Student Finance

Payments

Term charges are due in full by the first payment due date. If the balance cannot be paid in full by the first payment due date of the term, students can enroll in the PSU Payment Plan to split the balance owed into three equal payments.

Payment Plan installments are due on the 6th of each month after classes begin, except for the first payment of the winter term. There are currently two ways to pay: online and by mail.

If you have not enrolled in the payment plan or paid in full by the first payment due date, you will be automatically enrolled in the PSU Payment Plan and charged a $100 late fee. Review the Academic Calendar for Financial Deadlines and more.

Pay Online

Pay online in myPSU using an e-check, credit, or debit card with CashNet/Transact. See below to authorize a third party to pay on your account.

  1. Log in to myPSU.

  2. Navigate to the Finances page, then select Manage Enrollment, Make a Payment, or Manage Payment Account.

  3. Continue to the payment site and follow the prompts to submit payment.

E-checks (electronic checks or ACH) require the routing and U.S.-based bank account numbers. The transaction takes 3-5 business days to complete.

Pay In Person

Payments can be made in person at the cashier counter during Student Financial Services hours. 

PSU only accepts cash or check payments in person. Credit and debit cards are not accepted at the counter. During open hours, online payments can be made at the computer kiosks on the first floor of Fariborz Maseeh Hall.

To meet the State of Oregon PCI (Payment Card Industry) compliance mandate, PSU cannot accept credit card payments in person at the cashiers' counters. PCI security standards require that credit card numbers not be stored on card terminals.

Pay by Mail

PSU is paperless and does not mail paper billing statements unless the account is past due. You can pay your bill without receiving a paper billing statement. To submit payment by mail:

  1. Make your check out to Portland State University.

  2. Write your PSU ID number on the check in the memo field. 

  3. Mail your payment to the PSU Cashier's Office.

If you have received a paper bill, return the bottom section with your payment.

Parent or Third-Party Paying for Student

Students can invite another payer to access their myPSU payment portal and make a one-time payment on their student accounts.

To invite a parent, guardian, or other individual to pay on your account on your behalf:

  1. Log in to myPSU.
  2. Navigate to the Finances page and select Manage Enrollment, Make a Payment, or Manage Payment Account.
  3. Under Available Items, there is a link to invite additional account access and make payments.
  4. The person will receive an invitation via email with their username (email) and one-time password. 

PSU will send invoices to third parties that require a separate invoice for the items on the student bill, which the sponsor will pay on behalf of the student. To be considered for the third-party billing process, sponsors must complete the Third-Party Agreement application and return it to the Office of Student Financial Services.

See below for more information on employers' contributions, internationally sponsored student accounts, and veteran payments. Portland State has dedicated staff to support third-party billing for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and sponsors.

Sponsored Accounts

If you need an employer, embassy, or other sponsoring agency to pay on your student account, you must present the Third Party Office with a statement of the agreement. The student is responsible for completing this in a timely fashion. The University will then invoice the third party directly for student account charges.

The student must pay charges not covered by the third party. If the third party fails to pay the invoiced charges, it becomes the student's responsibility to pay PSU.

Employers or Sponsors

Employers or sponsors wishing to pay on a student’s account may do so with authorization by the student. This grants permission for a third party to pay their account online via myPSU. Contact the student to set up authorization; more information is above.

Veteran Benefits

If you are a veteran attending the university on the GI Bill or with other veteran benefits, you must complete the appropriate steps for veteran certification with the Office of the Registrar before we can bill the federal VA for your tuition.

Unsuccessful Transactions

Checks and e-Checks: Paper and e-check payments can fail for several reasons. These may include insufficient funds, mistyped account information, or your bank's policy regarding check payments. Before making payments on your student account, ensure that the account you use has sufficient funds to cover the payment and double-check that the account information you provided for e-check payment is correct. 

If your check or e-check is returned due to a closed account, stopped payment, incorrect account number, or insufficient funds, PSU will:

  • Reverse the original payment on your account

  • Add a $25 returned check charge to your next bill 

  • Place a hold on your account (PSU reserves the right to cancel your registration for classes if a payment is returned as non-payable. If you feel the check was returned incorrectly, you may petition to have the $25 fee reversed by using the Returned Check Fee Petition Form.)

The $100 late fee applies to installments missed due to unsuccessful e-check payments. Students are allowed two returned checks before they can no longer pay with a check or e-check. This can be appealed using the Returned Check Fee Petition Form. If a student has two returned checks, they can pay with cash, cashier's checks, money orders, or certified checks. Online payments can be made with a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover card.

Credit Card: The credit card holder’s bank may decline an auto-pay transaction for various reasons. The system will attempt to run the card three times on the due date. If none of these attempts are successful, the payment will be considered missed, and a $100 late fee will be charged to the account. For large payments and when using credit cards issued by foreign banks, it is recommended that you contact your bank in advance to advise them that a transaction from Portland State University is expected.

Past Due Accounts

A student's account may be sent to collections after 90 days of non-payment. PSU will attempt to contact the student with two warning letters and a final notice that they are being sent to collections. Once the account is sent to an outside collection agency, the student will need to contact the assigned debt collector to make arrangements. Contact the Financial Wellness Center for more information about collections.