Helpful Hints for Check Payments

These helpful hints cover a number of problems that can prevent us from posting your payments in a quick and accurate manner. View examples of problem checks.

  • Write legibly on your check and bill stub
    Our processing system reads the dollar amount you indicate on your check and bill stub. If the writing is illegible the system has difficulty determining the amount paid. This can result in a need for manual processing of your payment.

  • Fill in the payment amount on your bill stub
    Our processing equipment reads the dollar amount you indicate on the bill stub. For this reason it is important that you complete this information when sending your payment.

  • Same payment amount should be on check and bill stub
    Please be sure to indicate the same payment amount on both your check and bill stub. Any discrepancy will result in a need for manual processing of your payment.

  • Written amount on check should be the same as numeric amount on check
    Any discrepancy with the amounts on your check could cause a delay in the processing of your payment.

  • Use blue or black ink on check and bill stub
    As with many computer read forms, blue or black ink should be used to speed processing. Our equipment does not recognize odd colored inks.

  • Use only clearly written numbers with a decimal on your check and bill stub
    The use of lines or slashes to the numbers in your payment amount will make it difficult for our equipment to process your payment. This often results in the need for manual processing.

  • Avoid using fractions, slashes, Xs, underlines, or dollar signs on check or bill stub
    The use of fractions, slashes, Xs, underlines, or dollar signs on your check or bill stub will make it difficult for our equipment to process your payment. This often results in the need for manual processing.

  • Do not write specific payment requests on check or bill stub
    Due to the high speed of our check processing equipment, it is not always possible to identify requests written on a check or bill stub. Please be sure any requests included with your payment are on a separate piece of correspondence.

  • Do not write on the bill stub except where asked
    The scan line in the center of each bill stub contains data that ensures your payment is applied correctly. Any writing on the bill other than where asked can interfere with our equipment’s ability to process your payment. This often results in the need for manual processing.

  • Include your bill stub with your check
    It is important to include your bill stub with your check because it is used to correctly apply your payment to your student loan(s). If you do not include the bill stub with your payment it will have to be processed manually.

  • Do not attach your check to your bill stub
    Our equipment cannot sort your payment properly if the check and bill stub are stapled or paper clipped together.

  • Use envelope provided to make your payment
    Make sure to use the envelope provided with your bill stub. The bar-code printed on the envelope is used by the post office to route the mail to us as quickly as possible.

  • Use of money orders can delay the processing of your payment
    Money orders are not easily read by our processing equipment and can slow the processing of your payment.