TAMIU Debit Card Introduces Quick Student Refunds

Starting this summer, Texas A&M International University students can receive their financial aid refunds in an instant.

The University and Higher One, a financial service institution based in New Haven, Connecticut, have formed a partnership that will allow students to quickly withdraw their tuition refunds, or remaining financial aid funds, through a debit card instead of waiting for paper checks to arrive by mail. The move is part of a national trend in higher education.

"We are looking forward to working with Higher One to streamline our refunds through its OneDisburse Refund Management Service and reducing the burden on our business office," said Joe Garcia, TAMIU's vice president for Finance and Administration, "Our students will have faster access to their money and more choices in how they receive it, even for our international students."

Through the TAMIU Debit Card, students will have cash in their hands faster, said Albert Chávez, TAMIU ID System Administrator.

"Before, students had to wait up to five days to get their checks by mail, but now they will get their money back on the same day that their refunds are due," Chávez said.

TAMIU is committed to providing prompt service to its students and this new refund method ensures that all students can secure their funds rapidly so that they can apply them to their educational and personal needs, Chávez said.

The card, which works just like any debit card, will be issued to all students and can be used at a Higher One ATM located at the campus' student apartment complex, University Village, or at any ATM off campus.

The program will kick off during Summer Session II, starting in July and will continue thereafter, Chávez said.

Sean Glass, founder and chief marketing officer for Higher One, said that with the program, students will have more choice in how they receive money from TAMIU and will be able to get their refunds faster.

"Students will also be able to choose to use the optional OneAccount that has features designed specifically for students, and helps make it easy for them to control their finances," Glass said, "Higher One handles the entire process and manages any associated exceptions or customer service needs. Over the last 4 years, the number of institutions utilizing refund management through Higher One grown by 100% each year."

For more information, please call Chávez at 956.326.2936, e-mail albertc@tamiu.edu or click on www.tamiudebitcard.com

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu