Accepted Payment Types

CSUSM Accepted Payment Types

Cash, Cashier’s Checks, and Money Orders

Can be processed by cashiers at Student Financial Services. Cashier’s check should be payable to “CSUSM” or “California State University San Marcos”. You must include Student ID number on any check or money order to ensure proper processing.

Personal Checks

Make checks payable to “CSUSM” or “California State University San Marcos”.  Please include your 9-digit student identification number in the reference field to ensure payment is posted properly. Personal checks can be processed by any cashier at Student Financial Services. The amount of the personal check may not exceed the amount due on the student account at the time of payment and CSUSM is not permitted to process. Returned checks will incur a $20 fee. Financial hold removal may be delayed when payment is made via personal check, in order to allow time for the check to clear with your bank.

Credit Cards

CSUSM accepts MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover card payments up to the amount owed on the student account at the time of payment. A 2.65% convenience fee* applies to any credit card payment. Credit card payments can be made only via a student’s Student Center (accessible from MyCSUSM). Credit card payments are not accepted in-person at Student Financial Services.

*The 2.65% convenience fee is a fee assessed by the credit card processor, not CSUSM. As of December 24, 2020, the convenience fee was reduced from 2.75% to 2.65%.

Foreign Currency Payments

Foreign currency payments can be made via a student’s Student Center (accessible from MyCSUSM). When selecting payment method online, choose “International Payment/Flywire” to make a wire-transfer payment. While there is no additional fee for this service, currency exchange rates will be considered automatically, as part of the online process.

Trusts, College Savings, 529 Plans

If you are making a payment from a college savings plan, it is highly recommended to request your payment at least 30 days prior to the due date. It is important to include your 9-digit CSUSM student ID number as the account number to ensure payment can be posted appropriately.

Payment Methods

Online – MyCSUSM/Student Center

• E-Check – CSUSM’s recommended payment method. E-Check payments can be made via Student Center (accessible from MyCSUSM). There are no additional fees for E-Check payments. Be sure to verify your bank account and routing numbers to ensure proper posting of your payment. Errors will result in a non-refundable $20 dishonored payment fee.
  
  
• Credit Card – Credit card payments can be made online via Student Center (accessible from MyCSUSM).  A 2.65% nonrefundable convenience fee* is assessed for all credit card payments.
  Note: Credit card payments cannot be accepted over the phone, or in-person at Student Financial Services.
  *Convenience fee is a fee charged by the card processor, not CSUSM
  
  
• Debit Card – Debit card payments can be made online via Student Center (accessible from MyCSUSM) or in-person. Debit card payments cannot be accepted over the phone. A 2.65% nonrefundable convenience fee* is assessed for all debit card payments.
  
  *Convenience fee is a fee charged by the card processor, not CSUSM
  
  
• Foreign Currency Payment – Foreign currency payments can be made in your Student Center. Upon clicking the “Make a Payment” button, you will arrive in our third-party payment processor. After indicating the amount you want to pay, select “International Payment/Flywire” as your payment option. There are no additional charges for foreign currency payments

In Person Payments

Cougar Central is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm for check, debit card, and cash payments.  (Credit card payments are not accepted in Cougar Central, but can be made online.)

After business hours, you can drop a check or money order payment off in the Student Financial Services drop box located on the wall just outside of Cougar Central.

 

• Personal or Cashier’s Check and Money Orders – Be sure to have your student ID or picture ID ready when making a payment at the cashier counter.
  
  
• Debit Card – Be sure to have your student ID or picture ID ready when making a payment at the cashier counter.  If your banking institution reserves a daily limit for debit card transactions, please ensure you reach out to your bank to increase the daily limit prior to making payment at the cashiers counter.
  Note:  While debit cards are accepted in-person, we cannot process credit cards in-person.

• US Mail - It is highly recommended to allow at least 10 business days when mailing payments to avoid any delays and missing a payment deadline. If you would like to mail a personal check, 529 plan payment, trust, money order, or other payment by check, please send to: