How to Make Hassle-Free Tuition Payments with Your Credit Card

Most parents consider education to be the best thing they can leave their children. Most Filipinos see a good education as a ticket to success and a lifetime shield against poverty. Thus, parents do their best to send their kids to the best learning institutions, regardless of their economic status.

However, paying for tuition, miscellaneous expenses, and other school fees in cash can be difficult. So is paying tuition with a credit card possible? 

If you’re a parent or the breadwinner of your family, here’s what you should know about paying school fees with your credit card.

Can I Pay Tuition with a Credit Card in the Philippines? 

Yes, you can use a credit card to pay tuition and other school fees in most learning institutions in the Philippines. Of course, with this mode of payment, your credit limit must be enough to pay for the amount required. 

Fortunately, most schools and colleges offer affordable and flexible monthly, quarterly, and annual tuition fee payments. 

Advantages of Paying Tuition with a Credit Card

It’s better to pay for tuition in cash so you won’t have to worry about the credit card bill later, but it's not always possible. If you’re short on cash and want a quick, hassle-free option, you can always charge it to your credit card.  

Here are more benefits to paying tuition with a credit card:

👍 Installment Payments 

With a card, parents can settle all school fees and repay in installments. The mode of repayment highly depends on the terms and conditions set by the credit card issuer.

👍 Convenience

Pay the full tuition and other fees without having to carry wads of cash. Depending on your child’s school, you can visit once and swipe your card for payment, pay online using the school’s financial information via a payment gateway, or enroll the school as one of your credit card billers.

👍 Affordability

Most credit card issuers charge a low monthly add-on rate for installments. However, you need to check if the school requires additional fees when you pay with a credit card instead of cash or check. Some schools may charge processing fees on top of your total payable amount.

👍 Rewards 

Depending on the credit card, you can earn points, miles, or cashback when paying for tuition. If you have a new credit card with a sizable spending requirement for a welcome gift, you can also use it to pay your child’s tuition.

You’ll be able to pay in affordable installments—and get rewards or a free welcome gift at the same time!

Disadvantages of Paying Tuition with a Credit Card

Some credit cardholders opt not to use their credit cards to pay for tuition because it exposes them to debt and other disadvantages:

👎 Low Credit Limit

If your credit limit is too low, you won’t be able to pay the tuition fee in full. Even if you settle your outstanding balance, your credit limit may still be insufficient. 

You can request an increase in credit limit from your bank, although this is subject to approval. Otherwise, you can use it to pay other school fees and miscellaneous expenses for a whole school year.

👎 No Credit Card Payments

Some learning institutions, such as small schools in provincial areas, accept only traditional modes of payment, such as cash and check. You may have to make a cash advance on your credit card, which will incur additional charges and fees. 

👎 Not All Credit Cards are Accepted 

Some schools and colleges prefer or accept certain credit cards only. It can be a hassle if they’re provider-specific, like BPI or Metrobank credit cards only, or network-specific, like Visa or Mastercard only.

Schools That Accept Credit Card Tuition Fee Payments in the Philippines

Fortunately, many schools, colleges, and universities in the Philippines accept credit cards for tuition fee payments. Check out the table below, which lists such schools and colleges:

How to Pay Tuition with a Credit Card

Depending on the school, you may need to pay over the counter or through online payment channels with your credit card.

Swipe your credit card at the school’s point-of-sale terminal to pay over the counter. From there, call your bank to apply for conversion from straight purchase to installment. 

If you pay online, you may need to enroll the school as a biller first using your preferred online payment channel. After making a bill payment using your credit card, call your bank to apply for installment conversion. 

Lastly, you can pay with a credit card via the school’s online payment platform. Enter the amount and your credit card details, then confirm the transaction. Call your bank to apply for installment payments.

Credit Card Tuition Fee Promos You Can Avail Of

Make your tuition payment easier and lighter on the pocket through monthly installments. If you’re looking for credit card promos for tuition fees, here are just some of them:

✏️ UnionBank EasyCash

Use UnionBank’s EasyCash installment facility and get cash up to your available credit limit to pay tuition fees. You can pay for up to 60 months.

It’s quick, simple, and convenient—there are no documents required. UnionBank cardholders of good credit standing can apply in three ways: log in to your UnionBank Online account, contact UnionBank Installments at +63289814700, or click the unique link sent via email or SMS. 

If your application is approved, you will receive an email, SMS, or in-app notification. You can also check your UnionBank Online account under UnionBank EasyCash transactions. Funds will be credited to your UnionBank savings or checking account within three to five days from approval. 

UnionBank Rewards Credit Card

• 3x points for shopping and dining in the Philippines and overseas
• 1 point for other ₱30 spend

Read more: 

• Moneymax Reviews: How Rewarding is a UnionBank Rewards Credit Card?
• 17 UnionBank Credit Card Promos for New Cardholders, Travelers, More

✏️ Metrobank Credit Card Balance Conversion

With Metrobank Credit Card’s Balance Conversion feature, you can make paying tuition a breeze. Swipe your Metrobank credit card to convert your transaction into monthly installments of up to 60 months with a monthly add-on rate of just 1%. 

A minimum transaction of ₱6,000 is required to avail of the balance conversion. Call 88-700-700 or the domestic toll-free number at 1-800-1-888-5775 to apply. 

Metrobank Titanium Mastercard^®

• 2x rewards points on dining, department store, and online purchases
• 1 point for other ₱20 spend

Metrobank Platinum Mastercard^®

• 1 rewards point for every ₱20 spend
• Up to 50% off on dining offers

Metrobank World Mastercard^®

• 3x rewards points for international spend
• 1 rewards point for other ₱20 spend

✏️ HSBC Balance Build: Tuition

Can you pay tuition with a credit card from HSBC? Yes, definitely!  

HSBC’s Balance Build: Tuition^[1] allows you to pay using your HSBC credit card at monthly interest rates of 1.25% for six months and 0.75% for 12 and 24 months. 

HSBC Red Mastercard

• 4x rewards points on online, shopping, dining, and overseas spend
• 1 rewards point for other ₱20 spend

✏️ BPI Special Installment Plans at Partner Schools

Use your BPI credit card to avail of the Special Installment Plan^[2] and enjoy easier installments. Avail of up to 100% of your credit limit and get a monthly add-on rate of 0.75% for 24 months. 

BPI credit cardholders in good standing can avail of this installment plan.

BPI Rewards Card

• 1 BPI Point for every ₱35 spend
• Free travel insurance of up to ₱2 million

BPI Gold Rewards Card

• 1 BPI Point for every ₱35 spend
• Free travel insurance of up to ₱10 million

BPI Amore Cashback Card

• Cashback for every ₱1,000 local spend:
  • 4% cashback on supermarkets
  • 1% on drug stores and utilities
  • 0.3% on other local spend

BPI Signature Card

• 2 BPI Points for every ₱20 spend
• 50% off Signature deals

Related: Top 11 BPI Credit Card Perks: Why You Should Make the Switch Today

✏️ EastWest Installment Payment on Tuition

Charge tuition payments and miscellaneous school expenses on your EastWest credit card and pay for up to 12 months with a monthly add-on rate as low as 0.75%.^[3] 

Avail of the installment facility at the following accredited schools: 

• Colegio de San Juan de Letran (Intramuros, Manila)
• Immaculate Conception Academy (San Juan, Greenhills)
• St. Paul University (Quezon City)
• Xavier School (San Juan and Nuvali)

This offer is open to all EastWest credit cardholders of good standing. Upon payment, simply inform the registrar you will be availing of installment payments. 

EastWest Dolce Vita Titanium Mastercard

• 1 Charm for every ₱100 spend
• Benefits and special privileges at different beauty, health, and wellness merchants

Related: 16 Exclusive Perks and Promos for EastWest Credit Cardholders in 2024

✏️ Security Bank SimplyPay

All Security Bank Mastercard credit cardholders can avail of Security Bank’s SimplyPay facility, which has up to ₱500,000 credit limit. Pay in installments for up to 12 months at a low monthly add-on rate of 1%. Aside from paying tuition fees, you can also use this feature to pay insurance premiums, hospital bills, utility bills, and even rent. 

For straight payments, the minimum transaction is ₱1,000, while it’s ₱3,000 for installment payments. To apply for SimplyPay, complete the online application form.^[4] Alternatively, call the Security Bank Customer Service hotline at +632 8887 9188.

You’ll get a notification via SMS or email whether your application is approved or declined in about six days.

Security Bank Gold Mastercard

• 1 rewards point for every ₱20 spend
• Secure online shopping with SecureCode

✏️ RCBC Unli 0% and Unli Installment

If you have an RCBC credit card, you can convert your straight single-receipt purchases, including tuition payments, to installments. Avail of the 0% installment for three months. For longer payment terms of six to 36 months, enjoy a low monthly add-on rate of 1%.^[5] 

There’s no minimum amount required to qualify for the conversion. Moreover, there’s no limit to the number of times you can use this feature. 

Avail of the 0%/Unli Installment quickly and easily via the RCBC Pulz App.

RCBC Classic Mastercard

• Non-expiring rewards points
• Free budget monitoring tools

RCBC Flex Gold Visa

• 2x rewards points on three preferred categories
• Exchange rewards points for shopping vouchers or redeem as cash rebates

RCBC Visa Infinite 

• Up to 5x rewards points on online and overseas purchases
• Complimentary Priority Pass™ membership

✏️ Pay Tuition Fees with Ease with PNB

Got a PNB credit card? Pay tuition fees in a straight charge and convert it into installment payments with PNB’s Transaction Conversion promo.^[6] 

Principal cardholders in good credit standing can avail of the offer. Charge a minimum of ₱10,000 and pay for up to three months at 0% interest. All straight local, online, and foreign transactions under the Schools and Universities merchant category are qualified for this promo, which runs until August 31, 2024. 

There’s a processing fee of ₱250. Note that only new transactions on your latest SOA are eligible for the promo. 

PNB Ze-Lo Mastercard

• No late payment or overlimit fees
• Low finance charge

PNB Visa Classic

• 1% rebate on revolved interest
• Card Protect feature

PNB-PAL Mabuhay Miles NOW

• 1 point = 1 mile
• Exclusive year-round PAL online discount

Read more: Discounts, Deals, and More: 16 PNB Credit Card Promos for 2024

Final Thoughts

Paying tuition with a credit card is possible if you have a high credit limit. Consider this option if you have problems getting cash at the moment but can easily make installments later. 

Moreover, you get to enjoy the convenience of cashless payments, whether over the counter or online. Credit card payments can also help you earn more rewards points and rebates. 

Meanwhile, personal loans are an excellent alternative to credit cards if you need to pay upfront for tuition. Compare personal loan options for free and apply through Moneymax today!

Provider	Loan Amount	Monthly Add-on Rate	Loan Term	Minimum Annual Income	Approval Time
UnionBank Personal Loan	Up to ₱2 million	26.9% per annum	12 to 60 months	₱250,000	As fast as 5 minutes
UNO Digital Bank Personal Loan	₱10,000 to ₱500,000	1.79% per month (corresponds to annual contractual rates or annual percentage rates ranging from 35.78% to 37.54%)	Six to 36 months	₱240,000	Five to seven banking days
Metrobank Personal Loan	₱20,000 to ₱2 million	1.25% to 1.75%	36 months	₱350,000	Seven banking days
BPI Personal Loan	₱20,000 to  ₱3 million	Maximum annual contractual rate of 28.67%	12 to 36 months	Inquire with BPI	Five to seven banking days
Tonik Credit Builder	₱5,000 to  ₱20,000	4.84%	Six to 12 months	Inquire with Tonik	Two banking days
Tala	₱1,000 to ₱25,000	0.43% daily	Up to 61 days	None	Five minutes to 24 hours
HSBC Personal Loan	₱30,000 to ₱500,000	0.65%	Six to 36 months	₱168,000	Five to seven banking days
CIMB Personal Loan	₱30,000 to ₱1 million	As low as 0.83%	12 to 60 months	₱180,000	One to two banking days
Maybank Personal Loan	Up to ₱1 million	1.3%	Up to 36 months	₱300,000	Inquire with Maybank
RCBC Bank Personal Loan	₱50,000 to ₱1 million	1.3%	Six to 36 months	₱360,000	5 to 7 banking days
PSBank Personal Loan	₱20,000 to ₱250,000	42.88% Effective Interest Rate per annum for a 24-month term (term loan) 41.29% Effective Interest Rate per annum for a 36-month term (Term Loan) 34.49% Effective Interest Rate per annum for 12 months (Revolving Loan	24 or 36 months	₱180,000	Five to nine banking days

Sources:

• ^[1] HSBC Balance Build: Tuition
• ^[2] BPI Special Installment Plans at Partner Schools
• ^[3] EastWest 0.75% Interest on Installments
• ^[4] Security Bank SimplyPay Form
• ^[5] RCBC Unli 0% and Unli Installment
• ^[6] Convert your tuition fees into 0% installment with your PNB Credit Card!