The University of Prince Edward Island has recently decided to discontinue credit cards as a method of tuition payment, sparking some anxiety among the student body.

“We have a budget task force here, and we’ve been looking at ways to save money and that’s one place where we could make some savings,” Anne McCallum, media and communications officer at UPEI, acknowledged. She explained this is one of many other initiatives the university is undertaking to save costs.

McCallum acknowledged some misinformation and worry has been spread about the discontinuation, especially from the UPEI Student Union. She underscored the changes will not be implemented until July 2010.

“We’ve given students more than a year’s notice on this so it’s not like we’re bringing it in suddenly,” McCallum said.

She explained the university will put in alternative arrangements for students to pay electronically through internet banking to make it as convenient as possible to pay tuition.

According to McCallum, many universities are taking the measure, and some have never accepted credit card payments.

“[Western] does not allow you to pay for tuition with credit cards. It’s incredibly cost-inefficient for a university to allow it,” Dan Moulton, vice-president university affairs for Western’s University Students’ Council, said.

Moulton explained Western has been flexible in providing alternative options for payment to students with Financial Aid Services, finding students loans and awarding bursaries and grants.

“I think most students should recognize credit cards aren’t the best way to pay for education,” Moulton added.

On the other hand, Moulton suggested universities have to be realistic about students’ abilities to pay for their education.

“I think this leads into the bigger picture of what students face with the costs of education,” Moulton said.