EWU announces new tuition payment plans for 2019-20 school year

Lind-Ritzville High School students looking to attend an affordable university close to home will likely take a look at Eastern Washington University. It's a 45 minute drive from Ritzville and has the cheapest tuition of any Washington four-year university. Now, the school is adding an additional reason that local students might want to check it out: payment plans.

In a tweet on Monday, EWU announced it will allow students to pay tuition monthly throughout each quarter.

"EWU's payment plans are offered on a per-term basis with the intention of providing our students with additional payment options and increased financial flexibility while they pursue their education," said EWU spokesperson Dave Meany in an email interview with The Journal. "When a student enrolls in a payment plan their expenses for the term are spread over three equal installments that are due on a monthly basis starting at the beginning of the term."

Most programs at EWU operate on the quarter schedule, meaning there are three regular terms throughout the year (fall, winter and spring). A few programs run on the semester schedule, meaning they have just two, longer terms (fall and spring).

The first payment is due on the sixth day of classes of each term. For quarter students, that falls on Oct. 2 this year. Remaining payments for the quarter are due on Nov. 4 and Dec. 2.

For winter quarter, payments are due Jan.13, Feb. 13 and March 13. Spring payments are due April 6, May 6 and June 8.

For semester students, payments are due Aug. 26, Sep. 26 and Oct. 28 for fall semester and Jan. 20, Feb. 20 and March 20 for spring semester.

Payment plans require a $40 service fee for each term. Taking part in the payment plans will not reduce any financial aid or scholarship funding a student may receive.

"Financial aid awarded to a student is also included in the payment plan and will be applied by reducing the amount due for all upcoming installments on an equal basis," Meany said.

More information can be found at ewu.edu.