Canisius College Credit Card Policy Change
Effective June 1, 2009, Canisius College will implement a new policy regarding the acceptance of credit card payments for your tuition bill. While credit cards offer a convenient manner for some students and parents to pay tuition and fees, the cost to the College for providing this convenience has grown to more than $500,000 annually. Therefore, the College has decided to require those who want the convenience of paying with a credit card to pay a reasonable fee for this service.
What will change?
- Credit card payments will be accepted for tuition, fees, meal plans and housing charges only through the On-Line Student Accounts Center, administered by TouchNet, a third party credit card processor. TouchNet’s PayPath Tuition Payment Service will assess a convenience fee of 2.75% of the total payment amount which will be charged to your credit card when choosing the Credit Card payment option. The College does not control the rate charged or receive any proceeds from this service.
- Credit Cards accepted by the TouchNet service include MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
- Visa branded credit cards will no longer be accepted for payments made for tuition, fees, meal plans and housing (all charges on your tuition bill).
- Credit card payments can be made from any web-enabled computer. Computers will also be made available at the Student Accounts Office for those needing assistance with the online credit card payment process.
- Online payments using an electronic check (webcheck) will continue to be available at NO cost.
- The Student Accounts Office cannot accept or process credit/debit card information through the mail or by phone.
What is TouchNet?
TouchNet is the third party vendor with whom Canisius College has contracted to provide secure online payments via the On-Line Student Accounts Center.
Why are we using a third party vendor?
Canisius has been absorbing the credit card processing fees charged by credit card companies. These fees have been increasing at an alarming rate. Although some colleges and universities have chosen to no longer accept credit or debit cards, we determined it would be a disservice to our College community if we eliminated them altogether. The vendor, TouchNet, has the expertise in online payment systems to meet all security and privacy issues including the banking and credit card industry compliance requirements.
How was the 2.75% rate determined?
That rate is determined by our vendor, TouchNet. The convenience fee is charged and collected by TouchNet.
Why is VISA no longer accepted?
VISA's credit card rules will not permit a company/vendor to charge a percentage convenience fee. Additionally, Visa would require the College to apply a convenience fee to on-line check (webcheck) payments which is currently a free service.
How can I pay my bill?
- Online: Payments can be made, free of charge, through the On-Line Student Accounts Center using your checking or savings account (US banks only), or by credit card (American Express, Discover, or MasterCard) with a 2.75% convenience fee. Students can designate parents, grandparents, etc., as Authorized Payers who can pay online through TouchNet.
- By Mail: Paper checks (US funds only) can be mailed t Canisius College, Student Accounts, 2001 Main Street Buffalo, NY 14208. Please include your Canisius ID# on the bottom of the check to insure proper posting to your account. We cannot accept or process credit card information through the mail. By submitting a check, please be aware that you are authorizing Canisius College to use information on your check to make a one time electronic debit from your account at the financial institution indicated on your check. This electronic debit will be for the amount on the check. Funds may be withdrawn from your account as soon as the same day your payment is received and you will not receive your check back from your financial institution. Call the Student Accounts Office if you have any questions about electronic check collection or options available if you do not want your payments collected electronically.
- Over the Phone: You can pay by check over the phone by calling the Student Accounts Office at 716 888-2801 or 1 800 238-8160.
- In Person: Payments will be accepted by cash or check (US funds only) at the Student Accounts Office, during normal business hours. Computers will also be made available at the Student Accounts Office for those needing assistance with the online credit card payment process.
Personal checks drawn on U.S. checking and savings accounts are accepted.
Can I pay my tuition and fees with a credit card?
American Express, Discover Card and MasterCard can be used to pay student charges, only online. If you use a credit card to pay your bill, a 2.75% convenience fee will be charged by and payable to TouchNet. You will not be charged a fee if you pay online using webcheck.
How can I pay my account online?
Payments can be made by going to the On-Line Student Accounts Center from any computer that has internet access, for example from home, from your residence hall, from the campus library or student computer lab.
I do not feel comfortable making payments online. How should I pay my bill?
We hope that you will try the online webcheck payment feature. It is quick, convenient, secure, and you will not have to pay postage or check fees. If you wish to pay by paper check, please include your Canisius ID number on the bottom of the check to insure the amount is posted to your account. Mail your payment to Canisius College, Student Accounts Office, 2001 Main Street, Buffalo NY 14208. We cannot accept or process credit or debit card information through the mail or by phone.
Can I use a credit card to buy my parking permit or to add money to my flex or golden choice accounts?
Credit card payments, with no convenience fee, will still be accepted on campus and on-line for non-tuition items, including: parking permits, on-line tuition and housing deposits, on-line Flex/SuperFlex/Golden Choice deposits, Canisius College On-Line Marketplace, and the Canisius Bookstore.
What are the payment options for Canadian and International student who do not wish to pay the credit card convenience fee?
Payment options include cash, checks (US funds), and wire transfers. The College is currently exploring additional options.