FAQ

FINANCIAL SERVICES FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS...

Q. Which office can answer questions about finances?

A. This depends on the question. The Office for Financial Services, Financial Aid Office, and Student Employment Office work very closely on administering student finances. Sometimes more than one office may have to be involved in answering the student's question. In general, questions about financial aid should be directed to the Financial Aid Office, questions about student accounts and payment plans to the Office for Financial Services, and inquiries about work study to the Student Employment Office.

Q. Where is the office for Financial Services located and what services does it provide for students?

A. The Office for Financial Services (OFS) is located on the first floor of Main with a cashier window. Students can make payments on their student account, monthly payment plan, and work credit plan. Personal checks may be cashed. Students can also open NordiCash and student bank accounts at this office. The cashier can answer questions about a student’s statement of account, monthly payment plans, work credit plans, and work-study. The Office for Financial Services charges student accounts based on information provided by other offices.

Q. When and to whom are statements of account mailed?

A. In June, fall semester statements of account are mailed to new students’ current mailing addresses. Returning students receive their fall semester statements in July at their current mailing addresses. Other statements are sent in October, December, March, and June. The December statements include spring semester’s charges and are mailed to students’ current mailing addresses. October and March statements are sent to student SPOs. June statements, the final billing of the academic year, are mailed to students’ current mailing addresses.

Q. Can I access my statement of account on-line?

A. Yes. To access your statement of account, go to http://my.luther.edu/, log in using your user ID and Norse Key, and select the Students menu. Then select Web Statement of Account. The statement of account will appear in the same format as the printed statements you are currently receiving. You will be able to view cash receipts, monthly payment plans, and work credit plans as soon as they are processed. Any changes to your statement of account, caused by revisions to your financial aid, will also be available for immediate viewing. Please consult the help screen for more information about the web statement of account. The help screen includes information about the printing or emailing of the statement of account.

Q. When are payments due?

A. Fall semester’s payment is due August 10. Spring semester’s payment is due January 10. There are also payment plans available. Payment plan worksheets are available on the OFS website http://financialservices.luther.edu or may be requested from OFS. (New students can find an application in their Admitted Student Guidebook).

Q. Can work-study be used to pay my tuition?

A. Yes, you need to complete a work credit plan application. Work credit plan applications are available on the OFS website http://financialservices.luther.edu or may be requested from OFS. (New students can find an application in their Admitted Student Guidebook).

Q. How can I make payments to Luther?

A. The Office for Financial Services will accept personal checks, money orders, and wire transfers. The student's name and ID number should be included with the payment. Credit cards are not accepted for student account payments; however they can be used in the college bookstore.

Q. What other charges will I incur during the semester?

A. Music lessons are normally charged when tuition is billed. Extra credit hours are normally charged at the time spring tuition is billed. Any changes in registration after that date will be reviewed periodically and charges will be adjusted on the student receivable. Library fines, health service charges, traffic fines, and other charges will be posted to your student account as they are incurred.

Q. When is the enrollment deposit paid for returning students?

A. Enrollment deposits are due in the Office for Financial Services by April 1. This $200 deposit allows students to participate in room draw and to register for classes.

Q. What happens to my enrollment deposit?

A. The enrollment deposit becomes the student deposit, which is used to pay for such things as library fines, traffic fines, or any unpaid fees. At the end of the school year, returning students will receive credit on their accounts for any unused student deposit balances. This credit will be applied toward the costs of the following year. Graduates and other non-returning students will be refunded the unused student deposit balance by check during June 2009.

Q. What about books?

A. The cost of books averages about $450.00 per semester. New and used books are available through the Luther Book Shop. Returning students also sell many of their used texts. Please see the Book Shop website http://lutherbookshop.com for more information about the purchase of textbooks, including the textbook reservation process.

[back to top]

FINANCIAL AID FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS...

Q. Where is the Financial Aid Office located, and what services does it provide for the students?

A. The Financial Aid Office is located on the ground floor of Main. This office completes financial aid awards for incoming and returning students based on federal and state regulations. It also certifies student and parent loan applications and offers financial counseling for students.

Q. What about outside scholarships and EPIC?

A. Outside scholarships are received from sources outside of Luther. It is a federal requirement that these scholarships be reported to the Financial Aid Office and listed as part of a student's financial assistance. For that reason, students are asked to send all scholarship checks to the Financial Aid Office for processing.

EPIC - Education Partners In Covenant is a program in which a student's home congregation agrees to give a grant on the student's behalf to Luther College. Luther matches this grant up to $750 per year. Once an EPIC contribution form is received from the student's congregation, Financial Aid will coordinate the anticipated award and the matching funds along with other assistance the student is receiving. The congregation must send the funds to the Financial Aid Office to receive the match.

[back to top]

STUDENT WORK FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS...

Q. Where is the Student Employment Office, and what service does it provide for students?

A. The Student Employment Office is located on the ground floor of Main. (Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday - Friday). This office coordinates student work assignments and processes student payroll. Students are required to complete and return I-9 and W-4 forms before they qualify for employment, as well as a direct deposit form. Students are also required to return a completed time card to their supervisors on a monthly basis.

[back to top]