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Student Billing - Frequently Asked Questions

All billing statements are emailed to the student’s WKU topper email address. It is recommended that students establish a "Billing Email Address" for the individual responsible for making payment. This can be accomplished by logging in to TopNet, selecting the "Personal Information" tab, clicking on "View/Update Email Address(es)" and selecting "Billing Email Address" from the drop down menu at "Type of E-mail to Insert". Please refer to the Fee Payment Due Dates section to see when bills will be emailed.
Log in to TopNet and select "Ebill History", located under the "Student Services" tab.

Western Kentucky University offers payment plans to students through its partnership with Nelnet Campus Commerce. For the Fall and Spring semesters, we offer the following plans:

Fall semester:

5-pay - Payments due June 1, July 1, August 1, September 1, and October 1

4-pay - Payments due July 1, August 1, September 1, and October 1

3-pay - Payments due August 1, September 1, and October 1

2-pay - Payments due September 1 and October 1

Spring semester:

5-pay - Payments due November 1, December 1, January 1, February 1, and March 1

4-pay - Payments due December 1, January 1, February 1 and March 1.

3-pay - Payments due January 1, February 1 and March 1.

2-pay - Payments due February 1 and March 1.

Each payment plan is available for a non-refundable $45 enrollment fee. Additional information can be found on our Payment Plans page. If you need additional assistance or wish to contact the University about these matters, please contact the Office Student Billing at (270) 745-6381.

Because of high service and processing costs, the Office of Student Billing does not accept credit/debit cards as a method to pay student account charges such as tuition, fees, room and board. We believe the savings realized by the University can be better utilized for academic endeavors. Credit/debit cards will continue to be accepted at campus locations other than the Office of Student Billing.

We partner with Nelnet Campus Commerce to allow students to pay their bill via Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express credit/debit card. Nelnet does charge a convenience fee which equals 2.85% of the amount of the payment.

To make a credit/debit card payment, please log in to TopNet and select the Student Services tab, click on Pay Tuition and Fees and then select Pay Now. 

You can also make a credit/debit card payment by visiting wku.edu/billing and selecting 'Make a Payment Online'.

When paying tuition/fees through TopNet, click Pay Now and then click your preferred payment option (Make a Payment or Set up a Payment Plan, if applicable). You will then enter the amount you wish to pay. 
The due date is printed on each Ebill. Please refer to our Payment Due Dates section for specific dates. If payment is not received (not a post-mark date) by the due date on the invoice, a late fee will occur. Also, a financial obligation hold will be placed on your account which prohibits receipt of transcript and may prohibit registration activity until the balance is paid in full. If you do not have an invoice or have questions about the date, call (270) 745-6381.
Please refer to our Payment Options section.
Yes. WKU uses a bank processor in Charlotte, North Carolina that handles and posts all our payments for tuition, fees and housing. Payments are processed within 7 to 10 business days upon receipt.
You can print a Term Summary Receipt from TopNet by selecting Student Services, View Account Summary and then click Term Summary Receipt. You may also contact the Office of Student Billing at (270) 745-6381 or go to room 208 in Potter Hall. 

TopNet provides students the opportunity to view a "summary of charges and payments" and to pay tuition and fees with a Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express credit/debit card with a convenience fee through Nelnet Campus Commerce via the following steps.

Steps

1. Access TopNet

2. Select TopNet Login.

3. At the User Login Screen, enter your WKU ID number and your 6 digit PIN or Net ID and Password. Click on "Login".

4. Click on "Continue Login".

5. From the WKU TopNet screen, click on "Student Services".

6. Click on "Pay Tuition and Fees".

7. Click on "Pay Now".

9. Follow the prompts provided to make payment.

10. Once payment has been made, you will receive a confirmation number.

You can verify the university has received your payment by logging in to TopNet, select "Student Records" and click on "Account Summary by Term". If you have questions about payments, please contact the Office of Student Billing at (270) 745-6381.
All billing statements are emailed to the student’s WKU topper email address. It is recommended that students establish a "Billing Email Address" for the individual responsible for making payment. This can be accomplished by logging in to TopNet, selecting the "Personal Information" tab, clicking on "View/Update Email Address(es)" and selecting "Billing Email Address" from the drop down menu at "Type of E-mail to Insert". Please refer to the Fee Payment Due Dates section to see when bills will be emailed.
Address changes may be made at the Office of the Registrar in room 216, Potter Hall. It is very important that students maintain accurate addresses with the Office of the Registrar at all times. Important correspondence is directed to the address currently on file.
Contact the Office of the Registrar, Room 216, Potter Hall.
Office of Student Financial Assistance, Potter Hall, Third Floor.
Office of Student Financial Assistance, Potter Hall, Third Floor.

Endorse the check and include your WKU ID number. Bring the check to the Office of Student Financial Assistance or mail to:

Western Kentucky University

Office of Student Financial Assistance, Potter Hall

1906 College Heights Blvd #11018

Bowling Green, KY 42101-1018

Please allow at least two (2) weeks for processing and recording.
Contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance at 270-745-2755 or visit their office in Potter Hall, third floor.
We will automatically credit the student’s semester invoice with the PLUS loan. Parents will be given the option of having any excess funds (after tuition/fees and housing are paid) refunded to the student or parent. For questions regarding Parent PLUS loans, please contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance at 270-745-2755.
The Kentucky Education Excellence Scholarships will be applied to students’ accounts after the funds are received from Frankfort – approximately 3-4 weeks after classes begin.

An obligation is a hold that is placed on your account for any past due amounts. Any account not paid in full by the payment due date indicated on the statement is considered past due. An obligation will prevent you from receiving or having access to your academic records (transcripts), diploma, and may prevent your future registration. It can also hold up your financial aid. If you dispute a charge, you must clear it with the appropriate department.

You may make a payment by check or cash. Do not deposit cash in the drop box; please pay at the Billings Office. Checks are okay for the drop box. For the quickest removal of an obligation, go to the Billings Office and make a payment directly. If the Billings Office is closed, you can pay on TopNet. A process runs nightly that removes hold flags for the Billings Office when the obligation is paid.

Contact the Office of Student Billing at (270) 745-6381 to speak to someone about setting up a
special payment agreement.
Please contact the Housing Office in Southwest Hall, Room 18 or call (270) 745-4359.
Contact the Housing Office in Southwest Hall, Room 18 or call (270) 745-4539.
ID/Access cards can be obtained at the ID Center located in Dero Downing Student Union, room 2125. There is no charge for your first ID card. Replacement ID/Access cards can be purchased for a replacement fee.
If you need a replacement card, a new card can be purchased for a replacement fee. You will need to stop by the ID Center in Dero Downing Student Union, room 2125 during normal office hours to purchase a new card.
Students can sign up for a meal plan at www.wkudining.com. If you have a question about the meal plan charge on your bill, please contact the ID Center at (270) 745-2417.  For additional questions, contact WKU Dining Services at (270) 745-2416.
If you would like to dispute a late fee, please contact the Office of Student Billing at (270) 745-6381 to discuss your account with a billings specialist.
Contact the Office of the Registrar at (270) 745-3351.
Once you have withdrawn from the classes in which you are filing an appeal, you may then be eligible to submit a Tuition Appeal for Extenuating Circumstances. You should obtain the form and directions for submitting an appeal from the Office of Student Billing, second floor, Potter Hall. Supporting third-party documentation is required and must be submitted with your appeal which will be reviewed by the Tuition Appeals Committee. Submission of the appeal does not guarantee committee approval of the appeal, and the decision of the Tuition Appeals Committee is final. This appeal is for tuition only. If the appeal is approved, you may still owe a balance to WKU depending upon financial aid, housing, meals, bookstore charges, etc. 
The Admissions Office determines residency for undergraduate students. Please contact the Admissions Office at (270) 745-2551 or visit their website at https://www.wku.edu/admissions. For Graduate students, please contact The Graduate School at (270) 745-2446 or visit their website at https://www.wku.edu/graduate.
Full-time students are undergraduates who enroll for 12 hours or more of course work or graduate students who enroll for 9 hours or more of course work during Fall and Spring terms. The full-time tuition rate applies to undergraduate students taking 12-18 credit hours. An additional per credit hour fee equivalent to the per hour rate will be charged to undergraduate students enrolled for more than 18 credit hours. Graduate tuition and fees are assessed per credit hour based upon the course (i.e. on-campus or distance learning). There is no full-time graduate rate.
Course fees can be viewed on our website under "Tuition and Fees", "Course Fees". These fees are non-refundable after the University’s refund policy is less than 100%. All fees are per course unless otherwise noted.

Included within the tuition rate for the 2014-15 academic year is a Student Athletic Fee of $212, a Student Centers Fee of $60, and a Dero Downing Student Union Renovation Fee of $70. The fees are prorated to part-time undergraduate and graduate students on a per hour basis. These fees do not apply to the Distance Learning rates.

 

Included within the tuition rate for the 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24 academic years is a Student Athletic Fee of $218, a Student Centers Fee of $62, a Dero Downing Student Union Renovation Fee of $70, and a Creason Parking Structure Fee of $30 per semester. The fees are prorated to part-time undergraduate and graduate students on a per hour basis. These fees do not apply to the Distance Learning rates.

The First Day Access Code charge is the Inclusive Access program through the WKU Store. With this program, the cost of course materials is added as a charge for the course.  When the charge is added to the account, students will receive an email from Barnes & Noble's First Day system. The email includes all items that they will receive, the prices associated with them, and a link to opting-out. Additional questions may be addressed to the WKU Store at 270-745-2466. First Day FAQs can be found here.

Effective Fall 2022: The "Big Red Backpack Books B&N" charge is for the Big Red Backpack program. With this program, $24 per credit hour will be applied to your student account. Big Red Backpack charges are non-refundable after the 100% refund period. Additional questions may be addressed to the WKU Store at 270-745-2466. Big Red Backpack program FAQs can be found here.

Western Kentucky University, in accordance with KRS 164.284, will waive all tuition and fees for any person sixty-five (65) years of age or older who is a resident of Kentucky. The individual must be 65 on or before the day the semester begins for the term in which he or she wishes to enroll for credit or audit. In the event that classes are full or the granting of free tuition requires additional staff or course sections, the university may deny an individual’s request.
You will need to turn in a KAPT billing authorization form to the Office of Student Billing each semester you would like to use your KAPT benefits. To print a KAPT billing authorization form or to check your KAPT account balance, please visit the KAPT website at www.getkapt.com. You may fax your billing authorization form directly to the Office of Student Billing at 270-745-6584.
Our computer system refunds credit balances only. In order to remove the credit balance from your account and return your money, the refund amount must be added to the charges to create a zero balance on your account.

 

Some of the links on this page may require additional software to view.

 Last Modified 11/28/23