Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Cred Card Payments

CSUF already charges me a $5.00 convenience fee for payments I make through my Student Center. Why is this changing

CSUF paid over $1,100,000 last year in credit card processing fees on behalf of credit card holders for accepting credit card payments for registration related fees. The minimal $5.00 convenience fee currently charged does not recoup the costs incurred by the University to process credit cards. The processing costs are borne by the entire University and represent money that could be used to fund University programs. Thus, the University has decided to no longer subsidize credit card processing costs and has contracted with an outside credit card processing vendor, CASHNet® SmartPay, to provide this payment option to students.

CASHNet® SmartPay is operated by Informed Decisions Corp., a private company completely independent from the colleges and universities that contract with it to provide electronic payment services. CASHNet® SmartPay enables its users to pay with a credit card or an electronic check. The service charge is for the convenience of the payment method, the cost of the associated services, and for the development and ongoing operations of the CASHNet® SmartPay website and telephone services.

Why can’t I use my VISA card to pay for registration fees on my student account?

The vendor does not accept VISA credit cards due to certain VISA policies. Discussions are underway to see if this can be changed. This is a one year contract and will be re-evaluated next year. The goal is to have a program that accepts all credit cards and charge no processing fees.

What are my other payment options?

• Electronic Checks at no cost to you: We understand that customers need online payment options so CSUF will continue to offer you the payment option of E-checks with no processing fees charged to you. E-check payments are simple to make and require no prior set up by your bank. You input bank information you can get from one of your regular checks (account number and bank routing number) into the secure University Payments page and the authorized payment will be subtracted from your bank account within 1 – 2 days.
• In person at CSUF Cashiers Office UH-180. Office hours available online here.

  Cash	Money Order
  Check	Traveler's Check
  Debit Card (with PIN only)	Titan Tender (non-student center fees only)
  Cashier's Check

• By mail: Check only (no cash) payable to CSUF (please indicate name and ID number of student and what you are paying for.)

Is CSUF the only University outsourcing credit card processing fees and not accepting VISA?

No. The changes in our online credit card payment structure, which CSUF will implement effective May 29, 2009 is similar to the structure that has been adopted by many universities across the country: offer online credit card payment through a third party processor, who assesses a service fee to the payer. The service fee goes directly to the third party processor (CASHNet® SmartPay) to cover the fees charged by the credit card companies. CSUF does not keep any of these fees.

How can I pay from overseas?

CASHNet® SmartPay accepts International based MasterCard, Discover and American Express cards from individuals living overseas.

How secure is my online payment?

Both CSUF and CASHNet® SmartPay (our credit card service provider) websites adhere to payment card and banking industry standards. E-Checks comply with NACHA standards. CASHNet is the trusted payment services partner of 17 California State University campuses. CASHNet secures your personal information entered into their Website through Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) 128-bit encryption, which creates a protected connection between users and the web server. This means your card number and personal data are never sent over the Internet unencrypted. CASHNet uses the best encryption technology available. Card information is not passed to CSUF and payment data is passed using hardware encryption. Transactions are processed using a leased line connection to the card issuers. CASHNet® SmartPay partners with VeriSign to ensure the highest level of security.

How does the credit card processing fee show on my credit card statement?

When your payment is ready to submit online, the list of charges and the 2.9% credit card processing fee will be itemized. Your credit card statement will show a single combined total with CASHNet listed as the vendor.

Has CSUF stopped accepting VISA altogether?

No, VISA is still accepted at various locations on campus. It is no longer accepted for payments of registration related fees made online through your Student Center.

What happens if I get a refund?

If you qualify for a refund of any part of your credit card payment, the refund will be applied back onto your credit card. The 2.9% credit card processing fee is non-refundable.

CASHNet® is the exclusive trademark of Informed Decisions Corporation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Informed Decisions Corporation is the exclusive provider of CASHNet® products and may be reached as follows:

   Informed Decisions Corporation
   1301 Marina Village Parkway, Suite 100
   Alameda, CA 94501
   Phone (510)769-9888
   Fax (510)769-9983
   www.cashnet.com

For further information, please contact Student Financial Services at (657)278-2495 or sfs@fullerton.edu.

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