<p>Ok, this might sound stupid...but i honestly dont know what it means by account balance. I know I still owe money (tuition) to the school, but what does that different number besides account balance mean? Thanks.</p>
<p>What are you looking at exactly? The quick statement balance??? If so, that is the amount of money you owe for the semester as of right now. It is the most accurate balance (the ebill balance is old and should be disregarded). When your financial aid gets paid out and deposited into CARS, your quick statement will reflect this.</p>
<p>There are three fields displayed in Quick Statement.</p>
<p>Minimum Amount Due Now, Minimum Due + Full Reg Fee, and Account Balance.</p>
<p>Two things you have to know first.</p>
<p>Room and Board (housing) is listed as a full year obligation - it is in your Account Balance amount - but you would pay in 1/10th per month for 10 months, unless finaid has paid it off for you. </p>
<p>Registration fees (tuition) is billed by the semester but can be paid two ways. Pay it all when billed, or pay 1/5 per month for five months.</p>
<p>At the beginning of Fall semester, the account balance would include the full year housing charge plus the full fall semester tuition fee, plus any misc charges you made (for example gym access). By the beginning of the spring semester, account balance would be down to half the yearly housing amount plus the full spring tuition plus misc charges.</p>
<p>However, you rarely would pay the account balance.</p>
<p>Instead, you pay the Minimum Due + Full Reg Fee amount at the start of a semester to pay the full semester tuition plus one month of housing. </p>
<p>If you pay the lower Minimum Amount Due Now at the start of a semester, you are paying the month charge for housing and only 20% of the semester tuition. That puts you on the deferred payment plan, letting you pay another 20% each month for four more months. </p>
<p>Any miscellaneous charge posted to your CARS account, such as the $10 per semester to use the RSF (gym), is due that month. It is added into all three fields you see on screen.</p>