Lazarus uses Stripe to handle all payment processing. Before you can charge application fees or accept tuition payments, you need to connect a Stripe account. This process is secure, takes about 10 minutes, and only needs to be done once.
What Is Stripe?
Stripe is a trusted payment processing platform used by millions of businesses worldwide. When you connect Stripe to Lazarus, it creates a dedicated account for your organization that can accept credit cards, debit cards, ACH bank transfers, and digital wallet payments (Apple Pay and Google Pay). Lazarus does not store or handle payment information directly — everything flows securely through Stripe.
How to Connect
There are two places you can start the Stripe connection process:
- Welcome page — The first item on your onboarding checklist is Connect to Stripe. Click it to begin.
- Welcome page > Set up Banking tab — Select the Set up Banking tab on the Welcome page. You'll see the Stripe logo and a Connect to Stripe button.
Here's what happens when you click the button:
- A new tab opens with Stripe's secure onboarding flow. This is Stripe's website, not Lazarus — you're setting up your account directly with them.
- Stripe asks for your business details — including your organization type, business address, bank account information for payouts, and identity verification. Have this information ready before you start.
- Complete the Stripe setup — Follow Stripe's prompts through each step. The exact questions depend on your organization type and location.
- Return to Lazarus — When Stripe's onboarding is complete, you'll be directed back to Lazarus. Your Stripe Account ID will appear, confirming the connection is active.
What You'll Need
Before starting the Stripe connection, gather the following:
- Your organization's legal business name and address
- An EIN (Employer Identification Number) or Tax ID, if applicable
- Bank account details for receiving payouts (routing number and account number)
- A government-issued ID for identity verification (Stripe may request this)
Verifying Your Connection
Once connected, you can confirm everything is working by checking a few places:
- Welcome page > Set up Banking tab — Your Stripe Account ID will be displayed. If it shows Not configured, the connection isn't complete yet.
- Account > Accounting — The Accounting tab in your Account settings will show your Stripe balance and recent transactions once the connection is active.
- Onboarding checklist — The Connect to Stripe item on the First Steps tab will show a checkmark.
Troubleshooting
If the connection process was interrupted (for example, if you closed the Stripe tab before finishing), don't worry. Return to the Welcome page and click Connect to Stripe again. Stripe will pick up where you left off.
If your Stripe Account ID still shows Not configured after completing the process, try refreshing the page. If the issue persists, contact support through the chat icon in the lower-right corner.
