. Check payment can be submitted through the MyRED or Parent/Guest Access, In-Person, or via US Mail. A $0.50/transaction fee applies to online check payments. Refunds or Hold removal may be delayed when payment is made via personal check, in order to allow time for the item to clear the bank. A returned item will incur a $30 returned item fee, and will have a hold placed on the account preventing services until the payment is corrected.
Credit Card
We accept MasterCard, American Express, Visa and Discover card payments up to the amount owed on the student account at the time of the payment. Credit card payments may only be made online through MyRED or Parent/Guest Access. A nonrefundable convenience fee will be added to all card payments. As of July 1, 2024, the fee is: Domestic Cards - 2.95% ($3.00 minimum) International Cards - 4.25% ($3.00 minimum).
Foreign Currency Payments
Foreign currency payments are initiated in MyRED. After you have completed the requested fields, you must deliver the payment instruction form to your foreign bank (the quoted exchange rate is valid for 72 hours). Your foreign bank will transfer funds via Convera (formerly Western Union Business Solutions) to the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Once the wire transaction is complete, the payment is posted to your student account in MyRED. Review Paying Your Bill with Foreign Currency for more detailed instruction of this payment option.
College Savings / 529 Payment Plan
If you are making payment from one of these plans, please request your payment at least 10 - 14 days prior to the due date to ensure processing and mail time. In our experience, the UNL Student Bill is sufficient information to request your payment from the plan. If you need additional information, please let us know. Use your 8-digit UNL Student ID number as the account number so that we have an accurate reference to apply the payment properly.
Bank Bill Pay
If you are submitting a payment through your bank’s online bill pay, please use the 8-digit UNL Student ID number as the account number to ensure it is credited to the correct account. Please submit your payment request 10 - 14 days prior to the due date to allow time for your bank to create the check to be mailed to UNL.
Trust or other Plan Payments
If you are paying your student account from a trust, 401-K, IRA or other plan, please notify the plan in time to have payments issued by the due date. Please contact our office if you need additional assistance, as each plan has unique requirements for release of payment.
Payment Methods
Online: UNL E-Payment System
The UNL E-Payment System accepts the following payment types:
Online Check
Online check is our recommended form of payment. This option is always available to students through MyRED. There is $0.50/transaction fee for submitting an online check.
Please Note: Be sure to verify your checking or savings bank account number and routing transit number. Also be sure you have sufficient funds before making a payment. Errors will result in a non-refundable returned payment fee.
Credit Card
Credit card payments are only accepted online through MyRED. A nonrefundable convenience fee will be add to all card payments. As of July 1, 2024, the fee is: Domestic Cards - 2.95% ($3.00 minimum) International Cards - 4.25% ($3.00 minimum). This charge is assessed by and paid directly to our payment processor CASHNet SMARTPAY – Higher One, Inc
- Card Payments are not accepted over the phone or in person at the Bursar’s Office.
- Using your debit card? Consider paying by Online Check with a 50 Cent transaction fee instead.
Foreign Currency Payment
Foreign currency payments are initiated at MyRED. After you have completed the requested fields, you must deliver the payment instruction form to your foreign bank (the quoted exchange rate is valid for 72 hours). Your foreign bank will transfer funds via Western Union Business Solutions (WUBS) to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Once the wire transaction is complete, the payment will post to your student account on MyRED. Review Paying Your Bill with Foreign Currency for more detailed instructions of this payment option.
In Person
If you would like to make payments in person, you may bring your payment to the Bursar/Cashier Office at 124 Canfield Administration Building. The payment types accepted in the office include:
Personal or cashier’s check
Please have check and ID card ready when you approach the window.
Money Order
please include your NU ID number and keep your receipt copy of the money order.
Please Note
Credit card or debit card payments are NOT accepted in person or on the phone.
US Postal Mail
If you would like to mail your check, 529, trust, IRA 401K, Money Order, or other payment by check, please send it to the Bursar/Cashier at the following address. Please do not mail cash or credit card payments.
UNL Bursar
124 Canfield Administration Bldg
P.O. Box 880412
Lincoln, NE 68588-0412
Husker Payment Plan
The University of Nebraska – Lincoln partners with Nelnet Campus Commerce to offer the Husker Payment Plan. It allows you to split your charges for fall and spring into multiple payments. Visit the Bursar's page for more detailed instructions on Husker Payment Plan.
Credits
Third Party Sponsorship
If an embassy, agency or company will pay all, or part, of your educational expenses, you may elect to have UNL bill your sponsor directly through our Third Party Billing process. We require an authorization from your sponsor approving the specific charges they will pay, and current contact information to receive and pay the invoice. Plan ahead, as we need to receive the authorization before your student bill due date to ensure processing is complete by the deadline. If you participate in the Sponsor (Third Party) billing process, you must be aware that you are giving us permission to share specifics about your student account with your sponsor.
Contact us for details if you think this may apply to you. If approved, and all requirements are met, your student account will have a credit posted for the amount authorized by your sponsor. We will then bill your sponsor directly on your behalf. All invoices received from the Office of Student Accounts are due 30 days from the date of invoice. If the sponsor does not pay in a timely manner, the credit will be removed from your account and you will be responsible for payment of this sum.
Please Note: It is your responsibility to continue to review your monthly billing statements for accuracy and for any amount due even when you have a sponsor. Late payment fees will be assessed on your student account unless we have the correct paperwork or a payment from you.
Financial Aid - Grants, Scholarships, Loans
The Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid (OSFA) processes Scholarships, Grants, Loans and Federal Work Study from University of Nebraska, State of Nebraska, Federal Aid and private sources. To receive federal or state financial aid, students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually, beginning October 1 of the year prior to the award year.
The priority date to file the FAFSA is May 1. Complete all requested financial aid documents by June 1st! The earlier you file, the better, as you can maximize your chances of receiving the most financial aid (and/or scholarships) possible for all types of scholarship and grant programs available, including external/private scholarships.
Once OSFA has awarded and released aid, it will be disbursed toward the student’s consolidated bill as early as one week prior to the start of the semester. Financial aid is applied according to U.S. Department of Education policy: first to tuition, then fees, housing (if applicable), and finally, any other charges on the consolidated billing account. Any excess financial aid is issued as a refund by the Student Accounts Office. (See the Refunds section for more detail about refunds).
For information about how to apply for financial aid contact Husker Hub, please visit the Husker Hub website
Refunds
When a student account has a credit balance, where payments and credits exceed charges, the excess funds are removed from the student account and disbursed directly to the student via Direct Deposit or a check in the mail. Students are notified by email when a refund has been issued.
There are several factors that are considered when the Student Accounts Office determines how and when to issue the refund:
Student Financial Aid Refunds
If the credit is the result of student financial aid, the excess is issued to the student via direct deposit or a check in the mail. Every effort is made to have financial aid refunds issued within a week of disbursement, or sooner.
Parent Financial Aid Refunds
Credit balances resulting from Parent Plus loans are issued to the parent, unless the parent has previously assigned proceeds to the student. Parent refunds can be direct deposited - Please notify Husker Hub if you wish to set up a direct deposit account for Parent Loan refunds. It is best to email your request to Husker Hub so they can respond with instructions. If no direct deposit is in place, a check will be mailed to the address provided on the loan application. Account activity, including refunds, can be reviewed in the student account detail in MyRED. Students and those they have set up with Parent/Guest access can review the details leading to the refund.
Check Payment Refunds
Credit balances resulting from a personal check payment may be delayed up to three weeks to allow for the check to clear prior to refunding. Refunds of all check payments are issued to the student via direct deposit or a check in the mail.
Miscellaneous Refunds
Miscellaneous refunds, such as bookstore credits are processed on a weekly basis. If you have a miscellaneous credit applied to your account it will first be used toward any financial obligation owed to the University Nebraska-Lincoln. Any balance remaining will be issued as a refund to the student via direct deposit or a check in the mail.
Tuition and Fees Refunds
A refund of tuition and fees upon cancellation/ withdrawal from a class resulting in a credit balance on a student account will be refunded to the student. Note: To read about refund of tuition and fees upon cancellation or withdrawal from a class, please check the Academic Calendar to determine the percentage of a refund you may be eligible to receive.
- For full semester classes meeting 16 weeks: If you drop a class through MyRED or in person at Husker Hub during the first six days of the semester, you will not be charged any tuition for the class dropped. However, if you drop classes through MYRED or in person at Husker Hub after the first six days of the semester, you will be charged for tuition and fees according to dates outlined in the Academic Course Calendar.
- Courses that meet for less than a full 16-week session (ie. Workshops, mini courses) follow a special prorated schedule for tuition and fee refunds. Contact Husker Hub, 102 Canfield Admin Bldg., for the particular details.
Direct Deposit
University of Nebraska – Lincoln will electronically deposit your credit balance into a checking or savings account at the US financial institution of your choice.
How do I enroll for Direct Deposit?
Students enroll for direct deposit via MyRed access.
- Log on to MyRed
- Select either the Student Accounts or Financial Aid tab.
- Select the “enroll in direct deposit” link.
- Fill in your bank routing number, checking/saving account number, and indicate whether it is a checking or savings account. You can find your routing number and bank account number on one of your checks.
The agreement is effective immediately upon completion. If you are enrolled in multiple University of Nebraska Institutions the information you provide is valid for all campuses. Any direct deposit information on file with Payroll will not be affected by student account direct deposit set up.
What are the benefits to direct deposit?
- Eliminates the possibility of a check being lost or stolen and forged.
- Safety and confidentiality is assured with electronic transfer of your refund.
- Absolutely no charge to you for the electronic deposit service.
- Deposits are made automatically without any effort on your part, after your enrollment in Direct Deposit has been completed.
- Quick and convenient access to your refund.
- Saves postage costs and avoids delays of banking by mail.
- Start earning interest on your money immediately when electronically deposited to an interest bearing account.
- Avoid lobby and drive-in lines to deposit or cash a check.
- Most financial institutions throughout Nebraska and the United States accept direct deposits.
Student Choice
Students with an Existing Financial Account
Consistent with Federal regulations, UNL students may elect to receive their financial aid refund by direct deposit to a checking or savings account at the United States bank of their choice.
Bank Option: Students Seeking a New Financial Account
UNL students may elect to receive their financial aid refund by direct deposit to a new checking or savings account with Union Bank and Trust, located on City Campus, or with any other banking institution. Consistent with Federal regulations, UNL is providing the following information about Union Bank and Trust, located on campus.
Features of the student accounts offered by Union Bank and Trust:
- Free debit card.
- No fees from Union Bank for electronic (ACH) transfers from other banks.
- No fees from Union Bank for ATM transactions at Union Bank or any other bank’s ATM.
- Free checking; up to first 200 checks at no cost.
- Fees waived for the first account overdraft transaction each calendar year.
- On electronic transfers made from account to third party recipient, fee not to exceed $1 per transaction.
- 24/7 phone hotline to report stolen or lost bank cards.
- $300 per day limit on ATM cash withdrawals; $2,500 per day limit on purchase transactions.
- Direct payroll deposit for students employed at UNL.
- International banking services include individual counseling on U.S.A. bank account procedures and rules and foreign currency transfers for amounts due UNL and for other living expenses
Federal Tuition Assistant policy for returning funds to the VA
If you receive Tuition Assistant Funds for Veteran Tuition Assistance, and drop a class, funds will be returned to the government based on the schedule below.
Note: The educational institution’s week of instruction is counted as 7 days.
16-week Course Withdraw submitted
- Before or during weeks 1-2 100% return
- During weeks 3-4 75% return
- During weeks 5-8 50% return
- During weeks 9 40% return (60% of course is completed)
- During weeks 10-16 0% return
15-week Course Withdraw submitted
- Before or during weeks 1-2 100% return
- During weeks 3-4 90% return
- During weeks 5-6 75% return
- During weeks 7-8 50% return
- During weeks 9-10 40% return (60% of course is completed)
- During weeks 11-15 0% return
8-week Course Withdraw submitted
- Before or during week 1 100% return
- During week 2 75% return
- During weeks 3-4 50% return
- During week 5 40% return (60% of course is completed)
- During weeks 6-8 0% return