Online credit and debit card payment fees

August 29, 2016

Carla Browning

 

Question #1
Many students that I have encountered have expressed irritation with the 2.75 percent transaction fee policy for student payments with credit/debit cards.  I am concerned about the amount of ill will it seems to be generating, especially since our incoming first year students conduct their entire lives online and with debit cards and have probably never written a check.  Combine that with the NSF and collection costs that personal checks incur and I respectfully suggest that this policy be reconsidered if at all possible.

Question #2
Why is UAF now charging students the 2.75 percent convenience fee when making payments on line? And why is the main campus not allowed to accept credit/debit cards in-person, but CTC can?  As a student who already feels nickle-and-dimed to death, it seems a bit much to increase tuition, fees, housing, meals and now charge a convenience fee.

Question #3
Why is the University of Alaska charging a transaction fee to use credit/debit cards through UAOnline?  Doesn't it make more sense to charge this fee if you call in or use staff time? Also, why can we no longer pay on the phone or in person at Signers' Hall, but CTC can take the payments? I've been a student at UAF for a long time and this makes absolutely no sense.