Tuition & payment
Letting a parent view and pay your bills
In the US the tuition bill belongs to the student — even when a parent pays it. For a parent to see the bill and pay it, the student has to add them as an Authorized User. It takes five minutes, and skipping it means a family guessing its way through the semester.
Why a parent cannot simply see the bill
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) says a student’s financial records may not be shared with a third party without the student’s written consent. A paying parent is a third party under that law.
So the university cannot send the bill to a parent on its own, even when the parent is the one transferring the money. The student has to grant access inside myBill.
This differs sharply from many countries where the university deals with parents directly. Families often discover it only after a payment deadline has passed.
What an Authorized User can do
- View term bills (e-bills)
- View tax forms
- Make payments
- Enrol in payment plans
- View all student account activity — charges and payments
What being an Authorized User does NOT give
Being set up as an Authorized User does not permit Treasurer’s Office staff to disclose financial information to that person. For the office to discuss the account with a parent — by phone or email — the student must submit a “Release of Confidential Student Financial Record Information” form. It must be completed in the office, or signed in front of a notary.
Seven steps to add an Authorized User
- 1
Log in to Pack Portal
The student uses their own A-State account.
- 2
Open myBill
Click the myBill button in the myBill widget on the Dashboard.
- 3
Go to Authorized Users
Under My Profile, select Authorized Users.
- 4
Choose the Add Authorized User tab
This is where a new person is added.
- 5
Enter the parent’s email
Enter the parent or guardian’s email address (or the student’s own personal email), answer each question, then click Continue.
- 6
Read and accept the agreement
Read it through, select Agree, then click Continue.
- 7
Set the password within 48 hours
A temporary password is emailed to that address. It EXPIRES IN 48 HOURS — tell the person to set their own password straight away, or the whole step has to be repeated.
Where an Authorized User logs in
An Authorized User does not log in through Pack Portal the way a student does. They use a separate address — save it for them:
Two kinds of bill, and when they arrive
A-State tuition billing
| Type | When | Sent to |
|---|---|---|
| E-bill | Every Friday during the term, available in myBill | The student’s email and every Authorized User on file |
| Paper bill | Once only, at the end of term, to the address on file | The student |
Treasurer’s Office contact
Source: kb.astate.edu — Billing & Authorized Users · Updated Aug 22, 2026
Frequently asked questions
My parents do not read English well. What then?
Our admissions team can go through the bill with them line by line. But access still has to be granted by the student — we cannot and must not log in on anyone’s behalf. Add the parent’s email as an Authorized User, then call us when you need help reading it.
How many people can be added?
The university’s guidance does not state a limit. Many families add both parents, or add the student’s own personal email so notifications arrive outside the university inbox.
How do I remove someone?
Only the student can add, grant and remove access, in the same Authorized Users section of myBill. Keeping the list correct and current is the student’s responsibility.
The temporary password expired. Now what?
The student removes that person and adds them again so the system issues a fresh temporary password. There is no way to extend the old one.
Is the release form compulsory?
Not for viewing bills or paying — an Authorized User can do both immediately. It is only required if you want the Treasurer’s Office to discuss account details with a parent directly.
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