2A
Tuesday, January 16, 1996
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
New tuition plan grabs attention
Monthly payments help cash-strapped students fund college expenses
By Colleen McCain Kansan staff writer
KU students now have the option of paying for tuition the same way they pay rent and their credit card bills—in monthly payments.
In the past, students had to pay all their campus fees and tuition before each semester began.
But beginning this semester, students can pay their tuition and fees in four monthly installments.
Kathe Shinham, comproller, said student interest in the newly implemented plan had surpassed administrators' hopes.
"Our goal was to sign up 1,000 students this semester, but more than 1,700 students have taken advantage of the payment plan," Shinham said. "We're hoping to have 10 percent — or about 2,500 students — sign up in the fall."
The University contracted with Academic Management Services (AMS) to administer the monthly tuition payment plan.
No interest charges are assessed to students who sign up for the plan, but they must pay a $25 fee to AMS when they make their first payment each semester.
Students who signed up for the plan this semester made payments on Dec. 1 and Jan. 1 and will make payments on Feb. 1 and March 1.
Karen Bailey, bursar, said having the monthly tuition payment plan meant that the tuition payment lines, which snaked through the Kansas Union in past semesters, were almost nonexistent this semester.
"Every student who pays tuition through AMS is one more student our office doesn't have to process," Bailey said.
The amount of each student's monthly payment varies because scholarships and financial aid are subtracted from the monthly payments.
A student with no financial aid, paying in-state tuition and campus fees, which total $1,091 per semester, would pay the $25 fee and then make monthly payments of $272.75 to AMS.
KU is the only university in the Big Eight with this type of plan.
monthly payments, and it costs KU nothing."
"This plan seems to be a winner for everyone," Morrell said. "Students can pay for tuition in
Rich Morrell, University registrar, said the University paid nothing to AMS for the plan's administration.
Scott Hickman, Lawrence nondegree student, spoke with an AMS representative on Friday and was considering signing up for the plan.
AMS makes its profit from the $25 fee each student pays and from the interest accrued while AMS holds each payment in savings before transferring the money to KU.
"I saw posters around campus and decided to come find out about the plan."
Scott Hickma
Scott Hickman Lawrence nondegree student
"I saw posters around campus and decided to come find out about the plan," Hickman said. "I think the plan is easier money-wise for students, but it's also easier to screw up. I'm worried that I might mess up the payments."
Miriam Rose, AMS account manager, said that most students who could afford to pay tuition in one lump sum would continue to do so rather than worry about making monthly payments. "AMS serves more than 1,500 universities nationwide." Rose said. "At other state universities, we've seen participation level off at about 10 percent."
Rose said the student delinquency rate was less than 1 percent nationwide. Failure to make payments results in a $10 late fee and could result in a student's classes being dropped.
Students who don't make their final monthly payment will not be permitted to enroll for the next semester.
The University Daily Kansan (USPS 650-840) is published at the University of Kansas, 119 Staffer Flint Hall, Flaunt, Kan. 66045, daily during the regular school year, excluding Saturday, Sunday, holidays and final periods, and Wednesday during the summer session. Second-class postage is paid in Lawrence, Kan. 66044. Annual subscriptions by mail are $90. Student subscriptions are paid through the student activity fee.
ON CAMPUS
Postmaster: Send address changes to the University Daily, Kansan, 119 Staufer-Flint Hall, Lawrence, Kan. 68045.
3:30 p.m. today at 4046 Wesco Hall. For more information, call Nancy Mitchell at 864-3742.
The Office of Study Abroad will sponsor an informational meeting about the Great British direct exchange program at
We Buy, Sell, Trade & Consign USED & New Sports Equipment
841-PLAY
1029 Massachusetts
Weather
TODAYS TEMPS
Atlanta 67 ° • 44 °
Chicago 47 ° • 23 °
Des Moines, Iowa 41 ° • 10 °
Kansas City, Mo. 59 ° • 24 °
Lawrence 55 ° • 35 °
Los Angeles 72 ° • 56 °
New York 46 ° • 40 °
Omaha, Neb. 43 ° • 9 °
St. Louis 64 ° • 32 °
Seattle 51 ° • 47 °
Topeka 61 ° • 24 °
Tulsa, Okla. 68 ° • 34 °
Wichita 65 ° • 23 °
TODAY
Partly sunny and warmer.
Source: Associated Press
ON THE RECORD
A 20-year-old Lawrence woman tried to kill herself Saturday by lighting herself and the inside of her car on fire on the 1700 block of 23rd Street, according to the Lawrence Fire Department. A witness to the car fire extinguished the blaze by the time the firefighters arrived. The woman is in critical condition at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan.
A Lawrence resident's bicycle was stolen Saturday from the 600 block of Alabama Street, Lawrence police reported. The bicycle was valued at $700.
A KU student's tail light assembly was stolen Saturday on the 700 block of Missouri Street, Lawrence police reported. The item was valued at $416.68.
stolen or lost Friday on the 900 block of Massachusetts Street, Lawrence police reported. The checks were valued at $34.
A KU student's checks were
A KU employee's bowling balls, bowling-balls bag and bowling shoes were stolen Friday on the 3100 block of Iowa Street, Lawrence police reported. The items were valued at $655.
A KU employee's flatbed trailer was reported stolen Friday, Lawrence police reported. The trailer was valued at $140, and a padlock damaged in the theft was valued at $5.
A facilities operations building, five trucks and a bulldozer were vandalized, and keys and a tree timing saw were stolen Saturday, KU police reported. The value of the damage and stolen property was believed to exceed $5,000.
IS YOUR BANK ACCOUNT LITTLE LOW AFTER CHRISTMAS???
Need some extra cash to help pay off those credit card bills? Innovex, a pharmaceutical research organization, has the answer!
You can earn up to $625.00 by participating in a clinical research study.
We are looking for healthy, non-smoking males between the ages of 18-40 willing to participate in a research study for four nights with three follow up visits.
Pick up the phone today and call for more details. Reserve your spot today!
TOSEEIFYOUQUALIFY,CALL
INNOVEX, INC.
11250 CORPORATE AVE., LENEXA, KS. 66219
(913)894-5533