ECU Tiger Card FAQs
Q -- What if I don't receive financial aid, student loans or other student disbursement?
A -- It is still important to activate and keep the ECU Tiger Card. For example, student Jimbo Elrod attends four years at ECU without receiving any student loans, financial aid or other disbursement. But during his senior year he over-pays his tuition by $100 because of a misunderstanding. ECU will remit the $100 back to Jimbo. However, Jimbo failed to keep and activate his card. In order for Jimbo to receive the $100 he would have to apply for a replacement card costing him $20.
Q -- How will the change to the ECU Tiger Card benefit me?
A -- You will no longer be required to wait in line at the Bursar's office to pick up your check, take your check to the bank to deposit or cash it or worry about losing your check. Additionally, if you do not live in Ada, you will no longer be required to make a special trip to pick up your student disbursement check. Also, if you have unusual circumstances involving your disbursement, we expect the Bursar's office to have shorter lines and more time to devote to your particular situation.
Q -- What is 'ACH Transfer'?
A -- 'ACH Transfer', also identified by Higher One as '3rd Party ACH' and 'Direct Deposit', is your option to transfer your student disbursement directly into your currently existing bank account.
Q -- What is 'Easy Refund'?
A -- 'Easy Refund' is your option to transfer your student disbursement to a 'OneAccount' at Higher One. The OneAccount, if selected, will become your personal checking account for student disbursements and other funds you may wish to deposit into it.
Q -- May I obtain cash for my student disbursement using the Easy Refund OneAccount on the same day the disbursement is posted in my account?
A -- Our student disbursements at ECU average approximately $2500 per student. Using the Easy Refund OneAccount ATM you are limited to withdrawing a maximum of $500 per day. You may order paper checks for your OneAccount (fees will apply) and withdraw the full amount by cashing the check, however you may want to verify that an available bank will accept the check and if fees apply for cashing the check.
Q -- Why are there fees associated with the OneAccount?
A -- There are no fees for basic services; however there are fees for transactions that do not fall within the basic services. See https://www.higheroneaccount.com/info/outfees.jsp for the Higher One Fee Schedule.
Q -- How could there be an "insufficient fund fee" on the One Account if I only use my debit card?
A -- Some merchants only report their transactions periodically during the week. Therefore, you could use your debit card for a $75 gas purchase on Sunday and the merchant not report the transaction to your OneAccount until Wednesday. Your OneAccount would appear to have $75 more than you actually have on Monday and Tuesday and your debit card will not show the balance as insufficient when you attempt additional transactions.
Q -- What if I have a Higher One debit card from another school? Can I use the card I already have?
A -- Yes, but according to Higher One, you should decide which card you most use and cancel the other card.
Q -- May I use a debit card I currently have with my bank?
A -- Not for your ECU disbursement. Your ECU disbursements are unique to the ECU Tiger Card system. After activating your card, you may select direct deposit (ACH transfer) to have the disbursement directly deposited in your bank account and your bank debit card will be used as normal. You should still keep your ECU Tiger Card in case your circumstances change in the future.
Q -- How will this card effect the date I normally receive my disbursement?
A -- The disbursement dates will not change from the normal schedule. Because of this system however, we expect students will have the funds in their bank accounts at the same time or earlier than previous years, without having to wait in line at the Bursar's office to pick up their check.
Q -- How will the ECU Tiger Card affect charging my books to my financial aid disbursement?
A -- No change will be made in the way your books are charged to financial aid disbursement.
Q -- Why does my refund go into the Easy Refund system the same day it is received by Higher One, yet take 2 to 3 days to be direct deposited as an ACH Transfer?
A -- ACH (automated clearing house) is a nation-wide system for wire transfers. Higher One will transfer the funds through the ACH system within 1 day of receipt; however your banks ACH policies may affect the posting of your funds to your account. Most major banking systems process daily and the direct deposit will appear in the account in 1 or 2 business days; however neither ECU nor Higher One can guarantee the time frame for every bank.
Q -- May I select a partial direct deposit (ACH transfer) and partial Easy Refund OneAccount deposit?
A -- No. However, you may select direct deposit (ACH transfer) and still activate your Easy Refund OneAccount. You or others may deposit funds in the OneAccount for utilizing the ECU Tiger Card.