Spring Break
UND to switch to plastic with new Pride card
New program will disperse excess financial aid quicker than direct deposit, other methods.
Megan Ewert
Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: News
The university will soon offer a new program with Higher One to help students get financial aid refunds faster with a UND Pride debit card.
Student Account Relations Manager Matt Lukach said that the marketing team and Student Account Services have been working to let students know about the changes. "We've been sending out U-mails with information, and we'll be sending out postcards to students' home addresses this summer," he said.
Getting the word out
Lisa Heher, assistant controller, said that students should expect to receive the postcards early in the summer. "The postcards will help remind students to update their addresses so that we know where to send the UND Pride cards," she said. "We don't give that information to Higher One so that the students can decide what they want."
Lukach added that there have been many approaches to the campaign. "We've also been putting out mailbox stuffers in the residence halls and campus apartments, and we'll be placing paper tents on the tables in the Union with information as well," she said.
The debit cards will first be sent to students currently enrolled for the fall semester in June or July. "There will be an initial batch for all current students," said Chelsea Larson, student account operations manager. "As students continue to enroll, we will continue to send out cards."
Heher stressed that students not throw away the debit cards when they receive them, regardless of whether or not they would like to use the card.
"When students get the card, they should go to undpridecard.com and select their preferences, whether it be the debit card or direct deposit, right away for their refunds," she said.
Larson said that students would receive automated emails in their U-mail account when the cards are mailed. "We want students to be informed of any changes, so we urge them to check their U-mail regularly," she said.
How it works
The debit card, free to all students, works out of an interest-free bank account with Higher One. If a student decides to use the card, they will receive their refund quicker than if they decided to go with direct deposit.
Student Account Relations Manager Matt Lukach said that the marketing team and Student Account Services have been working to let students know about the changes. "We've been sending out U-mails with information, and we'll be sending out postcards to students' home addresses this summer," he said.
Getting the word out
Lisa Heher, assistant controller, said that students should expect to receive the postcards early in the summer. "The postcards will help remind students to update their addresses so that we know where to send the UND Pride cards," she said. "We don't give that information to Higher One so that the students can decide what they want."
Lukach added that there have been many approaches to the campaign. "We've also been putting out mailbox stuffers in the residence halls and campus apartments, and we'll be placing paper tents on the tables in the Union with information as well," she said.
The debit cards will first be sent to students currently enrolled for the fall semester in June or July. "There will be an initial batch for all current students," said Chelsea Larson, student account operations manager. "As students continue to enroll, we will continue to send out cards."
Heher stressed that students not throw away the debit cards when they receive them, regardless of whether or not they would like to use the card.
"When students get the card, they should go to undpridecard.com and select their preferences, whether it be the debit card or direct deposit, right away for their refunds," she said.
Larson said that students would receive automated emails in their U-mail account when the cards are mailed. "We want students to be informed of any changes, so we urge them to check their U-mail regularly," she said.
How it works
The debit card, free to all students, works out of an interest-free bank account with Higher One. If a student decides to use the card, they will receive their refund quicker than if they decided to go with direct deposit.
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 12
Vivienne Crenshaw
posted 4/28/08 @ 1:52 PM CST
If The Dakota Student is going to write an article about this new card, it should be better researched and more thorough. The article should include relevant information about other fees (over and above the replacement card fee) which students could be subjected to if they are not diligent about how they use the card and about knowing what circumstances can cause them to incur fees. (Continued…)
JR
posted 4/28/08 @ 5:47 PM CST
What has gone unrevealed in all of this is how much UND is getting from the card company in consideration of granting it a monopoly on this service. $50K? $100K? $250K per year?
JB
posted 4/29/08 @ 7:00 PM CST
while it should be noted that this is OPTIONAL, UND sure is playing it up like its REQUIRED or else there is no other way to get your money. let me repeat that, YOUR money. (Continued…)
AD
posted 4/30/08 @ 4:04 AM CST
Yes, that was the intent. But the program was never fully switched over to direct deposit, because there were a fair number of students that didn't use that option. (Continued…)
DA
posted 5/01/08 @ 10:09 PM CST
AD - When do you intend to tell us about student boycott of Higher One at the Portland State University and Southern Oregon University a few years back ?
Vivienne Crenshaw
posted 5/02/08 @ 3:59 PM CST
The important point is that UND students need to be fully informed about fees -- either by the school or otherwise -- so they can make an intelligent choice. (Continued…)
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