The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Joplin Metro

Discussion

December 2, 2007

Students facing new MSSU payment policy

By Joe Hadsall

jhadsall@joplinglobe.com

Students say they feel the pinch of a new payment plan at Missouri Southern State University, and they wish for the old one.

MSSU students must have all of their fees for tuition and book rentals for the spring 2008 semester paid by 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17. If students miss that deadline, they will be dropped from their classes.

The deadline is different: Students used to be allowed to pay 50 percent of their fees before the start of the semester and the remainder at a later date. The MSSU Board of Governors discontinued that 50-50 payment plan in February.

“I think it would be a great idea to bring it back,” said freshman Kristine Rupe, of Webb City. “A lot of students can’t afford all of their fees upfront. If I didn’t get a grant, I would have to work full time to do it.”

Ila Durkin, of Monett, will be going to Missouri State University in Springfield next year. The junior said the reason for the transfer was the elimination of the payment plan.

“It’s ridiculous that they want all of it before classes even start,” Durkin said. “That’s why I’m switching schools.”

Students also are acclimating to another change. The university discontinued the practice of sending paper bills. Students now must access the LioNet system and keep track of their bills online.

“My mom is upset about it,” said junior Rachel Roberds, of Webb City. “She doesn’t like online transactions, and now she’s forced to pay online.”

But students still may pay their fees at the university’s business office.

The changes were made to clean up a “paperwork nightmare,” said Rob Yust, interim vice president of business affairs. The 50-50 plan was discontinued because it caused debts for students.

“If a student dropped out from paying the remaining 50 percent, there would still be a balance remaining on their account,” Yust said. “This way, if their fees aren’t collected upfront, they are dropped before they take any classes, so they don’t incur any debt.”

Sophomore John Ockert, of Joplin, predicted that the elimination of the plan will keep students from enrolling.

“Because they will have to pay upfront, a lot will have to go into debt,” he said. “They will have to wait a year or so to save up.”

Students who cannot make their entire payment upfront may sign up for a payment plan through TuitionPay, a division of Sallie Mae Business Office Solutions. Students pay a one-time fee of $35 and one-fifth of their tuition bill, then spread the remainder across four monthly payments.

“It’s more manageable than the 50-50 plan,” Yust said. “It’s their total bill spread out over four months.”

MSSU’s payment policy is similar to those of other nearby universities, including MSU and Pittsburg (Kan.) State University. Each of those schools offers payment plans for students.

The university’s new method of billing requires students to take an extra step of responsibility, Yust said. Previous bills were handled by a third-party company that printed, folded and mailed the bills on a monthly basis.

The cost of that service was not available Friday afternoon, Yust said.

“Students will have to go online to view their account, then print off a bill,” Yust said. “It’s a little more responsibility on students’ part.”

Junior Nikki Llewellyn, of St. Louis, said the new system hasn’t bothered her.

“It’s probably cheaper for the school,” she said. “I had to get used to LioNet, but it will be better in the future.”

The new system requires a learning curve and isn’t as efficient, said senior Karl Keczkemethy, of Seaside Heights, N.J.

“I hate to bad-mouth my own school, but I can’t stand this new system,” he said. “It was easier when they mailed bills to me.”





Alone in state



Board of Governors Chairman Dwight Douglas said in February that Missouri Southern was the only four-year institution in the state that offered a 50-50 payment plan.

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