Payment Processor Configuration
FAQ's for Payment Processors
- How do payments work on Align? When a payment is made on Align, it opens up a "window" to the Payment Processor. The payment is made securely on the payment processor site which then reports back the "success" message to Align. In this way, Align remains PCI Compliant and all data is processed only by the Payment Processor.
- How does the money get into my bank account? When you create an account with your Payment Processor, you will also set up a bank account to which payments will be delivered. The frequency of these payments is dependent upon the policies or your particular payment processor.
- Does Align collect money from payments made on the system? No. Align does not collect any money from payments made by students on the platform. The Integration is considered a "pass-through" integration. This means that the Customer is always in full control of all the payments that are made, and the money that is collected from payments made.
Payment Processor Best Practices
The following best practices are not required but may be helpful when setting up your Payment Processor account.
- In your chosen Payment Process account, set up a unique user account for use with Align. Use a name that identifies its use and prevents mistaken deletion. Customers have in the past deactivated a staff member's account who has left the organization and in the process deactivated the API.
- Set up a separate bank account for payments from your payment processor. This can help in reconciliation and accounting best practice as you will know that that bank account will only be for payments from the Payment Processor.
Stripe
https://stripe.com
- Main Support Site: https://support.stripe.com/
- Locate API Keys: https://support.stripe.com/questions/locate-api-keys-in-the-dashboard
API Keys for Integration
It is the Customers responsibility to create a Stripe account and configure it to allow access for Align to use the API Integration. Once an account has been created, Align will need the following information in order to complete the integration:
- Publishable Key
- Secret Key
Test Keys
Stripe enables the use of "Test Keys". This means you can test the Stripe Integration is working by entering a set of Test Keys to make some test payments before launching your Admissions.
Braintree
https://www.braintreepayments.com/
The following webpages may be of particular usefulness:
- Main Support Site: https://articles.braintreepayments.com/.
- Creating an Account: https://articles.braintreepayments.com/control-panel/users-roles/managing-users-roles#creating-user
- Getting Paid: https://articles.braintreepayments.com/get-started/get-paid
API Keys for Integration
It is the Customers responsibility to create a Braintree account and configure it to allow access for Align to use the API Integration. Once an account has been created, Align will need the following information in order to complete the integration:
- Merchant ID
- Public Key
- Private Key
Authorize.net
https://www.authorize.net/ (Supported, but not recommended)
The best practice is to set up a specific account in Authorize.net for use with the API. This will avoid mistakes where staff accidentally delete an account (for example when a staff member leaves) and forget that the API is being used on that account! The information that Align needs to configure the system to use Authorize.net is:
- API Login
- Transaction Key
- Public Client Key
The following Authorize.net articles will help you find what you need:
- How do I obtain my API Login ID and Transaction Keyhttps://support.authorize.net/s/article/How-do-I-obtain-my-API-Login-ID-and-Transaction-Key
- Managing Public Client Keyshttps://account.authorize.net/help/Account/Settings/Security_Settings/General_Settings/Manage_Public_Client_Key.htm