# Fees and the monthly statement

> When class fees are charged, how to pay them, what the monthly statement shows and what happens when a payment is late.

## What you are charged [#what-you-are-charged]

Each place in a class has a monthly fee. The school sets the day of the month it falls due. A child who takes a place partway through a month pays either the share of that month's meetings still to come or the whole fee, whichever the school chose. Some schools also charge a one off enrolment fee.

The school may take a discount off a monthly fee for a second child or a second class. A discount shows on its own line under the fee it comes off.

A skipped class never changes the fee, and a make-up class is not a refund.

## Ways to pay [#ways-to-pay]

- **Direct debit**: sign a mandate once and the school collects each month from your account. See [Direct debit](/docs/families/direct-debit).
- **Bank transfer**: the statement shows the school's account and a reference for your family. Write the reference in the transfer's concept so the school can tell the payment is yours.
- **By hand**: cash, or another way the school agrees with you. Staff record it when you pay.

## The monthly statement [#the-monthly-statement]

The statement lists, for one month, the class fees charged, the payments recorded and what is still owed. Use **Previous month** and **Next month** to move between months, and **Print** to keep a copy. It covers every child you pay for. It is not an invoice.

Each fee shows one status:

- **Unpaid**: owed and not yet paid.
- **Sent to the bank, collected on a date**: the school has asked your bank for it and the date is still to come.
- **Collected on a date**: your bank paid it.
- **Paid on a date**: the school recorded a payment you made another way.
- **Returned by the bank on a date**, with the reason: your bank sent the debit back and the fee is owed again.
- **Nothing to pay**: the school waived it.

## When a payment is late [#when-a-payment-is-late]

Aula emails the payer when a fee stays unpaid: a first reminder 3 days after it was due, a second at 10 days and a final notice at 20 days, each saying what is owed. When your bank returns a debit, you get an email about it. Once the fee is paid the reminders stop. You can choose how you receive these notices in your notification settings, and the school can pause reminders for your family.

If your bank returned a debit, pay by transfer with your reference or ask the school. Some schools add a returned debit fee to your next month.

If a statement looks wrong, contact the school. Only the school can change a charge.