# Collecting tuition across PayPal, Stripe and Wise

> How to offer PayPal, card payments through Stripe and Wise (wise.com) transfers to families in different countries, and how to match every payment to the right invoice.

URL: https://halqora.com/resources/collect-tuition-paypal-stripe-wise
Last updated: 2026-10-22

Offer the two or three methods your families already use, put the invoice number in every payment reference, and record each payment against an invoice the day it arrives. PayPal and Stripe tell you which invoice was paid; transfers through Wise (wise.com) or a bank need a reference you can match.

## The three methods at a glance

| | PayPal | Stripe (cards) | Wise (wise.com) or bank transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| How the family pays | PayPal balance, card or bank through a PayPal invoice or link | Card through a hosted invoice or payment link | Transfer to your local account details |
| You know which invoice it was | Yes, when you use PayPal invoices | Yes, when you use Stripe invoices | Only if the reference has the invoice number |
| Good for | Families who already use PayPal | Families who want to pay by card | Families who prefer bank transfers, larger amounts |
| Watch out for | Fees and currency conversion on your side | Fees, and availability in your country | Payments without a reference |

Fees and availability change and depend on your country. Check each provider's current pricing page for your account before you set prices.

## Step 1: choose by where your families are

List your families by country and how they paid last time. Offer the methods that cover most of them. A typical mix is one wallet (PayPal), one card option (Stripe), and one transfer option (Wise account details or your bank). Every extra method is another place to check for payments.

## Step 2: invoice in the family's currency where you can

Families pay more promptly when the invoice is in their own currency and the amount matches what leaves their account. If you invoice in one currency, say so on the invoice and in your policy, and decide who carries the conversion cost. The post on [invoicing families in different currencies](https://halqora.com/blog/invoice-families-in-different-currencies) covers the options.

## Step 3: make every payment traceable

- Give every invoice a unique number, and print "Payment reference: INV-00012" next to the bank details.
- For PayPal and Stripe, send the provider's own invoice or a payment link tied to the invoice, so the payment carries it.
- For transfers, ask families to copy the invoice number into the reference. Repeat it in reminders.
- Keep the same family name on the invoice as on their bank account where possible. It helps when a reference is missing.

## Step 4: match payments every few days

1. Export or open the payments received since the last check.
2. Match each one by invoice number first.
3. If there is no number, match by exact amount, the same currency and the payer's name, but only when exactly one open invoice fits.
4. Put everything else (two possible invoices, a different amount, an unknown payer) on a short list and ask the family.
5. Mark matched invoices as paid the same day, so reminders stop for families who have paid.

## Step 5: send reminders on a schedule

Send a friendly reminder a few days after the due date, a second one a week later, and only then a message about pausing classes, as your policy says. Include the invoice link, the amount and the payment reference each time. The post on [chasing unpaid tuition invoices](https://halqora.com/blog/chase-unpaid-tuition-invoices) has wording.

## Step 6: keep refunds and disputes simple

Refund through the same method the family paid with, and record the refund against the invoice. Card and PayPal disputes are easier to answer when your invoice lists every class with its date and your policy was agreed in writing. See [preventing chargebacks](https://halqora.com/blog/prevent-chargebacks-tutoring).

## How Halqora handles this

Connect PayPal, Stripe, Mercury and Wise. Halqora reads payments back and matches them to invoices: Wise transfers match by the invoice number in the reference, or by exact amount, currency and payer name, and anything unclear goes to a one-click queue. Families pay from a public invoice page without logging in. The admin can send the invoice message and payment follow-ups on WhatsApp from the academy's paired number. See [billing](https://halqora.com/features/billing).

## Questions

### Which payment method should an online academy offer first?

Start with the method most of your families already use. Families in the US, UK and Gulf often prefer PayPal or a card; families paying from abroad often prefer a bank transfer, where Wise (wise.com) account details make it local for them. Two or three methods cover most families. More than that is harder to reconcile.

### How do I match bank and Wise transfers to invoices?

Ask for the invoice number in the payment reference, every time, and print it on the invoice next to the bank details. When a transfer arrives without one, match by exact amount, currency and payer name, and only when exactly one open invoice fits. Anything less certain should go to a short list you check by hand.

### Should I pass payment fees on to families?

Rules on surcharging differ by country and by payment provider, and some providers restrict it in their terms. Read your provider's merchant terms and check local consumer law before adding any fee. Many academies set prices that already cover their typical payment costs instead.