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Bills & Invoices

Where can I go to view my bill?

Students can find their bill/invoice .

What is my outstanding balance?

The balance owed by a student reflects all charges (tuition, fees, room and board, etc.), less any financial aid applied to the student account and any payments made by the student, authorized payer or other third party sources.

Students can access the real-time balance owed .

Must I pay all at once?

Alvernia bills registered students per term – fall, spring, summer. Bills are always due a month before classes start and are available under Student Financial Services – Statements. 

Can I get an invoice for a specific semester?

Students can obtain a copy of their invoice for a specific semester .

My bill looks wrong.  Who can I speak with about my account?

If you are expecting financial aid monies, first check your latest Award Letter to verify the amount of aid you are scheduled to receive.  Because actual financial aid funds are not credited until the week before the start of a semester, you may be seeing only the estimated aid or nothing if you have not provided the Office of Student Financial Services (SFS) with requested paperwork (i.e., copies of tax forms) or just recently applied for a federal or private student loan (approvals and school requirements can take up to 2 weeks depending on the time of year).

If you have not made your payment online, it can take 7-10 days for a mailed paper check to be received and credited to your account. Should you still have questions, contact the Office of Student Financial Services either via email at sfs@alvernia.edu or call 610.796.8201.

My employer pays for my classes. Can you bill them instead of me?

While a student’s employer may ultimately pay for classes, ����ֱ�� students are directly responsible for assuring that their bills are fully paid.  Students can set up an employer as an authorized payer so their company can view and pay the bill electronically, if their company prefers.  However, most companies have their own set of requirements that they want employees/students to follow.

Do I need to file the current year FAFSA to be eligible for financial aid in Mod 6?

Yes – the summer semester which includes both Mod 5 and Mod 6 and is considered a trailing semester within the award year.  For example, the 2024-2025 FAFSA will need to be on file for students enrolled in the fall 2024, spring 2025 and summer 2025 semesters and/or Mod 5 or Mod 6 only if the student wishes to apply for financial aid for those semesters or modules. Students enrolled in Mod 6 only and who may be aid eligible for financial aid must file the 2024-2025 FAFSA in this example.

Fees

What is the comprehensive fee?

The comprehensive fee is assessed to all ����ֱ�� students for non-technology services and programs at the University, including but not limited to student activity programs and basic health services.  All students are required to pay this fee each term.

What is the technology fee?

Alvernia’s technology fee covers the costs of the academic and administrative platforms that help students manage their learning experience and related activities to optimize their paths to student success.  All students are required to pay this fee each term.

What is the business lab fee?

The business lab fee entitles you to access to Bloomberg terminals located at John R. Post Center at CollegeTowne. This is a mandatory fee that cannot be waived.

What is the health and counseling fee?

The health and counseling fee entitles you to access a wide range of services provided by the Health and Wellness Center. The charge helps cover or reduces the cost of many services at the Health and Wellness Center. This is a mandatory fee that cannot be waived.

What is the transportation fee?

The Transportation Fee component was instituted in support of parking and transportation services for the university. The fee provides busing and shuttle services to all students for intra- and inter-campus transportation and on-site parking at the Hill campus.

What is the Nursing fee?

The nursing program at our university assesses specific fees in addition to regular tuition to cover essential components of the curriculum. These fees support clinical placements in healthcare facilities, providing hands-on experience under professional supervision. They also fund advanced simulation labs equipped with the latest technology for practicing clinical skills. Laboratory supplies, including medical instruments and disposables, are covered to ensure students use up-to-date equipment. Health and safety measures, such as vaccinations, background checks, and PPE, are included. These fees are crucial for maintaining high standards and ensuring students receive thorough, practical education.

What is the Occupational Therapy (OT) fee?

The occupational therapy program at our university includes specific fees beyond regular tuition to support essential components of the curriculum. These fees cover clinical placements in healthcare settings, providing supervised hands-on experience. They also fund advanced simulation labs and necessary laboratory supplies for practical training.

What is the Physician Associate (PA) fee?

The Physician Associate program at our university includes additional fees to support key aspects of the curriculum. These fees cover clinical rotations in healthcare facilities, offering supervised practical experience. They also fund advanced simulation labs and essential medical supplies for hands-on training. Access to specialized software, and online resources is provided. For a detailed fee breakdown, please visit the Physician Associate program's financial information page on our university website.

What is the Athletic Training (OT) fee?

The Athletic Training program at our university includes additional fees to support vital components of the curriculum. These fees cover clinical placements in sports and healthcare facilities, providing supervised practical experience. They also fund advanced simulation labs and necessary supplies for hands-on training. For a detailed fee breakdown, please visit the Athletic Training program's financial information page on our university website.

What is the commencement fee?

The commencement fee is a mandatory charge for all graduating students at ����ֱ��. This fee covers the administrative costs associated with the preparation and execution of commencement ceremonies including but not limited to the production of diplomas, diploma covers, graduation regalia, venue arrangements and related event logistics. This fee ensures that all graduates can participate in a seamless and memorable commencement experience. It is a one-time charge applied to a student's account during their final term of enrollment prior to graduation.

Is there a fee for late payment?

Whether opting for an installment payment plan to permit more time to pay off their balances or making a single payment for the semester, students are expected to pay their bills by the published due dates.  Unpaid balances are subject to a Late Payment Fee.  In addition, students whose balances remain unpaid may have a hold placed on the account preventing future registration and access to grades and transcripts.

Financial Aid / FAFSA

What is the best way to contact you?

Please reach us by email at sfs@alvernia.edu, by phone at 610-796-8201 or stop in our offices in Bernardine Hall, suite 114. We are open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. We aim to respond within 48 hours to your requests during normal business hours. During peak times such as summer and before registration, we may extend our response to 72 hours or more. We will update you on our response time the best we can via email. When calling the office, please be sure to leave a message and refrain from multiple calls as we operate on a queue system and will respond to your inquiry in turn.  

What is ����ֱ��'s Title IV code for the FAFSA?

00323300.

What is ����ֱ��'s recommended filing date for applying for aid?

Anytime after Oct. 1. Pennsylvania residents must file by May 1, preceding the start of the award year to be considered for Pennsylvania State Grant programs.

Do I have to be accepted to ����ֱ�� before I apply for financial aid?

No. All students may complete a FAFSA before acceptance. Traditional students attending day programs will receive a financial aid offer after acceptance and should check in with Admissions for next steps. Adult and/or graduate students attending at night and/or online will receive an aid offer after registration and keep in touch with the Graduate & Adult Education Office. 

Does ����ֱ�� have merit scholarships without regard to need?

Yes, merit scholarships are available to undergraduate day students. The list of grants and scholarships that are available can be found on our Scholarships and Awards page.

Is there financial aid for transfer students?

Yes! For information on how to apply to ����ֱ�� as a transfer day student, go to the transfer section of the Admissions section of our website.

If I'm going to attend part time, what programs am I eligible for?

Several. These programs include Pennsylvania State Grant for PA residents who have completed a FAFSA , the Pell Grant for eligible students who have completed a FAFSA, and loan programs. 

What do I do after I receive my financial aid package?

Read and respond! Students will need to confirm acceptance of the financial aid eligibility they have been offered. Students may email sfs@alvernia.edu, or return the offer letter with an acceptance response per offer letter instructions. All students should contact their Admissions representative for next steps.  

Will I have to send my tax return to you?

Possibly. If your FAFSA has been selected for the verification process by the Department of Education or if a discrepancy exists between your tax information and your FAFSA application, our office may need to request a copy of your taxes. ����ֱ�� partners with Inceptia, an organization that will help assist you to gather the documents necessary to complete verification. For more information on this process, visit our Federal Verification Process for Financial Aid page. 

What should I do if my or my family's financial circumstances change after I apply for aid?

Please stay in touch. Please see the Professional Judgment page to explore which form you may need to complete. Feel free to email us at sfs@alvernia.edu or give us a call or stop in to start the process.  

Do I have to apply for aid every year?

Yes. The FAFSA form is an annual form relating to an academic year, which starts in the fall and ends in the summer. Each year, students will need to complete . Any financing option including additional student or parent loans, payment plans, employer benefits, and outside scholarships, will need to be applied for each term or annually.

Must I make academic progress to keep my financial aid?

Yes! You must maintain academic progress for any institutional, federal, or state aid or discounts to renew. The university catalog provides detailed information on academic progress. Athletes and students receiving special, endowed, or outside scholarships may have additional academic progress requirements.  Financial aid progress is reviewed at the end of fall, spring, and summer terms. The Student Financial Services office will be in touch via email and letter to inform you of your progress plus your next steps. 

My parents/I don't want to bother filling out the FAFSA because they/I don't think we'll be eligible for anything. Should we skip it?

No, for a number of reasons: eligibility rules are updated each year; ����ֱ�� requires the form for certain institutional aid funds and if you want to work on campus; you just never know what you qualify for, many outside scholarship opportunities will require information from the FAFSA form.

What are options for loan deferment, forbearance or forgiveness after leaving college/university?

You can find general information about repayment and consolidation . Please also , one of our financial aid partners. In addition, here are some resources and links for loan forgiveness programs:

 

Loan Forgiveness Programs

Attorney Student Loan Forgiveness Program

• Major: PRE-LAW
• Qualifications: This program is for attorneys who work for the U.S. Department of Justice.
• Description/Amount: ASLRP benefits are paid directly to the loan holder, not to the individual attorney. Initial acceptance of ASLRP funding triggers a three-year service obligation to Justice.

 

Faculty Loan Repayment Program

• Major: NUR, PT, OT, PSY, SW, PRE-PHARM, PRE-DENTAL, PRE-VET, PRE-OPT, PA
• Qualifications: You come from a disadvantaged background. We base this on environmental and economic factors.
• Example of Qualifying Persons: Allopathic Medicine
• Description/Amount: Loan Repayment Agreement. 2-year commitment. Potentially, up to $40,000 in loan repayment assistance.

 

Federal Employee Student Loan Repayment Program

• Qualifications: Any employee (as defined in 5 U.S.C. 2105) is eligible, except those occupying a position excepted from the competitive civil service because of their confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating nature (e.g., Schedule C appointees).

 

Indian Health Service (IHS) Loan Repayment Program

• Major: PA, PSY, NUR, PRE-DENTAL, PRE-OPTO, PRE-PHARM, ENG (Civil, Environmental)
• Qualifications: Committing to an initial two-year service period working in a health facility that assists Alaska Native and American Indian communities.
• Example of Qualifying Persons: Nurse (NP, DNP): Nurse Practitioner/Advanced Practice Nurse in Family Practice, Psychiatry, Geriatrics, Women’s Health, Pediatrics
• Description/Amount: The LRP funds IHS clinicians to repay their eligible health profession education loans — up to $40,000 — in exchange for an initial two-year service commitment to practice in health facilities serving American Indian and Alaska Native communities. IHS Health Professions Scholarship Program also available.

 

John R. Justice Student Loan Repayment Program

• Major: PRE-LAW
• Qualifications: Prosecutor – full-time employee of a state or unit of local government (including tribal government) who is continually licensed to practice law and prosecutes criminal or juvenile delinquency cases at the state or local government level (including supervision, education, or training of other persons prosecuting such cases); prosecutors who are employees of the federal government are not eligible.
• Description/Amount: Student Loan Repayment Program is a federally funded initiative that provides repayment of eligible educational loans on behalf of selected state and federal prosecutors and public defenders. The total amount of awards each year is contingent upon available funding. The award amount is based on the applicant's remaining balance on eligible educational loans, not to exceed $4,000 per year (depending on available funds, the maximum award may be less than $4,000 in any given year).
• .

 

National Health Service Corps

• Major: PRE-PHARM, PSY, PRE-DENTAL    
• Qualifications: Qualifying educational debt. The sum of your educational debt must equal at least 20 percent of your base salary from the institution supporting your research.
• Example of Qualifying Persons: M.D., Ph.D., Pharm.D., Psy.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.M.D., D.P.M., D.C., N.D., O.D., D.V.M., or equivalent doctoral-level degree from an accredited institution.
• Description/Amount: Fourth-year DO students can also consider the NHSC Students to Service Loan Repayment Program (S2S LRP). Medical (MD or DO) and dental students may earn up to $120,000 in their final year of school through this program.
• .

 

National Institutes of Health (NIH) Loan Forgiveness

• Description/Amount: There are two LRPs, one for researchers not employed by NIH (Extramural) and another for researchers employed by NIH (Intramural). Research funding from NIH is not required to participate in the Extramural LRP, and Extramural and Intramural LRP awardees may apply for subsequent, competitive renewal awards as long as they meet Program eligibility. Although organized around broad research areas, the LRPs were never intended to fund research projects. Rather, LRP awards are based on an applicant's potential to build and sustain a research career. Payment projections are based on eligible educational debt at the start date of the LRP contract. The NIH will repay 25 percent of the eligible education debt, up to a maximum of $35,000 per year.
• .

 

NURSE Corps Loan Program

• .

 

Pennsylvania Bar Foundation – PA IOLTA Board Loan Repayment Assistance Program

• Major: PRE-LAW
• Qualifications: Loan applicants must be licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania or be permitted to practice law under Bar Admission Rule 311, have a valid Pennsylvania Supreme Court-identification number, be in good standing and practice law as an employee of an IOLTA-funded organization. At the next application cycle, the applicant’s total gross salary may not exceed $66,000; however if the attorney’s annual net debt service is greater than or equal to 10% of the attorney’s current annual gross salary he/she may apply regardless of the annual gross salary cap. At the time of application, the amount of educational debt based on loans from commercial and government lending institutions, as well as university or other private institutional loans associated with law school and undergraduate educational debts must be greater than or equal to the amount of the LRAP grant. The attorney’s qualifying educational debt must be in satisfactory repayment.
• Description/Amount: The goal of the Pennsylvania Bar Foundation – PA IOLTA Loan Repayment Assistance Program (“LRAP”) is two-fold: 1) Help attorneys employed at IOLTA-funded legal services organizations across the state better manage their undergraduate and law school student loan debt so they can afford to remain in public service; and 2) Help IOLTA-funded legal aid organizations recruit and retain the best and the brightest attorneys for service in the public good.
• .

 

Pennsylvania Loan Forgiveness Programs

• Major: NUR, PA
• Qualifications: Must be a US Citizen.
• Description/Amount: Up to $100,000
• .

 

Pennsylvania Primary Care Loan Repayment Program (LRP)

• Major: PSY, PRE-DENTAL, PA, SW, NUR
• Qualifications: Be a U.S. Citizen (either U.S. born or naturalized) or a U.S. National.
• Example of Qualifying Persons: Allopathic (MD) or Osteopathic (DO) Physicians (Family Medicine, General Internal Medicine, General Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Psychiatry). Physicians, Dentists, and Psychologists: Up to $80,000 full-time, up to $40,000 half-time. Other Practitioners: Up to $48,000 full-time, up to $24,000 half-time
• Description/Amount: The Department of Health provides loan repayment opportunities as an incentive to recruit and retain primary care practitioners willing to serve underserved Pennsylvania residents and to make a commitment to practicing in federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).
• .

 

Perkins Loan Cancellation and Discharge

• Major: ED, ED+SP.ED, NUR
• Qualifications: An undergraduate, graduate, or professional student with exceptional financial need.
• Example of Qualifying Persons: Full-time teacher in a designated elementary or secondary school serving students from low-income families.    
• Description/Amount: They are low-interest student loans for both undergraduate and graduate students with exceptional financial need. The continuation of this loan is unknown/undetermined. Up to 100% for five years of eligible service.

 

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program

• Major: SW
• Qualifications: Doesn’t require that you teach at a low-income a public school, or even be a teacher. Most full-time public and private elementary and secondary school teachers will meet the employment requirements.
• Description/Amount: A loan forgiveness program for public service workers, like those in government and nonprofit sectors, as well as teachers.
• .

 

Teacher Loan Forgiveness

• Major: ED, ED+SP.ED
• Qualifications: Have been employed full-time as a teacher for at least five consecutive years.
• Description/Amount: For educators that work in a low-income school. PLUS loans and Perkins loans are not eligible to be forgiven through this program. Up to $17,500 in student loans.
• .

 

USDA Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program

• Major: PRE-VET    
• Qualifications: Have a degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), or the equivalent, from a college of veterinary medicine accredited by the AVMA Council on Education.
• Description/Amount: This program will pay up to $25,000 each year towards qualified educational loans of eligible veterinarians who agree to serve in a NIFA-designated veterinarian shortage situation for a period of three years.
• .

Paying Your Bill

Can I pay my bill online?

Yes, ����ֱ��’s preferred method is for students and authorized payers to utilize its on-line services through SmartPay to make safe and timely payments for semester charges.

Are there any fees for online payments?

Paying online via the e-check feature is free for a students or authorized payers. You must type in your bank routing and account numbers (or save them in your personal profile for recurring use) to make your payment.  The bank routing number can be found in the lower left corner of your paper check, while the account number is located on the same line to the right of your routing number.

You also can pay your bill with any major credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express). However, all credit card payments are subject to a 2.95 percent service charge imposed by the credit card processing firm, which is not waivable or refundable by ����ֱ��.   

Where do I mail my payment?

While paying your bill online is faster, safer and free if you’re using our e-check feature, we realize that many individuals may be more comfortable mailing their payment to the University.  If you choose to mail a payment to ����ֱ��, please remember to include your ����ֱ�� ID number in the comment section of the check and send to:
 

Student Financial Services
114 Bernardine Hall
Reading, PA 19607

Payment Plans

How do I set up a payment plan?

Students can . Your enrollment process will take less time if you have reviewed your bill and financial aid award letter in advance and know the amount of tuition and fee charges you owe and how much financial aid you are scheduled to receive for the plan period (academic year or semester).  Ideally, the amount you want to pay through the installment payment plan is the difference between charges and any amounts you have already paid, like deposits, or expect to receive in financial aid monies, including net student loan proceeds.  Once you have calculated the amount to be paid, which assumes no changes in course registration or financial aid awards, you will pay in an equal number of installments for the plan period.
 

To enroll in the semester payment plan, the enrollment fee is $30 per semester.

How do I change or adjust my payment plan?

to increase or decrease your plan amount.  Remember that changes in the total plan will impact your installment payments.

Why is my payment plan under budget?

If your financial aid award has been decreased, or you have added additional classes, added/changed room and/or meal plan, this may result in a change in the amount of tuition and fees that you owe, you will likely be under budget and still have a balance to ����ֱ�� at the end of the plan. At any time, you can re-budget your payment plan to reflect the corrected amount owed.

Housing Charges

Is the housing deposit refundable?

See the Housing Deposit Information section on our Tuition and Residential Costs page.

What is included in residential fees?

Residential fees include a bed (housing) in a specific residence hall and a selected meal plan chosen by the student.  Rates will vary based on the assigned residence hall and selected meal plan.

How is summer housing charged?

Summer housing is charged on a weekly basis and must be paid in full prior to the start of the fall semester. For more information, contact the residential life office at reslife@alvernia.edu.

Refunds

When will I receive my refund check?

If your financial aid exceeds your total charges, a refund will automatically be processed within 7 to 10 business days of the disbursement of financial aid. E-refunds are usually deposited in your bank account within three (3) business days while a paper refund check can take up to ten (10) days to receive.

It is strongly recommended that students enroll for the direct deposit of refunds (e-refunds), which reduces processing and mailing time and allows you to access your funds faster. Detailed instructions on enrolling in E-refund are available .

Students wishing to apply their credit balance to next semester charges much provide the request in writing and may do so by emailing sfs@alvernia.edu.

Holds, Stops, & Collections

Why do I have a STOP on my account?

A STOP on a student’s account may be placed for a variety of reasons. One of those reasons may be due to an outstanding balance on the student account. Students receive sufficient time to receive and pay their bills, the STOP is a penalty imposed after payment deadline and short grace period. to review information regarding how the STOP is affecting the account.

My student account is with a collection agency.  How do I resolve my balance?

You should contact the collection agency directly to pay off your outstanding balance in full or discuss other payment options.  Students are given ample notice and time to resolve any outstanding balances due. ����ֱ�� staff are not permitted to negotiate new payment terms once your student account has been referred to a collection agency. 

Miscellaneous

Retrieving Billing Statements

To obtain a copy of your latest student bill, .

Making a Payment

To make a payment, to make an online payment either via our free e-check solution or with a credit card (all credit card payments are subject to a 2.95 percent service charge imposed by the credit card processing firm, which is not waivable or refundable by ����ֱ��).

Account Overview

For an overall look at your student account status, .

Finding Specific Transactions

Looking for details regarding a specific transaction within your student account? .

My Account Profile

To view and change your basic account information related to viewing and paying your bill, .

Health Insurance Requirements

For a better understanding of ����ֱ��'s requirement that full-time undergraduate and graduate students have health insurance coverage, please review our health requirements. If you already have health insurance coverage, please submit a copy of your health insurance card via the . Please note, ����ֱ�� does not offer health insurance options for its students.  If you need to purchase personal health insurance, you can go either to the l or marketplaces to view your options and purchase coverage.

1098-T Tax Form

IRS Form 1098-T, Tuition Statement, contains information to assist the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and you in determining if you are eligible to claim educational related tax credits. For more information on these credits, see IRS Publication 970 or consult your own tax advisor.  Only qualified tuition payments, such as tuition, may provide eligibility for these tax credits. To learn more more about the 1098-T form and review frequently asked questions, please click . To retrieve and print your 1098-T form, please click .

Financial Responsibility Agreement

All ����ֱ�� students are required to receive and sign a Financial Responsibility Agreement prior to registering each semester. This agreement lists students’ rights and responsibilities for assuring that all charges on their student accounts are paid.