Convenience Fee FAQs

Yes. You can avoid convenience fees by making payments to the University online by electronic check (sometimes referred to as an ACH transfer or a direct debit) or by paper check or a money order sent via U.S. mail. You may also pay in-person by cash, paper check or money order. Due to a hybrid schedule at the university, we request that you contact the Office of Student Financial Accounts to request an appointment for in-person payments of cash, paper check or money order. Payments that are mailed to the University can be addressed to:

Office of Student Financial Accounts
Thomas Edison State University
111 W. State Street
Trenton, NJ 08608

No. After April 5, 2017, credit or debit card payments are only accepted online. Credit or debit card payments by phone, walk-in, fax or U.S. mail are no longer accepted. Other forms of payment, however, can be accepted. These include a paper check or a money order sent via U.S. mail or payment in-person with cash or by check or money order.

Yes. Many colleges and universities have asked students to absorb this cost. Ten of the 11 senior public institutions of higher education in New Jersey have adopted the same policy.

No. Convenience fees are non-refundable even if a student drops or withdraws from a course. Since this is not a fee collected by the University, it cannot be included with refunds for tuition or fees. This will be disclosed at several points throughout our online payment process.

For perspective, a 2.95 percent convenience fee on a $1,000 charge is $29.50; the convenience fee on a $2,000 charge is $59 and the convenience fee on a $3,000 charge would be $88.50. Also, it is important to note that credit card issuers charge a minimum convenience fee of $3.00 on transactions. As a consequence, a 2.95 percent convenience fee on a $100 charge would be $3.00 and not $2.95.

A 2.95 percent convenience fee, sometimes referred to as a credit or debit card “service fee” is established by third party credit or debit card issuers to cover the transaction costs of online purchases. The University does not receive any portion of convenience or service fee payments. It is also important to note that these fees are subject to change by third party credit and debit card issuers.

Yes. The University’s website, student forms and Online Student Services (OSS) will be updated to include information reflecting the credit and debit card convenience fee information. When you perform online credit or debit card transactions to register for a course, pay a residency fee, request a course extension or apply for graduation, you will see a separate line item for the convenience fee on your total charges.