<p>We're curious about how many schools have this benefit. I'd love to accrue the mileage/points, etc; but our school doesn't accept credit card payments. Any experience with facilitating this change at your school? The explanation we received regarded the near 3% surcharge credit card companies would charge them. Obviously this cost would be passed on to the student, thereby increasing their cost. </p>
<p>Seems to me for the $40,000 plus that we are charged, it's the least they could do!! :-) </p>
<p>It doesn't mean enough to us to make child #2 consider only the schools that accept credit card payment, but remain curious if it's done at other schools and if schools ever change their policy.</p>
<p>Virginia Tech took credit card, then lumped on that extra 3%. So, a $6K IS tuition is suddenly $6200, without all the fees the school tacked on. By writing a check, my mom ended up saving around $500 in the end, versus credit card.</p>
<p>UGA (well, from 2002-2006) took credit cards without the fee. My sister went there and one semester's tuition/fees basically gave her a free plane ride home for a break. My mom loved it. </p>
<p>UVA doesn't accept them at all. Boo :( They do take credit card for everything else "extra" (CavAdvantage student card, bookstore, rec fees, etc) so my mom will use it for there. Although with my dad traveling to Asia monthly, and other places in between, we've maxed out United points, so now my mom is on to conquer Marriott points. Maybe she'll use them to come stay for parent weekend =P</p>
<p>The airline miles were what prompted me to charge my kids' high school tuition! Unfortunately, the school discontinued credit card payments for tuition ... I certainly understand why, but I confess that I did enjoy the benefit while it lasted. I don't know of any colleges that allow credit cards these days. It seems many have moved to using companies that do tuition payment plans, instead.</p>
<p>Check with the office of student financial affairs (or whatever it is called at your son's/daughter's school).</p>
<p>My father asked UMich, which told him that we could not pay with credit card. As some of the people above mentioned, however, some schools do allow you to do so.</p>
<p>We were lucky with my daughters school, they allowed automatic payments with credit cards. It was great to acrue that mileage every month. Of course, we paid the card off monthly. My son's college will do it but charges $40/month so we just have it automatically withdrawn from our bank account instead. The only time we can use the credit card at at his college is for the deposit to hold housing for the following year.</p>
<p>I think the extra fees are absorbed in tuition increases for all rather than tacked on to the bills of those who use credit cards. In other words, everyone pays for the the mileage points of a few.</p>
<p>SUNY Buffalo allows payment of tuition and Fees via credit card over the phone, internet, or by writing in your card info on the return slip portion of your child's bill. Once you get your first tuition bill, it should indicate whether payment by credit or debit card is possible.</p>
<p>The same could be said of practically anything.</p>
<p>We all pay for the gym, although only a few use it.
We all pay for the library, although some don't use it at all.
We all pay for landscaping, although some of us are blind and can't see it.
We all pay for parking lots, although some of us ride the bus.
Liberal arts majors pay the same tuition as science majors, although science majors cost far more to educate.
We all pay the "student activity fee," although many students don't participate in any activities.
We all pay for nice furniture in the Alumni House, although none of us are alumni yet.</p>
<p>In the grand scheme of thing, credit card expenses are really small potatoes.</p>
<p>^^ You are absolutely right.<br>
But the issue here is somewhat different. The OP considered that with tuition at$40k, colleges should be willing to allow it to be paid by credit card. This would enable the OP to gain mileage points. I posted that 3% would amount to $1200 and asked whether this was an extra amount the OP was willing to pay. There is a clear trade off. It's not the same about property taxes or health insurance, or public landscaping.</p>
<p>Two kids at different schools that both accept credit card payments. One school (private) adds 3% on to the individual bills of those paying by CC, the other (public) does not.</p>
<p>I paid by credit card at USC all four years. No extra charge. Got lots of Marriott points, which come to think of it probably funded his graduation trip to Europe.</p>
<p>My sons went to two different public universities in the same state. One allowed credit card payments with no fees, the other didn't allow credit card payments. Go figure.</p>
<p>Marite, guess I didn't do a good job of making my point....I don't want the school to tack on the 3% to my bill, I want them to pick up that part of my tab, so I can enjoy a nice trip for my $40,000! :-) Wishful thinking at it's best!!</p>
<p>D's first school, no. Her new transfer school, yes (no fee). I keep a zero balance on a Southwest Airlines Visa, so this helps get some additional mileage.</p>