This chapter provides an overview of tuition controls, criteria, equations, and waivers, and discusses how to:
Create billing and due date calendars.
Set up adjustment calendars.
Establish tuition calculation controls.
Define variables for criteria and equations.
Establish criteria for tuition groups and fee triggers.
Use Equation Engine to define tuition calculation equations.
Define waivers and waiver groups.
Create course lists.
Controls, criteria, and waivers determine when the system calculates tuition and for whom. They define how much money the system returns if a student drops a class or withdraws. They also establish for whom tuition should be waived and for what reason. Equation Engine replaces the equation processor previously used in Campus Solutions applications. Equation Engine performs complicated calculations that can help you select students for inclusion in a group, or determine a fee for a unique situation.
To set up billing and due date calendars, use the Billing and Due Calendars component (DUE_DATE_PANEL).
Billing and due date calendars are associated with tuition calculation and are used to determine the percentage of specific fees due to be paid by a particular time. Because a due date calendar is required for the setup of fees, you must define at least one billing and due date calendar for your institution. You may also define additional billing and due date calendars as needed to meet the requirements of your business processes.
When creating your billing and due date calendar, you have the flexibility to specify that the payment of a fee is due in full at a particular date, or you can create a payment schedule. For example, you can define a billing and due date calendar that indicates that your application fee is due in full at the time that an application is filed and create another billing and due calendar for installment payments for your tuition fees. You can also design the system so that a due date for a fee is designated at the time that you create a bill or post a charge.
Page Name |
Object Name |
Navigation |
Usage |
DUE_DATE_TABLE |
Set Up SACR, Product Related, Student Financials, Tuition and Fees, Billing and Due Calendars |
Define billing and due date calendars. |
Access the Billing and Due Calendars page.
To set up adjustment calendars, use the Adjustment Calendars component (ADJ_TERM_PANEL).
This section provides an overview of adjustment calendars and discusses how to:
Define adjustment calendars.
Define administrative fees for adjustment periods.
Adjustment calendars determine the refund schedules that you apply to the members of a tuition group. These calendars govern how the system adjusts term and class level fees when a student withdraws or drops a class. The system uses the number of days a term or class has been in session or class attendance percentage to determine the percentage of refund due. The system calculates these figures using date and time stamps located in the STDNT_ENRL table. State government, an agency, the federal government, or your institution can mandate refund schedules. The pro rata refund is applied to first-time students who withdraw. Federal regulations require you to use the refund table that is best for the student.
See Also
Understanding Class Enrollment Processing
Page Name |
Object Name |
Navigation |
Usage |
ADJ_TERM_TABLE |
Set Up SACR, Product Related, Student Financials, Tuition and Fees, Adjustment Calendars |
Define adjustment calendars. |
|
ADMIN_FEE_SP |
Click the Administrative Fee Setup link on the Adjustment Calendars page. |
Define administrative fees for adjustment periods. |
Access the Adjustment Calendars page.
Note. Most types of financial aid have specific fee adjustment requirements. Consult with your financial aid staff to determine adjustment calendar requirements.
Description |
Enter a description to identify this adjustment calendar. |
Adjustment Option |
Select the adjustment option for this adjustment calendar: By Census DateSelect to adjust fees based on the Census Date. Use used only for HECS calculation. This adjustment option is not vailable for Term Fees. By Class Length % (by class length percentage): Select to adjust fees based on the number of days passed out of the total number of class days scheduled. For example, if a class is scheduled to run for 13 weeks, and a student drops the class at the end of the second week, they would have attended slightly over 15 percent of the class length. By Class Meeting % (by class meeting percentage): Select to adjust fees based on the number of class meetings attended out of the total number of scheduled class meetings. By Class Meetings Select to adjust fees based on the number of class meetings attended regardless of the total number of meetings scheduled. By Class Start Date Select to adjust fees based on the number of days passed from the class start date. By Session Start Date Select to adjust fees based on the number of days passed from the first day of the session. By Term Start Date Select to adjust fees based on the number of days passed from the first day of the term. |
Adjust Reason (adjustment reason) |
Select the adjustment reason code. You might adjust fees differently depending on the reason that the student drops or withdraws. For example, you might give a full refund to a student who has to drop for reasons beyond his control. The adjust reason is a short explanation of the difference. Note. If you want to select an adjustment reason for a term withdrawal, you must first select the Term Withdrawal check box. |
Term Withdrawal |
Select if this adjustment code is to be used for term withdrawal. Do not select this check box if the adjust reason is for dropped classes. |
Copy Adjustment Calendar |
Click to copy an adjustment calendar from one term to another. |
Select to designate an adjust reason as the default reason for both term withdrawal and dropping a class. Both term withdrawal and class drop must have one adjustment calendar defined as the default. |
|
Term and Session |
Enter the appropriate term and session information for each adjust reason. |
Day From and To |
If you select the adjustment options By Class Start Date, By Term Start Date, or By Session Start Date, enter the beginning (Day From) and ending point (Day To) of the time period. For both of these fields, express the number of days before the start date defined in the Adjustment Option field as a negative number. For example, if you want a student to receive a full refund from any time before the start of a term to the day before the start of a term, enter -9999 in the From Day field and -1 in the To Day field. |
Percent From and To |
If you select the adjustment options By Class Length % or By Class Meeting %, enter a beginning (Percent From) and ending point (Percent To) of the range. Percent values cannot be expressed as negative numbers. For example, if you want students to receive a full refund if they drop any time before attending at least 10 percent of the class, enter 0% in the Percent From field and 9.999% in the Percent To field. |
Meeting From and Meeting To |
If you select the adjustment option By Class Meetings, enter a beginning (Meeting From) and ending (Meeting To) class session. For example, if you want students to receive a full refund if they drop any time before attending the third class session, enter 0 in the Meeting From field and 2 in the Meeting To field. |
Refund Percent |
Enter the percent of fees charged that you want the student to receive as a refund. |
Administrative Fee Setup |
Click to define any administrative fees associated with the adjustment period. Note. Administrative fees for withdrawal can be defined for each refund range row. You can set up an administrative fee for cancellation only on the first row and only if the refund percent is 100 percent. |
Access the Administrative Fee Setup page.
Due Date Code |
Select the due date code (billing and due calendar) that you want to use for the administrative fee. |
Withdrawal Group Box
Flat Fee |
If you want to charge a student a specific amount for withdrawing from school or for canceling enrollment in classes, enter the amount in the Flat Fee fields. This option can be used alone or in conjunction with a Percentage fee. |
Percentage |
If you want to charge students a percentage of their tuition and fees when they withdraw from school, enter that percentage in this field. This option can be used alone or in conjunction with a flat fee. This option applies to withdrawal only. |
Maximum Amount |
If you want to put a limit on the total administrative fees that can be charged to students who withdraw from school, enter a maximum amount in this field. This option applies to withdrawal only. |
Account Type |
Select an account type for the administrative fee. |
Item Type |
Select the item type that you have set up for administrative fee charges. |
Cancellation
Flat Fee |
If you want to charge a student a specific amount for withdrawing from school or for canceling enrollment in classes, enter the amount in the Flat Fee fields. This option can be used alone or in conjunction with a Percentage fee. |
Account Type |
Select an account type for the administrative fee. |
Item Type |
Select the item type that you have set up for administrative fee charges. |
See Also
Setting Up Item Types and Item Type Groups
To set up tuition calculation controls, use the Tuition Calculation Controls component (CALC_CNTROL_PANEL).
Tuition calculation controls determine the academic careers that are eligible for tuition and fee calculation each term.
This section discusses how to:
Specify tuition calculation parameters.
Establish restrictions on automatic tuition calculation.
Select errors and warnings.
Page Name |
Object Name |
Navigation |
Usage |
CALC_CNTL_TABLE |
Set Up SACR, Product Related, Student Financials, Tuition and Fees, Tuition Calculation Controls |
Specify tuition calculation parameters for academic careers by term. |
|
CALC_ON_REFUND_CTL |
Set Up SACR, Product Related, Student Financials, Tuition and Fees, Tuition Calculation Controls, Refund Calculation Controls |
Establish restrictions on automatic tuition calculation. |
|
DISP_ERR_CNTL |
Set Up SACR, Product Related, Student Financials, Tuition and Fees, Tuition Calculation Controls, Display Error/Warning Controls |
Select errors and warnings for tuition calculation. |
Access the Tuition Calculation Controls page.
Note. You must establish tuition controls for each active academic career for each term.
Academic Career |
Select the academic career for your tuition calculation controls. |
Tuition Calculation Controls for Terms
Term |
Select the term to which these controls apply. |
The term wash period indicates the number of days that a student can drop and add classes of equal value (wash) without penalty. This is not the same as a drop/add period in which students are allowed to make any changes. The term wash period typically extends beyond the normal drop/add period to accommodate students who must make changes to their enrollment. For example, suppose a student enrolls in Chemistry 101 and determines, after two weeks in class, that she is too advanced for the introductory level class. If the term wash period is at least 14 days, she would be able to switch to Chemistry 201 without penalty. Note. It is not necessary for the dropped and added classes to match exactly as long as the total amount of tuition and related fees are equal. For example, a student could drop one four-credit course and replace it with two two-credit courses as long as the total tuition and fee charges do not change. |
|
Transaction Wash Period |
Enter a number of days for a transaction wash period. The transaction wash period allows students a period of time in which to complete a wash transaction. In other words, it is not necessary for the student to drop and add the wash classes at the same time. Rather, as long as the replacement class or classes are added within the transaction wash period, there is no penalty. If the drop and add take place outside both the term wash and transaction wash periods, the student is charged the prorated amount of the dropped class and the full amount of the added class. |
Auto Calculate Tuition (automatically calculate tuition) |
Select to automatically calculate tuition whenever you inquire on a student's account. This feature enables you to see the most up-to-date tuition information without having to run a separate tuition calculation. Note. There are other places in the system where you have the option of selecting automatic tuition calculation. You must select the option here for any other selections to have effect. |
Select to automatically calculate student waivers whenever tuition is calculated. If you select this option, Student Financials calculates a student's tuition first, and then automatically applies all tuition waivers against the student's final tuition amount. If you do not select this option, the system does not calculate or post tuition waivers, so you have to calculate and post waivers in background processing. |
Tuition Calculation Controls for Sessions
Session |
Specify a session if you want your tuition calculation controls to apply to specific sessions within the term. If you leave this field blank, the controls apply to all sessions in the term. |
Session Wash Period |
If you choose to apply tuition calculation controls by the session, you must enter a session wash period value. The session wash period works the same as a term wash period. |
Access the Refund Calculation Controls page.
Term |
Enter the term for which the refund calculation control applies. |
No Calculation on Batch Refund |
Select if you do not want the system to automatically calculate tuition when batch refund processing is run. |
Access the Display Error/Warning Controls page.
The default value to display warnings and messages is ON. If you do not have a row for the term with these controls turned OFF, you will continue to receive errors and warnings. Insert a row for every term in which you would like to turn warnings and messages off.
Term |
Select the term for the error/warning controls that you are defining. |
Include Status of Warning |
Select to have warning messages display in CALC_ERROR. If you do not select this check box, warnings do not appear. |
Include Status of Message |
Select to have messages display in CALC_ERROR. If you do not select this check box, messages do not appear. |
Display in Log File |
Select during your installation process when you want to review log file information. This feature is typically turned off after installation and testing has been completed. |
To set up variables for criteria and equations, use the Equation Variables component (STDNT_EQUTN_VARS).
This section provides an overview of equation variables and discusses how to:
Define character variables.
Define numeric variables.
Define yes/no flags.
Equation variables are user-defined variables that can be used to classify students when no standard system values are available. For example, you might need to calculate a fee for students involved in summer internship programs. You could define one or more variables that are used to identify the students and calculate the appropriate fees.
Page Name |
Object Name |
Navigation |
Usage |
STDNT_EQUTIN_CHAR |
Student Financials, Tuition and Fees, Equation Variables, Char Variables |
Define character variables. |
|
STDNT_EQUTN_NUM |
Student Financials, Tuition and Fees, Equation Variables, Num Variables |
Define numeric variables. |
|
STDNT_EQUTN_FLAG |
Student Financials, Tuition and Fees, Equation Variables, Y / N Flags |
Define yes/no variables. |
Access the Char Variables page.
Term |
Select the term for which you want the variables to apply. |
Var Char1 (variable characters 1) through Var Char10 (variable characters 10) |
You can attach up to 10 character variables to the student, using the Var Char1 through Var Char10 fields. Save the page, and the system links the character variables that you specified to the student. The character variables no longer apply when the term that you selected ends. |
Access the Num Variables page.
Term |
Select the term for which you want the variables to apply. |
Var Num1 (variable number 1) through Var Num10 (variable number 10) |
Attach up to 10 numeric variables to the student, using these fields. Save the page, and the system links the variables that you specified to the student. The numeric variables no longer apply when the term that you selected ends. |
Access the Y/N Flags page.
Term |
Select the term for which you want the variables to apply. |
User Variable Y/N Flag #1 (user variable yes/no flag number 1) through User Variable Y/N Flag #10 (user variable yes/no flag number 10) |
You can select up to 10 Y/N flags per student, using the User Variable Y/N Flag #1 through User Variable Y/N Flag #10 check boxes. Save the page, and the system links the variables that you specified to the student. |
To set up criteria for tuition groups and fee triggers, use the Criteria component (SEL_CRITERIA_PANEL).
This section provides an overview of tuition group and fee trigger criteria, and discusses how to:
Define criteria codes and criteria types.
Define criteria details.
Criteria are essentially questions that can be answered with yes or no. In PeopleSoft Enterprise Student Financials, use criteria to compare one or more variable values to a student’s academic situation to determine if an action should be triggered (for example, applying a waiver to fees), or to which tuition group the student should be included.
The Criteria component is a flexible means of identifying and classifying students. Criteria can be as simple as a single variable (is the student a Sophomore) or extremely complex involving multiple variables. Whenever you create a criteria definition, test it thoroughly to make sure it produces the exact results that you expect.
Trigger criteria and tuition group criteria cannot be used interchangeably. You can, however, create one of each using the same detail setup.
Page Name |
Object Name |
Navigation |
Usage |
SEL_CRITERIA_TABLE |
Set Up SACR, Product Related, Student Financials, Tuition and Fees, Criteria |
Define criteria codes and criteria types. |
|
SEL_CRITER_TABLE |
Set Up SACR, Product Related, Student Financials, Tuition and Fees, Criteria, Criteria Details |
Define criteria details. |
Access the Criteria page.
Criteria Type |
Select one of two criteria types. The two types cannot be used interchangeably. Choose from: Trigger Criteria: Select to define a criterion that triggers an event. Tuition Group Criteria: Select to define a criterion that links a student to a tuition group. |
Access the Criteria Details page.
Description |
Select a variable related to a student's characteristics for a particular term. Note. Student Financials provides system variables that cover most needs. In addition, there are 30 user-defined variables that you can use. Using these user-defined variables is more difficult because you must know the definition of each variable position. |
How Specified
Selected Detail Values |
Select to match the variable with a specific value. |
Selected Tree Nodes |
Select to match the variable using any value within a tree node. When you select this option, the fields in the Tree Information group box become available. |
TableSet, Tree Name, and Level Name |
Select the tableset, tree name, and a level name on the tree if the tree has strictly enforced levels. After specifying this information, enter a node or nodes to assist in specifying the student group. |
Operator |
Define the function that the system performs against the value. |
Relational Operators
< |
Less than |
<= |
Less than or equal to |
> |
Greater than |
>= |
Greater than or equal to |
<> |
Not equal to |
BLK (blank) |
The field value is blank |
BTW (between) |
The field value is between A and B |
NBL (not blank) |
The field value is not blank |
Value/Node |
If you select Selected Detail Values in the How Specified group box, enter an explicit variable value. The system edits it against a prompt table if one exists, or the system edits it for valid dates, numbers, and string lengths. If you chose Selected Tree Nodes in the How Specified group box, specify a tree node in the Node field. A tree node is a collection of values that is aggregated under a single node. It is a quick way to specify numerous values. A tree must have the same criteria as its detail value. |
See Also
Defining Variables for Criteria and Equations
The Equation Engine is a powerful tool that enables you to develop a variety of formulas. In Student Financials, equations are used to identify a student's enrollment status, calculate and assign fees, and calculate tuition. This section discusses how to:
View delivered equations.
Use Equation Engine in Student Financials tuition calculation.
See Also
Page Name |
Object Name |
Navigation |
Usage |
EQUATION_TBL |
Set Up SACR, Common Definitions, Equation Engine, Equation Engine |
View the equations delivered by PeopleSoft in your system. |
|
EQUATION_DTL |
Set Up SACR, Common Definitions, Equation Engine, Equation Engine, Equation Dtl |
View information about equations in Equation Engine. |
Access the Equation Engine Search page.
Access the Equation Tbl page.
You can view any equation listed on the search page.
See Also
Access the SFTDUGRDAMT equation.
This equation looks at a student's Student Career Number, determines if the student is an undergraduate and then assigns a dollar amount.
Access the Equation Dtl page.
This equation selects students based on their undergraduate status.
See Also
To set up waivers and waiver groups, use the Waivers component (WAIVER_PANEL) and the Waiver Groups component (WAIVER_GROUP_PANEL).
Waivers provide a convenient, consistent, and easily maintainable way of waiving or reducing tuition or fees for students who meet specific criteria. Waiver groups enable you to attach one or more waivers directly to class, course, and course list fees.
This section discusses how to:
Define waivers.
Define waiver groups.
Page Name |
Object Name |
Navigation |
Usage |
WAIVER_TABLE |
Set Up SACR, Product Related, Student Financials, Tuition and Fees, Waivers |
Define waivers. |
|
WAIVER_GROUP_TABLE |
Set Up SACR, Product Related, Student Financials, Course and Class Fees, Waiver Groups |
Define waiver groups. |
Access the Waivers page.
Criteria |
Select the criteria used to determine the student’s eligibility for a waiver. |
Adjust Until Date |
Define the last day that a waiver can be granted to a student who meets the criteria. |
Use Excess Account |
Select to move any excess waiver amounts to the account defined for excesses. |
Waive Percentage |
If only a percentage of a fee is to be waived, enter that percentage in this field. |
Item Type Group |
Select an item type group if you want the option of attaching the waiver to a tuition group. When a waiver is attached to a tuition group, an item type group is necessary to limit which fees are affected. If the waiver is attached to a term fee, class, course, or course list fee, the program does not consider the item type group because the waiver is attached at a more specific level. Note. The Item Type Group field is available only if Waiver Percentage or Waiver Offset is selected as the method of calculating the waiver. |
Amount/Unit |
If the waiver is based on the amount of units in a student’s course load, enter the per unit amount. |
Flat Amount |
You can waive a flat amount for students who meet the criteria. If you select this option, do not complete the Waive Percentage and Waiver Offset fields. |
Waiver Offset |
Enter an amount to have the student potentially pay a portion of the fee out-of-pocket. For example, you might waive all tuition fees for employees, but want them to pay at least 100 USD. Enter 100 in this field, and the system reduces the calculated waiver by 100 USD. Note. Waiver Offset cannot be used in conjunction with the Waive Percentage, Amount/Unit, or Flat Amount options. You can use Waiver Offset with the Maximum Amount option to limit the total amount of the waiver. Also, if the waiver is attached to a tuition group, the Item Type Group field must be populated. |
Maximum Amount |
Specify the maximum amount that can be waived for a student. |
Waive Tax |
Select to control whether the waiver adjusts taxes associated with a charge. Selecting this option does not increase the amount of the waiver, but distributes it proportionately across the charge and tax. When you select this option, the Tax Waiver Account Type and Tax Waiver Item Type fields become available. |
Increase Waiver for Tax |
Select to add the amount of the tax to the waiver. When selected, this option can cause the total waiver to exceed the maximum amount limits. |
Tax Waiver Account Type |
Enter an account type for the waived tax. The default value is the same as for the waiver account type, but you can override it. |
Tax Waiver Item Type |
Enter an item type for the waived tax. The default value is the same as for the waiver item type, but you can override it. |
Access the Waiver Groups page.
Waiver Code |
Add a waiver to the waiver group. |
To set up course lists, use the Course Lists component (CRSE_LIST_PANEL).
Course lists represent a group of linked courses. You can assign a course fee to a course list rather than attaching the fee to specific courses. Course lists can also be used with third-party contracts to control what courses are covered by the sponsor contract.
Page Name |
Object Name |
Navigation |
Usage |
CRSE_LIST_SF |
Set Up SACR, Product Related, Student Financials, Course and Class Fees, Course Lists |
Define course lists. |
Access the Course Lists page.
Note. The effective date of the course list cannot precede the effective date of the course catalog from which you select courses.
Sequence Number |
Enter a sequence number for the class. Sequence numbers are important for writing course information to the table and may not be duplicated. The sequence number does not affect the payment order. |
WildCard Indicator |
Select if you are creating a list of courses with like characteristics. When you select this option, the Institution, Acad Group, and Subject fields replace the Course ID field. |
Institution |
Select the appropriate institution. This field is available only if the WildCard Indicator check box is selected. |
Academic Group |
Select the academic group in which the courses reside. This field is available only if the WildCard Indicator check box is selected. |
Subject |
Select the subject area for the courses. This field is available only if the WildCard Indicator check box is selected. |
Course ID |
To create a course list using one or more specific courses, enter a course ID. |