Expand the section navigation mobile menu

Direct Deposit

Direct deposit is the easiest, fastest and most secure way to receive payments from Oakland University. Generally, it can take 5-7 days for your funds to appear in your bank account after a direct deposit payment is processed by the university.

Enroll in Direct Deposit

General Information

To access direct deposit in SAIL, go to Personal Information, Direct Deposit.

Each type of direct deposit enrollment, change or cancellation must be completed separately. For example, if you already have Payroll direct deposit for on-campus employment, you still need to enroll in Accounts Payable direct deposit for refunds of financial aid, payments for dropped classes that were made by cash or check, reimbursements for student organization-related expenses, etc.

You may choose any U.S. bank account for your direct deposit payment. If you choose to have your funds deposited into a checking account, you must know the routing and account number when you enroll and select "Checking." If you choose to have your funds deposited in a savings account, you must know the routing and account number when you enroll and select "Savings."

You can elect to have the funds deposited to the Grizz Gold Card OU Credit Union account.  Simply obtain your routing number and account number verification form from the OU Credit Union to use when you enroll in direct deposit. Make sure you select "Checking" at the time of enrollment. Unfortunately, we are unable to direct deposit funds to your GrizzCa$h account. Direct deposit is not an option for Parent PLUS refunds at the present time.

Oakland University currently participates with more than 9,500 banks across the United States. If a direct deposit is not accepted by your bank, Oakland University will be notified and the reason for rejection will be reviewed. If the reason for rejection cannot be resolved, you will be issued a check.

If you have questions about Accounts Payable direct deposit, please contact us at (248) 370-2550 or [email protected].

If you have questions about payroll direct deposit, please contact the Payroll Department at (248) 370-3472 or [email protected].

Don't have a bank account?

The bank or credit union will need to verify your name, date of birth, address, and ID number. An ID number can be a social security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). To get an ITIN, you will need to fill out a form with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Most banks will allow you to open a bank account without a social security number (SSN) or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN). You will need your driver's license/state ID for identification. If you are an international student, you will need your passport and government issued international documentation, such as an I-20, DS-2019, or other similar documents.

Visit different banks and credit unions to find out what types of accounts they offer, and what types of ID numbers they accept.

Students who use a debit card for banking should contact their financial institution for a routing and account number to use for enrolling into Accounts Payable direct deposit.

Direct Deposit - Accounts Payable Terms & Conditions

By enrolling in Direct Deposit - Accounts Payable, I understand, agree and certify that:

  1. All of the banks or credit unions listed above are United States financial institutions and none of the direct deposit(s) made to those banks or credit unions will be electronically transferred in their entirety to a foreign financial institution in "back-to-back" "automatic sweep" or similar transactions. If this statement is not true, then:

    • I will not submit an Authorization Agreement using this account; or
    • If I am currently enrolled in the direct deposit program with this account, I will cancel my direct deposit authorization for this account.

  2. The following actions are authorized pursuant to the applicable NACHA rules: Oakland University, and/or my bank or credit union, may initiate deposit (credit) entries and, if necessary, reversal/correction (debit) entries and adjustments for any deposit (credit) entries in error to my account;

  3. The account I am authorizing belongs to me and I have access to the funds in such account

  4. I must allow 5 - 7 days processing time for direct deposit to commence.

  5. Direct Deposit - Accounts Payable applies to all non-payroll payments from Oakland University such as:

    • Employee reimbursements;
    • Financial aid refunds;
    • Refunds of payments made by cash or check for dropped classes; and
    • Reimbursements for expenses related to student organizations

  6. Oakland University may terminate my Direct Deposit - Accounts Payable enrollment immediately, and without prior notice to me, upon:

    • Expiration of my Oakland University e-mail address;
    • Oakland University's receipt of notice from a bank or credit union that it will no longer honor or accept direct deposits; or
    • Oakland University's decision, in its sole and exclusive discretion, to discontinue the direct deposit program or to terminate my participation in the direct deposit program.

  7. Oakland University will also terminate this my Direct Deposit - Accounts Payable enrollment, following a reasonable period for administrative processing, upon:

    • Receipt of written notice from me requesting termination of my Direct Deposit - Accounts Payable enrollment;
    • My un-enrollment from the direct deposit program through Oakland University's online system; or
    • Receipt of written notice from my personal representative, attorney-in-fact or other representative requesting termination of my Direct Deposit - Accounts Payable enrollment following my death or legal incapacity.

  8. I will be notified by OU email when a direct deposit is made into my account.

  9. It is my responsibility to communicate with my bank or credit union to ensure that all direct deposits have been correctly applied to my account.

Direct Deposit - Payroll Terms & Conditions

By enrolling in Direct Deposit, I understand, agree and certify that:

  1. Payroll direct deposit is for:

    • Student employment payroll
    • Work-Study payroll
    • Faculty & Staff payroll

  2. You will be able to retrieve a copy of your pay stub through the portal at mysail.oakland.edu. After logging in, click SAIL, then go to Employee Services, Pay Information, Pay Stub.

  3. You can verify your deposit by calling your bank or by checking your balance through an ATM cash station or online service.

  4. If you believe any information in this data is inaccurate, report it to  [email protected]

  5. Payroll direct deposit can be split between three accounts.

  6. To change the order of the existing records: Select a different priority number.

    • To change the order of the existing records: Select a different priority number. o Important information regarding the "Priority" function: To deposit to more than one U.S. financial institution, a priority sequence number must be assigned to each entry. Assign Priority "1" to the deposit that must happen first, "2" to the deposit that would happen second, etc. Note: Maximum number of financial institutions or priorities is "3".

  7. The account(s) listed above belong to me and I have access to the funds in such account(s).

  8. This Authorization Agreement applies to all payroll payments from Oakland University.

  9. Oakland University may terminate this Authorization Agreement immediately, and without prior notice to me, upon:

    • Expiration of my Oakland University e-mail address;
    • Termination of my employment at Oakland University;
    • Oakland University's receipt of notice from a bank or credit union that it will no longer honor or accept direct deposits; or
    • Oakland University's decision, in its sole and exclusive discretion, to discontinue the direct deposit program or to terminate my participation in the direct deposit program.

  10. Oakland University will also terminate this Authorization Agreement, following a reasonable period for administrative processing, upon:

    • Oakland University will also terminate this Authorization Agreement, following a reasonable period for administrative processing, upon: o Receipt of written notice from me requesting termination of this Authorization Agreement;
    • My un-enrollment from the direct deposit program through Oakland University's online system; or
    • Receipt of written notice from my personal representative, attorney-in-fact or other representative requesting termination of this Authorization Agreement following my death or legal incapacity.

  11. It is my responsibility to communicate with the banks or credit unions listed to ensure that all direct deposits have been correctly applied to my account(s).

  1. Log into MySAIL
  2. Select SAIL from the Popular Services menu
  3. Select Personal Information
  4. Select: View/Update Direct Deposit: to enroll in and manage direct deposit for payroll and accounts payable.
    • Click on "Add New" in the Proposed Pay Distribution section to enroll in direct deposit for payroll payments.
    • Click on "Add New" in the Accounts Payable Deposit section to enroll in direct deposit for payments for refunds of excess financial aid, dropped classes that were made by cash and / or reimbursements for student organization-related expenses.

Print these directions with screenshots.

Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships

North Foundation Hall, Room 120
318 Meadow Brook Road
Rochester, MI 48309-4454
(location map)
(248) 370-2550



Office Hours:
M-F 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Have your Grizzly ID ready


OU school code: 002307

Student employment contact: [email protected]

We are committed to ensuring you're able to access our website. For assistance with technical resources, contact OU's Student Technology Center.