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Tuition, bill paying, financial aid, degree completion, grades, bus passes, more …

Click on the question to view the answers below. If you have a question not covered on this page, just email parents@spu.edu. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

Three SPU students walking on the Seattle Pacific campus during the fall.

Find the key dates you and your student need in the Academic Calendar.

SPU uses email as its main form of communication with students. This includes all financial, academic, and student life-related information. All students are required to have an SPU email address and are encouraged to review their SPU email daily, as instructors regularly inform students about class information through email.

Electronic notices of online statements (bills) are sent to students approximately the third week of each month. Statements will include incurred charges and payments made over the prior month.

Student financial information belongs to the student. Through the Banner Information System, students can authorize others to have access to their accounts and financial aid, and to receive statements. Talk to your student about gaining this access. Your student can provide you with access by following the instructions at Banner Info System > Personal Menu > Information Access Authorization (FERPA).

There are a variety of payment options, with payments typically due around the 10th of each month. The monthly statement will provide the actual due date for each option. Visit Student Financial Services for more information about payment billing options.

Payments can be made in person with cash or check; by electronic check (free); through the mail by check; or online by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express are accepted). There is a 2.8 percent fee on the transaction amount for credit-card transactions.

Students must provide parents access to the online functionality by setting them up as “Authorized Payers.” Learn more about authorized paying and other payment options.

Students should visit the SFS scholarship webpage for opportunities, as well as check their church, community organizations, parent(s) employer, local town or city hall, libraries, and high school guidance office — even if they’ve been out of high school for a few years. Any student who needs financial assistance should complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Learn more about FAFSA.

It’s recommended that students have access to funds and accessible banking services, especially if your student has a job while in school.

Money management is an important skill that a college student needs to acquire. Students come to campus with different levels of experience in money management, so it’s important that students and their families discuss the ways students will manage their bank or credit union accounts.

Student Financial Services helps students learn and refine money management skills through online education and in-person financial education seminars.

Each student has a faculty advisor and an undergraduate academic counselor assigned to him or her. The faculty advisor assists the student with applying to a major and in completing degree requirements. The academic counselor assists the faculty advisor with policy information and provides the student with information on transfer credits, academic standing, and study abroad opportunities. The academic counselor also does the official review of a student’s records before a degree is awarded.

Holds are placed on a student’s records for various reasons, ranging from incomplete paperwork and past-due payments to behavioral issues and academic probation.

Students can view these anytime and are notified about their holds when they receive their quarterly registration appointment. Students generally have three weeks to take care of these holds before registration. More information about holds.

You will find the Commencement website at spu.edu/commencement. The site is updated during Winter Quarter for the upcoming June graduation events, including Commencement and Ivy Cutting.

Yes. Three King County Metro bus routes serve the campus community: Route 13, Route 3, and Route 4. Routes 31 and 32 are also within walking distance.

Yes. Students have more than one option:

  • Check out an Orca card from the SPU Library front desk for a 24-hour period.
  • Sign up for a monthly or quarterly bus pass, discounted 30% off the regular price, with unlimited use. These passes are picked up in the Office of Safety and Security, and students can purchase one through Banner’s Parking and Commuting Menu.

For other transportation options, visit the Student Commuting Options page.

Didn’t find your question above?

If you still have questions, visit the Resources page for more options to find the answers you need, including a link to the Undergraduate Resource Hub.

A view of SPU

SPU again ranked as a “Best National University”

For the ninth year in a row, SPU was named a “Best National University”  in U.S. News & World Report, earning a spot among the top 100 undergraduate engineering programs and receiving high marks for its undergraduate nursing program. Read more.

Martin Square signage viewed from one of SPU

Digital swag for you

Show your Falcon spirit with virtual backgrounds and wallpapers from the new Digital Swag webpage! Bring SPU’s beautiful campus to life on your preferred platform or device.