Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, a new enrollment and application fee must be submitted each semester.

Students who may need more than one bank account debited each month to satisfy their account balance are advised to contact the Bursar’s office at bthelp@vt.edu.

The Smart Plan  automatically adjusts to the current eBill balance with no action required by participant. The debit amount will be locked 10 days prior to each month’s effective date. The withdrawal amount can decrease if an additional payment is made directly through the Budget Tuition Plan system within the 10 day notice.  If paid outside of the plan’s system, the upcoming debit amount may remain unchanged.

Currently a US checking or savings account with ACH acceptable debits is the only payment method used by the University’s Budget Tuition Plan.  The University continually evaluates available payment methods and may change payment options in the future.

Students should log in to www.hokiespa.vt.edu, select the Budget Tuition Plan link, and then choose the view plan link they would like more information on. 

Parents and other payers must have a Parent PIN established by the student before they can access the plan site.  Once established, they can then log in to the plan site at:

https://commerce.cashnet.com/vtpay

Please note that you cannot edit or view the payment method information on this site for a plan that you did not enroll in.

Students can follow these directions: https://wallet.vt.edu/pay_tuition_fees/authorized-payers.html.

PARENTS: Request Access for Budget Tuition Plan (https://wallet.vt.edu/pay_tuition_fees/payment-options/paying-in-monthly-installments/request-access-for-tuition-installment-plan.html)

STUDENTS: www.hokiespa.vt.edu

To authorize a Parent PIN:

1.     Students login to www.hokiespa.vt.edu

2.     Choose the “Hokie Wallet” menu

3.     Choose “Budget Tuition Plan”

4.     Select “My Account”

5.     Select “Send a payer invitation”

6.     Enter Payer Information

7.     Click “Send invitation” button

Delete or Edit a Parent PIN

1.     Students login to www.hokiespa.vt.edu

2.     Choose the “Hokie Wallet” menu

3.     Choose “Budget Tuition Plan”

4.     Select “My Account”

5.     Select “Payer”

6.     Click “Remove Payer” button

Reset the Parent PIN Password

1.     Students login to www.hokiespa.vt.edu

2.     Choose the “Hokie Wallet” menu

3.     Choose “Budget Tuition Plan”

4.     Select “My Account”

5.     Select “Payer”

6.     Click “Resend payer invitation”

7.     A system generated email will be sent to the third party with a temporary password. The newly created Parent PIN will have 48 hours to login and update their permanent password. If not, the student must remove the current Parent PIN and begin the process over.

NOTE TO PARENTS: University access and disclosure authorizations are granted and maintained by the student. If you no longer have access to the budget plan system or have forgotten your PIN, please contact your student.

No other payment plan methods are available but as an alternative to the plan, students may apply for Federal student financial assistance.  For more information, contact the Office of University Scholarships and Financial Aid at 540-231-5179 or finaid@vt.edu

Make certain that your bank account information is correct prior to changing your payment method.

1. Log on to www.hokiespa.vt.edu 
2. Choose the 'Hokie Wallet' menu
3. Choose 'Budget Tuition Plan'
4. Select the Current plan
5. Click the Pie icon
6. Select ‘View auto pay’
7. Select Payment method 'Change'
8. Select ‘Change’
9. Select 'New bank account'
10. Enter Payment method information
11. Click ‘Continue’ button

 Parents with a Parent PIN

1.     Log in to https://commerce.cashnet.com/vtpay

2.     Select 'Payment Plans’

3.     Select the Current plan

4.     Click the Pie icon

5.     Select ‘View auto pay’

6.     Select Payment method 'Change'

7.     Select ‘Change’

8.       Select 'New bank account'

9.       Enter Payment method information

10.  Click ‘Continue’ button

The Smart Plan  automatically adjusts to the current eBill balance with no action required by participant. The debit amount will be locked 10 days prior to each month’s effective date. The withdrawal amount can decrease if an additional payment is made directly through the Budget Tuition Plan system within the 10 day notice.  If paid outside of the plan’s system, the upcoming debit amount may remain unchanged.

We cannot change or postpone a scheduled debit date.  It is possible to prepay an amount due or change the bank account instructions prior to the debit.  A $50 late installment payment fee will be incurred for each canceled payment unless the balance is paid in full on or before the scheduled installment plan payment due date.  Please contact bthelp@vt.edu to cancel a payment.

The upcoming withdrawal will not increase due to student account changes, but can decrease if the student account balance is reduced by an amount greater than the remaining unbilled debits. 

If you need to make changes to the payment method or review scheduled debit amounts, please log into the payment plan system through Hokie SPA or the Parent BTP PIN. For further assistance, please contact the VT Bursar's Office bthelp@vt.edu or 540-231-6277.

Virginia Tech will not re-submit any debits returned unpaid by your bank.

If an application fee is returned, a returned item fee is assessed to the student account and the BTP is immediately canceled.  If enrolling after the semester payment deadline, additional penalties such as a late fee, return debit fee, hold, and dismissal for non-payment may apply.

If a scheduled monthly debit is returned, a returned item fee is assessed to the student account. 

In the event of a default, the student will be responsible to their financial institution and university penalties such as fees and interest at the highest rate allowed by law for all reasonable administrative costs, collections costs, and attorney's fees incurred in the collection of whatever funds are due.

Returned items should be paid by guaranteed funds (cash, cashier's check, money order, or an accepted credit card).

Multiple returns may result in cancellation of the plan as well as forfeiture of future plan participation privileges.  

Make certain that your bank account information is correct prior to repay.

STUDENT:

1.     Log on to HokieSPA, or CashNET (Parent PIN)

2.     Choose "Make Payment" Menu

3.     Continue as instructed

A) If you have already paid for a returned debit, please ensure that your bank account information through the BTP system is correct to reactivate your auto payments account. 

STUDENT:

1. Log on to HokieSPA
2. Choose "Hokie Wallet" Menu
3. Choose "Budget Tuition Plan"
4. Select "Edit" or "Correct" Under the "Budget Tuition Auto Payments" Menu Option
5. Choose "Continue Editing"
6. Choose "Continue"
7. Select Button "Enter new electronic check information", then "Continue"
8. Enter Correct Account Information, then "Continue"
9. "Submit Changes"

PARENT (if authorized):

1. Log in to CashNET
2. Select "Edit" or "Correct" Under the "Budget Tuition Auto Payments" Menu Option
3. Choose "Continue Editing"
4. Choose "Continue"
5. Select Button "Enter new electronic check information", then "Continue"
6. Enter Correct Account Information, then "Continue"
7. "Submit Changes"

B) If you have not paid returned debit, please pay using the steps below and then update your account information as shown under step A. 

STUDENT:

1. Log in to HokieSPA
2. Choose "Hokie Wallet" Menu
3. Choose "Budget Tuition Plan"
4. Choose "Make Payment"
5. Enter Failed Debit Amount
6. Select "Checkout"
7. Select "Enter new electronic check information"
8. Enter Payment Information
9. Select "Continue Checkout"
10. Select "Continue Checkout"
11. Select "Submit Payment"

PARENT (if authorized):

1. Log in to CashNET
2. Choose "Make Payment"
3. Enter Failed Debit Amount
4. Select "Checkout"
5. Select "Enter new electronic check information"
6. Enter Payment Information
7. Select "Continue Checkout"
8. Select "Continue Checkout"
9. Select "Submit Payment"

Please contact the Bursar’s Office in writing at bthelp@vt.edu and let us know you would like to cancel your plan.  If you have more than one plan, please be sure to specify which plan you are canceling.

Canceling the auto payment method online does not cancel the plan, it just removes your payment method.  You are still responsible for the debits and an auto payment method is required as a term of participation in the Budget TP.  A $50 late installment payment fee will be incurred for each canceled payment unless the balance is paid in full on or before the scheduled installment plan payment due date. 

NOTE:  If the plan is canceled resulting in an amount due, the outstanding balance will need to be settled immediately, or further penalties such as a late payment fee and an account hold will apply.  Accounts unpaid may ultimately be dismissed for non-payment.