Northwest transitions to cashless transactions to improve security, controls, efficiencies

As Northwest Missouri State University begins a new academic year, the institution has implemented a cashless transaction system to streamline its processes, enhance security and controls, and meet the evolving needs of students, employees and other stakeholders.

The University no longer accepts cash, debit cards or credit cards at its cashiering office in the Administration Building. Instead, individuals may make electronic check, debit or credit card payments online or in the cashiering office with a check or money order.

Tickets for Bearcat athletic games and concessions, fine and performing arts events, and student organization activities at Northwest already are sold online.

Parking permits and other elective charges that were previously assessed to student accounts must be paid with electronic payment methods. Solutions including TouchNet MarketPlace and Commerce Bank prepaid cards will be used as alternatives to manage the daily activities on campus.

Additionally, many scholarship, 529 plan and loan payments are transmitted to Northwest electronically.

"Over the past 10 years, we have seen a significant increase in alternative payment methods and a decrease in cash and check payments, reducing the need for cash transactions," Stacy Carrick, Northwest's vice president of finance and administration, said. "Shifting our financial operations to cashless will streamline processes, enhance security and controls and meet the evolving needs of the people we serve."

For more information about billing and payments at Northwest, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/studentaccounts/billing-and-payments.htm.