Question about app fee?

Does the fee count as part of the application that must be submitted by the deadline? b/c im in sort of a dilemma. For Northeastern, its says that students should submit the app by Jan 1st (did that) for prior merit scholarship consideration. However, I haven't sent my fee yet b/c you're suppose to get an email for Application Status Check login stuff to send the online fee, and i havent gotten it after 3 days. So there's 2 ways - either wait to get the e-mail to send the fee through ASC or send the check through USPS. Which is better for the consideration/deadline?