New Ways to Make Sales from Campus Populations
Why Accept Campus Cards Payments?
Also known as student ID cards or university ID cards, campus cards are essential tools for students, faculty, and staff. These multifunctional cards incorporate features like access control, identification, and payment capabilities, creating a seamless experience, within the campus environment.
By accepting campus ID cards as a payment method, your business can penetrate a growing market of customers who rely on these cards for daily purchases. Students and staff frequently use their cards to pay for on-campus dining, books, technology accessories, vending machines, printing services, and more. Tapping into this population and becoming part of their routine can mean incredible potential for your business.
It’s simple to begin accepting campus cards, if you work with a payment solutions provider that has a relationship with a wide variety of campuses and campus card processors. Apriva supports campus card payment acceptance so we’ve got you covered. You can find our list of processors here. Once you tap into the Apriva partner ecosystem, you can find a tailored solution that will fit your needs.
More Benefits of Campus Card Acceptance
Convenient Payment Option – Individuals on campuses often carry their campus cards, making it a convenient payment option for on-campus and nearby off-campus transactions. By accepting campus cards, businesses can cater to the preferences of their immediate customer base.
Increased Foot Traffic – Campuses are bustling with employees and staff who regularly visit nearby businesses. Accepting campus cards can attract this large and potentially loyal customer base, leading to increased foot traffic and sales.
Tapping into a Target Market – Whether you are located near a college, corporate, or hospital campus, those individuals typically represent a significant demographic with specific needs and purchasing power. By accepting campus cards, businesses can tailor their offerings to the campus community and meet the needs of this target market.
Loyalty and Repeat Business – If a business offers favorable terms, discounts, or promotions for campus card users, it can foster loyalty campus goers. This, in turn, can lead to repeat business and a steady customer base.
Streamlined Transactions – Campus cards are often linked to prepaid accounts, payroll deduction, meal plans, or other financial resources. Accepting campus cards streamlines transactions for students who can use their existing accounts without the need for cash or credit cards.
Competitive Advantage – In areas near campuses, businesses that accept campus cards may gain a competitive advantage over those that don’t. It sets them apart and makes them more attractive to the population.
Community Support – Supporting the local campuses by accepting campus cards can build goodwill and enhance the business’s reputation. It demonstrates a commitment to the local community.
Special Events and Promotions – During peak times like the start of the school year, graduations, or holidays, businesses that accept campus cards can offer targeted promotions or discounts to attract students, employees, or staff.
Partnerships and Collaborations – Some campuses, especially colleges and universities, actively seek partnerships with local businesses to enhance the experience for their community. This can result in mutually beneficial arrangements where businesses accept campus cards in exchange for promotional opportunities on campus.
Click here to learn more about campus cards!
Employee ID Card Payments
Similar to the benefits of accepting college or university campus cards, if you run a business inside or nearby a large corporate or medical campus, such as an office cafe or vending machine, or nearby restaurants and stores, accepting employee ID cards as a method of payment can make it that much easier for that customer population to make purchases at your business while they’re on the job.
Advancements in payment technology have made it easier for businesses to adopt flexible and efficient systems. With solutions like those offered by Apriva, businesses can integrate alternative payment methods, such as employee ID cards, to enhance the payment experience for their customers. Apriva’s tailored approach is ideally suited to help growing businesses effectively serve campus populations.
Accepting such ID cards as a method of payment can offer several benefits for businesses, including select stores located near campuses or in regions with where the campus population is a significant presence, who are enabled to accept this form of payment. Here are some reasons why a business might want to accept campus ID cards as a method of payment:
Tap into a Target Market – Campus personnel and their families represent a significant and potentially loyal customer base. By accepting campus ID cards, businesses can attract members and their families, which may lead to increased foot traffic and sales.
Community Support – Supporting the local community can build goodwill and a positive reputation for a business. Merchants that actively cater to campus members can demonstrate their commitment and show appreciation for their continued business.
Increase Sales and Revenue – Hospital and corporate employees often have stable sources of income, and they can be hubs of economic activity. By accepting ID cards, businesses can potentially increase their sales and revenue.
Loyalty and Repeat Business – Campus members and their families may become repeat customers if they find a business that caters to their needs. Loyalty programs or discounts for campus personnel such as student discounts can incentivize return visits.
Convenience – Accepting campus ID cards as a method of payment can provide convenience for those who may prefer to use their ID cards for purchases on and around campus.
Competitive Advantage – In areas with multiple businesses, accepting ID cards can be a way to gain a competitive advantage. It sets the business apart from competitors who do not offer this payment option.
Support Local Economy – Campuses often have a significant economic impact on the local community. By accepting ID cards, businesses contribute to the financial well-being of the local area and may benefit from increased patronage.
The Power of Closed-Loop Payments
Closed-loop payments systems confine transaction within a network, ensuring complete control from initiation to settlement. These systems are typically limited to merchants or groups of merchants within an established closed proprietary network. Common examples include pre-paid cards such as gift cards, store credit, and public transportation cards, as well as more unique methods such as employee ID and campus cards. Closed-loop payments offer tailored solutions that enhance convenience and control for specific environments.
Introducing Payroll Deduction with QuickCharge
Apriva is excited to now enable payroll deduction through Quickcharge! Quickcharge is an innovative payroll deduction solution that allows employees, and other personnel, to make purchases using their ID cards on campus dining and retail locations with funds coming directly from their paycheck. Powered by Transact, these options can seamlessly integrate with existing technology to provide cashless payment options and further employee satisfaction.
Benefits of Payroll Deduction for Employees and Merchants
Faster Purchases – Transactions using campus cards are typically faster. Reduce your waiting times, especially during peak hours, and streamline operations with real-time validation on all transactions.
Drive Customer Loyalty – Employers and merchants on or near campuses benefit from the steady customer base. On and off campus merchants gain access to the campus population, and customers are inclined to spend within their campus network
Reduce Declines – Payroll deduction is reliable as payment is guaranteed as it is drawn from the user’s paycheck. For merchants, there is also decreased risk and overhead that’s usually associated with accepting cash payments.
Increase Spending – Campus card populations view their funds as “preloaded” reducing the psychological friction of spending. For some users, having purchases deducted directly from their paychecks may be the only method of non-cash payment have access to.
Powerful Reporting – Seamlessly integrate payroll deduction software and access powerful transaction data and inventory management, through our integrated payment system.
Marketing Opportunities – Apriva’s merchant system provides insights that can power data-driven marketing and enhance brand visibility. Building a name for your brand can increase credibility and trust from the campus community.
If you operate one or more of these kinds of shops on or near a campus, you could benefit from enabling closed-loop campus card payments, including payroll deduction:
- Parking and Public Transportation
- Fitness and Recreation Centers
- Healthcare Centers
- Food Services
- Locker Rentals
- Laundry Center
- Retail Shops
- Bookstores
- Art Performance Centers
- Mini Convenience and Grocery Markets
- Postal Services
- Vending Machines and Coolers
- Uniform rentals
- Micro Markets
How Apriva Can Help
If you’re interested in offering campus card payments or expanding your current solutions, let’s get in touch! Apriva is happy to talk through all your options to help you figure out how we can best support you. Having relationships with most closed-loop payment processors, we are the go-to for many businesses looking to increase their revenue with this type of payment acceptance. In addition, we can enable every kind of payment your business could possibly want to accept, with unbeatable service. If you have any questions or would like to talk through your scenario with a live, knowledgeable person, reach out! We’re always available. Contact us today!
