Effective September 15, 2007, the University of Houston-Victoria will be implementing several changes to its payment policies. These changes are necessary to better manage the growing cost of providing electronic payment options.

As a result, the university will implement the following changes:

 A convenience fee of 1.76% will be assessed on credit and debit card payments for tuition, fees or other charges. For example, beginning September 15th, a credit card payment made in the amount of $1,000.00 would be assessed a user convenience fee of $17.60.

 Visa debit and credit cards will no longer be accepted after Sept 14th, 2007.

 Beginning October 1, 2007, Discover cards will be accepted.

Other payment options available to UHV students include:

 E-Check payment online (there is no additional charge for this service).

 Payment by MasterCard (and Discover after October 1, 2007).

 90 day institutional tuition & fee loans (available during the Fall & Spring semesters).

 Payment by mail (personal check, money order or cashier’s check).

 Payment in person at the Victoria location Cashier’s Office (cash payments must be made in person).

 Payment by wire transfer. (Your bank may charge you a fee for this service.)

Assistance or other Questions: Please review the Frequently Asked Questions. You may also contact the Bursar Office at (361) 570-4813 or toll free at 877-970-4848 ext. #813.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will change?

Effective September 15, 2007, a convenience charge of 1.76% will be added to your credit or debit card transaction for the payment of tuition, fees or other charges. As a result of this change, Visa debit, credit, and check cards will no longer be accepted for payment of tuition and fees after September 14th. Beginning October 1, 2007, Discover cards will be accepted for payment of tuition and fees (MasterCard will continue to be accepted).

Why are these changes being made?

While credit and debit card payments offer a convenient method for students and parents to pay tuition, fees, and other charges, the university incurs a cost for conducting business in this manner. In the past, the university absorbed this cost but over the last few years the cost of providing this service has increased substantially.

How was the 1.76% rate determined?

The Texas Education Code, as amended during the 77th legislative session, allows the university to recover the expense incurred by the institution in processing and handling certain types of payment transactions. The convenience fee rate is based on the average of fees incurred by the university. The university believes this method is the most reasonable and fair approach for recovering the costs associated with credit and debit cards.

Why eliminate Visa debit and credit cards?

Currently, Visa does not allow the university to assess convenience fees that vary in proportion to the payment amount being charged.

Are other colleges and universities making similar changes? Yes, many colleges and universities both within and outside of Texas already have made similar changes to their practices of accepting credit cards and other types of electronic fund transfers.

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

E-checks payments are acceptable online. Payments by check, money order, or cashier’s check can be mailed or made in person in the Cashier’s Office (Victoria location only). Payment by cash must be made in person in the Cashier’s Office (Victoria location only). Wire transfers are accepted by the university although your bank may assess a charge for this service. Also, the institution offers online 90 day short term loans during the Fall and Spring semesters.

Can I use my Visa card elsewhere on campus?

Yes. Payments for the purchase of special events and athletic event tickets will not be affected by this new policy. At UHV, the VC campus bookstore also will accept most major credit cards.

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

Yes. Texas Education Code (Section 54.5011) provides for the collection of a discount, convenience or service charge for credit card or other electronic fund transfers made or authorized in person, by mail, by telephone or through the Internet.