Credit Card FAQ

Official Payments enables Delaware Valley College students and parents to pay their tuition bills and fees by credit/PIN-less debit card or electronic check via the Internet. The payment process is simple and secure. American Express®, Discover®, MasterCard® and electronic checks are accepted.

Paying tuition and fees electronically allows students/parents to take advantage of credit card rewards and payment flexibility. The payment process is fast, easy and secure. A convenience fee is charged by Official Payments based on the transaction amount. The student or parent is notified of this fee before the payment is submitted for processing.

Q. What is the new credit card policy beginning February 1, 2007?

The College will not accept credit and debit card payments directly for payment of tuition, fees, room and board that appear on the student billing statement. American Express®, Discover®, MasterCard®, PIN-less debit cards with the MasterCard® logo and electronic check payments can only be made through our vendor, Official Payments. Credit card payments for tuition and fees cannot be made by mail, in person or over the telephone.

Q. How have the fees for credit card and electronic check payments been determined?

Official Payments charges a convenience fee of 2.5% for credit card payments and $3 for electronic check payments. These fees are assessed to cover the costs associated with servicing thousands of credit card and electronic check transactions and are not charged by or paid to the College. You will be informed of all fees before you authorize your payment.

Q. Are other colleges and universities making similar changes?

Many colleges and universities are not accepting credit card payments at all, but Delaware Valley College searched for alternative options that would permit credit card payments.

Q. How else can I pay my bill?

In Person: You can pay in person at the Bursar’s Office on the 2nd Floor of Lasker Hall with either cash, check or a money order.
By Mail: You can send a check, money order or certified bank check made payable to “Delaware Valley College.” Please make sure the payment includes your student ID number on the check.

Q. Can I use any type of check for an electronic check payment?

No. Only checks from a regular checking or savings account are accepted. Checks issued from credit card companies, money market accounts, home equity or other lines of credit cannot be processed as an electronic check payment. These checks, however, can be mailed to the Bursar's office. If you mail this type of payment, please make sure to include your student ID number.

Q. Who is Official Payments?

Official Payments is the leading provider of electronic payment options for higher education institutions and federal, state and local government agencies. Official Payments processes electronic payments for 2,200+ counties, municipalities and higher education institutions across all 50 states.

Q. What are the advantages of using Official Payments?

This service makes paying tuition and fees more convenient in many ways:

1. A faster payment via Internet - no need to mail a check.
2. The flexibility to pay credit card balances over time and rewards from card issuers that carry such programs.
3. The comfort of knowing your payment has been made through a trusted and secure service provider that is authorized by the IRS.

Q. How safe is Official Payments’ system?

Official Payments is PCI (Payment Card Industry), FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) and GLB (Gramm-Leach Bliley Act) compliant. Our systems pass an annual 1,000-point check that is conducted by the IRS. The information Official Payments gathers is private and will not be forwarded to anyone.

Q. Why is Visa® not accepted?

Visa® does not allow percentage-based convenience fees for payments made to higher-education institutions.

Q. Will I receive a confirmation of my payment?

Yes. You will be provided a confirmation page at the end of the transaction. The confirmation page and your credit card or bank statement will provide confirmation of your payment.

Q. Who do I call if my payment doesn’t appear on my credit card or bank statement?