Credit Card Fees FAQs

MCC charges a nonrefundable convenience fee to all payments made by credit/debit card for tuition, fees, and other student account charges related to academic courses. This change was approved by the Board of Trustees to help lower MCC’s cost of credit card transactions. The high cost of credit card processing leads to higher tuition increases for all students. Therefore, the convenience fee will only apply to those who choose to pay by credit card/debit card and not to those students who pay by cash or check. Below is a schedule of when this change will occur and instructions on how to avoid the convenience fee:

Payments made directly to MCC through Self Service (on-line), in person or by mail.

1. Pay by check or in cash directly to MCC and incur NO additional fees.
2. Payments by credit/debit card will include a 2.55% nonrefundable convenience fee (minimum fee $1.00) when using Visa, MasterCard and Discover (American Express is not accepted).

Payments made via Nelnet Payment Plan (installment payment option) 

1. Sign up for the Nelnet Payment Plan using the ACH option (payments to come from bank account) and incur NO additional fees other than the current $25 enrollment fee.
2. Sign up for FACTS using the credit/debit card option with Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express and payments will include a 2.85% nonrefundable convenience fee plus the current $25 enrollment fee.

Payments can be made in person at the Student Welcome Center (Main Campus building entrance) or in the Financial Services Office (Room 1044). Checks and money orders can also be mailed to Muskegon Community College, 221 S. Quarterline Rd., Financial Services Office, Room 1044, Muskegon, MI 49442. Card processing fees only apply to student account payments as described above and will NOT affect any other transactions on our campuses where credit cards are accepted. (i.e. bookstore or food service)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why is MCC charging a fee for the use of credit cards?
A. Due to increasing operational challenges, a desire to provide a high level of security of personal information, and the increasing costs to process credit cards, MCC has contracted with a third-party companies, Official Payments and Nelnet, to provide credit card processing services for certain student transactions (tuition, fees, and other charges related to academic courses). The fee is being charged by the third-party processor, not MCC. This will enable the college to continue to provide students with a credit card payment option with a high level of security.

Q. What credit cards does Official payments accept?
A. Visa, MasterCard, Discover. If you need assistance paying with a credit card on WebAdvisor, please contact the MCC Financial Services Office at (231) 777-0249 Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. or stop by the Student Welcome Center at the main campus entrance or the Financial Services Office, Room 1044.

Q. What Credit Cards Does Nelnet Accept?
A. Currently Nelnet will only accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

Q. If I use a debit card instead of a credit card, will I still be charged the convenience fee?
A. Yes, both Official Payments and Nelnet systems treat the use of a debit card the same as a credit card and therefore their corresponding convenience fees will be applied when a debit card is used.

Q. Why is the convenience fee 2.55% and 2.85%? How was the percentage established?
A. The percentages are established by our third-party credit card processors, Official Payments and Nelnet, to cover the credit card transaction fees assessed by credit card companies.

Q. Is MCC unique in charging a convenience fee?
A. No. Many Michigan colleges and universities currently charge a convenience fee for credit card transactions, including Grand Valley State University, Ferris State University, Central Michigan University, Northwestern Michigan College and Mid-Michigan Community College.

Q. Is there any way I can avoid paying a convenience fee?
A. You can avoid paying the convenience fee by paying by cash, check, or money order.   These payments can be made in person at Student Welcome Center (Main building entrance), and checks can be mailed to Muskegon Community College, Financial Services Office, Room 1044, 221 S. Quarterline Rd., Muskegon, MI 49442. If signing up for the FACTS Payment Plan you can avoid the fee by selecting the ACH payment option to direct that your payments come from a bank account.

Q. Can I make a credit card payment over the phone?
A. Yes. Credit card payments for tuition, fees, and other charges related to academic courses can be made over the phone at 231-777-0249. We ask for your credit card information and the 3-digit security code on the back of the card.

Q. Can I make a credit card payment in person?
A. Credit card payments can be made in person at the Student Welcome Center or at the Financial Services Office, Room 1044.

Q. If I make a credit card payment in error, will my convenience fee be refunded?
A. No. The convenience fee is not refundable even if the payment to which it relates is canceled, refunded, credited, or charged back.

Q. Will the convenience fee that I am charged show up on my student account bill?
A. No. The convenience fee is assessed by the third party company, Official Payments or Nelnet in addition to the payment. The convenience fee will appear on your credit card statement, but not on your student account. On your credit card statement, you will see two transactions: one for the student account payment, and one for the convenience fee.

Q. If I receive a refund from my student account and I paid my charges with a credit card, will my card be refunded?
A. Yes. Refunds will go first to the credit card (s) used to pay for your account charges. The convenience fee will not be refunded.

Additional questions? Contact the Financial Services Office at (231) 777-0249