Online Payment FAQ

Read through this list of frequently asked questions to learn more about online bill payment. If you have additional questions, please contact us at 651.638.6208 or send an email to business-office@bethel.edu.

What are the benefits and advantages of online payment?

• Saves time for students and parents
• Easy and convenient
• Private and Secure
• Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Available world-wide via the Internet
• Unique login allows parent(s), spouses or other authorized users to view student account activity and pay online.
• Make payments online using credit cards: MasterCard, Discover and American Express with a non-refundable convenience fee of 2.75%. VISA is not accepted.
• See current account activity since the last statement
• Quick access to view and print your billing history

Why can I no longer make credit card payments at the Banking Window or over the phone?

The Business Office no longer accepts payments at the Banking Window or over the phone for privacy and security concerns.

Also, new regulations (PCI DATE Security Standard) for the credit card industry do not allow us to take credit card information over the phone. Bethel has contracted with American Express, MasterCard, and Discover for a 2.75%, or $3 minimum convenience fee. Bethel does not receive any compensation from the convenience fee.

Why don’t you accept VISA?

We regret that the VISA card network chooses not to participate in a higher education convenience fee-based program. 

How long will it take for a payment to be posted to my account and holds removed?

Payments that are made online will post to your Bethel student account immediately. This process should take only a few seconds, although during peak times it may take up to a minute or two. In the case where financial holds are in place and the payment amount is enough to satisfy the balance due, the holds will automatically be released upon payment.

Why don’t I see my Child Development Center or Seminary Village rental fees on my bill?

Child Development Center and Seminary Village rental accounts have not yet been transferred to the online payment suite.  Until then you can continue to make your Child Development Center and Seminary Village rental payments by the same methods used in the past.

How can parents, spouses, and others view and pay the student’s bill?

Students can authorize parents, spouses, or others to access and/or pay their account. To authorize other users, students should go through Blink (Student Services tab > My Bethel Account > Online Payment > Authorize Users) and follow the instructions. After a user has been authorized, that person will receive an email with further instructions.

Do you accept payments from non-United States bank accounts?

No. All online payments must be debited from a U.S. bank account. We cannot accept online payments from a foreign bank account.