July 14, 2010
Can I Still Use My Credit Card at Kwantlen?
The short answer to this question is NO and YES.
Kwantlen will no longer accept credit card payments for domestic registration fees and tuition starting for the Fall 2010 semester, but we will continue to accept credit cards for many other payments on campus including other fees, bookstore purchases, and other payments.
If you planned to pay your domestic student registration fees and tuition by credit card you’ll need to do so before August 3rd or choose one of the many other available payment options we offer. Review all the options below.
Why the change?
There are good reasons for this change. Each year Kwantlen pays a significant amount in transaction fees to credit card companies. In order to reduce this operational cost, Kwantlen will no longer accept credit cards for domestic student registration fees and tuition payments. We will continue to accept credit card payments for many other fees and purchases. The change is aimed at reducing operational costs without cutting services or programs for students. In fact, $250,000 expected from the savings will be put towards additional scholarships and bursaries for students this year. Kwantlen is not the first nor will be the last to implement this change. UBC, SFU, UCalgary, Camosun College and a growing number of colleges and universities in BC and across the country no longer accept credit cards, or plan to no longer accept them in the near future.
Questions and Answers
- Why can’t I pay my domestic student registration fees and tuition with my credit card?
Each year Kwantlen pays a significant amount in transaction fees to credit card companies. In order to reduce this operational cost, Kwantlen will no longer accept credit cards for domestic student registration fees and tuition payments starting for the Fall 2010 semester. The change is aimed at reducing operational costs without cutting services or programs for students.
- When does the change in credit card payment go into effect?
Kwantlen will no longer accept credit cards for domestic student registration fees and tuition payments starting for the Fall 2010 semester. If you planned to pay your domestic student registration fees and tuition by credit card you’ll need to do so before August 3rd or choose one of the many other available payment options we offer. See below.
- What will you do with the money you save?
$250,000 expected from the savings will be put towards additional scholarships and bursaries for students this year.
- Can I still pay my application fee with a credit card?
Yes.
- Can I still pay my registration deposit with a credit card?
Yes.
- What can I pay with my credit card?
This change applies to domestic student registration fees and tuition only. Kwantlen will continue to accept credit card payments at the bookstore and for fees including:- application fees
- registration deposits
- commitment fees
- transcript fees
- and others found in the Academic Calendar.
- Basically, if you are a domestic student, the only thing you can’t pay for with a credit card is tuition, student fees, and Student Association fees.
- How else can I pay my domestic student registration fees and tuition?
There are quite a few options for you including:- Online banking
- Cash
- Cheque
- Money order
- Interac Online
- Debit Card
- See all the options here.
- Since I can't use my credit card, can I apply for a student loan? Will my tuition payment be deferred until a later date?
- Yes - students may apply for a student loan for their current semester of study (e.g. Sept to Dec / Jan to Apr) - and as long as they provide proof of their application (by submitting their Declaration to the Student Awards Office) they will be eligible for a fee deferral. Fee deferrals are valid until September 30, 2010. Please visit the Student Awards and Financial Assistance Office at your campus for further details or visit our website here.
- Why doesn’t Kwantlen negotiate a better deal with the credit card companies instead of eliminating the use of credit cards to pay domestic student registration fees and tuition?
Kwantlen has already negotiated with our payment processors to obtain the lowest possible merchant fee rate but it still costs a lot of money each year – money that can be better spent on students.
- Why doesn’t Kwantlen pass on the costs of the use of credit cards as a surcharge to students?
Public post-secondary institutions don’t have the legal right to pass on fees to students by raising the cost of tuition to match the credit card fee; we’re simply not permitted to tack on a surcharge to cover credit card transactions.
- Am I able to use credit card cheques to pay my tuition?
If your credit card company issues cheques or cash advances, then yes you can use this option. Our advice to you is to check with your credit card company about this option and any financing charges that may apply.
- I am an international student. How can I pay my tuition?
Because international students may not have the same banking options as domestic students, you are permitted to pay by credit card. Additionally, international student tuition and fees are significantly higher than domestic tuition and fees, and these amounts are well beyond the limit set by most banks for individual withdrawals from debit accounts.
- I have a daily limit on my debit card. What are my options?
Please contact your bank regarding options to increase your daily limit or set yourself up to pay via online banking.
- I don’t feel comfortable paying my fees online; how can I pay?
There are many options for paying your tuition, including in person and through mail. See all the options here.
- Can I still pay for my books with a credit card?
Yes, all Kwantlen bookstores will continue to accept credit cards for all purchases.
- I am an apprentice student and need to pay my tuition 60 days prior to the start of the course. I live out of town and am unable to visit Kwantlen to pay my tuition. How can I pay?
You still have options! The easiest way to pay your tuition is through online banking. Also, you can send us a cheque or money order through the mail.
For more detailed tuition and fees information, visit the Tuition and Fees page on Kwantlen's online calendar here.
If you have any questions, please contact Student Enrolment Services by visiting any campus or by calling 604-599-2000.