Navigate to Stripe Configuration
From the Admin Dashboard, click Stripe Configuration.Test Mode vs. Live Mode
At the top of the Stripe Configuration page, you will see a Test Mode / Live Mode toggle.| Mode | What it does |
|---|---|
| Test Mode | Processes simulated payments only. No real money moves. Use this to verify your setup before going live. |
| Live Mode | Processes real payments from your students and families. Switch to this mode when you are ready to collect actual tuition. |
Connect your Stripe account
Click Start Onboarding
On the Stripe Configuration page, click Start Onboarding. This opens Stripe’s secure onboarding flow in a new window.
Create or connect a Stripe account
If you already have a Stripe account, sign in. Otherwise, create a new one. Stripe will guide you through the process.
Verify your identity
Stripe requires identity verification for compliance. Have your government-issued ID ready. Depending on your business type, Stripe may also ask for your Tax Identification Number (TIN) or Social Security Number (SSN).
Select your bank account
Enter your bank account details so Stripe knows where to deposit your payouts. You can add multiple bank accounts and change the default payout destination later from your Stripe Dashboard.
Stripe may ask for additional documentation if it cannot automatically verify your identity or business. Check your email after completing onboarding — Stripe will let you know if anything else is required.
Create recurring payment plans
Recurring payment plans let students pay tuition automatically on a schedule instead of all at once.Create a Program
In the Stripe Configuration section, go to Tuition Plans and click Create Program. A Program is a container for related pricing plans (for example,
Annual Tuition or Test Prep Enrollment).Give the program a name and description, then save.Create a Pricing Plan
Inside your program, click Add Pricing Plan. Set:
- Name — what students will see on their invoice (e.g.,
Monthly Payment Plan) - Amount — the charge per billing period
- Billing interval — choose monthly, every 3 months, every 6 months, or annually
- Currency — defaults to USD
Send invoices
Use Invoice Management for one-time charges, fees, or situations where a recurring plan does not fit.Select students
Search for and select the student or students you want to invoice. You can invoice multiple students with the same line items at once.
Add line items
Click Add Line Item for each charge. Enter a description (e.g.,
Registration Fee) and an amount. Add as many line items as needed.Issue refunds with a negative line item
To apply a refund or credit to an invoice, add a line item with a negative amount (e.g.,
-50.00). This reduces the total owed by that amount.How students pay
Students access all their payment history and outstanding balances from the Billing History page in their portal. From there, they can:- View past invoices and payment receipts
- Pay outstanding invoices
- Update their payment method
Payouts
Stripe automatically deposits collected payments to your bank account on the payout schedule set in your Stripe account (typically 2 business days for card payments). To view payout history, available balance, and transfer details, log in to your Stripe Dashboard at dashboard.stripe.com.Next steps
Manage student billing
View payment history and manage billing for individual students.
Financial reports
Track revenue, outstanding balances, and payout summaries.