Accepting Credit Card Payments
Customer Account Services oversees the university's credit card operations and has developed guidelines for campus merchants who wish to accept credit cards as payment for goods and services. This section addresses Payment Card Industry (PCI) Compliance, the university's Cardholder Data Security Policy, establishing a campus merchant ID, as well as the nuances of credit card processing on NDSU’s campus.
PCI Compliance
The Payment Card Industry (PCI) has adopted security standards that mandate the proper handling, processing, and storing of cardholder data as it relates to credit card acceptance. These standards were developed by VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express for merchants who accept their cards as forms of payment. In turn, the standards are enforced by these entities to protect payment card users from identity theft and other information security vulnerabilities. PCI Compliance applies to e-commerce, mail/telephone order, and card-present transactions.
Credit Card Policy
Customer Account Services (as part of the Finance and Administration division) and Information Technology have partnered to achieve and maintain credit card acceptance compliance at NDSU. In connection with this effort, a University Policy governing cardholder data security has been created to assist our community with safeguarding this sensitive information. Adherence to this policy is mandatory for all employees of NDSU that wish to accept credit cards on behalf of their department. Please view NDSU Policy (509) on Electronic Financial Transactions. The policy, corresponding procedure and NDSU’s Incident Response Plan for credit card security breaches are also linked at the bottom of this page.
Card Acceptance Options
There are several card acceptance options that are available to NDSU departments, depending on the need.
Online Credit Card Processing
NDSU’s official approved online payment application is Nelnet Storefront. It is intended as an all-in-one registration or shopping page. All registration/product information and the payment—is all securely collected within Storefront.
In the event Storefront is not a viable option, other third-party vendors may be requested by submitting the Department Request to Process Credit Card Payments Online. This is in addition to contract approval with Purchasing and/or Software agreements with Information Technology. Requests are subject to approval by Finance and Administration and IT Security.
Business/Corporate Customers with charges posted in Campus Connection have the option to pay their charges online. Please see: Credit Card Payments from Corporate Customers
In Person Credit Card Processing
The simplest and most cost-effective method of processing in person payments, is by utilizing a card swipe machine purchased from Bank of North Dakota (or, if it is only needed on a temporary basis, rented from Customer Account Services). If your department would like to request a credit card swipe machine, please complete the Credit Card Application for Cellular Credit Card Terminal form.
Any employees responsible for processing/receiving cardholder data must complete the appropriate Credit Card Training module. This is done through Vector.
Other options for processing in-person payments must be discussed and vetted by Customer Account Services and IT Security. Reach out to begin the vetting process.