<p>At D's college, invoices come out in July and in my head, payment started August 4th with the interest free TuitionPay option (through Sallie Mae.) When I went to enroll (thinking I was being smart and doing so early) it said payments started June 1st. It will still allow me to enroll so I don't think it's a problem. Financially, it's not a problem to start now... just threw me. I have an email out to the college office with some questions. Still, seems a little odd to enter the amount and start paying before we get that first invoice. I feel like there has been no real confirmation of what it will cost us and I'm surprised that sign-up for TuitionPay wasn't given a deadline in the info my daughter HAS gotten. Perhaps I should just trust the financial aid award letter will line up with the initial invoice and go with that?</p>
<p>Just wondering what others experiences have been.</p>
<p>We used tuitionpay with D and ECSI for our son (different college -different contractor); the process was the same. The payments started in June and spread over a 10 month period the first year and 12 months the following three years. The payment cycle always started before the semester began and the payment for one year ended two months before the end of the semester we were paying for. Other than the startup fee each year ($50.00-$75.00), there was no additional expense and the money was drafted on the first of each month. The payments you have made and what is contracted to draft off your account should show on the statement from your college. </p>
<p>We had a great experience with both programs and it allowed us to avoid loans.</p>
<p>Good to hear. Talked with the school and got our questions answered so signing up today. You can sign-up anytime June, July or August but whichever month you choose, you pay for that one and the ones you missed. Might as well sign-up now. Like you, it’s our way of not having to take out a loan. Grateful for that certainly!</p>
<p>We use the program and it’s wonderful. We were able to pay tuition in 11 payments. Yes, it’s strange to start paying before you get an “real” invoice, but it is easy to change if you get the amounts wrong. I liked having more months to spread the payments out over. I calculated incorrectly, and went online in the middle of the year and corrected the amount. The program adjusted my monthly payment to reflect the new amount due. So it’s not a big deal if the original tuition payment for the year is incorrect.</p>
<p>We did this as well. Since we were paying out of current earnings, we needed this monthly plan so we could actually earn the money! We did it for both kids (two different vendors…but same drill). </p>