Credit card payment FAQ

Which credit cards are accepted?
Can I pay with a debit card?
Why is the University assessing a 2.75 percent service charge to pay with a credit card?
Why don't you take VISA?
Is the service charge refundable?
Is there a minimum or maximum amount I can charge on my credit card?
What if I make a credit card payment for more than I owe on my student account?
Can I pay with a credit card in person or over the phone?
What happens if I make a mistake when I enter my credit card information online?
How will I know if my payment is approved?
I received a refund for tuition and fees. How will I get it if I paid with a credit card?
Why can't I see the service charge on my student account?
How can I stop an online payment if I made a mistake?
Can I use a credit card check or investment account to pay online?

1) Which credit cards are accepted?: Students and guest payers may make student account payments online with a MasterCard, DISCOVER, or American Express credit card (VISA is not a participant).
2) Can I pay with a debit card?: Yes, you may pay with a MasterCard, DISCOVER, or American Express debit card (VISA is not a participant). However, you will be required to pay a separate, non-refundable service charge of 2.75 percent of the payment amount at the time of each debit card payment. You can avoid the service charge by using e-check instead to make a payment. Select the online e-check payment option and enter your bank routing and account number (available from your banking institution or your monthly bank statement).
3) Why is the University assessing a 2.75 percent service charge to pay with a credit card?: The University is not accepting credit card payments directly. Credit cards are being accepted by Nelnet, a vendor contracted by the University that is charging a fee for their service. The 2.75 percent rate based on the payment amount for each transaction was determined by the vendor. The University will not receive any part of the service charge.

While credit card payments offer convenience, the cost to the University was estimated to be approximately $2 million annually. Therefore, the University decided to require those who use this convenience to cover its cost.
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4) Why don't you take VISA?: VISA's rules will not permit the vendor to assess a percentage service charge, requiring the University to assess the same service charge for e-check bank transactions that allow payment directly from checking or savings accounts. The University chose not to change the current practice of free online banking services.
5) Is the service charge refundable?: The 2.75 percent service charge is non-refundable. Any service charge disputes must be taken directly to your credit card company.
6) Is there a minimum or maximum amount I can charge on my credit card?: You or your guest payer can make a credit card or e-check payment to your student account for a minimum of $1 or a maximum of $20,000. Payment maximums also depend on your credit card limit.
7) What if I make a credit card payment for more than I owe on my student account?: The University is required to refund any overpayments made by credit card back to the credit card company. The service charge will not be refunded for the portion overpaid. Service charge disputes must be taken directly to your credit card company.
8) Can I pay with a credit card in person or over the phone?: No. Credit card payment is available only as an online service. The
University does not accept credit card payments through the mail, in
person, or over the phone.
9) What happens if I make a mistake when I enter my credit card information online?: If a credit card number or other personal information is entered that is inconsistent with your credit card account, the payment will be rejected immediately. If the payment is rejected, you will be told that you are over your credit limit. You will be able to view all past rejected payments in your transaction history.
10) How will I know if my payment is approved?: Credit card payments will be instantly approved and an online receipt issued to you.
11) I received a refund for tuition and fees. How will I get it if I paid with a credit card?: Refunds for tuition and fees initially paid by credit card will be refunded to the credit card company used. However, the service charge will not be refunded.
12) Why can't I see the service charge on my student account?: The service charge is assessed by Nelnet, our vendor, not the University of Minnesota, so it will not appear on your University student account. However, you and your guest payer will be able to see the service charge in the transaction history within UM Pay. The service charge will also appear as a separate charge on your (or your payer's) credit card statement.
13) How can I stop an online payment if I made a mistake?: If you make a payment online by mistake, please contact One Stop Student Services before 4:00pm on the day of the transaction. If the mistake is made by credit card, the service charge cannot be refunded.
14) Can I use a credit card check or investment account to pay online?: No. Credit card check accounts or investment account checks, commonly called credit card convenience checks or advance checks, cannot be used for electronic payment.