Guide for First-Time Students

Below, please find information that is helpful to all first-time students.  This includes freshmen, transfers and graduate students. We understand that, during orientation programs, there is a lot of information to absorb and it can be overwhelming. Please feel free to view the items below asa reminder from orientation or even in preparation for orientation.  If you have questions, please feel free to email us today! We are here to help you be a successful Golden Bear!

FERPA - Offices on campus are limited in what they can share regarding student specific details.  This includes to parents and spouses. All students should complete a FERPA Authorization to Access Student Records each academic year.  Do this today!

NOTE: The University is in the process of changing student information systems from Legacy MyKU to NEW MyKU.  In addition, KU is also changing their payment provider.  Much of the information below still applies, however nagivation to each item will be changing.  Please be patient as we update materials once NEW MyKU and our new payment provider are live for finances - roughly June 2024.

The video below, while older and using prior FAFSA terminology, still has a benefit to watch to better understand Financial Aid and various processes at Kutztown University.  NOTE: The screens will look different in New MyKU.

Keys to Success for ALL New Students to KU

1. KU email must be checked regularly and is where we will communicate with you about billing and other matters.
2. ONLINE Billing only - Billig is online only, we do not mail bills. We do mail Collection Letters, as do our agencies.
3. KU Tasks - Check your NEW MyKU for any outstanding items such as Federal Tasks, PA State Grant requests, HS Transcript needs as well as Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling requirements for Stafford Loans. Respond to any requests with urgency.  Some may take a few weeks to update.
4. Select Refund Preference - All students MUST select a refund preference with BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc.  New students will do this in July.
   
5. Due Dates - Pay your bill by the due date assigned. We may drop classes if not paid on time in addition to late fees and holds.
6. TELL US! - Change your mind about coming to KU? Please TELL US!

third party access options

We all have people that support us, but with taking this step a student may want someone to be their back up and assist them in various areas of college!

Click here to see the details on the 4 ways a third party (parent/spouse/guardian) can get information to help a student.

• FERPA release for the third party to call in or ask information in person
• Authorized Users - financial access to billing, making payments and payment plans
• Delegated Access - academic information - not yet available in New MyKU
• Parent & Family Newsletter - join today!

Incoming First-Year Students

• Checklist - What is due and when (Fall 2023 version)
• Financial Guidance & Explanations (Fall 2023 version) this will go further into items from the checklist and explain terminologies often used.
• Fall 2024 Additional Funding Options can be reviewed online or printed here
• Fall 2024 Estimating tool worksheet - This form allows a student to estimate what their out of pocket costs will be after awarded aid for a semester.  This is a great tool to use when applying for an additional loan OR setting up a payment plan.
• Payment Plan - brief steps or more information

Incoming Transfer Students

• Financial Guidance & Explanations (Fall 2023 version) this will go further into items that our transfer students need to know and explain terminologies often used. 
  • Remember every school is different!
• Fall 2024 Additional Funding Options can be reviewed online or printed here
• Fall 2024 Estimating tool worksheet - This form allows a student to estimate what their out of pocket costs will be after awarded aid for a semester.  This is a great tool to use when applying for an additional loan OR setting up a payment plan.
• Payment Plan - brief steps or more information

Incoming Graduate Students

• Financial Guidance & Takeaways - this will review what a Graduate student needs to know, along with the Graduate Orientation program. While many things are similar to your undergraduate career, quite a few are different.
• Payment Plan - brief steps or more information

New Student Programs Website for more information

Reminders & Helpful hints

High School Transcript Requirement for Federal Aid:

Federal regulations won't allow for aid to show as authorized/pending aid if you have not submitted your Final High School Transcript to KU. Please ensure this has been requested with a sense of urgency to be sent to the KU Admissions Office. If you are a transfer student with an associate's degree, the final HS transcript may not be needed.

Stafford Loan Requirements:

In order to have Stafford Loans be used towards your bill (as pending aid), the Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Counseling must be completed for all incoming freshmen and transfer students who never used Stafford Loans before. 

Transfer students who used Stafford loans previously will still need to complete the Direct Loan Entrance Counseling for Kutztown University.

Complete these at https://studentaid.gov using the student's FSA ID and Password.

Awarded Aid vs Pending Aid vs Disbursed Aid

Awarded aid is aid you might receive based on the application called the FAFSA. This doesn't count towards the bill at all since there are requirements to move it to Pending status. Pending aid means that we are showing a courtesy credit for the aid and it is likely to come in. You don't have to pay us for this amount, we will wait for the funds to arrive later (the end of the 3rd week of the semester). Disbursed aid means that we have verified your enrollment, you are attending classes, you have done all the requirements, and that the aid has come in and posted and is reducing the balance on the account. Watch the above video for more details!

Billing / Statements

• Fall Bills are prepared about mid-July with a due date of early August (8/2/24).
• Spring Bills are prepared around Thanksgiving with a due date of early January (1/3/25).

Bills are located online only: MyKU > KU Financial Account tile > Payment Dashboard > Statements

Are you interested in seeing more information about billing?

This page will show some general information with links to additional pages with more details regarding payment plans and more, so that you can feel comfortable when billing season rolls around.