URECA Payments

If awarded a URECA grant, payment methods can differ depending on individual scenarios. As outlined below, you will be paid via a stipend or payroll deposit.

1. STIPEND (most common):
   If you have enough room in your financial aid package, you will receive payment as a stipend. Stipend payments are received either by direct ACH deposit or by physical check in the mail. You are responsible for initiating your stipend payment by submitting the URECA Stipend Request Form, as detailed below.
   
2. PAYROLL (less common):
   If you do not have enough room in your financial aid package, you will be hired as a student worker and paid an hourly rate until you have reached your award total. In this case, you will log your hours on a monthly timesheet, which will be paid via direct deposit at the end of each month. Your mentor will verify your hours at the end of each pay period. If this is your scenario, we will contact you directly.

Stipend Payment Options

1. ACH Direct Deposit (preferred): Sign up for funds to be directly deposited into your bank account by submitting the ACH Payment Enrollment Authorization form outlined below. Please allow 7-10 days for ACH direct deposit payments to be issued.
   
2. Physical Check: If you want to receive your stipend payment by check, please use the same address listed in Pipeline. To update the address in Pipeline, email Records@mtsu.edu with the new address. Using a different address than what is in Pipeline will cause delays in payment. Please allow for up to 3 weeks for mailed checks.

ACH Direct Deposit Enrollment Instructions

All students receiving a URECA stipend are encouraged to sign up for direct deposit via the ACH Payment Enrollment Authorization (for MTSU persons Only) form found at the first link HERE. Using your personal checking or savings account for direct deposits is the safest and most convenient way to receive your payment.

Before completing the ACH form, please note the following:

• Please verify the routing number and account number you should enter for ACH transactions with your bank or credit union. Be aware that not all accounts allow ACH transactions. DO NOT enter the account number from your debit/bank card. The number printed on your card is not a valid bank account number.
• URECA ACH direct deposit requests are not linked to current MTSU Human Resources payroll deposits. Therefore, you must enroll using the form mentioned above, regardless of existing university employment.
• When completing the ACH form, you DO NOT need to provide a W-9
• Have ready a .jpg or .pdf of a voided check, deposit slip, or other information verifying the bank account and routing number. The verification document should include your name and the full account number.

You are responsible for initiating your stipend payment by submitting the URECA Stipend Request Form. We will process your stipend in 1, 2, 3, or 4 payments, depending on the amount of your stipend and how often you would like to receive compensation. For example, you will request payment based on 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% project completion.

URECA Stipend Payment Request

To request payment, please complete the URECA Stipend Request Form. 

The form will be routed to your mentor for their approval and signature, then sent to the URC for approval.  After the URC approves, it goes to Financial Aid, then to the Business Office for distribution to your bank account. Please be aware that the ACH process can take 7-10 business days.  If you did not sign up for ACH direct deposit, a paper check will be mailed to your address on file, which can take 3+ weeks. 

For questions, please contact Casey Penston at Casey.Penston@mtsu.edu.