Merchant Fees - Universities excluded from rule?

[legitimate user]

Got this little email today from the university:

 

The payment of student charges on-line (ISIS) by credit cards is very

popular with students and parents.  Unfortunately, credit card fees are

also very expensive to the University.  To avoid these substantial and

increasing costs, the University has chosen a new business partner

CASHNet/SmartPay to process these on-line credit card payments.

 

Service Charge - Beginning July 26, a 2.6% service charge will be added to

all ISIS credit card transactions.  ISIS transactions include the payment

of student tuition, fees, and account receivable charges (i.e. laser

print, library fines, Infirmary etc.).  MasterCard and American Express

will be accepted for these transactions.  VISA does not allow this type of

service charge and will no longer be a payment option on ISIS.

 

Free Payment Methods - If students wish to avoid service charges there are

a variety of free payment methods available to them.  Students may

continue to pay in-person by cash, check, or debit card, or mail their

check payments to the University Cashier at S-113 Criser Hall.

 

Free E-Checks - Electronic checks will continue to be an ISIS on-line

payment option with no service charge.  To sign-up for this method of

payment, go to http://www.isis.ufl.edu/isis- financial-information.html

and choose "EFT Sign-Up".

 

Does the university get an exception to the rule?

[hurricanesfans27]

Got this little email today from the university:

 

The payment of student charges on-line (ISIS) by credit cards is very

popular with students and parents.  Unfortunately, credit card fees are

also very expensive to the University.  To avoid these substantial and

increasing costs, the University has chosen a new business partner

CASHNet/SmartPay to process these on-line credit card payments.

 

Service Charge - Beginning July 26, a 2.6% service charge will be added to

all ISIS credit card transactions.  ISIS transactions include the payment

of student tuition, fees, and account receivable charges (i.e. laser

print, library fines, Infirmary etc.).  MasterCard and American Express

will be accepted for these transactions.  VISA does not allow this type of

service charge and will no longer be a payment option on ISIS.

 

Free Payment Methods - If students wish to avoid service charges there are

a variety of free payment methods available to them.  Students may

continue to pay in-person by cash, check, or debit card, or mail their

check payments to the University Cashier at S-113 Criser Hall.

 

Free E-Checks - Electronic checks will continue to be an ISIS on-line

payment option with no service charge.  To sign-up for this method of

payment, go to http://www.isis.ufl.edu/isis- financial-information.html

and choose "EFT Sign-Up".

 

Does the university get an exception to the rule?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

very good question and as an addition how bout the IRS and local governments. For example my county accepts visa mc for payment with a fee for property taxes. Can someone here provide a clarification? I can understand the IRS superceding state law but county? I wouldnt think that would be acceptable.

[cannoda]

Got this little email today from the university:

 

The payment of student charges on-line (ISIS) by credit cards is very

popular with students and parents.  Unfortunately, credit card fees are

also very expensive to the University.  To avoid these substantial and

increasing costs, the University has chosen a new business partner

CASHNet/SmartPay to process these on-line credit card payments.

 

Service Charge - Beginning July 26, a 2.6% service charge will be added to

all ISIS credit card transactions.  ISIS transactions include the payment

of student tuition, fees, and account receivable charges (i.e. laser

print, library fines, Infirmary etc.).  MasterCard and American Express

will be accepted for these transactions.  VISA does not allow this type of

service charge and will no longer be a payment option on ISIS.

 

Free Payment Methods - If students wish to avoid service charges there are

a variety of free payment methods available to them.  Students may

continue to pay in-person by cash, check, or debit card, or mail their

check payments to the University Cashier at S-113 Criser Hall.

 

Free E-Checks - Electronic checks will continue to be an ISIS on-line

payment option with no service charge.  To sign-up for this method of

payment, go to http://www.isis.ufl.edu/isis- financial-information.html

and choose "EFT Sign-Up".

 

Does the university get an exception to the rule?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

very good question and as an addition how bout the IRS and local governments. For example my county accepts visa mc for payment with a fee for property taxes. Can someone here provide a clarification? I can understand the IRS superceding state law but county? I wouldnt think that would be acceptable.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

It's by operation of law. The merchant card agreement cannot be in conflict with local law. I don't know what the story is with universities, but government agencies are often not allowed by law to accept less than the assessed amount in taxes or fees. Private businesses are under no such constraints.

[BBQ123]

The university is violating MasterCard policy and AmEx policy too...

 

They are right about Visa... that is not allowed, so now they stopped taking Visa.

 

If a business does not want to follow Visa rules, it sould remove Visa signs/logos and let customers know Visa is not accepted at all.

[GEORGE]

AS WITH THE IRS...FOR SOME ILLOGICAL REASON THEY ARE EXEMPT

 

There was a story about this at our local UNIVERSITY (in the local newspaper)

Edited July 16, 2005 by GEORGE

[GEORGE]

GOT A CREDIT CARD CHECK???

 

(assuming it is NO CHARGE...AND AT 0.00%)

[Michelle01]

So.... from what I gather, convience fees associated with using a credit card is against the rules..

 

I have a loan with B of A, the payment was going to be late if I didn't make it by days end, so, I call the toll free number to make a payment by CC... really my debit, I give her all the information, and at the end she states, "there will be a $10 fee for making the payment with your card. I tell her forget it and hang up, get in my car, and make the payment by check directly to the bank..... Was that against merchant agreements?? If so, my payment is now due again, and I would LOVE to call and pay with my debit card again.

[angeleyeskkhr]

'S ok, my university charges 3% charge/fee.

 

I remember being told (probably by GEORGE ) that universities (don't know if it only refers to State supported or not) are exempt from those rules.

 

I believe our's only accepts MC/AMEX as well.

[angeleyeskkhr]

double post sorry

Edited August 1, 2005 by angeleyeskkhr

[orangecrush]

Got this little email today from the university:

 

The payment of student charges on-line (ISIS) by credit cards is very

popular with students and parents.  Unfortunately, credit card fees are

also very expensive to the University.  To avoid these substantial and

increasing costs, the University has chosen a new business partner

CASHNet/SmartPay to process these on-line credit card payments.

 

Service Charge - Beginning July 26, a 2.6% service charge will be added to

all ISIS credit card transactions.  ISIS transactions include the payment

of student tuition, fees, and account receivable charges (i.e. laser

print, library fines, Infirmary etc.).  MasterCard and American Express

will be accepted for these transactions.  VISA does not allow this type of

service charge and will no longer be a payment option on ISIS.

 

Free Payment Methods - If students wish to avoid service charges there are

a variety of free payment methods available to them.  Students may

continue to pay in-person by cash, check, or debit card, or mail their

check payments to the University Cashier at S-113 Criser Hall.

 

Free E-Checks - Electronic checks will continue to be an ISIS on-line

payment option with no service charge.  To sign-up for this method of

payment, go to http://www.isis.ufl.edu/isis- financial-information.html

and choose "EFT Sign-Up".

 

Does the university get an exception to the rule?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

very good question and as an addition how bout the IRS and local governments. For example my county accepts visa mc for payment with a fee for property taxes. Can someone here provide a clarification? I can understand the IRS superceding state law but county? I wouldnt think that would be acceptable.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

The University of Florida has no exception. They were booted years ago for the fee. They started accepting again without the fee. Now they are trying to charge the fee again. It is my understanding that Mastercard is about to give them the boot also. Heard from a little bird that MC has contacted their processor.

[hurricanesfans27]

that little bird was a hurricanesfan lol

[GEORGE]

that little bird was a hurricanesfan lol

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

chirp chirp

[orangecrush]

that little bird was a hurricanesfan lol

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

I am surrounded by nuts.

[hurricanesfans27]

darn shame UF was too skeered to play the canes this year. must be tired of that flowers whippin lol... *looking around for pam*

[orangecrush]

darn shame UF was too skeered to play the canes this year.  must be tired of that flowers whippin lol...  *looking around for pam*

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

I heard they were afriad of having their pockets picked.....

[hurricanesfans27]

darn shame UF was too skeered to play the canes this year.  must be tired of that flowers whippin lol...  *looking around for pam*

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

I heard they were afriad of having their pockets picked.....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

you must have us mistaken for the CRIMINOLES!!!!

[orangecrush]

darn shame UF was too skeered to play the canes this year.  must be tired of that flowers whippin lol...  *looking around for pam*

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

I heard they were afriad of having their pockets picked.....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

you must have us mistaken for the CRIMINOLES!!!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

[cljohnr]

darn shame UF was too skeered to play the canes this year.  must be tired of that flowers whippin lol...  *looking around for pam*

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

But look on the bright side, at least when Clemson beats them this year it won't be in front of the Miami home crowd.

[hurricanesfans27]

coughBScough

[orangecrush]

darn shame UF was too skeered to play the canes this year.  must be tired of that flowers whippin lol...  *looking around for pam*

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

But look on the bright side, at least when Clemson beats them this year it won't be in front of the Miami home crowd.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

[misstrish06]

darn shame UF was too skeered to play the canes this year.  must be tired of that flowers whippin lol...  *looking around for pam*

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

I heard they were afriad of having their pockets picked.....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

you must have us mistaken for the CRIMINOLES!!!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

What, no love for Free Shoe U?

[hurricanesfans27]

darn shame UF was too skeered to play the canes this year.  must be tired of that flowers whippin lol...  *looking around for pam*

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

I heard they were afriad of having their pockets picked.....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

you must have us mistaken for the CRIMINOLES!!!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

What, no love for Free Shoe U?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

only if they use company checks that the quarterback stole lol

[perfesser]

Surcharge illegal in PA. Discount for cash is OK, though!

 

The 'service fee' for paying a bill with plastic is a separate fee for 'special handling', and is exempt by VISA rules...no big surprise, since the banks love to get those extra dollars for 'post today' or 'pay by phone'.

 

Isis is a service company, not a card issuer, so the extra 2.625% or whatever might be permissable...although a flat fee is more common...

[misstrish06]

darn shame UF was too skeered to play the canes this year.  must be tired of that flowers whippin lol...  *looking around for pam*

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

I heard they were afriad of having their pockets picked.....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

you must have us mistaken for the CRIMINOLES!!!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

What, no love for Free Shoe U?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

only if they use company checks that the quarterback stole lol

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

They have no use for checks if they're getting freebies...just ask Peter Warrick!

[orangecrush]

Isis is a service company, not a card issuer, so the extra 2.625% or whatever might be permissable...although a flat fee is more common...

 

ISIS is not a service company. ISIS (Integrated Student Information System ?), is the name of the system that allows University of Florida students to access all of their info in one place, pay their tuition, order transcripts, etc.....