Don’t pay with debit

Photo by Alex Sorrels

By Alex Sorrells / The Jambar

Starting Feb. 1, the Youngstown State University bursar’s office will no longer accept debit cards at the cashier window, making card payments available exclusively online with a small fee.

After revising debit-card policies, Susan Ewing, bursar at YSU, said outdated debit card equipment and the processes of other schools led to the decision.

“We looked to see what other schools were doing in the state of Ohio. Some schools do not accept in-person payments any longer,” Ewing said. “It was just time for YSU to take a look at that and see what we were doing.”

Ewing said the change will not negatively impact students as debit card payments are still available online.

“Any student who has a debit card also has a checking account, so they have the option of going online and making a payment through electronic check by putting in their nine-digit routing number and account number, and paying online at no cost,” Ewing said.

Cashier supervisor Donna Tarbet said online payments are user-friendly and allow for easier payment methods.

“They can pay online anytime. You could save your payment information so you don’t have to punch it in every time you want to make a payment,” Tarbet said. “They could also sign up for recurring payments … They don’t even have to go online to do it.”

During the transition period, Tarber said the bursar’s office has received positive feedback from visitors.

“They’re pretty happy when they realize they don’t have to come in,” Tarbet said. “They could do it anytime — from their room, from their phone, from their computer. They didn’t realize they didn’t have to come in to make the payment.”

Ewing said the Penguin Service Center has a partnership with PNC Bank, which offers free resources to students.

“We do collaborate with PNC. They offer free checking accounts to students here on campus,” Ewing said. “PNC also gives us financial wellness resources like articles and videos that are shared with the Division of Student Affairs, which shares that with the students.”

Ewing said the cashiers and Penguin Service Center are working to make the transition period seamless for students.

“We have our cashiers and Penguin Service Center who are working with students, making them aware and then they’re walking them through the process,” Ewing said.

In addition to in-person guidance, the Penguin Service Center offers a program to teach students about billing and financial aid.

“The Penguin Service Center has a program or training, called ‘Fund your Education,’ in that they are explaining to students the payment options in addition to going over their billing and their financial aid,” Ewing said.

The program may not be the only change coming to the bursar’s office this semester. Ewing said a new statement format for students is also in the works.

“When a student goes out and registers in a day, and if you don’t register at the same time, you will see multiple transactions on the same statement,” Ewing said. “We’re coming up with a process that all the activity in one day will be lumped together so that you’ll see fewer lines on your statement.”

The bursar’s office and the Penguin Service Center are located on the second floor of Meshel Hall.

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