Enrollment Services

Tuition and Fees FAQ

How much do I pay?

The amount you pay in tuition is based on several factors: your residency status; your degree program; your eligibiligy for financial aid and the number of semester hours for which you are enrolled. *See Tuition Semester Fees for specific amounts related to your enrollment. Mandatory student fees, as well as other fees related to your enrollment, are also charged.

How is financial aid, including HOPE, applied to my account?

As your financial aid is applied to your account, it "pays" your billed charges in specific ways. Some types of financial aid pay down the charges in the order applied. Other aid has strict requirements in how it is applied. State law requires that the HOPE scholarship only pay required fees like matriculation and mandatory fees.  The HOPE Book Scholarship may apply to unpaid optional fees like university housing and housing parking.

Outside scholarship checks are posted directly to your student account whenever possible. Some checks require your endorsement. These checks are held in the Student Accounts Cashiers Office.  You will be notified if there is a check on file which requires your endorsement.

How can I get a printed statement?

You can view and print your financial information via the online registration system by using GoSOLAR. Under Student Accounts Menu, click on the View Statement of Account by Term option to review the assessed charges and print a statement.

When and where do I pay my fees?

Payments may be made at any time.  Your payment must be received by the Fee Payment Deadline each semester in order to avoid cancellation of your registration. Accepted payment methods are cash, check and  money order at the cashier windows, 100 Sparks Hall or payment can be made online via GoSOLAR by credit card (American Express, Discover, or Mastercard) and WebCheck. 

Credit card payments must be made on GoSOLAR. The university has contracted with a third party vendor to process all online American Express, Discover, and MasterCard credit card  payments.   A service fee of 2.75% will be assessed by the vendor on each transaction.  Therefore, those who choose the convenience of credit card payment methods will bear the direct cost of that convenience and the university and other students will not have to share indirectly in the expense.  Credit Card payments cannot be accepted by telephone or in person at the cashier windows. 

WebCheck is a secure electronic check payment method and is a simple, no cost alternative to credit cards.  You may use your own checking or savings account to make secure payments via the WebCheck system available on your GoSOLAR account.

On-campus payment checks should be payable to Georgia State University and may be delivered in person to the Student Accounts Payment windows. Save time by depositing your check or money order payment in the student accounts Drop Box located at the cashier windows on the first floor of Sparks Hall. Payment mailing address is Georgia State University, Office of Student Accounts, P.O. Box 4029, Atlanta, GA 30302-4029. Credit Card payments can be made on GoSOLAR only.  We do not accept Visa.

When will I get my financial aid refund?

Financial aid disbursements begin the second week of each term. Students should be aware of this and be prepared to use personal savings, or other resources, for anticipated expenses such as books and supplies, at the beginning of the term.

Financial aid is applied to school expenses such as tuition, fees, and housing charges, depending on the authorizations you have given GSU. If the financial aid applied to your account exceeds the amount of charges, you will receive a refund of the residual amount. However, student eligibility requirements must be verified before refunds are processed. If you meet eligibility requirements, your refund will be direct deposited to your account approximately 10 business days after the end of Late Registration each semester, depending on the bank used for direct deposit.

First-time freshman borrowers who have Federal Direct Loans must be enrolled in classes at Georgia State University for at least 30 days before their loan may be applied to their expenses and a refund issued. The earliest date that refunds are issued to these students will be one month after the first day of class.

For borrowers who have been awarded a Federal Direct Loan for one semester only, the loan will be disbursed in two parts. The earliest date for the first half is at the beginning of the semester. The earliest date for the 2nd half is at the midpoint of the semester.

Note: Your refund will be delayed if you drop your enrollment hours below the number of hours your financial aid was originally calculated for. You must be enrolled at least half-time to qualify for Federal Direct Loans.

How can I buy my books at the bookstore?

If you have financial aid or other funds available it will show on your GoSOLAR account. If the amount of assistance exceeds your institutional charges, a refund will be processed after the end of the drop/add period. This delay could cause a hardship for some students purchasing books and supplies. A line of credit will be sent to the Georgia State Bookstore that will allow you to charge books and supplies if you have a pending refund. The amount will be based on what you have available up to $650 ($1,000 for law students). You will be notified by e-mail when a credit is available in the bookstore.

What is loan counseling?

Entrance Loan Counseling: Borrowers who are getting loans for the first time at Georgia State are required to complete Entrance Loan Counseling (in person or by web) before receiving their first loan disbursement.

Exit Loan Counseling: Students who received loans are required to complete Exit Loan Counseling (in person or by web) when they are graduated or no longer enrolled at least half-time.

Federal Direct Loan Web Sites:
Entrance counseling
Exit counseling

To use the websites: Read the material, take the quiz, print the completed checklist, sign and return the checklist to the Student Accounts Office. Incomplete counseling checklists will delay your loan processing.

Federal Perkins Loan:
Exit counseling - see Exit Interview.

What is Fixed for Four?

The Guaranteed Tuition Plan offers new freshmen entering University System of Georgia institutions, including Georgia State University, a fixed tuition rate. The plan applies only to degree-seeking undergraduate students, and does not include mandatory fees or expenses for room and board.

For more information, visit the Fix for Four webpage.

What if I am a transfer student?

If you are transferring from another University System of Georgia school to Georgia State you pay Georgia State's "Fixed for Four" tuition.

Transfer students from University System of Georgia schools who first entered Georgia State University in fall 2006 or thereafter shall be charged the guaranteed tuition rate at Georgia State that was approved for the year in which they first entered a University System of Georgia School, if that year does not precede the year of transfer by more than four years. Students will retain that guaranteed tuition rate for the balance of four years. View the Board of Regents' Policy Manual Section #704 (Fees and Tuition) to learn more.