Credit Card Convenience Fee FAQs
Can I pay tuition and other student account charges by credit card?
- Yes. Credit card payments are only accepted online at http://www.tcu.edu/ or my.tcu.edu.
- Beginning July 7, 2008, TCU will no longer accept credit card payments by mail, in person, over the phone, or via fax for student account payments.
- Computers are available in the Student Financial Services office in Sadler Hall on a walk-in basis for online bill payment.
- Credit card payments are not processed by TCU. A secure third-party payment service provider, TouchNet, processes online credit card payments for tuition and other student account charges.
What credit cards can I use to pay student account charges?
- You may make student account payments to TouchNet with MasterCard, Discover, and American Express cards. Beginning July 7, 2008, VISA will not be accepted for student account payments.
Why can’t I make a student account payment with VISA?
- VISA’s rules do not allow a percentage convenience fee to be assessed only on credit card transactions.
Why can credit card payments for student account charges only be accepted online?
- Credit card charges for student account payments will be processed by TouchNet, not TCU. Because of that, TCU can no longer accept credit card payments in person, by mail, over the phone, or via fax. TCU will continue to process check and cash transactions without a convenience fee.
Is there a fee for using a credit or debit card for student account payments?
- Beginning July 7, 2008, card users will be assessed a separate, non-refundable convenience fee—2.75% of the payment amount ($3 minimum fee)—at the time of each credit or debit card payment for student account charges.
- The non-refundable convenience fee will be assessed by TouchNet and will be included with your total payment amount on your credit card statement.
Why is a convenience fee added for credit card payments?
- The convenience fee charged by TouchNet covers the cost of processing credit and debit card payments. TCU will not receive any part of the convenience fee.
- TCU currently pays approximately $1.4 million annually to cover the costs of processing student account payments made by credit cards. TCU’s new policy requires those who use credit cards for student account payments to pay the convenience fee.
- The savings resulting from TCU’s elimination of credit card processing costs will help fund an 18% increase in TCU’s overall financial aid budget for the 2008-2009 school year.
Why can’t I see the convenience fee charge on my student account?
- The convenience fee is assessed by TouchNet, not TCU, so it will not appear on your student account. The convenience fee will appear as a separate charge on your credit card statement.
Do other universities charge convenience fees for credit card payments?
- Yes. Many other private and public universities, including other private universities in Texas, have been charging credit card convenience fees for quite some time.
Is the convenience fee refundable?
- The 2.75% convenience fee is non-refundable. Any convenience fee disputes must be taken directly to your credit card company.
What if I make a credit card payment for more than I owe on my student account?
- TCU is required to refund any overpayments made by credit card back to the credit card company. The convenience fee will not be refunded for the portion overpaid.
How can I pay my student account and avoid the convenience fee?
- E-Check payments from checking and savings accounts will continue to be accepted online by TCU via the ACH (Automated Clearing House) Network without a convenience fee at http://www.tcu.edu/ or my.tcu.edu.
- TCU will continue to accept check payments via mail and both cash and check payments in person at the cashier’s window in Sadler Hall.
Will TCU accept credit card payments for non-student account charges?
- TCU will continue to accept MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and VISA credit card payments without a convenience fee for non-student account payments, such as enrollment deposits, donations, athletic tickets, extended education courses, alumni events, etc. The credit card processing fees that TCU pays for these types of payments are minimal and will continue to be covered by TCU.