Bursar Office
Credit Card Convenience Fee
Tennessee Tech University is dedicated to providing customers with as many options as possible in making payments on student accounts. Unfortunately, the cost of processing credit and debit cards keeps increasing due to the fees charged by credit card companies and the cost associated with securing cardholder data. The annual expense for Tennessee Tech to process credit and debit cards has become significant and can no longer be absorbed.
In an effort to continue to allow payments on student accounts via credit and debit cards, Tennessee Tech has contracted with TouchNet® PayPath. TouchNet® PayPath is a third party company which processes credit and debit card payments online. Therefore, any payment on a student account (tuition, fees, fines, incidental fees, etc.) with a credit or debit card will be assessed a 2.95% for domestic transactions, 4.25% for international transactions, or $3.00 minimum processing fee by TouchNet® PayPath.
Students can avoid paying a convenience fee when making payment on their student account by using an electronic (ACH) or physical check. To pay online with an electronic check (ACH) please login to Eagle Pay via Tech Express and follow these instructions. All other check and cash payments can be made either in person or by mail by following the instructions provided here.
Convenience Fee FAQs
- What is the convenience fee?
The convenience fee is a non-refundable 2.95% service charge (minimum $3) for payments made on your student account using a credit and/or debit card.
- Why is Tech charging a convenience fee?
Due to the increasing cost of processing credit card payments, Tennessee Tech University has partnered with a third party company, TouchNet ® PayPath, to provide secure credit card processing for student account transactions. This convenience fee is charged by TouchNet ® PayPath, not Tech, and enables students the ability to continue making payments on their student account via credit card.
- Does the convenience fee affect me?
This change affects the small number of students using credit cards as a payment method instead of the cost being shared by all students.
- How can I avoid the convenience fee?
The convenience fee only applies to payments via credit card. These payment methods can be made free of charge:
1. Cash
2. Paper Check
3. Money Order
4. Electronic Check (eCheck)
- How can I pay via Electronic Check to avoid this convenience fee?
- Where are credit card payments made?
All credit card payments made on a Student Account must be made online via Eagle Pay, you cannot pay using a credit card at the cashier windows or over the phone.
- Is the convenience fee refundable?
No, even if the charge to which it applies is cancelled, refunded, or charged back. This is a non-refundable convenience fee charged by the third party company TouchNet ® PayPath.
- Will the convenience fee appear on my student billing statement?
No, this convenience fee will only appear on your credit card/ bank statement as a separate line item. You will see the original charge for your student account payment and another for the convenience fee.
For example, a $103 payment will appear on your credit card statement as $100 to Tennessee Tech and $3 to TouchNet® PayPath Convenience Fee.
- Will this affect other credit card payments across the university campus?
No, the convenience fee is only accessed on student account payments (payments on tuition and fees, meals, dorm, and incidental charges). This fee will not apply to other non-student account related payments via credit cards across campus.
- Can I use the routing number and account number on a check from my credit card company
to make an electronic (eCheck) payment?
No, credit card companies will not honor these checks used electronically. The payment will be returned as “account not found” and create a returned check on your student account. These checks can only be used in person or through the mail.
- Why are international transactions charged a higher convenience fee than domestic
transactions?
As the cost of processing international transactions continues to rise, the current PayPath rate does not cover the cost of international transaction fees. Therefore, the service fee rate for International PayPath transactions will be increased to 4.25%. This change will go into effect February 2024. International transactions are determined by the Bank Identification Number (BIN) portion of the credit card number. If the financial institution who issued the card an international institution, then transactions of that card will be subject to the international rate of 4.25%
