What is changing in Fall Semester 2007?
- You will be able to view and pay your student charges online.
- You can pay online 7 days a week with e-Check, which is free of any service charges.
- Students can pay online 7 days a week with a credit or debit card. A service charge of 2.75% (min. $3) will be charged by the credit card processor for this service.
- Credit and debit card payments can only be made online.
- You can still pay by check or cash at Student Account Services.
- You can still pay by check mailed to Student Account Services.
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Why did UND make the changes?
During the 2005-2006 academic year, UND paid almost $800,000 in credit card processing fees. Due to surcharges from credit card processing, many colleges and universities do not accept credit card payments at all. Because we cannot continue to justify paying these fees, UND considered dropping this payment option. However, we recognize that many students and their families appreciate the convenience of using a credit and debit card, so we searched for acceptable alternatives.
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What is TouchNet?
TouchNet is the third party vendor with whom the North Dakota University System has contracted to provide for secure online payments and with whom UND additionally has contracted to process online credit card payments on student accounts.
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Why are we using a third party vendor?
UND 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 felt that with the high number of credit card payers we have, it would be a disservice to our University communities if we eliminated them altogether. The vendor, TouchNet, has the expertise in online payment systems to meet all security and privacy issues and meets the banking and credit card industry compliance requirements. Our contract with them ensures that the processes are compliant with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley (GLB) Act.
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How was the 2.75% (min. $3) rate determined?
That rate is determined by our vendor, TouchNet. The service charge fee is charged (min. $3) and collected by TouchNet.
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Why is VISA no longer accepted?
VISA's credit card rules will not permit a company/vendor to a charge a percentage service charge. Also, to accept VISA cards, VISA would require the University to apply a service charge fee for e-Check transactions rather than e-Checks being a free service to the student or authorized payer.
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Are other colleges and universities making similar changes?
Yes. The University of Minnesota, University of Wisconsin, and University of South Dakota have recently implemented online payment systems with service fees similar to what we are doing. Other Universities not accepting VISA include Indiana University, University of Illinois, Syracuse University, University of Nebraska and University of Texas. A number of colleges and universities are not accepting credit card payments at all, but UND searched for alternative options that would permit credit card payments.
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What are the benefits or cost savings to this?
The benefits to you, the student will be: you will be able to make payments at your convenience, you will not have to stand in line to pay tuition and fees, you will not have to come to campus to make a payment and you will not have to fear a late payment charge due to a delay in surface mail.
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How can I pay my bill?
- Online: You can pay online through Campus Connection using e-Check, credit card or debit card (American Express, Discover, or MasterCard). If you use a credit card or debit card you will be charged a 2.75% (min. $3) service fee by TouchNet. You will not be charged a fee if you pay online by e-Check.
- Online: Authorized payers can pay online through Campus Connection using e-Check, credit card or debit card (American Express, Discover, or MasterCard). If you use a credit card or debit card you will be charged a 2.75% (min. $3) service fee by TouchNet. You will not be charged a fee if you pay online by e-Check.
- By Mail: If you wish to pay by paper check, please include your student ID number on the bottom of the check to insure the amount is posted to your account. Mail your payment to University of North Dakota, 264 Centennial Drive Stop 8373, Grand Forks, ND 58202-8373. We cannot accept or process credit and debit card information through the mail.
- In Person: You can pay in person by cash or check at the UND Student Account Services, Twamley Hall 202, during normal business hours. We cannot accept credit or debit card payments at Student Account Services.
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Can I use any type of check as an e-Check?
Almost; only checks from regular bank, savings and loan and credit union checking accounts will be accepted. If you wish to pay by paper check, please include your student ID number on the bottom of the check to insure the amount is posted to your account.
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Can I pay my tuition and fees with a credit card?
American Express, Discover Card and MasterCard can be used to pay student charges online. If you use a credit card to pay your bill, a 2.75% (min. $3) service charge will be charged by and payable to TouchNet. You will not be charged a fee if you pay online by e-Check. UND does not accept credit or debit card payments at Student Account Services teller windows.
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How can I pay my account online?
You can pay online from any computer that has internet access, for example from home, from your residence hall, from the campus library or student computer lab. The UND Student Account Services staff will not be able to process your online credit/debit card payment at the teller windows in Twamley; however, the cashier will be able direct you to a computer for you to use to process your payment securely online.
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I do not feel comfortable making payments online. How should I pay my bill?
If you wish to pay by paper check, please include your student ID number on the bottom of the check to insure the amount is posted to your account. Mail your payment to UND Student Account Services, 264 Centennial Drive Stop 8373 Grand Forks, ND 58202-8373. We cannot accept or process credit or debit card information through the mail or by phone. We hope that you will try the online e-Check payment feature. It is quick, convenient, secure, and you will not have to pay postage or check fees.
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Can I pay my account by mail?
If you wish to pay by paper check, please include your student ID number on the bottom of the check to insure the amount is posted to your account. Mail your payment to UND Student Account Services, 264 Centennial Drive Stop 8373 Grand Forks, ND 58202-8373. We cannot accept or process credit or debit card information through the mail or by phone. We hope that you will try the online e-Check payment feature. It is quick, convenient, secure, and you will not have to pay postage or check fees.
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Who do I contact if I have more questions?
If you have any questions, please contact Student Account Services at 701-777-3911 or email us at studentaccounts@mail.und.edu
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