After May 31, parents will be reaching for their check books rather than their credit cards in order to pay their child's tuition, fees, and room and board at Boston College.
In a recent letter sent out to parents and students, Student Services Director Louise Lonabocker declared that credit cards will no longer be accepted for payment of student fees.
"The elimination of credit cards was a carefully considered decision that was necessary due to the extraordinary costs associated with the accepting of credit cards for sizeable transactions. The reduction of credit card fees will allow the University to keep costs as low as possible," she said in the letter.
Students Services found that the use of credit cards was costing the University money. If saved, the money could be used to fund other school programs or for other more useful purposes.
Credit cards will continue to be accepted in the Bookstore as well as for Eagle-One card accounts, but parents must make tuition payments by check or by BC's new E-check option.
Through E-check, parents can withdraw money directly from their bank accounts and into their child's student account through Agora. Student Services claims that this option is quick and carries no service fees.
Parents have received fair warning of this change since it was last summer when the decision was made and a letter illustrating the decision was published.
Parents have had the year to choose an alternate plan of payment and Financial Services has been willing and available to assist parents in choosing options.
A 10-month payment plan will also continue to be accessible through Academic Management Services.
"We knew this a long time ago," said Nancy Shepard, parent of Blythe Shepard, LSOE '05. "This isn't something that should come as a surprise to anyone. They told us during Orientation that this change was coming."
"I don't pay with a credit card so I guess I wouldn't ever really think about the change because it doesn't have an impact on me," said Gene Elwood, father of Brian Elwood, A&S '05.
Thus far, Lonabocker has received no complaints concerning the decision to eliminate the use of credit card payments and believes that containing costs is in the best interest of the University and its students.
Some parents are disapointed in the policy change.
"Credit cards were a nice payment option," said Marsha Gwin, parent of Evan Gwin, A&S '04. "With kids in college far from home, it was nice to be able to get the frequent flyer miles."
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