CSB Student Accounts

College Policy for Student Account Payments

Effective July 1, 2012, the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University Student Accounts Offices have the following policy in place for Student Account Payments made with credit/debit cards:

Credit/Debit card payments are accepted through the eBilling system. The credit/debit card payments are charged a 2.75% convenience fee by our vendor, or a $3.00 minimum service fee. The campus does not accept credit/debit card payments directly. Card payments are processed by the outside payment vendor (TouchNet) by contract, and they charge a fee for their service. The 2.75% rate based on the payment amount for each transaction is determined by the vendor. The College of St. Benedict or Saint John's University does not receive any part of the convenience fee. Electronic check payment (ACH) is a payment option without an additional fee.

Common questions related to this policy are the following:

What methods of payment does the College accept?

Cash: Can be paid in person at the Student Accounts Office (Room 321 in the Main Building)

Check/Money Order: Made payable to the College of Saint Benedict and personally delivered to the Student Accounts Office or mailed to the following address:

Student Accounts Office
College of Saint Benedict
37 South College Avenue
Saint Joseph, MN 56374

Electronic Check (ACH): A free, online payment option available 24 hours a day. Pays straight from your checking or savings account. How to make an electronic payment?

Credit/Debit Card: Online payment option available for MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, JCB, China Union Pay, BC Card, and DinaCard. Credit/Debit card payments will be assessed a convenience fee of 2.75% of the transaction, with a $3 minimum charge. Visa cards are not accepted.

Bank Wire: Please contact our office for instructions.

Why is the college making this change?

While credit card and debit card payments offer convenience, the cost to the two colleges to accept billing account payments totals more than $700,000 for the 2011-2012 academic year. Therefore, it was decided to require those who use this convenience to cover its cost. The College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University will not receive any part of the service fee assessed by TouchNet.

Can I pay by credit/debit card?

Yes, but only as an online service of eBilling. The College will not accept credit/debit card payments through the mail, in person, or over the phone. You or your authorized user may make student account payments with a credit/debit card from MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, JCB, China Union Pay, BC Card, and DinaCard (VISA is not a participant). You will be required to pay a separate, non-refundable service charge - 2.75% of the payment amount - at the time of each credit/debit card payment. The non-refundable service charge, assessed by our vendor will appear as a separate line item on your card statement.

Why is Visa not accepted for a credit card payment?

VISA's company policy will not permit our vendor to charge a service fee exclusive to credit/debit card payments. To follow VISA's policy would require the College to charge the same additional fee for electronic checking or savings payments (ACH).

Can I make payments over the phone?

Payments cannot be made over the telephone. Authorizations must be obtained for electronic funds transfers by the card holder.

How do I pay my statement if I don't wish to use an electronic option?

You can pay your account by printing a copy of the eBilling statement and then send it along with a check or money order to: College of Saint Benedict, Student Accounts Office, 37 South College Avenue, St. Joseph, MN 56374

Is there a charge for using a credit/debit card at other campus departments or offices?

Credit/debit cards accepted at other campuses areas do not have an additional fee; only payments to Student Accounts require the fee.

Do other campuses charge for credit/debit card payments?

The majority of other Minnesota private and public colleges do charge the same or higher fees for card payments, some have followed this policy for multiple years.