Credit card payments on UNMC student accounts and other charges processed by student services and the cashiering office will be subject to a 2.75 percent surcharge, effective Dec. 2. Only MasterCard, Discover and Visa will be accepted.
State laws and credit card contracts allow merchants to collect a surcharge; previously the cost of accepting credit cards has been absorbed by the university. There are several other student bill payment options that are not subject to this fee, including payment by cash, check (paper or electronic), money order, and financial aid.
By no longer absorbing this fee charged by credit card companies, the university will save approximately $250,000 per year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a surcharge?
The surcharge allows UNMC to recoup the transaction cost of accepting credit card payments which has been absorbed by the university but will now be passed along to those paying via credit card.
Why is UNMC doing this?
University administration is continually reviewing the allocation of campus resources due to the fact that administrative overhead budgets have not increased. UNMC has the opportunity to save approximately $250,000 per year by no longer absorbing credit card fees.
Which transactions are affected?
These changes are applicable to credit card transactions processed online, at the student services counter or the cashiering office. The following list indicates the type of payments subject to the surcharge. This list is exhaustive and is subject to change.
- Tuition and fees – including all charges on a student account.
- Transcript requests.
- Duplicate diploma requests.
- Postage, including FedEx.
- Stamps.
- Application for degree.
- Application to a program.
- ProQuest payments processed by student services.
- Copyright fees processed by student services.
- Nursing challenging exam.
- Rent payments.
- Parking violations.
How can I pay so that I don’t incur the convenience fee?
Payment methods that do not involve surcharge fees include:
- Cash.
- Paper checks.
- Electronic checks.
- Money orders.
Can I pay for anything on campus using my credit card without incurring a surcharge fee?
Yes. The surcharge fee for credit card use is only being charged for transactions processed at the student services counter, the cashiering office and online. Several other campus payment opportunities, such as bookstore purchases, donations, event purchases, food service, etc., may still be paid by credit card without being subject to a surcharge fee.
For more information, email student services.