Student Accounts

Student Accounts Department

The Student Accounts Department is responsible for managing student financial accounts, including tuition, fees, housing, meal plans, and applicable non-institutional charges.

The Department oversees the following functions:

• Tuition assistance
• Disbursement of federal, state, and private financial aid
• Payment processing and LU Payment Plan administration
• Student refunds
• Institutional and external scholarships
• Veteran education benefits
• Third-party billing
• Issuance of IRS Form 1098-T

These policies apply to all students across all programs of study. The University and its divisions reserve the right to modify requirements, regulations, and fees at any time. Such changes may take effect without prior notice when deemed necessary by the University.

Cost to Attend 

Life University is a private institution and has the same tuition for all students per academic level, whether they have in-state or out-of-state residency. Check out this resource to help you understand how much it costs to attend LU.

Tuition payment is due in full upon registration. Any charges such as tuition, housing, meal plans and/or student fees/fines are due by the second Sunday of each quarter. 

The due date can be seen in EagleNet under Student Accounts by term, in the Academic Calendar or the Quarterly Announcements. 

International Student Assistance

Life University offers tuition assistance to eligible F1 visa international students. The international student discount may vary depending on term and student’s geographic region of citizenship. This assistance is provided to international students to assist them with the exchange rates and their ineligibility for U.S. Federal student aid.

To receive this assistance, international students must:

• Hold a non-resident F1 student visa (and be ineligible for U.S. federal student aid)
• Maintain a zero balance on their student account
• Be enrolled full-time, unless otherwise approved by the University’s Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) or Designated School Official (DSO)
  • Undergraduate: Minimum of 12 credit hours
  • Graduate: Minimum of 9 credit hours
  • Doctor of Chiropractic: Minimum of 12 credit hours
• Maintain the following minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA):
  • Undergraduate: 2.0
  • Master’s: 3.0
  • Doctor of Chiropractic: 2.0

International students are entitled to a tuition discount. North American students can receive a higher discount rate that is subject to change each fiscal year. International and North American student discounts may vary for DC students who fall under the block tuition credit hours between 18-25 credits.

Payment Policy

Payment Policy SS.012  

All tuition, fees, and applicable charges are due and payable upon registration. Additional charges may include housing, meal plans, and non-institutional expenses. Students are responsible for any remaining balance after financial aid has been disbursed.

Any outstanding balance must be paid in full no later than midnight on the Sunday following Week 2 of each quarter.

Students may contact the Financial Aid Department to determine eligibility for financial aid funding.

Failure to pay all charges on a student’s account may result in the following restrictions:

• Inability to register for future quarters
• Inability to request, receive, or send full official transcripts*
• Inability to request or receive diploma(s)

*Subject to applicable federal and state laws

Students with an unpaid balance or delinquent payment plan may be subject to disenrollment due to non-payment.

Disenrollment results in removal from classes and/or clinic participation for the affected quarter. Additionally, a disenrollment fee equal to 20% of the remaining unpaid balance for that quarter will be assessed. This fee cannot be paid using Title IV (federal financial aid), state or instutitional funds and must be paid out of pocket.

*Disenrollment is defined as the administrative removal of a student from registered courses and, if applicable, university housing due to non-payment.

Please Note:
If funds exceeding the student account balance are remitted to Life University, the excess will be returned only to the original payer if the amount exceeds $100. Funds submitted through PayMyTuition may be subject to processing fees for any returned amounts.

Life University Payment Plan

Life University offers a convenient online payment plan that allows students to pay tuition, housing, meal plans, and fees over time, making educational expenses more manageable. Students may enroll in a payment plan each quarter.

The plan features no interest, flexible payment options, a low enrollment fee, and a simple online enrollment process.

Payment Plan Details:

• Payments are divided into three installments:
  • 40% of the balance
  • 30% of the balance
  • 30% of the balance
• Minimum balance of $500 is required to enroll
• Payments post immediately to your student account
• $25 non-refundable setup fee per quarter
• $30 late fee for missed payments
• $50 non-sufficient funds (NSF) fee for returned payments
• Payment plans will automatically adjust if charges or financial aid change after enrollment
• Enrollment deadline is Friday of Week 1 each quarter
• A $50 late enrollment fee will be assessed for enrollments after Week 1
• Two missed payments may result in cancellation of the payment plan option

How to Enroll: 

• Go to: EagleNet 
• Click on “Student Accounts.”
• Click on “LU Payment Plan.”
• Click “Enroll in Payment Plan.”

Drop and Meal Plan Refund Calculations 

Refunds for tuition, mandatory meal plans, and eligible fees are issued based on the date a student formally, voluntarily, and with approval drops a course or courses, in accordance with the following schedule:

1. 100%, if the drop is made on or before the first 5 days (first 2 days of the second 5-week courses) of the quarter;
2. 90%, if drop is made between the 6th and 11th day (second – 9th for second 5-week courses) of the quarter;
3. 50%, if drop is made between the 12th and 18th day (9th - 16th for second 5-week courses) of the quarter;
4. 25%, if drop is made between the 19th and 39th day (19th - 25th for first 5-week courses and 17th - 23rd for second 5-week courses) of the quarter
5. 0% refund will be granted after the 39th day (25th for 5-week courses or 23rd for second 5-week courses) of the quarter.

No refunds of tuition, mandatory meal plans, or fees will be issued for courses dropped as a result of dismissal, suspension, or expulsion for disciplinary reasons. Meal plan refunds are prorated based on usage and the student’s time in the quarter.

If financial aid has been applied to a student’s account, any applicable refund may be returned to the original funding source in proportion to the amount paid toward tuition and fees.

A student who drops all courses is considered withdrawn. Students who do not plan to attend for one or more quarters must complete the official withdrawal/hiatus form.

DC students who drop courses while under the block tuition rate, will not receive a tuition forfeiture or refund, Additional information on LU costs. A $25 fee will be assessed for each dropped course.

Refund Calculations

Withdrawal From Life University Policy

Policy SS.014

Refunds and Return of Financial Aid 

In accordance with the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, Life University will issue a refund in alignment with the federal Return of Title IV Funds policy when a student officially withdraws on or before the 60% point of the academic term.  

Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) Overview 

Students receiving federal Title IV financial assistance are subject to a Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) calculation upon withdrawal. This calculation determines: 

• The percentage of the quarter the student completed 

• The amount of federal aid earned 

• The amount of unearned aid that must be returned by both: 

• Life University, and 

• The student 

If a student withdraws after the 60% point of the quarter, no return of Title IV funds is required. Situations Where Return of Title IV Funds Is Not Required 

A Return of Title IV calculation is not required if the student: 

• Continues to attend at least one Title IV-eligible course; 

• Did not receive and is not eligible to receive any Title IV aid; 

• Never began attendance in any of their enrolled courses. 

Important Notes 

• Students are strongly encouraged to officially drop individual courses or fully withdraw through the Registrar’s Office if they are no longer attending. 

• Failure to follow the official withdrawal process may result in: 

• Unofficial withdrawal status 

• Full financial responsibility for returned aid 

• A balance due to the University 

Refund Withdrawal Policy

Withdrawal From Life University Policy FN.014  

Refunds will be made to the source for any student who receives any form of financial aid and fully withdraws, in descending order and in proportion to the amount paid toward tuition as described below:

• DIRECT Unsubsidized
• DIRECT Subsidized
• Graduate PLUS
• Parent PLUS
• Pell Grant
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
• Other Federal Aid
• HOPE Scholarships
• Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant (GTG)
• Other Financial Aid
• Student 

No refund of tuition or fees is made for withdrawn courses when a student is dismissed, suspended, or expelled for disciplinary reasons. Students who do not plan to attend one or more quarters should complete the withdrawal/hiatus form.

The University and its various divisions and departments reserve the right to modify and change requirements, rules, and fees without prior notice.

Unpaid Balances

Any open balances owed to Life University will prevent full official transcripts from being released. Students will also be blocked from registration. If the student leaves Life University with unpaid debts, the balance will be referred to a collection agency for collection activities. The student will be liable for all applicable collection agency fees, attorney fees, and interest charges for the collection of the balance.

Direct Deposit Policy

Direct Deposit Policy SS.011 

Life University requires all students to set up direct deposit from their checking account. All financial aid living expense monies (financial aid that exceeds coverage of tuition and fees) are processed weekly. These living expense monies will be deposited directly into your bank account within 48 hours of processing.

The Student Accounts Department has implemented an easier way for students to manage their bank account information to receive direct deposits from Life University. Our electronic process is easy as 1-2-3. You can now add, delete or make changes to your bank account information online. Students will be responsible for managing all bank account information via Eaglenet.

Failure to add banking information into EagleNet for direct deposit may result in refunds being returned to funding sources. 

Returned (Bad) Check Policy

Bad Check Policy SS.021 

Any payment returned to Life University due to insufficient funds, a stop payment, or a closed account may result in disciplinary action, including possible disenrollment.

The issuance of a returned check may constitute deposit account fraud under Georgia law, which may be classified as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the circumstances. Penalties for a misdemeanor conviction may include a fine ranging from $100 to $1,000 and/or imprisonment for up to twelve (12) months. Penalties for a felony conviction may include a fine of at least $1,000 and imprisonment for a period of one (1) to five (5) years.

A $50 service charge will be assessed for each returned payment. In accordance with Georgia law, the University reserves the right to pursue civil action against the issuer of a returned check for up to twice the amount of the check, not to exceed $500. A second occurrence of a returned payment may result in dismissal from the University.

Financial Aid Funds Disbursement Process 

Quarterly disbursements for Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant (GTEG), and institutional grants and scholarships will begin during the week classes start.

Life University will issue direct deposit refunds only after the following conditions have been met:

• The student account reflects a zero balance
• The student’s attendance has been verified
• No financial or academic holds exist on the student’s record

All outstanding tuition, fees, and other University charges (including, but not limited to, housing, meal plans, and other institutional expenses) will be deducted from financial aid funds prior to any disbursement.

If a student receives a living expense refund during the first week of the quarter and subsequently reduces enrollment before Monday of Week 3, an overpayment may occur. In such cases, federal regulations require the Financial Aid Department to notify the Student Accounts Department to return the applicable overpayment amount based on the change in enrollment.

Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans and institutional tuition-based scholarships are processed beginning in the second week of the quarter.

Living Expense Refund

Direct Deposits will be made available when all funds have been received and all eligibility requirements for Financial Aid programs have been met in accordance with Federal Regulations related to Title IV funds. These are:

• No later than 14 days after the first day of class if Federal funds are credited on the first day of class. - Or -
• No later than 14 days after the credit balance occurred if the funds were credited after classes began.

Veterans Eligibility Information

The Center for Veteran Services and Engagement (CVSE) is dedicated to supporting the unique needs of military and veteran students at Life University. CVSE provides comprehensive resources, guidance, and a supportive environment for those who have served our country.

Education Benefits Supported:
CVSE assists students using a variety of VA education programs, including:

• Chapter 33 – Post-9/11 GI Bill®

• Chapter 31 – Veteran Readiness and Employment

• Chapter 30 – Montgomery GI Bill®

• Chapter 1606 – Montgomery GI Bill® – Selected Reserve

• Chapter 35 – Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA)

For more information about eligibility, benefits, and how to apply, please contact CVSE at CVSE@life.edu.

The following is a breakdown of course loads as defined by the Veterans Administration:

• Full Load 12 or more quarter-hours
• 3/4 Load 9-11 quarter hours
• 1/2 Load 6-8 quarter hours
• 1/4 Load 1-5 quarter hours

GI Bill^® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Emergency Loan Procedure

Life University’s emergency loans are available to help students through unexpected financial crises, such as serious illness, job loss, family loss, and loss of home.

The minimum loan amount is $250, with a maximum of up to $1,500 per fiscal year. Emergency loans are interest-free and do not require a credit check. Loan requests require proof of the emergency, and approval is at the discretion of the Director of Student Accounts.

Eligibility:

1. Loan applicants must be a full-time student in good standing with the University and meeting SAP.  Students cannot have a hold on their student account, excluding athletic and international holds
2. Loan applicants must not have any outstanding debt due to a previous loan from Life University
3. Loan applicants must demonstrate financial need of an emergent nature
4. Employees taking courses at Life University are ineligible for this loan

Procedure:

1. Complete and submit an Emergency Loan Fund application form, and through the Student Accounts Office
2. Applicants must fill out the application form completely and accurately and submit it with supporting documentation
3. The student is required to indicate their proposed repayment plan on the application.

Loan decisions will be made within 3 business days of receiving the completed loan application. Applicants will be notified via Life University email.

The student must sign a promissory note. Funds from the loan will be directly deposited into the student’s account. All Life U students are required to have updated banking information in EagleNet.

Please note: There are times when it may take longer.

For more information about supporting documents, please visit the Student Accounts webpage.

Repayment

Loans must be repaid in full within 90 days of issuance. Student borrowers who do not repay loans according to schedule shall be responsible for the payment of any costs associated with the collection of the loan, including collection and attorneys’ fees. Nonpayment or partial payment of the loan will result in an accounting hold. Student borrowers with holds will not be allowed to register for future courses, receive a full official transcript, or receive a diploma.