West Virginia University once again will offer students a”one-stop shop”for paying tuition and checking on financial aid.

Student Services Days get under way in the Mountainlair Ballrooms Friday, Aug. 17, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and continues from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, and Monday, Aug. 20, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

“Its truly a one-stop shop for students,”said Regan Fritsch-Bruni, coordinator of New Student Services.”All of the major student services units are in one location. If students need to pay their tuition, they can do that. If they need to check on their financial aid, they can do that, too.”

Representatives from Admissions and Records, the Office of Student Accounts, Housing and Residence Life, the Scholars Office and Graduate Tuition Waivers will be on hand to answer questions and process payments and paperwork.

In addition, a Help Center will be set up in the lounge of E. Moore Hall Friday, Aug. 17, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 18, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; and Monday through Wednesday, Aug. 20-22, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Help Center staffers can provide copies of student schedules and answer general questions.

Until Saturday, Aug. 18, students can use the STAR Interactive Voice Response (IVR) System, at 293-2892 or 1-888-WVU-4IVR, to register by phone or STAR Web,http://star.wvu.eduto register online. Students who register after Saturday, Aug. 18, will be assessed a $40 late registration fee. Any returning student registering on Monday, Aug. 20, the first day of classes, needs to see his/her advisor and then go to Admissions and Records.

Students can use the automated STAR System to pay their tuition and fees with a Visa, Mastercard or Discover card. Students must pay 60 percent of their tuition and fees bill by Saturday, Aug. 18, to avoid being assessed a $40 late fee. The remaining 40 percent is due by the end of the sixth week of classes. For more information on the 60/40 Plan, contact the Office of Student Accounts at 293-4006.

Students also may opt to check their student account or financial aid information on STAR Web. At this time, students cannot use STAR Web to pay tuition and fees.

Its not too late to apply for two types of federal student aid: the Federal Pell Grant and the Federal Direct Loan. Neither of those two federal programs have deadlines but require completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, said Ken Sears, associate director of financial aid. Sears added, however, that for next year (2002-2003) students should apply for financial aid by completing the application as soon as possible after Jan. 1, 2002.

As in previous semesters, Sears said students can expect to receive their financial aid refund checks by mail at their local addresses during the first week of classes, provided that they have registered and submitted paperwork on time. Students should make sure their local addresses are updated with Admissions and Records to avoid delays.