Credit/Debit Card Service Fees FAQs

As of Fall 2024 card transactions toward student accounts are accompanied by a service fee of 2.65% added to the balance of the amount charged to the credit or debit card. With the proliferation of cards used as primary means of payment, the credit/debit card service fees that were previously covered by vendors are being passed through to the customer in businesses large and small. In many places it has become a fee associated with the convenience and benefits of using “plastic.” Below are some questions that may help to explain the details. 

 

Why is Lee University charging a service fee for credit/debit card payments?

Lee University is committed to providing students and their families a range of options for paying their educational expenses.  The credit/debit card payment method became prohibitively expensive to the university because of the fees charged to Lee by ACI Worldwide for credit/debit card transaction processing. It is not feasible for the university to cover these fees directly via tuition and fee increases. Instead, a service fee on credit/debit card transactions in the amount of 2.65% of the credit/debit card payment was instituted so that the fee associated with credit/debit card use would only impact card users, and only for the amount of their individual transaction. Lee University does not receive any proceeds from the service fee.

How was the 2.65% fee rate determined?

2.65% was the amount established by our third-party credit/debit card processor, ACI Worldwide, to cover all credit/debit card processing costs. Until the transition to the user-paid model, the fee was set at 2.75%, but ACI agreed to reduce the service fee to the current published rate of 2.65%.

What is a service fee?

A 2.65% service fee was established by our third-party credit/debit card processor, ACI Worldwide, to cover all credit/debit card processing costs.  The university does not receive any portion of service fee payments. It is also important to note that these fees are subject to change by the third-party credit/debit card processor.

Can I avoid paying the service fee?

 Yes. You can avoid service fees by making payments to the university online via Portico by electronic check, an electronic debit to your checking or savings account, 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.

Will the service fee I paid show on my student account?

No, this fee does not come to the university and will not be reflected on our system. Please refer to your credit card statement or print a copy of your receipt for your records.

If I make a credit card payment in error or if my tuition and fees are refunded, will my service fee be reimbursed?

 No. This fee is not refundable, even if the payment to which it is related is cancelled, refunded, or charged back. These funds go directly to ACI Worldwide and cannot be adjusted or waived.

Will this fee be assessed for all card payments to Lee?

No. This fee will only apply to student account payments toward a student’s school bill. The fee will not apply to application fees payments or housing deposits, prior to enrollment, nor will the fee apply to donations, box office purchases, or health clinic fees made or paid to the university by debit or credit card.

Do other colleges and universities pass along convenience fees to their students?

Yes. Many (if not most) colleges and universities have asked students to absorb this cost.

Student Financial Services

1120 North Ocoee Street
PO Box 3450
Cleveland, TN 37320-3450
(423) 614-8100
Fax: (423) 614-8083
sfs@leeuniversity.edu		 Monday - Friday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM EST
Tuesday and Thursday - Closed for Chapel
10:30 AM to 11:30 AM EST

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What is the Lee U Book Bundle?

The Lee University Book Bundle program gives students access to their required textbook and other course materials on the first day of classes. The textbook is available in an e-book.

Only required course materials are included in the Lee University Book Bundle program. Additional recommended materials may be ordered online or visit the bookstore where textbook experts will be happy to assist you.

How does the Lee U Book Bundle work?

Starting classes doesn’t have to be stressful! Lee U has partnered with Follett to create the Lee U Book Bundle program, a simple and convenient way to ensure you are ready for class on Day One. The program connects students to required learning materials before class even begins so you’ll be ready to learn and prepared to succeed.

If you register for one of the Lee U Book Bundle classes, you will receive an email outlining the program and the opt out process.

Please note that some participating classes also have additional recommended materials that are not included with the Lee U Book Bundle program and will need to be purchased separately.

Lee U Book Bundle FAQ

What is the Lee U Book Bundle program?

The Lee Un Book Bundle program is a powerful and convenient program designed to ensure students get the course materials they need to succeed before Day One of class.

The Lee U Book Bundle program delivers required course materials to students for any of the courses participating in the program. The cost will be added as a course charge. This program provides a method to easily access, manage and use all course materials regardless of format or cost. Digital course materials will be made available to students directly within the campus learning management system & email.

The Benefits of Lee U Book Bundle Program

  • You will have all your required course materials on Day One of class.
  • Receiving materials is hassle free.
  • Easy access and management of digital course materials.
  • Zero stress about getting the wrong book or wrong edition.

Will I save money?

Yes! Publishers provide significant discounts to participate in this program and those discounts are passed on to you via this program. You will not pay out of pocket for your required course materials that are part of the program. Course material charges will be part of your course charge structure with the campus. Because Lee U book bundle fees are charged to your student bill, you can use your financial aid and other tuition payment options available to you by your campus.

How do I get my course materials?

For courses that are part of the Lee U Book Bundle program, students will log into Moodle and have access to course materials on Day One.

Typically, your instructor will provide Day One instructions on how to access course materials.  In the rare case that physical content is needed, a confirmation email will be provided to your student (leeu.edu) email to let you know it is available to pick up at your campus bookstore.  Questions can be directed to the campus bookstore.

What if I drop a course?

If you drop a course, return physical materials to the campus bookstore by the communicated deadline provided to you when you picked up your materials. Physical materials should be in reusable condition. Digital materials will be automatically refunded according to the refund policy published in the university catalog.  Your access to the material will be removed upon confirmation of your section drop.

Is there an Opt-Out Option?

Lee U does offer an Opt-Out solution and students should find details on this process either in their student (leeu.edu) email or by contacting the campus bookstore.  Please note that if you choose to Opt-Out, you may have to source course materials on your own.  Because some materials are learning platforms that students are obligated to use for the course, it is advisable to speak to your instructor before opting out of the program.

Beyond Course Materials

You have your course materials.  What’s next?  Your campus bookstore has the best selection of officially licensed campus gear around.  We are ready to outfit you head to toe, with school spirit. Visit your campus bookstore either in person or online at leeuniversityshop.com to grab all your spirit items, supplies and technology.

For more information:

Skip Gienapp, Market Leader
Follett Bookstore #0289
423.614.8095
bookstore@leeuniversity.edu

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If you were a student between January 1 and December 31 of a specific year and had qualified tuition and related expenses, we will mail a 1098-T form to your primary address. The 1098-T forms will only appear under the student’s name. The 1098-T form will contain the following:

  • Box 1 – Total amount of payments received for qualified tuition and related expenses from all sources during the calendar year.
  • Box 4 – Reimbursements or refunds of qualified tuition and related expenses made during the calendar year that relate to payments received for qualified tuition and related expenses reported on a 1098-T for a prior tax year.
  • Box 5 - Scholarships and grants administered and processed during the calendar year.
  • Box 6 – Reductions in scholarships and grants made during the calendar year that were reported on a 1098-T for a prior tax year.
  • Box 7 - Checked if payments received for qualified tuition and related expenses in Box 1 relate to an academic period that begins in January through March of the next calendar year.

While the University may provide you with information about your Form 1098-T, we cannot provide tax or legal advice and therefore cannot determine if you qualify for an education credit. If you believe that you qualify for an education credit, consult your tax advisor, or contact the IRS at (800) 829-1040.

To obtain a copy of your 1098-T tax form, please log into your Portico account, go to Campus Applications, select Self-Service and then Tax Information. For questions regarding this, please contact the Student Financial Services Office at sfs@leeuniversity.edu or call (423) 614-8100.

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Students should be prepared to pay full semester charges on or before registration. Money may be submitted in advance to the Student Financial Services Office. This payment will facilitate registration. Students who are unable to pay their accounts in full must either borrow the necessary funds or enroll in the university’s deferred payment plan. Parents and students who will have difficulty paying the full charges within the semester are encouraged to make advance arrangements for borrowing the needed funds.

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No reduction of charges will be granted unless the application is made within two weeks of any change in program or departure of the student. STUDENTS WHO WITHDRAW FROM THE UNIVERSITY AFTER THE FIFTH WEEK OF CLASSES WILL RECEIVE NO ADJUSTMENT ON TUITION, FEES, AND ROOM. Those whose study is interrupted by the university for discipline reasons will receive no adjustment on tuition, fees, and room after the fifth week of classes.

Refund Policy for Undergraduate & Graduate Students (Fall & Spring)

Tuition, fees, and room (with the exception of matriculation, registration, and housing fees) will be adjusted on the following percentages:
During first two weeks of semester: 80%
During third week of semester: 60%
During fourth week of semester: 40%
During fifth week of semester: 20%
After fifth week of semester: No Adjustment

For more details, please contact the Student Financial Services Office at sfs@leeuniversity.edu.

Refund Policy for Undergraduate & Graduate Students (Summer)

Tuition, fees, and room (with the exception of matriculation, registration, and housing fees) will be adjusted on the following percentages:
During first week of classes: 50%
After first week of classes: No Adjustment

Refund Policy for Lee Online

See Lee Online Policies and Procedures

Any full-time, on-campus student desiring to participate in the university’s deferred payment plan is required to pay $8,612 down at the time of confirming enrollment and the balance of the semester charges in two equal payments on the dates mentioned below. Any part-time student or off-campus student desiring to participate in the deferred payment plan is required to pay fifty percent of the total charges at the time of confirming enrollment and the balance of semester charges in two equal monthly payments on the dates mentioned below. The same financial requirements apply to veterans and others in cases when money is not sent directly to Lee University. Students enrolling in the deferred payment plan will be charged a $100 fee for this service. This fee will apply to all students owing a balance in excess of $500 at the time of confirming enrollment.

Required Down Payments for the 2024-2025 Academic Year

For off-campus students: 50% of total charges
For on-campus students: $8,612
Deferred Payment Plan Fee:
(Fall Payment Dates: September 30 and October 31)
(Spring Payment Dates: February 28 and March 31)
(Summer Payment Dates: Session 1- May 31, Session 2- June 30, Session 3- July 20)		 $100

**Please refer to the University Catalog for a more detailed listing of fees and policies.

Book Vouchers

Students will receive a book voucher only when their financial aid exceeds the amount of their school bill. If a student qualifies for a book voucher, the student will be able to go to the bookstore and use his or her Lee ID to purchase textbooks after he or she completes registration. (Non-textbook purchases may not be paid for with a book voucher.) Charges for textbooks purchased will be applied to the student’s account at the time of purchase. Questions regarding book vouchers should be directed to the Student Financial Services Office.

NOTE: Students are not required to use book vouchers to purchase textbooks.

Credit/Debit Card Service Fee

Beginning July 1, 2024, card transactions toward student accounts will see a service fee of 2.65% added to the balance of the amount charged to the credit or debit card. With the proliferation of cards used as primary means of payment, the merchant service fees that have previously been covered by vendors are being passed through to the customer in businesses large and small. In many places it has become a fee associated with the convenience and benefits of using “plastic.” For additional details about this fee click here.

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Following is a list of forms and documents that the Student Financial Services Office makes available to students and other interested parties. All forms are available in PDF format. All forms must be signed by hand. Typing your name or using an electronic image of your signature will result in rejection of the form and requiring resubmission on your part. Many of the forms here will need to be completed and returned to the Student Financial Services Office while others are simply informational documents.

Club/Class Deposit Slip
This form is used for all cash and check club deposits into club accounts. Please turn in all deposits to the Student Financial Services Office.		 Departmental Deposit Slip Form
This form is used for all departmental deposits. Please turn in all deposits to the Student Financial Services Office.
Employee Tuition Discount Form
If you are an employee of Lee University, you may be eligible for the Employee Tuition Discount. Please complete this form and submit to the Human Resources office to determine if and how much of a discount you can receive.		 How to Obtain Account Statement Online
An updated account statement is available to you through your Portico account. The instructions above will show you how to obtain a current statement.
Student Refund Request Form
Please complete the online Student Refund Request Form by clicking the link above (Student Refund Request Form). This form allows you to specify how your refund will be disbursed, parental release for Parent PLUS loans, and instructions for direct deposit. If you have questions or need assistance with this form, please call Student Financial Services at 423.614.8100 or visit the Student Financial Services office located on the first floor of the Higgenbotham Administration Building.

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Student Services

The Student Financial Services Office strives to promote responsibility in financial matters and provide quality support to students, faculty, staff, and other constituents that exemplify the core values of excellence, integrity, and service. By doing so, we maintain a strong purpose to touch the lives of our students by providing goals and objectives to help manage the cost and sacrifice of obtaining a superior education.

 

Student Financial Services

1120 North Ocoee Street
PO Box 3450
Cleveland, TN 37320-3450
(423) 614-8100
Fax: (423) 614-8083
sfs@leeuniversity.edu		 Monday - Friday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM EST
Tuesday and Thursday - Closed for Chapel
10:30 AM to 11:30 AM EST

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