Business Office

Tuition Payment Options

Payment of tuition and required fees is mandatory to be considered enrolled. Payment of tuition and fees OR proper payment arrangements must be received prior to the payment deadline based on when the student registers for classes for that academic semester to prevent being dropped from the courses. For more information on payment deadlines, see the Registration page.

Payment options are as follows:

Guidelines for Payment Plans

Wilkes Community College is pleased to offer payment plans as a convenience to students and their families to help make payment of college attendance more manageable. Although they are the perfect fit for some students and their families, it may not be the desired method of payment for others. Therefore, it is important to read this section in its entirety prior to making the decision as to whether the payment plan option is right for you. If you need any assistance in setting up the payment plan, please contact the Business Office or stop by the Academic Support Center for help.

The payment plan can be used to cover tuition, fees and a book allowance. With the book allowance, an amount up to $500.00 may be granted so that books may be charged against the payment plan in the bookstore. The payment agreements are adjusted to be the exact amount owed to Wilkes Community College after the cut-off date for charging books; therefore, if your book allowance is $500.00 and you only spend $350.00, your payment agreement will be reduced by the difference and the remaining payments adjusted accordingly–typically your first month of payment (at minimum) is the exact amount of the original payment amount. If your agreement is adjusted, you will be notified about the change. If the payment agreement does not cover the student’s entire account balance, the student must pay, with other sources, the balance of the difference between the account balance and the payment agreement.

Once the student and his/her responsible party decide on what charges they wish to place on the payment plan and have their WCC student ID handy, the student may go online with the responsible party and complete the enrollment process. All payments are done electronically; therefore, a bank account or credit card account which allows electronic transfers of funds must be held by either the student or someone who will be the student’s responsible party. The enrollment fee ($30 per semester) will be deducted from the designated account and retained by Nelnet Business Solutions. All charges will be totaled together and payments will be calculated by dividing the total across the available months of payment for the specific semester. The payment amount will then be electronically deducted from the designated account on the 20th of each month. No interest is charged; however, if a payment is returned due to insufficient funds or any other reason, a $30.00 returned payment fee will be charged by Nelnet Business Solutions. The holding financial institution for the account may also charge a fee to the account per their returned payment fee guidelines. The college is in no way responsible for these fees since it is the student’s and/or responsible party’s responsibility to be sure that the appropriate payment amount is available for withdrawal on the designated payment date.

Once a payment plan is established by a student or their family member (responsible party), the agreement is a binding contract for payment for that semester; therefore, it is very important for the student to realize with a payment agreement comes the responsibility to assure payment. Tuition and fees may only be reduced on a payment plan if the courses are dropped prior to the first day of courses for the semester with the Registrar’s Office. Books are ALWAYS payable for the amount charged, although some books may be able to be returned for credit or a percentage of credit (contact the bookstore for specific return information).

Unless meeting the refund policy (see the “Refunds” tab), payment of a payment agreement is expected even if a student drops or stops attending. If charges remain on the student’s account on the last day of the academic semester for which the charges were incurred, the account will be submitted for collection by the guidelines for collecting delinquent accounts.

Refunds

Tuition refunds are made based upon Title 23 of the NC Administrative Code (23 NCAC) guidelines. A refund shall not be made except under the following circumstances:

• A 100% refund shall be made if the student officially withdraws prior to the first day of class(es) of the academic semester as noted in the college calendar. Also, a student is eligible for a 100% refund if the class in which the student is officially registered fails to “make” due to insufficient enrollment.
• A 75% refund shall be made if the student officially withdraws from the class(es) prior to or on the official 10% point of the semester.
• For classes beginning at times other than the first week (seven calendar days) of the semester, a 100% refund shall be made if the student officially withdraws from the class prior to the first class meeting. A 75% refund shall be made if the student officially withdraws from the class prior to the 10% point of the class.

The above policy may differ for financial aid recipients. For example, refunds may not be made to students but may be credited to the appropriate financial aid program. For a more detailed explanation, contact the Financial Aid Office.

In all refund cases, students must initiate the withdrawal through the Registrar’s Office.

Beginning on the semester’s first day of classes through the 10% point of the semester (eighth day for fall and spring semesters; fourth day for summer term), students will be charged 25% of the cost of any course dropped. The charge does not apply if a course with equal or more credit hours is added at the same time. For example, if students drop a 3-credit-hour course and at a later time add a 3-credit-hour course, then the 25% charge will be applied for the course dropped. Therefore, if students need to make changes to their original schedule, they should see their advisor on or before Registration Day to drop a course in order to avoid paying the 25% charge. After the 10% point of the semester, students will be responsible for 100% of the costs of courses on their schedule. For more details, contact the Registrar’s Office.

Collection of Delinquent Accounts

If an account is not collected in the specifications required for the approved payment plan option (for example, a problem with a payment plan exists, financial aid is cancelled, or a sponsorship declines payment for any reason), the account is the student’s responsibility and becomes delinquent on the last day of the academic semester for which the charges are incurred. Attempts are made during the semester for collection; however, if collection is not successful, accounts are submitted for collection through the NC Department of Revenue and collection agencies as necessary until collection is successful. Students may not register or graduate until outstanding debts are paid. Interest and penalties may be incurred on delinquent accounts submitted for collection. The college prefers for students to make arrangements with the Business Office for payment of accounts before the student’s account is submitted for collection of other means.

Click here to process an online payment plan for a delinquent account.

For more information on collection of outstanding accounts, please contact one of the following:

Kim Tuck, AAS
Accounting Specialist of Receivables
Phone: 336-838-6105
kdtuck744@wilkescc.edu

Jenni Wingler, BS
Assistant Director of Financial Services
Phone: 336-838-6108
Fax: 336-551-9436
jrwingler231@wilkescc.edu

1098-T

If you did not receive a 1098-T form in the mail and feel that you should have OR you received one and need a reprint of the form, you may access your 1098-T through Self-Service. If you need assistance logging in, please contact:

For more information educational tax credits and what is considered qualified tuition/fees, visit the IRS website. Please note that college personnel may not offer tax advice to students, and any questions related to how the tax credits affect your personal tax status need to be directed to your tax preparer.

Other Forms and Reports

• Direct Deposit Authorization Form