VCS now accepts Credit Cards for tuition/statement payments and Donations

We are pleased to announce that as of March 10, 2008, we welcome your tuition/statement payment by MasterCard, Discover, or American Express. However, please note, we are only accepting credit card payments on-line. We cannot accept payments over the phone, on campus or by fax.   Each payment will be assessed a convenience fee equal to 2.5%.  You may make payment by credit/ debit card w/MC logo at our tuition web based portal only. It can be accessed from a link on our home page.

 IMPORTANT – After a payment is made by credit card or debit card w/ MC logo, the assessed convenience fee cannot be refunded under any circumstances.  For example, if a spouse pays by credit card and the other spouse then decides that he/she would prefer to pay by check, we cannot refund the convenience fee paid.

Philosophy

Village Christian Schools is committed to providing a range of payment options to accommodate the preferences and financial circumstance of different families.  

Paying tuition by credit card or debit card w/MC logo has been an option requested by parents for some time.  Parents have cited the wish to take advantage of rewards, cash back, and low interest rate programs, as well as the flexible monthly repayment option credit cards offer.   We recognize that wisely used, payment of tuition by credit cards can be a prudent financial vehicle for parents. 

On the other hand, used without care, credit cards can burden families with debt.  Village Christian Schools recognizes that this risk is not unique to credit cards.  A similar and equal risk exists from tuition loans and cash payments that result in the family placing other expenses on credit card to compensate.    We encourage all families to carefully weigh the myriad of payment options on the market, and make a sound financial choice that fits their present and anticipated financial needs.

We hope that by offering an additional payment option, and by encouraging families to investigate, research, and choose the best option for their family, we are empowering  families to do what is best for them.  Credit card payments are also subject to all the applicable terms of the enrollment contract – including non-refundability.

Policy Adherence to Card Industry Rules

Village Christian Schools has registered via each of the Card Brands for this special program available only to schools, utilities and government entities.  This type of payment acceptance program is common at many universities, including Stanford University. 

We cannot accept your Visa because Visa Rules and Regulations currently prohibit this type of program.  We hope that at some point in the near future we will be able to add Visa to this program on the same terms.  If you would like to send a letter requesting a policy change to Visa, we can provide a form letter for your use.

How It Works

1) You may make payment by credit/debit card w/ MC logo at our web based tuition portal which can be accessed from a link on our home page. This system is fully compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security standards.

2) Village Christian Schools will assess a 2.5% convenience fee on top of your total tuition/statement amount.  For example, if your child’s tuition is: $1,000, one charge will appear on your credit card statement for $1,025. The convenience fee is not charged on donations.

3) Any payment types, including credit/debit card w/MC logo, will appear on your next monthly VCS statement.

Questions

If you have any questions about this new policy, you send them via email to cardpolicy@villagechristian.org.

Click here to make payments online.