WEATHER ALERT - Remainder of the Week - Remote Operations
Winter Storm Fern and frigid temperatures have left many of us in a deep freeze with
a number of issues: The conditions on primary roads are tenuous, many secondary roads
are still not clear, and it is so cold that de-icers are barely having an impact on
walkways.
As a result, a State of Emergency remains in effect and Governor Morrisey has told
the public: “Please stay off the roads. Only go out if you have to.” Therefore, all
campuses of Fairmont State University will operate remotely for the remainder of this
week. We anticipate a return to regular operations on Monday, February 2.
Students – No on-campus in-person classes will be held. Instead, instructors of in-person
courses have prepared to provide their courses through remote means to maintain continuity
of learning. Please consult Blackboard and your professors about the possibility of
virtual instruction or alternate assignments.
Faculty – Please communicate directly with students regarding any shift to virtual instruction
or alternate assignments. (For more information, please see Provost Bedford’s “continuity
of instruction” email sent January 22.)
Staff – Offices will operate remotely. Please consult your supervisor for additional guidance
about remote operations.
We would like to take a moment to recognize and thank everybody in the Facilities
Department who have battled terrible conditions this week in an effort to keep campus
safe and accessible. Please say "thank you" next time you see them on campus.
Operational updates follow:
The Falcon Center will be open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The cafeteria will operate on reduced hours: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for brunch and 4 to
6 p.m. for dinner.
The Ruth Ann Musick Library’s 24/7 computer lab, printers and vending machines will
be accessible via student ID.
Students' ID Card provides building access to all academic buildings from 7 a.m. -
9 p.m.
Student athletes should check with their coaches for further direction.
Some personnel necessary to the operation of the University, including those who work
in the Physical Plant, Dining Services, the Falcon Center, and Public Safety, are
considered essential employees and are expected to report to work. If it is unsafe
to do so, please consult your supervisor.
The Weather Committee continues monitoring the impact of Winter Storm Fern on and
off campus. If additional updates are necessary, they will be communicated in a timely
manner through our emergency alert system, email, social media, and the University
website.
Note that due to this weather system, we anticipate the top deck of the parking garage
will remain closed for the coming days. (This location accounts for a significant
portion of winter slip, trip, and fall injuries on campus. To support the integrity
of the structure, salt or other ice melting agents cannot be used. Structural deterioration
from de-icers can lead to major repairs costing hundreds of thousands of dollars.)
The University will alert motorists via large yellow signs posted at the traffic circle,
near Turley Center, and at the top of the hill.
Supporting Your Success: Managing Your Student Account at Fairmont State
Our Student Accounts team, in collaboration with the Turley Student Services Center,
is here to assist you with billing, payments, and account inquiries.
The Student Accounts team is responsible for:
Invoicing of charges, accepting payments - The institution is responsible for the timely invoicing of all tuition, fees, and
related charges incurred by students. Billing statements are generated regularly and
made available through the student portal. Students are expected to review their account
statements and ensure that all balances are paid by the posted due dates to avoid
late fees or account holds.
Third Party Billing - The institution supports third-party billing arrangements for students whose attendance
is sponsored by external organizations such as corporations, military agencies, international
embassies, or private scholarship foundations. Under these arrangements, the sponsoring
agency agrees to pay all or a portion of the student's tuition and fees. Students
must submit appropriate documentation and authorization forms to the billing office
each term. Invoices are then generated and sent directly to the third-party sponsor.
Students remain ultimately responsible for any charges not covered by the third party.
Collections - For students with unpaid balances, multiple attempts will be made to contact the
individual through email, phone calls, and mailed/emailed billing statements. Failure
to respond or resolve the outstanding balance may result in the account being referred
to an external collection agency. Once referred, additional fees may be applied. Students
are strongly encouraged to communicate with the billing office to discuss payment
options or resolve disputes before collection actions are taken.
Student Accounts policies and procedures align with Fairmont State University's Board
of Governors Policy #FA-001. This policy governs the assessment, billing, and collection
of tuition and fees.
Fairmont State University strives to offer an exceptional, transformative education
at a reasonable price. We keep our tuition and fees low for in-state West Virginia
students, and our rates for out-of-state students are lower than those of many other
states’ public and private colleges and universities.
Tuition is billed on a per-semester basis for the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms.
Initial invoices are issued mid-month in the following schedule:
July for Fall
December for Spring
May for Summer
All billing statements are available 24/7 through the online billing portal and can be
accessed by both students and their authorized users.
All student billing statements are issued electronically and are accessible 24/7 through
the myFairmontState portal. Each academic term is billed separately, and it is the student's responsibility to monitor their account regularly.
Billing Timeline
First Bill Issued:
Approximately one month before the term begins (July for Fall / December for Spring)
First Payment Due:
The day before the term starts (August for Fall / January for Spring)
Late Payment Penalty:
A $50 late fee will be assessed for payments not received by the due date
Accessing Your Billing Information
In the myFairmontState portal, go to the Student Links card
Select View or Pay Bill
To view detailed, itemized account activity:
Go to the Quick Links card
Select Pay/View Bill
Click View Activity
Both students and authorized users can log in at any time to view tuition charges, detailed fee breakdowns, and billing
activity. Users also have the option to print, download a PDF version of the bill,
or export the information into an Excel spreadsheet for their records.
Financial Responsibility Agreement
By accepting admission to Fairmont State University, students agree to pay all fees
and charges assessed to their account. Invoices must be paid in full by the posted due date or the student must enroll in an approved payment plan.
Unpaid balances may prevent:
Course registration
Graduation
Access to official transcripts
Questions About Charges on Your Account?
For billing questions related to specific services, please contact the appropriate
department:
Housing & Meal Plans: (304) 367-4216
Bookstore Charges: (304) 333-3636
Check Your Email Regularly!
Important billing updates and payment reminders are sent to your student email. Failure
to check your email could result in missed deadlines and late fees.
Manage Your Payments Online with TouchNet
Fairmont State University offers TouchNet, a secure and convenient online payment system that allows students and their authorized
users to manage account activity anytime, anywhere.
What You Can Do in TouchNet
Students and authorized users can log in to:
Make payments 24/7 and receive immediate confirmation
Enroll in a payment plan to spread tuition costs over time
View current charges and recent adjustments
Set up Authorized Users (parents, guardians, or sponsors) who can make payments through their own login.
Once access is granted, authorized users will receive a secure link to access the
portal.
Accepted Payment Methods
Electronic Check (ACH) - Pay directly from your checking or savings account. This method is free, fast, and secure—payment data is encrypted for protection.
Credit/Debit Card - Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express are accepted.
Please note: A non-refundable convenience fee will be charged by our third-party vendor
for credit/debit card payments.
Mailing a Payment
Checks, money orders, scholarships, and 529 plan disbursements should be made payable
to:
Fairmont State University 1201 Locust Avenue Fairmont, WV 26554
Do not mail cash. Include your student ID on all payments.
Returned Check Fee
Checks that are returned by the bank for any reason will incur a $25 returned check fee. An accounting hold may be placed on the student’s account until the payment is resolved.
Financial Aid: Scholarships, Grants, and Loans
Financial aid listed on your billing statement is tentative and may change based on eligibility or enrollment status.
Private scholarships or grants will not appear as a credit until funds are received by the Office of Student Accounts.
If you have been awarded a Federal loan, you have the right to cancel all or part of it. To do so, contact the Financial Aid Office directly.
Flexible Payment Plans
Fairmont State University offers convenient payment plan options each semester to
help students manage their tuition and fee payments.
Payment Plan Highlights
No enrollment fee – payment plans are free to join
First installment is due at time of enrollment or on the 15th of the month that is due.
Designed to help students stay current and avoid registration holds
Note: Students whose financial aid is not yet approved are required to enroll in a
payment plan. Please ensure all financial aid requirements are completed through the
myFairmontState portal.
How to Enroll in a Payment Plan
Log in to your myFairmontState portal
Find the Student Links Information card
Click Pay/View My Bill
In the billing portal, select Enroll in Payment Plan
Review and select the plan that best suits your needs
Semester Payment Plan Details
Fall 2025 Payment Plan Installments due on:
July 15
August 15
September 15
October 15
November 15
December 15, 2025
Spring 2026 Payment Plan Installments due on:
January 15
February 15
March 15
April 15
May 15
June 15
These plans conclude before registration opens for the next term to ensure students
are financially cleared and ready to register.
Summer Term Note
No payment plans are available for Summer terms
To avoid late fees, pay your full Summer 2025 balance by May 27, 2025
Refunds
Refunds are issued after financial aid is disbursed to a student’s account.
When the term begins, refunds are processed daily during the first week of classes each term.
During the term, following the add/drop period, refunds are processed on a weekly basis.
All refunds are issued by paper check and mailed to the mailing address on file.
How to Check Your Refund Status
Log in to your myFairmontState student portal
Go to Student Links > View/Pay Bill > View Activity
Review your account activity:
If you see a negative balance, this means your refund has not yet been processed. Aid must be fully disbursed—not just authorized—for a refund to initiate.
If you see a line item labeled “RFTU Refund” with a date, your refund has been initiated.
Note: Certain aid types may require a 5-day hold before disbursement.
Please allow 7–10 business days for your check to arrive by mail.
Withdrawals
Withdrawing from the University mid-semester may not result in a refund of tuition and fees. Any adjustments are based on the official withdrawal date.
Before making a withdrawal decision, students should:
Understand potential financial aid and scholarship impacts
Review tuition refund eligibility based on the timing of withdrawal
Speak with a Financial Aid counselor in coordination with the Office of Student Accounts
Refunds and charge adjustments for withdrawals are processed according to the University’s Refund Policy.
Student Financial Terms & Conditions
By enrolling at Fairmont State University, students acknowledge their responsibility
to pay tuition and fees and agree to the terms outlined in the:
2024 Forms 1098-T for Fairmont State University students, are available online through
the Educational Computer Systems, Inc. (ECSI) website. When accessing your Form 1098-T in ECSI, you will need to create a profile, sign
in to your profile, and connect your account. For assistance in creating and connecting
your account, please see the ECSI FAQ Page.
After the schedule adjustment period ends (add/drop week), a student must completely
withdraw from all registered courses in order to receive any refund of tuition and
fees. Fairmont State University will not refund tuition and fees for individual classes
dropped after the end of the schedule adjustment period (add/drop week).
For questions, please contact Student Services by email - studentservices@fairmontstate.edu or by phone - 304-367-4141 (toll free at 800-641-5678) or visit us in the Turley
Center during normal business hours.
