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Preparing for, Understanding and Paying Your Bill

What to do Now — before your bill arrives 

Take care of these items before July 15 so you're ready to act as soon as you receive your bill. 

  1. Log into myAid (your student financial aid portal) and make sure your account is active and accessible.
  2. Confirm your financial aid checklist is complete and nothing is outstanding.
  3. If you have an outside scholarship that will cover your remaining balance, please make sure the award letter has been sent directly to the Financial Aid office or you have completed the Non-Institutional Scholarship Form. 
  4. If you are pursuing a Federal Parent PLUS or Private loan, confirm the application has been submitted and is in the process of awaiting certification. 

What to do once your bill arrives

Your first Messiah bill will be available in Transact on July 15. It will show a detailed breakdown of your tuition, fees, housing and dining charges, along with the financial aid being applied as credits. The remaining amount is the balance due. 

 A few things to know when you open it: 

  • If your aid is displayed as “pending,” don’t panic, it could mean something is still in process. Check myAid for any outstanding requirements and email studentfinsvcs@messiah.edu if you’re unsure. 
  • A Transact payment plan must cover your full remaining balance to qualify. Partial plans do not exempt you from the unpaid portion. 
  • If your balance is covered by a combination of sources, (outside scholarship, Transact Payment Plan, 529 and payment, etc.) you are in good standing if the full balance is covered. 

 

A note on Slingshot book charges

Slingshot book charges are typically added to student accounts in late August, after the initial bill is released. Please take this into consideration as you review your account prior to arriving on campus.

 

August 14 — your billing payment deadline

Your account must be in good standing by August 14. One of the following must be in place: 

  • Balance paid in full through Transact 
  • Enrollment in a Transact Payment Plan (we offer 3 to 6 month payment plans). The payment plan must cover your full remaining balance. 
  • A certified Federal Parent PLUS or private loan on file with Financial Aid. Disbursement is not required by August 14, only certification.
  • An outside scholarship award letter or a completed Non-Institutional Scholarship Form that shows your scholarship will cover your remaining balance, on file with our Financial Aid office.
  • Or any combination of the above that covers your balance in full 

If you anticipate any difficulty meeting this deadline, please email studentfinsvcs@messiah.edu. We are here to help discuss available options. 

Beginning with the 2026–2027 academic year, a 1.25% monthly finance charge will be assessed on any unpaid balance from August through December. Take care of your balance by August 14 and you won't pay a penny in finance charges. 

 

Important Reminder - if your account is not in good financial standing at Move-In

We know life happens and we want to work with you. Here's what to expect if your balance is unresolved when you arrive on campus: 

  • On your Move-In day, you'll talk with Student Financial Services (SFS) as part of the Check-in process.
  • If your student account has an outstanding balance, an SFS team member will schedule a personal meeting with you during Welcome Week to get everything sorted out. 
  • You’ll receive your room key and get moved in; the meeting comes later. 
  • If you do not attend your scheduled SFS meeting prior to the first day of classes, a $250 no-show fee will be added to your account. 

We genuinely want to help you complete your first semester bill before you arrive on campus. A quick call or email now is so much easier than sorting it out on move-in day.