Accept Payments through Stripe

A fast, secure way to start collecting

We integrate directly with Stripe so your school can accept credit cards, debit cards, and ACH payments. Setting it up is simple: we allow you to create a Stripe account directly in Lazarus so everything can be managed in one spot.

‍

Processing Fees

Know what you're paying for and when

Stripe charges a processing fee per transaction (2.9% + 30¢ for credit/debit cards). ACH fees are lower. Lazarus does not add any markup to these fees — you only pay Stripe’s standard rates. Here's the breakdown of the Stripe processing fees:

• Card payments: 2.9% + 30¢ per successful transaction for domestic cards
• Wallet payments (Apple or Google Pay): 2.9% + 30¢ per successful charge
• ACH Direct Debit: 0.8% with a $5.00 cap per transaction
  
  • $1.50 security validation fee for initial payment connection
  • $15.00 for disputed payments; $4.00 for failed payments
• Buy now, pay later (Affirm): 6% + 30¢ per successful charge

‍

Application Fees

You can charge them, we won’t hide ours

You’re free to set your own application fees for families. If you use our paid features, we may also collect a platform fee on specific types of payments (like per-application fees or tuition splits) — these will always be disclosed in your billing settings and invoices.

‍

Chargebacks and Refunds

Handle disputes and refunds with clarity

If a payer disputes a charge, Stripe will notify you and guide you through the resolution process. You can also refund payments directly from your Lazarus dashboard. Note that Stripe retains processing fees and Lazarus application fees are retained on refunded transactions.

‍

Payouts to Your School

Get your money, straight to your bank

Once your Stripe account is verified, payments are automatically deposited to your school’s bank account on a rolling schedule (typically 2–7 business days). You can track payout activity anytime directly in Lazarus.

‍

Timing and cycles of settlement periods

Payment settlement systems operate along different timelines. In a typical timeline for credit cards, transactions are authorized instantly, batched transactions are sent out at the end of each business day, clearing is completed overnight, settlement is completed within one to three business days after the transaction, and funding is completed within two to three business days after the transaction.

‍

The process and timeline for ACH transactions are outlined below as the schedule differs slightly from card payments.

• ‍Initiation: The originator sends a payment instruction to their bank, which can happen anytime.
• ‍Batching: ACH payments are batched and processed by banks at scheduled times—every four to six hours or so—not once a day like card transactions.
• ‍Clearing: The batches are sent to the central ACH operator, which sorts them and sends instructions to the recipient’s bank.
• ‍Settlement: Settlement usually occurs on the next business day after the batch is sent.
• ‍Funding: The recipient’s bank credits their account, often on the same day settlement occurs.

‍

Security and Compliance

Built-in safeguards, no extra setup

All payments are processed securely via Stripe’s PCI-compliant infrastructure. Lazarus does not store any payment details. You’ll also benefit from automated fraud detection and secure account linking.

‍

Support and Questions

We're here when you need us

Have questions about a charge, refund, or fee? Reach out to our support team or visit our Stripe Help Guide for step-by-step instructions.

‍