There is a service fee if you pay by debit or credit card. The fee is 3.28% of the amount being paid and is added to your debit or credit card. A minimum fee of $1.32 applies. There is no service fee if you choose to pay by electronic check (ACH).

• In reviewing the costs of bank card usage, we have found that credit/debit card fees have increased dramatically in the last several years. These costs must be accounted for in the GCC budget. This change will benefit GCC and students by enabling the college to allocate the savings to other areas in critical need of funding.
• GCC is partnering with ACI Worldwide to offer online on-time payments. The service fee covers the cost of processing the payment transaction and security compliance and certifications requirements that ensure the protection of sensitive and personal consumer data.
• We are consistently working to keep costs down while maintaining high quality programs and services. While credit and debit card payments are a convenient way to pay your tuition and fee bill, the cost to provide this convenience has grown substantially. The change in vendors allows us to reduce costs while continuing to provide a variety of payment options to meet your needs.

The ACH payment method allows you the option of paying by eCheck. Enter your bank account routing number and account number in the fields provided. This payment method is free of charge. Although it cost the College $1.73 per eCheck processed, we will not pass on this fee to our students and the college will absorb this fee in order to offer our students the option of choosing this fee-free alternative to credit and debit card payments. In-person cash and check payments are also accepted. Service fees are not charged for cash or check payments.

NOTE: If your eCheck is rejected due to insufficient funds in your account, it will be treated like a bounced check. A $15 returned check fee will apply for each insufficient funds eCheck processed.

The changes in your credit/debit payment structure are similar to those that have been adopted by many entities across the country where online credit and debit card payments are made available through a third-party processor who assesses a service fee for processing the payment. The service fee goes directly to the third-party processor to cover the fees charged by the credit and debit card companies. GCC does not keep any of these fees.

GCC has contracted with ACI Worldwide (formerly Official Payments), a trusted third-party payments processing provider for the Internal Revenue Service, state government, and colleges and universities. ACI Worldwide maintains PCI-DSS Level 1 certification as well as NACHA, FERPA, and GLB compliance. ACI Worldwide is a licensed money transmitter in all states requiring such and adheres to state, federal, and banking security rules and regulations, and undergoes yearly security audits.

• GCC strongly urges our students to give careful thought, consideration, and budget planning before paying your bill with a credit card. Especially, if you plan to only make your minimum monthly payment toward your credit card bill. It is always wise to only use credit cards when you know you will be able to pay the balance in full before accruing high interest charges and/or late penalties.
• Avoid long-term, high-interest debt whenever possible. If you’ve been offered student educational loans such as Direct Loans awarded through our Financial Aid Office, we urge you to weigh options and compare interest rates before paying your tuition and fee charges with a credit card. Student loan interest rates are typically much lower than credit card interest rates. Check with our Financial Aid Office to obtain the latest student loan interest rates and repayment periods.
• Keep in mind, if you are eligible for student loans, in order to defer payment of your tuition and fee payment while your loan is in process, you must be officially offered the loans by our Financial Aid Office; you must accept them on or prior to the due date of your bill; and, you must be awarded enough loan funds to cover your entire account balance. Otherwise, you must pay in full the amount not covered by student loans by the due date, regardless of the payment method you choose.