Wire transfers
For payments drawn on foreign banks, the University recommends a wire transfer as the most efficient method of payment.
Columbia University contracts with Convera (formerly Western Union), Flywire, and PayMyTuition to offer students three streamlined options for making payments to a Student Account by wire transfer. Flywire, PayMyTuition, and Western Union offer a competitive rate of exchange and the convenience of being able to make payments in many international currencies through a local bank.
Keep in Mind
- A new set of wire instructions is required for each new wire payment.
- Wire instructions and the associated currency exchange rate expire after 72 hours.
- There is a limit of $115,000 per term that can be paid via this method.
- Columbia University does not charge any fees for these services. However, your bank may impose a service fee to initiate the wire transfer. Additionally, a processing fee will be charged for transactions that cannot be deposited through normal bank channels.
- If you are not enrolled in courses for the semester and you send a payment via wire transfer, those funds will be returned to their point of origin.
Pay via Convera (formerly Western Union)
- 1. Log into Columbia's Student Services Online to begin the payment process.
- 2. In the "Your Account" section, click on “Account Detail and E-Billing.” You will be taken to the "Accounts" page.
- 3. In the "E-Bill Information" section, click “View E-Bill and Pay by E-Check, Payment Plan or Wire.” You will be taken to the "View & Pay Accounts" page on Columbia's secure QuikPay site.
- 4. In the "Student Account Payment Details" box, click the gray “Make Payment” button. You will be taken to the "Enter Payment Amount" page.
- 5. Enter your payment amount and select "International Payments" as your payment method. Click the "Continue" button. You will be taken to the "International Wire Transfer" page.
- 6. Select "Convera" as your payment vendor. Click the "Continue" button. You will be taken to the "Payment" page for Columbia students on the Convera site.
- 7. From the drop-down menu, select the country you are paying from. The payment options available to you will open on the same page. (Convera offers multiple forms of payment, depending on which country you are paying from.)
- 8. Depending on your payment method, you may receive further instructions on how to complete the payment process.
- 9. For Convera payments you can contact their support team at studentsupport@convera.com.
Pay via Flywire
- 1. Log into Columbia's Student Services Online to begin the payment process.
- 2. In the "Your Account" section, click on “Account Detail and E-Billing.” You will be taken to the "Accounts" page.
- 3. In the "E-Bill Information" section, click “View E-Bill and Pay by E-Check, Payment Plan or Wire.” You will be taken to the "View & Pay Accounts" page on Columbia's secure QuikPay site.
- 4. In the "Student Account Payment Details" box, click the gray “Make Payment” button. You will be taken to the "Enter Payment Amount" page.
- 5. Enter your payment amount and select "International Payments" as your payment method. Click the "Continue" button. You will be taken to the "International Wire Transfer" page.
- 6. Select "Flywire" as your payment vendor. Click the "Continue" button. You will be taken to the "Payment" page for Columbia students on the Flywire site.
- 7. From the drop-down menu, select the country you are paying from. The payment options available to you will open on the same page. (Flywire offers multiple forms of payment, depending on which country you are paying from.)
- 8. You will be prompted to create a new Flywire account or sign into an existing account. Enter your payment details, including contact, payment, student, and payer information. Click the "Continue with Payment" button and you will receive confirmation of your payment booking.
- 9. Depending on your payment method, you may receive further instructions on how to complete the payment process.
- 10. Track your payment from start to finish with your student dashboard. You can contact Flywire’s customer support team at any time using the information on Flywire's "Contact Us" page.
Pay via PayMyTuition
- 1. Log into Columbia's Student Services Online to begin the payment process.
- 2. In the "Your Account" section, click on “Account Detail and E-Billing.” You will be taken to the "Accounts" page.
- 3. In the "E-Bill Information" section, click “View E-Bill and Pay by E-Check, Payment Plan or Wire.” You will be taken to the "View & Pay Accounts" page on Columbia's secure QuikPay site.
- 4. In the "Student Account Payment Details" box, click the gray “Make Payment” button. You will be taken to the "Enter Payment Amount" page.
- 5. Enter your payment amount and select "International Payments" as your payment method. Click the "Continue" button. You will be taken to the "International Wire Transfer" page.
- 6. Select "PayMyTuition" as your payment vendor. Click the "Continue" button. You will be taken to the "Payment" page for Columbia students on the PayMyTuition site.
- 7. From the drop-down menu, select the country you are paying from. The payment options available to you will open on the same page. (PayMyTuition offers multiple forms of payment, depending on which country you are paying from.)
- 8. Enter your payment details, including payer, payment, student, and identification information. Click the "Continue Payment" button and you will receive confirmation of your payment booking.
- 9. Depending on your payment method, you may receive further instructions on how to complete the payment process.
- 10. Track your payment from start to finish with your student dashboard. You can contact PayMyTuition’s customer support team at support@paymytuition.com or call 1.855.663.6839.