Frequently Asked Questions
Questions:
- If I am using a Direct Student Loan, Direct Parent's Plus Loan, or an Alternative Loan to help pay my tuition invoice, will the loan go directly to the college on my account?
- What are origination fees?
- If I have a credit on my account as a result of loan funds, will you refund the credit to me?
- What is the tuition payment plan?
- What happens if I stop my plan?
- Can Nelnet Business close my plan?
- Can Muhlenberg College close my monthly payment plan?
- What meal plan can I have?
- What are 'Berg Bucks (formerly know as Flex Dollars)?
- How do I access 'Berg Bucks?
- What is a registration hold?
- Where can I pay my tuition and fines?
- Is my Work Study a credit against my tuition or paid to me as wages?
- I have Work Study wages, where can I pick up my payroll check?
Answers:
If I am using a Direct Student Loan, Direct Parent's Plus Loan, or an Alternative Loan to help pay my tuition invoice, will the loan go directly to the college on my account?
If you are using a Direct Student Loan, Direct Parent's Plus Loan or an Alternative Loan to pay your tuition invoice, the bank will disburse your loan funds directly to the college. Half of the total loan amount will disburse in the Fall semester and the other half will disburse in the Spring semester. Remember there may be origination fees deducted from the loan.
What are origination fees?
Origination fees are bank fees charged for the loan processing of Direct Student Loans and Direct Parent's Plus Loans. The fees can range from 0% to 5% of the total loan amount. Check with your lender regarding these fees. Origination fees are deducted from the total loan amount before the loan is disbursed to the college. You will receive the total loan amount requested less origination fees.
For example, on a Direct Student Loan total of $3,500 and origination fees of 1.05%, you would receive a disbursement of $1,731.62 per semester. Half of the total loan amount is $1,750 less $18.38 in origination fees equals the loan disbursement amount of $1,731.62 per semester.
For a Direct Parent's Plus Loan total of $10,000 and origination fees of 4.2%, you would have a semester disbursement of $4,790. Half of the total loan amount is $5,000 less $210 in origination fees equals the loan disbursement amount of $4,790.
If I have a credit on my account as a result of loan funds, will you refund the credit to me?
If a credit is created on your account as a result of a loan disbursement, you will receive a refund. If the credit is created as a result of a Direct Student Loan, the refund will be issued in the student’s name. If the credit is created as a result of the Direct Parent's Plus Loan, the refund will be issued in the parent’s name. The tuition account must reflect a true credit in order for the refund to be issued.
If you participate in either semester payment plan offered by Nelnet, the refund will not be issued until all tuition payments are paid in full for the semester. “ To learn more about the plans and enrolling please see our website at: https://www.muhlenberg.edu/offices/businessoffice/tuitionpayment/.
Muhlenberg College Monthly Payment Plan
The monthly payment plan is a monthly installment plan that enables you to spread your total tuition obligation over as many as five months per semester. The plan is administered Nelnet, to learn more about the monthly payment plan, go to mycollegepaymentplan.com/muhlenberg/ There is an enrollment fee of $45 per semester, and enrollment can be made in either or both semesters. The payment plan can be utilized in addition to loans, grants, and scholarships, etc. Look at your total tuition invoice for a given year and deduct loans, scholarships, grants, or any other 3rd party payment to arrive at the family’s balance. This remaining balance is the payment plan amount. Monthly payments will be automatically charged to a credit or debit card (for a 2.75% service fee) or withdrawn from a bank account securely entered at enrollment in the plan at no cost.
To assist you with your calculations, you may access the printable Financing Worksheet.
What happens if I stop my plan?
If you stop payment on your plan, your tuition balance is immediately due and you must submit total payment to the College. You may also incur late fees with Nelnet. If your tuition remains unpaid a registration hold will be issued and you will not be allowed to register or receive a transcript moving forward.
Can Nelnet close my plan?
Nelnet may close your plan if you are delinquent in your payments too often. If that situation occurs your tuition is considered immediately due and payable to Muhlenberg College.
Can Muhlenberg College close my monthly payment plan?
The college may close your plan if you are delinquent in your payments. If that situation occurs your tuition is considered immediately due and payable to Muhlenberg College.
What meal plan can I have?
See Muhlenberg Meal Plan Eligibility Policy
What are 'Berg Bucks?
See 'Berg Bucks Policy
How do I access 'Berg Bucks?
'Berg Bucks are attached to your student ID card so it is very important that you do not lend your card out and that you report a lost card immediately to the Seeger’s Union card office. Your student ID card is very important. It gives you access to your residence hall, your meal plan, dining dollars, and Berg Bucks. When you make a purchase, you need to advise the register operator that you want to use 'Berg Bucks. The operator will key in your 'Berg Bucks information and they can also tell you your remaining balance.
What is a registration hold?
A registration hold means that you cannot register for the next semester’s classes. A registration hold is placed on accounts that are delinquent because tuition remains unpaid. A registration hold is also placed on student accounts that have outstanding parking, residential and library fines.
Students are encouraged to review their tuition account and resolve any issues involving fines.
A registration hold may also be placed on students pending disciplinary action.
Payment of outstanding tuition balances and fines is required in order for the registration hold to be released.
Where can I pay my tuition and fines?
There is a Cashier located in the Controller’s Office in the basement of the Haas Administration Building. Payments can be made to the cashier. Personal checks and cash may be used to pay tuition and fines. If your tuition account is delinquent, you may be required to make payment with a bank certified check or cashier’s check.
You can also mail payments to: The Office of the Controller Muhlenberg College 2400 Chew Street Allentown, PA 18104
Is my Work Study a credit against my tuition or paid to me as wages?
Work Study is usually awarded as part of your Financial Aid package. However it is not applied directly to your tuition. The Work Study wages are the total wages you may earn during a semester. These Work Study wages are paid directly to the student and are not reflected as a credit on the tuition invoice. Work Study wages are paid once a month on a Student Payroll. Please review the Office of Financial Aid website for work study job listings and review the Payroll section of the Office Controller for the Student Payroll paydate schedule.
I have Work Study wages, where can I pick up my payroll check?
There is a schedule posted in the Office of the Controller and the Office of Financial Aid regarding the paydates for Work Study jobs. Also review the Office of the Controller’s website for payroll information. Paychecks can be picked up in the Controller’s office on payday. You must present your student ID card in order for the check to be released to you. The student must pick up his or her own check.
