When Heather Wilson logged on to her student account this summer, she was faced with what has become an all too familiar sight – an encumbrance.

Wilson is a junior in applied life studies who works at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts to help pay for school. She uses her wages and private loans to scrape by on tuition payments, but this was the third time she fell far enough behind in her tuition payments to have an encumbrance, or notice of debt to the University, placed on her account.

In the past, when students like Wilson owed money to the University, they could register for classes and had until the start of instruction the next semester to pay the money or face removal from their courses. Under a University policy instituted in the past year, however, students will have a hold placed on their account and be unable to register for classes until all their debts have been paid.

For Wilson, the change has both positive and negative consequences. She now must take care of any encumbrances before registering for classes, but no longer has to worry about being dropped from her courses.

Roger Pohlmann, the director of student accounts and cashiers, said the change was an improvement for students.

“We could have left it the way it was, allowing everyone to register,” he said. “But it seemed the better way to do it would be to let someone know ahead of time and get the bill paid … The only drawback is that they may have to register later, but once you get registered we can’t take those (classes) away from you.”

One benefit of the change is that it gives financial aid time to go through for students. Some students are still waiting for their University aid to come through for the current semester, but Orlo Austin, director of financial aid, said students would not face encumbrances in November because of financial aid.

“Unless someone applied in late October, that would not be the case,” he said. “The overwhelming percentage of students have had their aid processed already.”

Wilson has dealt with her encumbrances by taking out additional loans to cover the payments. She said the University has been easy on her even when she fell behind on tuition.

“They’re pretty lenient,” she said. “The first time, I was afraid I’d be kicked out of school, so I was fine with just an encumbrance.”

Pohlmann said the University also is open to working with students on taking care of their debts.

“If a student has a big bill and can’t pay in full, they might want to pay in two installments, or three installments,” he said. We would be open to doing it, as long as we have a basis to allow them to. They need a plan, some good plan to get the money and pay.”

Wilson said encumbrances are not as scary as they used to be. As long as they are cleared before the next registration period, there are no major consequences.

“It hasn’t been that bad … until I have to start paying off the loans,” Wilson said.