Sonoma State University

Credit Card Service Fee FAQ

credit cards

The CSU makes every effort to keep student costs to a minimum. Fees listed in published schedules or student accounts may need to be increased when public funding is inadequate. Therefore, CSU must reserve the right, even after fees are initially charged or initial fee payments are made, to increase or modify any listed fees. All listed fees, other than mandatory systemwide fees, are subject to change without notice, until the date when instruction for a particular semester or quarter has begun. All CSU listed fees should be regarded as estimates that are subject to change upon approval by the Board of Trustees, the Chancellor, or the Presidents, as appropriate. Changes in mandatory systemwide fees will be made in accordance with the requirements of the Working Families Student Fee Transparency and Accountability Act (Sections 66028 - 66028.6 of the Education Code).

Credit Card Service Fee FAQ

Beginning July 1, 2017, payments on student accounts made online by credit/debit card will be charged a non-refundable service fee by our third party provider, CASHNet® SmartPay. Effective 12/25/2020, the non-refundable service fee was reduced by CashNet from 2.75% to 2.65%. There are several simple options for students to avoid this fee such as electronic checks or paying by check or cash in the Seawolf Service Center. Student fees paid by financial aid will not be impacted by this change.

Effective January 1, 2018, the Seawolf Service Center will no longer accept credit or debit cards for payments. Credit/debit cards and electronic checks will continue to be accepted payment methods for online student account payments. As noted above, payments on student accounts made online by credit/debit card will be charged a non-refundable service fee by our third party provider, CASHNet® SmartPay. Effective 12/25/2020, the non-refundable service fee was reduced by CashNet from 2.75% to 2.65%. We are evaluating other payment acceptance options for the Seawolf Service Center that will not include a cost while allowing us to continue providing a high level of service to our students.

Credit card companies and processors charge fees to process payments made by credit/debit cards. Prior to July 1, 2017, the university has covered the cost of these fees. The university has decided to use a third party provider to process payments made online by credit/debit card. This will save the university approximately $1 million annually. This cost savings will be freed up to use towards various priorities on campus that will benefit students, including graduation and student success initiatives, facilities improvements, and other student services.

Online electronic check payments are simple to use and there’s no fee. To pay by electronic check, log into your online student account and select electronic check for your method of payment. Merely provide your bank routing number and account number from the bottom of your check. Contact the Seawolf Service Center with questions regarding the credit card service fees or navigate to the Payment Due Dates and Methods page to view payment method options.

Please contact the Seawolf Service Center with any questions.