Electronic Payment FAQs
What is electronic payment (ePayment)?
What are the advantages of ePayment on the CASHNet site?
Why did Aquinas College make this change?
Why is a 2.9% service fee charged on credit card transactions?
Is the 2.9% service fee refundable?
What if all I have is a VISA credit or debit card to pay my student account?
How do I know that my payment was accepted?
What is electronic payment (ePayment)?
Electronic payment (ePayment) enables students to pay tuition and fees online. Beginning January 1, 2011, Aquinas College will offer credit card and ACH (electronic check) payments via the CASHNet®; payment system available through the Student Portal. CASHNet is a third-party vendor that processes electronic payments on behalf of Aquinas College.
What are the advantages of ePayment on the CASHNet site?
- Private and secure.
- Convenient and easy to use.
- Online access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Saves time – no waiting in line to pay your account.
- Real-time processing posts payments to your student account immediately.
- Offers the ability to set up authorized payers.
How will E-Pay affect me?
As of January 1, 2011, the following policies take effect:
- Credit card payments will be accepted exclusively through the secure CASHNet website, accessed via your Student Portal.
- The Business Office will no longer process credit card payments in person at the cashier's desk, over the telephone, or by email. The Business Office will, however, continue to accept cash and check payments by mail and in person.
- CASHNet accepts MasterCard, American Express, and Discover cards.
- CASHNet does NOT accept VISA cards for tuition-related payments charged to your student account.
- CASHNet charges a service fee in the amount of 2.9% of the transaction total for credit card payments.
- To avoid paying this service fee, students and parents are encouraged to make online payments by electronic check. There is no service fee for electronic check payments.
Why did Aquinas College make this change?
Aquinas College has been incurring high credit card transaction fees due to increases in banking fees charged for processing credit card transactions. In order to make more funds available for academic programs and services for students (rather than meeting rising banking costs), the College has decided to discontinue institutional processing of credit card transactions and to outsource this process to a competent vendor.
Many colleges and universities do not accept credit card payments at all. However, since Aquinas College recognizes that many students and parents appreciate the convenience of credit card payments, the College continues to offer the option for those who want to use credit cards.
Why is a 2.9% service fee charged on credit card transactions?
Aquinas College has contracted with a third-party service provider to process credit cards on our behalf. In exchange for this service, the vendor charges a fee in the amount of 2.9% of the transaction as the cost of providing the service. The service provider, not Aquinas College, retains this service fee.
Is the 2.9% service fee refundable?
No. The 2.9% service fee is non-refundable, even if your student account payment is refunded.
What if all I have is a VISA credit or debit card to pay my student account?
Students who are unable to use one of the credit cards accepted by CASHNet can make electronic payments using the ACH (electronic check) option. The only information needed to pay by electronic check is the account number and routing number of the bank/financial institution. Since there is no service fee for this type of transaction, the College encourages students to consider making payments this way. In addition, students are always welcome to mail or make payments in person at the Business Office, located in the White House.
How do I know that my payment was accepted?
You will receive an email notification verifying a successful electronic payment.
Did you know?
Students are made official for enrollment when all financial arrangements have been completed. Final grades are only released when all financial obligations have been fulfilled.