Business and Finance

The Business Office staff support the mission of the College by working together with students, faculty and staff. The Business Office maintains the financial information necessary for the administration of students accounts and all other financial records of the College.

The Business Office processes billing information received from the Registrar, Student Development and other departments and offices. The Business Office receives payments from students and others. Payments may be made by cash, check or credit card. Please see a special announcement regarding Credit Card Acceptance Policies at Simpson College.

Students may download a financial planning brochure.

Additionally, the Business Office provides the following services:

  • Check Cashing
  • Financial Planning Assistance
  • Tuition Installment Payment Plans
  • Student Account Statements
  • 1098-T Tax Form Issuance

The Business Office is open weekdays (except holidays) from 8 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. The Business Office is located on the first floor of Hillman Hall.

To contact us via email; Accountsreceivable@simpson.edu

To call the business office direct; 1-800-362-2454 or locally at 515-961-1655.

Student Account Policies

Prior to Fall semester beginning, students may access their statement of account on their SC Connect at the beginning of July with estimated charges for tuition, housing, and food plan charges and estimated financial aid.

Fall balances will be due August 1st and spring balances will be due January 1st.

Textbooks can be purchased from our online exclusive supplier, Akademos, at simpson.textbookx.com.

Upon acceptance, all full-time students must pay $200 fee, which covers $100 matriculation fee and $100 enrollment fee. This deposit is non-refundable after May 1st.  The $100 enrollment deposit, however, may be refunded when enrollment terminates and all financial obligations to Simpson have been satisfied.

Federal regulations require credit balances created by Title IV funds to be refunded within 14 days. Students who want credit balances retained by Simpson College for the academic year must give written authorization to the Business Office.

Students receiving Chapter 31 or Chapter 33 VA Education Benefits where the VA pays Simpson College directly on behalf of the student will be exempt from the following actions pertaining to tuition and tuition-related fees:

  • Assessment of late fees to their student account
  • Registration holds due to a balance on their account
  • Denied access to the library or other institutional facilities due to a balance on their account
  • Required to borrow additional funds to cover the balance on their account until the VA deposits funds for tuition and fees into Simpson’s account

Students receiving Chapter 33 benefits that are using Simpson College housing are responsible for paying for room and board fees directly to Simpson.

All students receiving Chapter 33 benefits will be required to provide a copy of their VA Certificate of Eligibility.  If they have just applied for the benefit and are waiting for the VA to process their application, they will be required to sign a Promissory Note with the Simpson College Business Office.  If the VA should decline the student’s application, the student will be responsible for any outstanding tuition and tuition-related fees.

NOTE:  If a student is receiving Chapter 33 benefits at a percentage lower than 100%, they should work closely with the Business Office and Financial Aid to make sure any outstanding balances not covered by the VA will be covered by other funds available to the student.

Students entering as traditional/day students will remain in the traditional/day program with full tuition charges and institutional financial aid, regardless of the format (evening, on-line, day, hybrid) they take their classes. They will be eligible to live on campus and participate in athletics. These students will remain in the traditional program unless they complete the “Student Program Change Form” to move to the Simpson Online & Graduate Studies program via the registrar’s office.

Students entering as Simpson Online & Graduate Studies students will always be billed at the Simpson Online & Graduate Studies program hourly rate regardless of the format they take their classes UNLESS they are taking 12 or more credits with 6 or more credits in the traditional day format, and then they will pay the full-time day rate and be granted institutional financial aid. They will not be eligible to live on campus or participate in athletics UNLESS they transition to be a traditional day student type.

Students entering with traditional status and changing to part-time enrollment will ALWAYS be billed according to the part-time traditional/day rates. There are circumstances where an athlete or non-athlete choose to attend part-time for a semester and live on campus and/or participate in athletics. Examples: An athlete who has an injury and returns for their last season of eligibility and only needs two classes or a traditional/day student who is graduating early or late and only needs 8 credits to do so. In both examples, the housing decision would be up to student development and only if we have open housing.

Students who desire to change to the other program (go from Simpson Online & Graduate Studies program to traditional day or vice versa) will still be required to file the “Student Program Change Form” and be granted approval to do so.

Students who are in a grad level program (so student type is Simpson Online & Graduate Studies), may, by petition, live on campus and participate in athletics.

A 3% convenience fee will be added to all credit cards payments (VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express)

No convenience fee for electronic check/ACH payments made through SC Connect.

Credit/debit card payments on student accounts may be made at the Business Office in Indianola.  Credit/debit card payments may also be made over the phone at either campus or via a student’s SC Connect.  A 3% convenience fee will apply.

The Simpson College Bookstore accepts all major credit cards without the convenience fee attached.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition Payment Plan

ADMINISTERED BY CASHNET, A TRANSACT COMPANY STUDENT/PARENT PHONE: (877) 821-0625

Simpson College offers a monthly payment plan for those who wish to budget tuition, housing, and food plan payments in monthly installments. It provides an opportunity to make monthly payments without incurring finance charges. We will be using Cashnet, a third-party company.  You will need to know your net amount due and have that ready when signing up with Cashnet.

We will offer a 5,4 and 3-month payment option on the 1st or 15th of the month.  There is a small $30 non-refundable fee for each semester to set up a plan. A new plan must be set up each semester as Simpson is on semester billing. Monthly payments may be taken out automatically from a checking account, free of charge. Payments may also be completed using a credit, or debit card for a small convenience fee of 3%.

To sign up for the Tuition Payment Plan click here: simpson.edu/business-office/tuition-pay-plan

Questions regarding the Tuition Payment Plan may be directed to the Business Office at bus.office@simpson.edu or 515-961-1655.

Employer Reimbursement

Simpson allows an interest-free grace period for students receiving employer reimbursement.  Students will have up to 45 days after the conclusion of the term to remit the employer’s portion of tuition reimbursement provided the Employer Approval Form and  Employer Reimbursement Promissory Note have been submitted to the Business Office.  If the employer reimburses less than 100 percent of the tuition, the student portion must be paid within 30 days of the start of term.

  • Complete and return the Employer Reimbursement Promissory Note along with the Employer Approval Form to the Business Office prior to the start of class
  • Submit payment of student portion (if not reimbursed at 100%) within 30 days of the start of term
  • Notify the Office of Financial Assistance if you are receiving any additional financial aid

Simpson Online & Graduate Studies Installment Plan

An Installment payment plan is available for Simpson Online & Graduate Studies students. The Installment Plan Promissory Note must be completed and returned to the Business Office prior to the first class. The balance of the tuition must be paid in installments as outlined. Finance charges will be assessed on the unpaid balance beginning 30 days after the start of term.

Tuition Due Dates:

Fall Sep 1, Oct 1, Nov 1, Dec 1 Spring  Jan 1, Feb 1, Mar 1, Apr 1
Term 1 Sep 1, Oct 1 Term 3 Jan 1, Feb 1
Term 2 Nov 1, Dec 1 Term 4 Mar 1, Apr 1
Summer Terms Monthly payments to be made during the duration of the class

Refunds

TUITION REFUNDS AND TITLE IV RETURN POLICY
Campus Visit

Adjustments due to enrollment changes

A reduction of credit hour enrollment within the add/drop period of the semester or term may occur without tuition penalty. Tuition charges and financial aid offers will therefore reflect the student’s enrollment at the end of the add/drop period. (The add/drop period is always posted on the academic calendar). After the add/drop period has expired, a change from full-time to part-time status or a reduction in any credit hour enrollment, other than a complete withdrawal, will not change tuition charges or financial aid. For example, a student enrolled full-time will receive no tuition adjustment for dropping below full-time enrollment after the add/drop period of the traditional semester. Tuition adjustments for increased enrollment will continue throughout the term.

Group of students at the Des Moines sculpture park

Title IV Return Policy and refunds due to student’s complete withdrawal from the College (R2T4)

Please use the following link to read about the return of Title IV funds upon withdraw from Simpson College.

Return of Title IV Funds/Refunds/Withdraw Information