One of the sectors that’s most severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic is the educational sector.
That includes the Philippines’ numerous schools, colleges, and universities. Administrators of these
institutions are currently grappling with the challenges of leading off-campus learning. In addition,
simple tasks related to enrollment, such as paying tuition on campus, are now harder to implement
because of the need for social distancing.
The challenges of COVID-19 will surely be passed on in the coming years. It will not be as easy to enroll in school as it used to be. And yet, many Filipino families are still willing to invest in quality education. As long as schools have willing students, they should do all they can to make the enrollment process easier and more inclusive. That includes the payment of tuition and other fees, which are essential for the continued operations of the schools themselves.
If students and their parents have safe, convenient, and dependable choices for their tuition payment,
they are more likely to push through with enrollment. This is something you should consider carefully if you are part of a school, college, or university administration. There are several good options that you can recommend to your school’s constituents. Here are five of the safest and most expedient tuition payment methods.
Traditional Bank Deposit or Check Payment to the School’s Official Bank Accounts
One of the easiest methods for Filipino families to pay tuition is via bank deposit or check payment to
the school’s official bank account. This is likely the option that the student or their parent would choose if they have accounts from the same bank. Tuition payments can be done at the nearest branch or through the bank’s proprietary online banking system. If your institution has more than one bank account to its name, make sure this information is known to the students’ parents. Disseminate your schools’ bank account details during registration time, and have protocols ready for confirming
payments made via bank deposit or check.
Payment on the Official School Website or App through Maya Checkout
Payments for tuition may also be coursed through the school’s official website or dedicated app. This
payment method is possible thanks to Maya Checkout, which can be added on to either of these
online portals. Maya Checkout will allow your school’s website or app to accept credit card, debit
card, or e-wallet tuition payments just like an online store would. You will just need the advice of your
school’s IT team about which Checkout plugin to use for your app or site (Woocomerce, Shopify, or
Magento).
Issuance of Invoices for School Fees with Maya Digital Invoice
Another digital payment solution that you can use as a tuition payment instrument is Maya Digital
Invoice. Just like a business would issue a customer invoice, your school can issue parents or adult students digital invoices of their own. These invoices can be sent by email and contain a specific
breakdown of the student’s tuition and other fees. The digital invoice can also come with a link that
allows for quick online payment. If the family chooses to make staggered payments throughout the
school year, you can also use Maya Digital Invoice to remind them of upcoming payment deadlines.
Safe Contactless Payment with the Maya ONE All-in-One Payment Device
If your campus is physically open, and if students or their parents are willing to make the trip to the
campus, you can offer in-person payment. Safe and contactless payments are possible through the use of the Maya ONE payment device. The machine will accept credit, debit, and prepaid card
payments made by swiping, dipping, or tapping the cards into the payment terminal, but it can also
accept contactless payment methods as well. These include Near Field Communication (NFC) payments made by mobile wallets and QR code payments done with the student or parent’s smartphone. This should prove helpful for students and parents who are still very conscious about touching potentially contaminated surfaces.
Cash Payments via Payment Center or Business Center
Yet another useful option for those who are willing to leave their homes is paying via payment center or business center. Either the student or the parent can visit a mall’s dedicated payment center or business center and pay tuition in cash. This can be done at the same time they pay their other household bills, such as for electricity and water. Several local universities already have partnerships with all-in-one payment centers at retail establishments. You can follow their example and set this payment option up for your own school.
Final Words: Towards Organized, Efficient, and Inclusive Payment Systems for Filipino Students
In addition to a variety of payment methods, you may also want to provide your pupils with staggered payment options. Given the state of the local labor economy, some parents and working students may have a hard time paying a large one-time sum. It may be possible to let them pay in smaller installments with minimal additional fees.
Despite the circumstances, Filipino families are depending on your school to deliver quality education. Keep your educational institution's enrollment figures up by making the payment process as organized, efficient, and accessible as possible.
Best of luck in forming the finest young minds and making sure that your school’s values always live on!
