Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Parts of Terms?

  Parts of Term is a period within a semester during which courses are offered. 5b is a part of the fall or spring semester, while minimester is a part of the summer semester.

• What is a semester?

  Semester is a period of enrollment such as fall, spring or summer.

• What is the difference between my account balance and account charges?

  Your account balance is charges minus payments, financial aid, and/or adjustments, while your account charges is a total of all your tuition and fees billed to your account for a given semester.

• How do I get a copy of my bill?

  Statements can be viewed through your Student Account Center. Statements are released periodically through the semester and will not reflect changes until a new statement is loaded.

  The Student Account Center can be accessed by

  1. Logining to MySam
  2. Clicking the My Account tab
  3. Under Cashier's office, click View My Statements
• How can I check my balance?

  You can check your account balance and history is available your Student Account Center and your student profile.

  You can access your Student Profile by

  1. Logining to MySam
  2. Clicking the My Account tab
  3. Under My Account, click Account Balance
• How do I make payment online?

  You can make a payment online through your Student Account Center.

  The Student Account Center can be accessed by

  1. Logining to MySam
  2. Clicking the My Account tab
  3. Under Cashier's office, click Pay Online
• What forms of payment can be used in-office?

  You can pay with cash, checks, money orders, and cashier's checks in-person. Credit card payments can be made in your Student Account Center. Visit our Payment Methods page for more information.

• What forms of payment are accepted online?

  You can pay online with an electronic check (e-check) or credit card.

  Electronic Check

  An electronic check is a digital version of a traditional paper check. With an eCheck, money is electronically withdrawn from your checking account, transferred over the ACH network, and deposited the university. You will need your banking account information (Routing and Account Number) to make the payment. There is no processing fee for electronic checks.

  Credit Card

  We accept VISA, MasterCard, Discover, China Union, JCB, and American Express. All credit card charges include an additional 2.85% convenience fee.

• When will my balance for the semester be due?

  You must enroll in an installment payment plan or pay in full before the first-class day.

  See due dates
• When will my semester charges apply to my account?

  Balances are loaded 2-3 weeks before a semester begins.

• When will my financial aid apply to my account?

  Financial Aid begins to load to accounts 10 days before a semester begins.

• Are payment plans available and how do I enroll in one?

  Payment plans available for current due tuition, housing, dining, and parking permits during all terms. You can enroll once fees have been applied to your account.

  You can enroll in a payment plan through your Student Account Center. Payment plans cost $30 and require a 10% down payment upon enrollment.
• How can my parent/guardian/payee access my account?

  You can grant users such as parent(s) access to your Student Account Center. Once you enter the authorized user's email, they will receive an email to set up a username and password. Authorized Users may view and make payment to a student account through the Student Account Center if they are added as an Authorized User by the student.

  To add an Authorized User,

  1. Login to your Student Account Center
  2. Click Authorized User under My Profile
  3. Enter their email
• Where do I submit my tuition waivers?

  Students can submit tuition assistance waivers (Texas Tomorrow, Adoption, Blind/Deaf, etc.) to cshforms@shsu.edu one week before the start of the semester.

  Be sure to include

  • Your Name
  • Your Sam ID
  • Enrolled Term
  • Your Waiver Type

  Email waiver details

• When can I expect to receive my tuition refund for dropping a class?

  If a student is receiving a refund, the account will reflect a negative balance. It takes about 2-3 business days for the refund to be processed. After the refund is processed, the account balance will turn to $0. Once this happens, the student can expect the refund either the same day or in 1-2 business days depending on the student's chosen refund preference.

• How will I receive my refund?

  Refunds are disbursed via your refund preference selected through a personal code received at your University email address. For any further questions about your refund preference, you can contact the Bearkat OneCard office at 936-294-1083 or saservices@shsu.edu.
• How much does it cost to attend SHSU?

  Check out our Cost Calculator. The tuition calculator estimates cost per semester. Input the amount of credit hours you plan to take for a given semester (an average class is 3 credit hours) and it will provide you with a close estimate for the semester.
• Are there fees that are eligible to be waived if I am an online student?

  There are only two fees that are eligible to be waived for students who qualify for the Distance Learning Waiver. The Distance Learning Waiver waives the Lowman Student Center Fee ($100), and Recreational Fee ($100).

  To qualify for this waiver, the student must be enrolled in all online classes (no remote options) AND the mailing address on file for the student must be outside a 60-mile radius from the university.

• What is the Tuition Set-Aside email about?

  The Tuition Set-Aside for Financial Assistance notification is sent to all students, as required by state law, who are enrolled for courses at Sam Houston State University for the current semester. This is to advise students that a portion of the designated tuition that they paid may be allocated to financial assistance programs. This does not mean that if you are currently receiving financial aid that you will be receiving additional awards/disbursement or that you will be refunded a portion of your semester charges.

• Where can I find out more information about online courses and programs of study?

  SHSU Online offers unique programs that differ from the traditional campus experience. For more information please visit: SHSU Online | Education Everywhere, for Everyone

  Campus based online courses follow a traditional semester schedule and include an additional charge of $101 per credit hour.

• Who can I contact for assistance with TransferMate?

  For transaction-specific questions, contact TransferMate via Skype, Live Chat, Email or Phone. Details here: https://transfermateeducation.com/customerservice.aspx#

• Will I be charged for using TransferMate?

  All international payments made through TransferMate are completely free of charge although you may be charged by your bank for making a local transaction, this is unfortunately out of our control.

  Domestic transactions are subject to a $20 fee to cover costs.

• Why do I need to provide identification for TransferMate?

  By law, TransferMate is required to identify the person transferring funds to their bank account. Your identification will ensure that you and your institution are protected against Money Laundering attempts.

• How will I know if my TransferMate payment has been successful?

  Once your payment has been received, the pending payment will be removed and the transaction added to the Payment History in your student account center. Additionally, you will receive an email confirming that your payment was successful.

• How long does a TransferMate transaction take?

  Once TransferMate has received your payment into the local bank account in your country, TransferMate sends your payment the same day from our account to your institution. These payments are generally received by your institution the same day if payments are received into our local account in your country before 2pm GMT.

• When will my TransferMate payment be posted to my student account?

  Your payments will automatically be posted to your student account within 24-48 hours from payment completion.

• Where are TransferMate payments shown in my Student Account?

  When the student registers the payment it is displayed on the home page as a Pending Alternate Payment Method. Once the payment is made, and funds are confirmed by Transfermate, the student account is updated and it can be seen in the Payment and Account History.

• Can my family or other authorized users have access to my Student Account?

  Students may set up authorized users to view their billing information and or their student bill on their behalf. Please note that, in accordance with FERPA, this does not allow the authorized user to view the student's academic records, course schedule, or other personal information. Authorized users may view student account activity, make payments, and set up payment plans. Link to instructions on how to add an authorized user.
• What is the Guaranteed Price Plan (GPP) and how does it work?
  • Who is Eligible?
    ❖ First-time, degree seeking freshmen. Students who graduate from high school are first-time freshmen, regardless of the number of college or advanced placement credits earned.
    ❖ Students who transfer from any other post-secondary institution are also eligible for the plan.
    ❖ Non-resident or out of state students are not eligible for the plan.
  • How does it work?
    First year freshmen will pay a guaranteed tuition rate, which will remain in effect for the first four years the student is enrolled. Certain programs might have additional costs depending on the course. For Example: Lab Fees, Music Fees, University Center Fees, Distance Learning Fees, 3-Peat Tuition, 45 Hour Fees and any other course fees are not covered with the Guaranteed Price Plan.
  • Does the plan expire?
    Yes, most SHSU bachelor’s degree programs take four years to complete if a student takes an average of 15 hours a semester. Additionally, this time period of four years is set by both Texas Statute and Texas State University System rule. After the plan expires the student will pay the Traditional Price Plan rate.
  • What is the Guaranteed Price Plan Rate?
    Please visit Tuition & Fees to see rate details.
  • Is there a deadline for enrollment?
    Students have until the 1st class day to register for the fixed tuition rate, students who register for classes after the 1st class day will have until the 6th class day to enroll.
  • Can I unenroll?
    Students have until the 1st class day of the first semester on the plan to un-enroll. If they registered late, students have until the 6th day to un-enroll. After the first semester on the plan, you are automatically on it for the next four years and will not be able to un-enroll.
• How do I enroll/unenroll in the Guaranteed Price Plan (GPP)?

No answer found at this time. Contact us for help!