Frequently Asked Questions

Listed below are common questions asked of Student Account Services. If you don't see your particular concern listed below, please feel free to contact us.

What is the Student Account Services office?

Student Account Services and the Cashiers Office are dedicated to supporting the success of Winthrop University students, families, faculty, staff, and campus partners through exceptional customer service, accurate financial stewardship, and effective communication. We strive to provide professional, individualized assistance that helps students achieve their educational goals while ensuring the responsible management of university funds and financial operations.

Our team oversees student billing, payment processing, payment plans, refunds, account management, and university-wide payment services, while maintaining compliance with applicable regulations and industry standards. Through collaboration, continuous improvement, staff development, and a commitment to service excellence, we work to create a positive experience for every member of the Winthrop community.

How do I pay my fees?

Online: For information on online payments, please see Payment Methods or Pay Online.

You may pay by electronic check or credit card (American Express, MasterCard, Discover, or Visa).
- Please be advised that credit card transactions will be assessed a 3% ($3.00 minimum) transaction fee.

In Person: Payment may be made at the Cashiers Office (22 Tillman Hall) with either cash, money order, or personal check.

The Cashiers Office cannot accept credit or debit cards for payment in office or over the phone.
We accept Credit/Debit or Electronic Check (E-Check) payments online only.

Check/Money Order: Payments may be mailed to:

Winthrop University
Cashiers Office
22 Tillman Hall
Rock Hill, SC 29733-0001

Memo students' Winthrop ID (W#)

When will I receive my billing notice or Statement of Account?

Online, ALL students may view their account balance and acquire a billing statement at any time (as well as set up payments plans during the designated window) via WINGSPAN > Account Details card > Account Portal.

Please reference the Billing Schedule & Deadlines for specific dates by term, like when fees will be assesssed or the payment deadline.

NOTE: Adobe provides free software that allows users to view PDF files. To open such files, please download Adobe Reader.

If I was expecting to receive a billing notice but did not, what should I do?

Please reference the Billing Schedule & Deadlines for specific dates by term, like when fees will be assesssed or the payment deadline.

NOTE: Adobe provides free software that allows users to view PDF files. To open such files, please download Adobe Reader.

What will happen if I do not pay by the published fee payment deadline in the payment schedule?

Late Payment Fee:

It is the responsibility of all Winthrop University students to pay his or her tuition and fees by the published fee payment deadline in order to avoid a late payment fee.
Failure to establish satisfactory payment arrangements by the Fee Payment Deadline may result in the assessment of a late payment fee of $150.00.

Cancellation of Classes for Non-Payment:

Winthrop University reserves the right to cancel student registrations for all courses unless the student has made satisfactory payment arrangements by the established deadline.
Students who have satisfactory payment arrangements will not be dropped.
We use the students' Winthrop University e-mail address to notify students they may lose their class schedule.

When do I make my first payment under the Winthrop Payment Plan if I enroll online?

Winthrop offers optional payment plans to choose from for the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms.

Payment plans are available for enrollment during designated timeframes (see the payment plan webpage). Generally before the term begins and up to the payment deadline.
Due dates are listed when you are enrolling in your payment plan of choice.

Your first payment on the payment plan must be made before your classes can be protected. The first payment must be recieved before the fee payment deadline. Once your payment is received, your schedule will be protected automatically.

You can check your schedule protection status online in Wingspan through the Academics tab - see the Schedule Status card.

I don't owe any money, what should I do?

If:

Your financial aid is equal to or greater than the charges on your account
Your total balance due is paid (including prior terms)
And you are fully registered for all of your classes

Then: Your schedule will be protected automatically.

Students are encouraged to review the requirements for payment and make sure they have satisfactory payment arrangements in place, and also check their schedule protection status online in WINGSPAN under the Academics tab - Schedule Status card.
Students who feel that they have satisfied the payment requirements but are still not protected will need to contact Student Account Services at 803/323-2165 or sas@winthrop.edu.

When will I get my refund?

Refund processing will begin roughly one week before classes begin.

Refunds take 2-3 business days to process after the refund is applied to the student account.
Direct deposits should be received by the student's bank account within 2-3 business days.
- Refunds will be deposited directly into the student's bank account if they have signed up for direct deposit through Wingspan> Student Account Services card> Direct Deposit.
If the student did not sign up for direct deposit, checks will be mailed directly to the student's permanent address on file. Paper checks should be received within 7-10 business days.

REMINDER: Financial aid eligibility changes when enrollment status changes.

Your original award was determined using the enrollment status (full time, three quarter, etc.) you reported on your FAFSA.
If your enrollment status at Winthrop drops below the anticipated status you provided on the FAFSA during the period of time allotted for course changes, your aid may be reduced. Should this occur, you will be responsible for repaying a portion of your refund to Winthrop, if applicable.
Students must also have all of their financial aid requirements satisfied prior to their aid disbursing.

Why haven't I received my refund?

Many things can delay the processing of student refunds. The follow are the most common reasons:

Title IV Authorization was declined (this results in a delay of processing)
Financial Aid funds have not been disbursed
Student does not have an active permanent address in WINGSPAN
Recent schedule changes
Incorrect Direct Deposit information
Outdated or incorrect address in WINGSPAN
Recently made a payment with a paper or electronic check
Financial Aid requirements are incomplete

If none of these delays apply to you and your financial aid was disbursed more than 5 business days prior, please e-mail sas@winthrop.edu to inquire.

REMINDER: Financial aid eligibility changes when enrollment status changes.

Your original award was determined using the enrollment status (full time, three quarter, etc.) you reported on your FAFSA.
If your enrollment status at Winthrop drops below the anticipated status you provided on the FAFSA during the period of time allotted for course changes, your aid may be reduced. Should this occur, you will be responsible for repaying a portion of your refund to Winthrop, if applicable.
Students must also have all of their financial aid requirements satisfied prior to their aid disbursing.

Will my refund be processed on January 3th if I am a student athlete?

To ensure compliance with NCAA regulations, all refund checks for athletes must be approved by the Athletic Department. This may result in a delay of 5-7 days before your refund is available.

How is my tuition payment spent?

See our Explanation of Fees webpage.

Still have questions?

General Payment Information

PLEASE NOTE:

Billing statements are sent only to the student's Winthrop email. Students are advised to share this information with 3rd party payers such as parents or grandparents.

See Payment Methods for more details

Your course schedule may be dropped if satisfactory payment arrangements are not made by the Fee Payment Deadline.

Consider enrolling in a payment plan to protect your course schedule
- Payment Plans are offered by Winthrop before the semester begins and usually up to the Fee Payment Deadline
- Enroll in the Account Portal via Wingspan> Account Details card> Account Portal> Enroll in a Payment Plan

Student accounts are updated daily in the account portal and may view the information at any time

Access via Wingspan > Account Details card > Account Portal
You may access your full account details including dates and individual items by clicking View Activity, then select a term and expand items for details

Parents and others must be set up as an Authorized User to make online payments on behalf of a student

The student must set up parents and others as authorized user(s) in their Account Portal for others to view the student online account summary

Payment may be made at the Cashiers Office (22 Tillman Hall) with either cash or personal check

The Cashiers Office cannot accept credit or debit cards for payment in office or over the phone
We accept Credit/Debit or Electronic Check (E-Check) payments online only
For personal check or money order, make payable to: Winthrop University. Memo student's ID (W#)
The check should be mailed to: Winthrop University, Cashiers Office, 22 Tillman Hall, Rock Hill, SC 29733