Northside Independent School District
Online Payment Support
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

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q How do I login to the PaySchools Online Payment System?
a Click www.nisd.net/parentconnection, and then under the Online Payments System Heading, follow the link to the particular item and/or login page.
q How will I login to the PaySchools System?
a There are three ways that the Online Payment System can be accessed. They are:
  1. If the same email address was used for both the School Lunch Money Program AND PaySchools, then you will not be required to re-register.
  2. If two different email addresses were used for the School Lunch Money Program and PaySchools, then the PaySchools login information should be utilized to access the system.
  3. If a login was used ONLY for the School Lunch Money Program, then you will need to register as a new user with PaySchools and associate a student to your account. (See the “First time users, please click here to register link" within the PaySchools website login screen.)
q I forgot my PaySchools username and/or password, how can I retrieve them?
a Username and/or passwords can be retrieved by selecting either the “Forgot Password” or “Not sure if you have a login” information links to have the information sent via email to you. You can also contact the PaySchools support team at 1-866-729-5353, option 2.
q My child is a new student. How long will it be before I am able to use the online payment system to fund my child’s lunch account?
a Access to the online payment system should be available after the student has been enrolled and issued a Student ID. (Usually a new student set-up takes 2 to 3 business days after the student is registered.)
q Where can I locate my child’s Student ID?
a Your child’s Student ID can be obtained, in person, at your child’s school. It can be located on recent registration documents or report cards. (It is 6 digits long). In addition, it can be obtained by logging on to your GradeSpeed account via the Parent Connection website. This information cannot be obtained via the phone for security and safety of the students.
q Is there a fee for the service?
a Yes, there is a convenience fee of $1.75 per transaction. The District collects these fees and uses them to pay fees charged directly to the District by PaySchools for processing of the individual transactions.
q What if I entered wrong information when setting up my account?
a Email confirmations are generated automatically once a user has registered. If the wrong email is entered when setting up the account, a user will need to use the incorrect email address to login and edit their profile with the correct information.
q Which credit cards does the online payment system accept?
a Mastercard, VISA and Discover cards are accepted.
q Can I use a credit card on campus?
a No. However, credit cards can be used for online payments through PaySchools.
q How safe is my credit/debit card information?
a Unlike many online payment systems, PaySchools only retains the name, address and phone number of participating parents/guardians. Sensitive information such as credit card numbers and electronic check bank numbers are not maintained after a transaction is completed.
q Can I void a payment or receive a refund?
a The online payment system does not allow users to void transactions. As with other like systems, there are points of confirmation throughout the transaction application. Requests for refunds should be directed to the corresponding product department (I.e. for lunch payments, contact the Child Nutrition Office at 397-4501; for Learning Tree contact the Adult and Community Ed Office at 397-5868).
q I received a “2:2 processing error” message when I tried to make a credit card payment. Why?
a This error is automatically generated and sent to PaySchools from the corresponding credit card company. Contact your credit card company for further details as to why the payment isn’t being processed.
q How can I obtain the balance in my child’s lunch account?
a These balances can be found online at www.payschools.com. (Balances online are updated on an hourly basis; however, there may be instances in which the posted payments or charges are delayed due to extraordinary circumstances). Balances can also be obtained by calling the school’s cafeteria.
q I put money in my child’s account, when will it be posted?
a As mentioned above, the PaySchools online payment system should reflect any payments made within an hour. There may be instances of extraordinary circumstances that delay this timeframe. However, if a student’s balance is checked for a payment made after an hour or two, please contact the Online Support Desk at 397-1199, PaySchools at 1-866-729-5353, option 2, or the school’s cafeteria for more information and/or a resolution.
q How much money do I need to put in my child’s account for the month?
a A minimum of $5.00 can be paid through the system. A $20.00 payment is recommended in order to minimize convenience fees.
q How will I know if you have received my payment?
a Email confirmations are generated automatically once a parent/guardian has authorized a transaction. Also, parents are able to check the “Payment History” tab in the online payment system.
q Can I put money in both my children’s account at the same time?
a Yes, as long as you have created accounts for each child.
q Can I view what my child has purchased on this new online payment system?
a This feature is not currently available on the online payment system. Information regarding these items can only be obtained by calling the school’s cafeteria.
q I have an NSF check, can I do an online payment to pay this off?
a Yes, contact the corresponding department for approval prior to making the payment (i.e. for lunch payments, the Child Nutrition Office at 397-4501; for Learning Tree, the Adult and Community Ed Office at 397-5868).
q How do I add a low balance e-mail trigger to my student’s account?
a Click the student’s name and enter the amount in which you would like to receive an e-mail once the cash balance has fallen below that level. Then click Update Low Balance Levels. If you are having trouble receiving the triggers, please contact PaySchools Support at 1-866-729-5353, option 2.
 
q I have an NSF check, can I do an online payment to pay this off?
a Yes, contact the corresponding department for approval prior to making the payment. (i.e. for lunch payments, the Child Nutrition Office at 397-4501; for Learning Tree, the Adult and Community Ed Office at 397-5868).  In addition, a $25 returned check collection fee will be accessed by the corresponding department.
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