Skip to Main Content. Access key M.
Skip to Main Navigation. Access key N.
Skip to Sub-Navigation. Access key O.

UT Dallas - Budget and Finance Division

Sub-Navigation with the primary navigation element displayed first

Credit Card Policy

New Rules For Credit Cards

The University recently changed its policy on credit cards. Here is a brief explanation on what the new rules are for credit cards.

What will change?

Effective as of July 14, 2003, the University has implemented a new policy regarding the acceptance of credit card payment for tuition and fees. These are the primary changes that resulted from the new policy:

  • Visa branded credit cards are no longer accepted for payments made for tuition and mandatory fees.
  • Discover cards have been added to Master Card as payment options for payments made through the UT Dallas web site.
  • Students and parents are able to make payments directly from any checking or savings account by using the new web payment option (Electronic Funds Transfer) to avoid the convenience charge, simply by entering the bank/financial institution routing and account number information at the time of online payment.
  • A convenience fee of 1.90% of the total payment amount will be charged to your account when choosing the Credit Card payment option.

Why were these changes made?

While credit card payments offer a convenient manner for students and parents to pay tuition and fees, the cost to the university for providing this convenience has grown to more than $600 thousand annually. Given the tightened budget situation, the university has decided to require those who want the convenience of paying with a credit card to cover a portion of the university's cost of providing the service. This change will benefit the university and all of its students by reducing the university's projected budget shortfall.

How was the 1.90% rate determined?

Section 54.5011 of the Texas Education Code, as amended during the last legislative session, allows the university to recover the direct costs charged to the university by the credit card company. The rate is based on an estimate of those direct costs. At this percentage rate, the university will continue to pay for a portion of the cost of accepting credit cards.

Why eliminate Visa branded debit and credit cards?

The university was unable to negotiate an acceptable method of assessing an appropriate convenience charge to tuition and fee payments. Unlike the other brands of cards, Visa will not allow the university to assess a convenience charge that varies with the amount of the tuition and fee bill.

Are other colleges and universities making similar changes?

Many colleges and universities both within and outside of Texas have already made similar changes to their practices of accepting credit cards. The University of Texas has attempted over the past year to negotiate changes in its arrangements with its credit card providers to avoid having to make these policy changes. However, like other institutions, those negotiations have had limited success.

What should I do if all I have is a Visa card?

In addition to accepting MasterCard and Discover credit cards over the internet subject to a convenience fee, students and parents will be able to make payments directly from any checking or savings account by using the new web payment option (Electronic Funds Transfer) to avoid the convenience charge, simply by entering the bank/financial institution routing and account number information at the time of online payment. The university will also continue to accept check payments by mail and payments made by cash and check at the Bursar's Office teller windows. Payments made by credit card will not be accepted in the Bursar's Office. To obtain information about the UT Dallas Tuition and Fees Short Term Loan, or government or alternative loans -- all with much lower interest rates than typically found on credit cards -- students and families can link to the Office of Financial Aid at http://financial-aid.utdallas.edu and click on "Alternative Sources of financial aid". If it would still be preferable to pay by credit card, a MasterCard may be applied for by clicking here.

Why can't I use a credit card at the teller window if I am willing to pay the fee?

The complicated regulations are such that to charge a convenience fee for credit card transactions at the Bursar's Office would also necessitate the same charge for payments made by cash or check. The university will establish several computer stations conveniently located near the Bursar's office for use by students who wish to make tuition and fee payments with a MasterCard or Discover, and are willing to pay the fee.

Can I use my Visa elsewhere on campus?

These changes only apply to payments made for tuition and fees over the internet. Other payments are not affected by this policy.

Does the university have the legal authority to institute this charge?

Yes, during the last legislative session the Texas Education Code (Section 54.5011) was amended to authorize institutions of higher education to charge persons making payment by credit card a convenience charge to cover some of the cost.

How will the monies that are collected from this fee be used?

The monies collected will be used to defray a portion of the cost of providing convenient electronic payment options for those who wish to pay via credit card. This change will benefit the university and all of its students by reducing its projected budget shortfall by nearly $600 thousand each year.

Why can I still use Visa for other items?

Unlike tuition and fees which are regulated by the Texas Legislature, other campus departments have the legal flexibility to set their prices to include recovery of all operating costs.

Are there payment options other than the internet?

The university will continue to accept cash and check payments at the teller windows in the Bursar's office or payments by check received in the mail.

Who can I talk to about these changes?

Questions may be directed to the Bursar's office at 972-883-2612.