Staring down an $8,000 (or even higher) tuition bill this fall? With everything you’ve got going on as a student, including new classes, housing, textbooks, and maybe even a part-time job, figuring out how to pay tuition shouldn’t be another headache. And yet, it usually is. 

Think about the typical options: 

• Online banking or bill pay? Sure, there are no fees, but no rewards either. Plus, it can take up to 5 business days to process.

• Interac e-Transfer? Convenient for small payments, but your bank might limit how much you send at once. And many schools won’t accept it for your full tuition.  

• Bank draft or certified cheque? Accepted almost everywhere, but who writes cheques anymore? It’s inconvenient, outdated, and earns you zero rewards. 

• Cash or debit? Fast, but risky and impractical for large amounts. And again, zero rewards. 

Every traditional method either delays the process, limits your flexibility, or costs you potential rewards.

Enter Chexy.

Chexy lets you pay tuition with your credit card. You can earn points or cashback, build credit, and skip the massive fees charged by other payment processors. It’s fast, easy, and built for how students actually manage money today.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to pay your tuition with a credit card in Canada, and why Chexy is the smarter way to do it.

Can You Pay Tuition with a Credit Card in Canada?

Yes, you can pay tuition with your credit card, even if your school doesn’t accept credit card payments directly. 

With Chexy, you can use your rewards credit card to cover tuition while paying lower fees than traditional processors. You’ll earn points or cashback, build your credit, and avoid the hassle of outdated payment methods. It’s one of the smartest, easiest ways to pay for school.

Can International Students Pay Tuition with a Credit Card in Canada?

Yes, they can. With Chexy, all students, including international students, can pay tuition using a credit card. 

Since international tuition fees are often much higher than domestic rates, putting that large expense on a rewards credit card is a smart way to earn points or cashback on money you’re already spending. 

Just keep an eye on your credit limit. For example, if your tuition is $12,000, but your card limit is $10,000, you’ll need to either request a credit limit increase or split the payment across multiple cards or billing cycles.  

How to Pay for College Tuition with a Credit Card

Paying tuition with a credit card is easy. Here’s how you can do so with Chexy:

1. Sign up or log in to your Chexy account. 

2. Select “Set up a one-time payment.”

3. Select Childcare and Education as the payment category. 

4. Choose your college or university’s payee name and enter your account number. 

5. Enter the amount you owe, select your card, and submit the payment. 

How Does the Payment Get Sent? 

1. After adding your tuition payment, Chexy automatically charges your credit card. 

2. The funds make their way to your Chexy Wallet. 

3. Chexy sends your payment 3 business days later. 

Because payments take 3 business days to process, please ensure you send your payment before the due date. 

What Are the Fees to Pay Tuition with a Credit Card?

Chexy only charges a 1.75% fee for Visa and American Express credit cards. This is the lowest fee in Canada, compared to every other third-party payment processor. 

Here’s how much it’ll cost you to pay $8,000 in tuition with your credit card using Chexy vs. other third-party companies:

As you can see, Chexy saves you up to 1.15% in fees, or $92 on an $8,000 tuition payment, making it the obvious choice. Not only that, but you have the chance to earn some serious cashback or rewards points, depending on your credit card.

Why Pay Tuition with a Credit Card?

Paying tuition with a credit card offers several financial advantages beyond just convenience. If you need convincing, here are a few reasons why you should put that tuition payment on your credit card:

Earn Credit Card Rewards 

Tuition is one of the largest expenses you’ll face as a student. Why not get something back for it? Whether your credit card offers cashback, travel points, or Aeroplan rewards, putting your tuition on your credit card through Chexy lets you earn rewards on money you’re already spending. 

The credit card you use will depend on your situation, but here are three of our top picks to get the most out of your tuition payments: 

Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite 

• Best for: Cashback 

• Earns 4% cashback (up to $25,000 annually)

With an $8,000 tuition payment, you’ll earn $180 in net cashback after Chexy fees. 

American Express Aeroplan Reserve

• Best for: Earning Aeroplan points 

• Earns 1.25x Aeroplan points (worth 2.1 cents each when redeemed for flights)

With an $8,000 tuition payment, you’ll earn 10,000 Aeroplan points or $70 in net value after Chexy fees. 

American Express Cobalt 

• Best for: Everyday rewards 

• Earns 1x Amex MR points (worth on average 2.2 cents per point) 

With an $8,000 tuition payment, you’ll earn about $36 in net value in travel or perks. 

Want to lower your Chexy fees and boost your rewards? Invite your friends with our referral program and earn even more when someone signs up. 

Lower Fees (With Chexy)

Most schools don’t accept credit cards, or if they do, they charge sky-high processing fees (often between 2.5% and 3.5%!). But when you use Chexy, you can pay with your credit card and still keep fees low. 

It’s a win-win: you keep more money in your pocket and you earn rewards. 

Build Your Credit 

Responsible credit use can help build your credit score. The earlier you start, the better. Paying your tuition with a credit card and paying it off on time each month helps you establish a strong credit history while you're still in school, setting you up for future financial success.

Avoid Unnecessary Student Loans

Sometimes, student loans are unavoidable. But if you have the cash on hand or access to family support, using a credit card to float your tuition payment (and paying it off in full by the due date) could help you avoid taking out student loans you don’t really need. This means less debt and less stress after graduation. 

Which Universities and Colleges Can You Pay Tuition with a Credit Card? 

With Chexy, you can use your credit card to pay tuition at nearly every major university and college in Canada, including:

Ontario:

• University of Toronto 

• Toronto Metropolitan University

• York University 

• Queen’s University 

• University of Waterloo

• Western University 

• McMaster University 

• University of Guelph 

• Brock University 

• Wilfred Laurier University 

• Conestoga College

• Humber Polytechnic

• George Brown College

• Fanshawe College

• Centennial College 

• Niagara College 

Quebec:

• McGill University 

• Concordia University 

• University of Montreal 

• University of Sherbrooke

British Columbia: 

• University of British Columbia

• Simon Fraser University 

• University of Victoria 

• Capilano University 

Alberta:

• University of Alberta

• University of Calgary

• University of Lethbridge 

All other provinces:

• Dalhousie University

• Acadia University 

• University of Manitoba

• University of Saskatchewan

• St. Stephen’s University

• Memorial University of Newfoundland 

• University of Prince Edward Island 

When Do You Pay for College Tuition?

Most Canadian universities and colleges have tuition due dates just before the start of each term, usually in late August/early September for the Fall term and early January for Winter. Some also have Summer or Spring deadlines, especially for accelerated or continuing ed programs.

Because Chexy takes up to 3 business days to process and deliver your payment, we recommend submitting your payment at least 5–7 calendar days before the due date, just to be safe.

Check with your post-secondary institution for the exact tuition due dates. Alternatively, find your school's tuition deadline here.

Ready to level up your tuition payments? With Chexy, you can pay tuition using your credit card, earn rewards, build credit, and save on fees. Get started with Chexy today.