College students can now pay tuition with PayPal or Venmo at certain universities

Some universities are now allowing students and their families to pay tuition through PayPal and Venmo.Among the first institutions offering the payment options are Bellarmine University, Butler University, Kansas State University, Michigan State University and Texas Tech University, although more universities are expected to join later this year.Students and families may face transaction or processing fees, with the amount depending on the university and the funding method used.The payment options are being integrated through campus payment platforms including Illumia, Nelnet Campus Commerce and TouchNet, which process tuition payments for institutions across the country.“A modern tuition payment experience has to work for both sides of the transaction,” Don Smith, Illumia’s senior vice president and general manager of integrated payments, said in a statement.“Students and families want the flexibility to use payment methods that fit how they manage their money, while institutions need those options to work within the systems and processes their teams already rely on.This integration helps schools expand choice in a practical way, improving the payer experience without creating a disconnected path for campus teams,” Smith added.PayPal and its Venmo subsidiary have aimed to further expand their presence in higher education over the last year, offering student-athletes the opportunity to receive institutional revenue-share payments through their platforms.

Venmo also expanded its presence on college campuses through NIL partnerships with student athletes, college-branded cards, student ambassadors and gameday activations.The digital payment systems are already used by many students and families for daily money transfers, including purchasing groceries, splitting rent and sending money to friends and family.“Tuition is one of the biggest payments a family will make, and it should come with the same flexibility and security that millions of people alre...