From parking permits to financial aid, the first week of school often comes with the price of standing in time-consuming lines.

For most students, taking care of enrollment fees and financial aid begins the first few weeks of school, but noticeable changes have been made to help students avoid the daunting tasks of waiting in long lines.

Peggy Ursin, a student affairs specialist, said the campus has implemented new ways in reaching students.

“Online notifications were sent to students during early summer,” Ursin said. “We sent out over 2,000 messages to financial aid students and students needing to buy parking permits and bus passes.”

Because technology is essential to students, many agree it has been crucial in helping students with their payments.

“Students are more tech savvy,” said Outreach Specialist Tiffany Clark, who credited the online notifications in helping students pay for their fees in advance.

In comparison to last year, many students agreed the lengths of the lines have gotten smaller.

“They’re  a lot smoother this semester,” said Noemi Martinez, 19, a nursing major, who started college last spring.

Student helpers also took time to help regulate lines by assisting students with questions.

“Now that we have more people to help, things are a lot simpler,” Martinez said.

Karen Woods, 36, a human services major, said the lines have been manageable.

“It hasn’t been too bad,” Wood’s said. “The lines are dealable for the most part.”

Many new students were shocked when they arrived on campus for the first time, expecting longer lines.

“From what I’ve heard, student’s have had to wait in long lines, but it hasn’t been that way for me,” said Erika Opeza, an 18-year-old undecided major.

Budget cuts, decreased class sections and smaller waitlist have also contributed to shorter lines this semester.

“Lines have been markedly shorter,” Ursin said. “Last semester we were around  16,000 and now we are closer to 15,000.”

Kiosk stations were set-up, last semester in hopes of decreasing the number of students waiting in line.

“They are used to tell people when to check their progress based on their number,”said Ursin.

Once students sign in, a number is assigned for the student to return within a designated time.

“We’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback,” Clark said. “Students really appreciate it because they can stop by as early as 8 a.m.”