FAQ about UM Pay

What is electronic billing and payment?
Why does the University use electronic billing as the official billing method?
Do I have to be on e-billing? Are there exceptions to e-billing? Can't I get a paper bill instead of (or in addition to) the e-bill?
What are the benefits or advantages of online billing and payment?
I don't have a bank account or credit card (or I don't feel comfortable paying my bill online). How do I pay my bill?
Do you accept payments from non-United States bank accounts or credit card companies?
Can I pay by credit card and, if so, what cards are accepted?
Can I pay with a debit card?
Why did the University of Minnesota decide to allow students to pay with credit cards?
Are other colleges and universities taking credit cards?
Why is the University assessing a 2.75 percent service charge to pay with credit card?
Why don't you take VISA?
Is the service charge refundable?
Is there a minimum or maximum amount I can charge on my credit card?
What if I make a credit card payment for more than I owe on my student account?
Can I pay with a credit card in person or over the phone?
Will the College of Continuing Education (CCE) and the Learning Abroad Center (LAC) change their credit card policies to coincide with UM Pay?
What happens if I make a mistake when I enter my credit card information online?
How will I know if my payment is approved?
I received a refund for tuition and fees. How will I get it if I paid with a credit card?
Why can't I see the service charge on my student account?
How can I stop an online payment if I made a mistake?
Can I use a credit card check or investment account to pay online?
Does the University charge for online billing or payment?
How do I log in to UM Pay?
How can my parents pay my bill?
How do parents or other authorized payers login?
I'm a parent. How can I get a copy of my child's bill?
How can I pay my child's tuition bill?

1) What is electronic billing and payment?

Electronic billing (e-billing) and payment (e-payment) are offered as convenient, secure online services to you as a University student. All currently-enrolled students are sent an e-mail notice when their student account billing statements are available online at the One Stop UM Pay Web site. Printed bills are no longer mailed, except to non-enrolled and Senior Citizen Education Program participants. However, electronic payment, while a convenient option, is only one of several payment methods. All charges to your University student account, including tuition, fees, housing, books, and miscellaneous charges, are listed in an online statement that can be viewed by logging into the One Stop quick link, UM Pay, with your University-assigned user ID.

2) Why does the University use electronic billing as the official billing method?

Many processes at the University are now "paperless" or electronic, including applying for admissions, applying and accepting financial aid, and processing student refunds via direct deposit. The majority of students are comfortable with online transactions and appreciate having flexible, convenient ways to manage the business side of being a student. Many educational institutions around the country have adopted electronic billing as their primary method of billing. Electronic billing brings time and monetary savings to both students and the University.

3) Do I have to be on e-billing? Are there exceptions to e-billing? Can't I get a paper bill instead of (or in addition to) the e-bill?

You may request an exemption for certain reasons, such as disability, by completing the Electronic Billing Exemption Appeal form. Your appeal will be reviewed by a committee to determine whether your reason warrants producing paper bills on a temporary or permanent basis.

For a paper copy of your bill, you may download and print a copy of your online statement. You can also forward copies of your bills to parents/other payers. You may retrieve your e-bills for up to the previous 12 months, if you want to view or print them out. Copies of your bill may also be requested at a One Stop Student Services Center.

4) What are the benefits or advantages of online billing and payment?

Saves money: no need to write a check, use an envelope, or buy postage stamps.

Saves time: no more waiting for the bill in the mail or waiting in line to make a payment.

Online access virtually 24 hours a day, every day.

Simple: easy-to-read online statements.

Private and secure

Available world-wide via the Internet.

Easy access: parents or other authorized payers can make payments via debit or credit accounts.

Billing statements can be e-mailed to parents or others as an e-mail attachment.

Handy records: Copies of the online statement easily printed.

History: Billing and payment history recorded automatically and viewable anytime.

5) I don't have a bank account or credit card (or I don't feel comfortable paying my bill online). How do I pay my bill?

Paying the bill online is optional. You can pay your bill by printing a copy of the bill from the UM Pay Web site and sending it in with a check, money order, traveler's check, or cashier's check addressed to:

University of Minnesota

P.O. Box 88
Minneapolis,MN 55440-0088

You can also pay your bill in person at any University of Minnesota Bursar Office or use one of the several convenient drop boxes located around campus. Please note that payment online is safe and secure and is certified by VeriSign, the nation's largest online payment verification provider. Paying online is much easier and more convenient than paying by mail or in person and saves you time and money!

6) Do you accept payments from non-United States bank accounts or credit card companies?

No, we are unable to accept payments from foreign bank accounts or credit card companies. Online payments must be direct debited from a U. S. bank account or charged to a MasterCard, DISCOVER, or American Express credit cards (VISA is not a participant).

7) Can I pay by credit card?

Yes, but only as an online service of UM Pay. The University will not accept credit card payments through the mail, in person, or over the phone. You or your authorized payer may make student account payments with a MasterCard, DISCOVER, or American Express credit card (VISA is not a participant). You will be required to pay a separate, non-refundable service charge—2.75 percent of the payment amount—at the time of each credit card payment. The non-refundable service charge, assessed by our vendor, infiNET, will appear as a separate line item on your (or the payer's) credit card statement.

8) Can I pay with a debit card?

Yes, you can pay with a MasterCard, DISCOVER, or American Express debit card (VISA is not a participant). However, you will be required to pay a separate, non-refundable service charge of 2.75 percent of the payment amount at the time of each debit card payment. You can avoid the debit card service charge by using e-check instead to make a payment. Select the online e-check payment option and enter your bank routing and account number (available from your banking institution or your monthly bank statement).

9) Why did the University of Minnesota decide to allow students to pay with credit cards?

The credit card option has been added to UM Pay, the University’s online billing and payment service, in response to requests from students and/or their payers for added convenience and flexibility in paying educational costs.

10) Are other colleges and universities taking credit cards?

Colleges and universities all over the country have made similar credit card payment policies. Two of those institutions—the University of Pittsburgh and Temple University—charge a fee for credit card payments; do not accept VISA; and accept credit card payments online only. Other universities not accepting VISA include Indiana University, Syracuse University, and the universities of Illinois, Nebraska, and Texas. Many colleges and universities do not accept credit card payments.

11) Why is the University assessing a 2.75 percent service charge to pay with credit card?

The University is not accepting credit card payments directly. Credit cards are being accepted by infiNET, a vendor contracted by the University that is charging a fee for their service.

The 2.75 percent rate based on the payment amount for each transaction was determined by our vendor.

The University of Minnesota will not receive any part of the service charge.

While credit card payments offer convenience, the cost to the University was estimated to be approximately $2 million annually. Therefore, the University decided to require those who use this convenience to cover its cost.

12) Why don't you take VISA?

VISA’s rules will not permit the vendor to assess a percentage service charge, requiring the University to assess the same service charge for eCheck bank transactions that allow payment directly from checking or savings accounts. The University chose not to change the current practice of free online banking services.

13) Is the service charge refundable?

The 2.75 percent service charge is non-refundable. Any service charge disputes must be taken directly to your credit card company.

14) Is there a minimum or maximum amount I can charge on my credit card?

You and/or your payer can make a credit card or e-check payment on UM Pay for a minimum of $1 or a maximum of $20,000. Payment maximums also depend on your credit card limit.

15) What if I make a credit card payment for more than I owe on my student account?

The University is required to refund any overpayments made by credit card back to the credit card company. The service charge will not be refunded for the portion overpaid. Service charge disputes must be taken directly to your credit card company.

16) Can I pay with a credit card in person or over the phone?

No. Credit card payments can only be made online at the UM Pay Web site. Computer workstations are available at One Stop Student Services (as well as in computer labs across campus) on a walk-in basis for online bill payment. Credit card payments are not accepted in person or over the phone at these locations because credit card rules would have required the University to add the service charge to all payment types. One Stop Student Services or the Bursar Office would have been forced to add the service charge to check and cash transactions.

17) Will the College of Continuing Education (CCE) and the Learning Abroad Center (LAC) change their credit card policies to coincide with UM Pay?

The University's contract with their vendor, infiNET, states that charges billed on UM Pay cannot be paid with credit cards unless the payment is made through UM Pay. Therefore, CCE and LAC will now direct their students to pay on UM Pay, if they choose to use a credit card.

18) What happens if I make a mistake when I enter my credit card information online?

If a credit card number or other personal information is entered that is inconsistent with your credit card account, the payment will be rejected immediately. If the payment is rejected, you will be told that you are over your credit limit. You will be able to view all past rejected payments in your transaction history.

19) How will I know if my payment is approved?

Credit card payments will be instantly approved and an online receipt issued to you.

20) I received a refund for tuition and fees. How will I get it if I paid with a credit card?

Refunds for tuition and fees initially paid by credit card will be refunded to the credit card company used. However, the service charge will not be refunded.

21) Why can't I see the service charge on my student account?

The service charge is assessed by infiNET, our vendor, not the University of Minnesota, so it will not appear on your University student account. However, you and your authorized payer will be able to see the service charge in the transaction history within UM Pay. The service charge will also appear as a separate charge on your (or your payer’s) credit card statement.

22) How can I stop an online payment if I made a mistake?

If you make a payment online by mistake, please contact One Stop Student Services before 4:00 p.m. on the day of the transaction. If the mistake is made by credit card, the service charge cannot be refunded.

23) Can I use a credit card check or investment account to pay online?

No. Credit card check accounts or investment account checks, commonly called credit card convenience checks or advance checks, cannot be used for electronic payment in UM Pay.

24) Does the University charge for online billing or payment?

No, the University offers online billing and payment as an economical convenience, free of charge. However, if you choose to make a payment in UM Pay by credit card, you will be assessed a non-refundable 2.75 percent service charge on the payment amount by our credit card vendor, infiNET. All costs for choosing to pay with a credit card must be assumed by you or your authorized payer. The University does not receive, nor will it underwrite, any portion of the non-refundable service charge.

25) How do I log in?

On each bill date you will be sent a notice in your University e-mail account when your billing statement is available online. Bill dates are available online, but generally, statements are produced two weeks after the semester begins and monthly thereafter. You will be sent a link in your e-bill notice to a secured Web page that requires you to enter your University Internet ID and password. To keep all of your University information confidential, don't share your passwords with anyone. After you log in, you can view your e-bill statement; print a copy of the billing statement; forward the bill to someone as an e-mail atttachment; sign up authorized users; set up and store your bank account information; and make an online payment. Be sure to log out or close your browser when finished with UM Pay.

IMPORTANT: Check your University e-mail account year-round for all official University communications.

26) How can my parents pay my bill?

You can authorize your parent(s) or other payers to make payments to your student account on your behalf. To begin the process, follow the directions at the "Login for parents/authorized payers" at UM Pay.

27) How do parents or other authorized payers log in?

As a parent or other authorized payer, your student must first set you up as an authorized payer in the UM Pay system. S/he must first create a log-in name and password to authorize your access to UM Pay. After you log in, you can change your password; setup and store your own profile and account information; review the bill; view any past bills; make a payment; or view any past payments you have made on the student's behalf.

28) I'm a parent. How can I get a copy of my child's bill?

Your student has several options for providing a copy of his/her bill to third parties, including parents or spouses, through UM Pay. Your student can:

set you up as an authorized payer on UM Pay with access to view their bills at anytime.
arrange for a copy of the bill to be automatically e-mailed to you.
forward the billing statement as an attachment to his/her University e-mail account.
provide you with a printed bill, if you prefer that to viewing the online statement.

29) How can I pay my child's tuition bill?

Several payment options are available:

If your student has set you up as an authorized payer, you can log into the UM Pay Web site using the log-in name and password your student gave you, and pay the bill electronically by having the payment amount withdrawn from your savings or checking account.
As an authorized payer, you may choose to pay the balance due in the student's University account with a MasterCard, DISCOVER, or American Express credit card (VISA is not a participant). If you choose the credit card option, you will be assessed a non-refundable service charge by our vendor of 2.75 percent based on the payment amount. The University will not accept credit card payments through the mail, in person, or over the phone. The service charge is non-refundable.
You can also print a copy of the bill and mail a payment (check, money order, traveler's check, or cashier's check written out to University of Minnesota) to:

University of Minnesota

P.O. Box 88
Minneapolis,MN 55440-0088