PayPal Inc. has integrated its payment services with three education payment platforms, enabling students to settle tuition and fees using PayPal or Venmo balances.
The rollout covers more than 150 U.S. colleges and universities, including Bellarmine University, Butler University, Kansas State University, Michigan State University, and Texas Tech University. The platforms facilitating the integration are Illumia, Nelnet Campus Commerce, and TouchNet, which collectively serve thousands of institutions across the country.
Transactions can be funded through bank accounts, credit cards, or PayPal/Venmo balances, with payments processed directly through schools' existing payment portals. Security measures include encryption and real-time fraud monitoring. The service was first introduced in summer 2025 through agreements with the Big Ten and Big 12 Conferences, allowing institutional revenue-share payments for student athletes.
Frank Keller, President of Checkout Solutions & PayPal, said tuition is among the largest payments families make and should offer the same flexibility and security as other PayPal and Venmo transactions. Don Smith, SVP & General Manager of Integrated Payments at Illumia, noted the integration expands payment choice within existing campus systems. Jackie Strohbehn, President of Nelnet Campus Commerce, emphasized the goal of providing more flexibility for families managing education expenses. Jeremy Loch, President of TouchNet, highlighted the ability for institutions to offer additional payment options while maintaining operational efficiency.
