PLEASE NOTE! These enrollment and account details are for the Fall 2026 term.

Preparing your student for college comes with a lot of big feelings—and let be honest, a lot of logistics! While picking out dorm decor and packing boxes are the fun parts of the journey, staring at account statements, navigating 529 plans, and figuring out payment options can sometimes feel like learning a whole new language.

If you find yourself looking at your student's account balance with a few lingering questions today, take a deep breath: you are in great company.

In my role as Director of Student Account Services, I have the privilege of talking with parents every day who are walking through these exact same steps. The details can feel a bit overwhelming at first glance, but think of this stage as simply laying the runway for your student upcoming adventure at 91ÖÆƬ³§.

To help your family feel completely confident and ready as we approach the start of the semester, I wanted to walk through some of the top questions we hear from parents this time of year—from 529 plans and health insurance to textbooks and payment deadlines.

The Finish Line: What Needs to Happen by August 18

Before we dive into the specifics of 529 plans and account fees, let talk timing. To ensure everything is set for the start of the semester, please take a moment to sit down with your student and complete any remaining enrollment tasks on MyAccount by August 18.

  • Pro tip for bill accuracy: If you plan to waive Student Health Insurance or opt out of Slingshot Textbooks, try to complete those tasks as soon as possible. Doing this early ensures your MyAccount balance accurately reflects those reversals before you make your payment!

Here is how the payment options break down as we head toward the deadline:

  • Interested in the 5-Payment Plan? You can still join! Because the payment schedule is already underway for the semester, any previously missed payments will simply be due at the moment you enroll in the plan.
  • Using the Single-Payment Plan? You'll need to complete all enrollment tasks—including your payment in full—in MyAccount by Tuesday, August 18 so your student can officially be enrolled for the Fall 2026 semester.

How 529 Plans Work at 91ÖÆƬ³§

We get a lot of questions about using 529 college savings accounts, and the good news is that using these funds at 91ÖÆƬ³§ is very straightforward!

  • Pro tip: Request 529 distributions as early as you can. Processing times for savings plan administrators can stretch a bit longer, sometimes upwards of two weeks, during peak late-summer months, so starting the request early ensures funds arrive on campus well before payment deadlines.

Can you use a 529 plan with the 5-Payment Plan?

Yes, absolutely! Most 529 providers now offer electronic payments sent directly to educational institutions. If your provider offers this, it usually the quickest method. If they don't have an electronic option, you can simply ask them to cut a physical check and mail it to us.

Just keep in mind: if you plan to use the 5-payment plan, your 529 funds will need to be received and applied to your student account before your student officially enters into the payment plan agreement.

How to direct your 529 payment

If you want funds sent directly from your child's 529 education account, you can choose whichever method your provider supports:

  1. Electronic Transfer: Request an electronic disbursement sent directly to Biola University.
  2. By Check: If your provider is mailing a paper check, please make sure they include your student full name and Biola ID number, addressed to:
    Biola University
    ATTN: Cashier Office
    13800 Biola Ave, La Mirada, CA 90639

Decoding Your Account Statement: Insurance, Refunds & Fees

Take a look at your student payment portal, particularly, the Statements tab which gives you the full account history. A few line items might pop up that leave you scratching your head. Here is the scoop on the most common ones:

  • Pro tip: Take 10 minutes to log into the payment portal (PMT) together with your student. Walking through the line items side-by-side is a great way to make sure everyone is on the same page.

What on earth is an "eRefund"?

"eRefund" is just short for Electronic Refund. If there happens to be a credit balance on your student's account (for example, from financial aid or an overpayment), Biola deposits those funds directly into a designated bank account upon your student request.

Because the student portal belongs to your student, it is entirely up to your family whether the linked bank account belongs to your student or to you as the parent. Your student can set this preference up in just a couple of clicks within their account portal.

What if a fee looks incorrect (like a commuter fee)?

If you notice a charge that doesn't align with your student's plans—such as a commuter fee appearing even though they plan to live in a dorm—don't worry! All your student needs to do is send a quick email to the Registrar Office (registrar@biola.edu). Our team will verify their housing status and update the statement right away.

Do we really have to pay the Health Insurance fee?

Biola requires all traditional undergraduate students to have active health insurance coverage so we can ensure they are safe and supported on campus.

  • If you already have primary coverage: If your student is covered under a family or third-party insurance policy that meets university requirements, you can submit an online waiver to have this charge removed from your statement.
  • If you do not have coverage: Your student will remain covered under Biola student health insurance policy, and the fee on their statement pays for that coverage.

Course Fees, Textbooks, and Extra Credits

As your student's class schedule comes together, you might wonder how books and specific class fees show up on the bill.

  • Class-Specific Fees: Course fees (like lab supplies, studio materials, or special equipment) are billed upfront along with standard tuition.
  • Textbooks & Course Materials: If your student uses our Slingshot auto-fulfillment textbook service, those charges are billed by August 28 after course schedules are locked in. Everything is managed through the student payment portal (PMT).

What if my student registers for a class outside their major?

A common question parents ask is whether non-major classes cost extra. The answer actually depends on your student's total unit count, not the specific class subject!

  • 12 to 18 Credits (Flat-Rate Tuition): Full-time undergraduate tuition is billed at a flat rate covering anywhere between 12 and 18 credits. As long as adding an elective or fun class keeps your student total load within that 12–18 unit range, there is no extra tuition charge.
  • Over 18 Credits: If that extra class pushes their total schedule above 18 credits for the semester, you will be billed an additional per-credit rate for every unit over 18.

We’re Here to Walk Beside You

  • Pro tip: You don't have to navigate any of this alone. If a charge on your statement doesn't make sense or you just want to double-check a deadline, our Student Account Services team is only a quick phone call or email away!

As we count down these final weeks of summer, remember that beneath every spreadsheet, form, and payment deadline is something profoundly exciting: your student's future.

It easy to get caught up in the administrative details right now, but every task you check off—every 529 form completed, every health waiver submitted—is quietly building the foundation for what comes next.

In just a short while, those line items on a billing statement will turn into late-night dorm conversations, inspiring lectures, lifelong friendships, and a community of faculty and mentors who are ready to invest in who your student is becoming. You are doing the important work today to set them up for a smooth, confident start—and we are so honored to partner with your family on this journey.

We can't wait to see you on campus soon!