If your program is using brightwheel Billing, this resource will help answer some common questions. Questions that range from just getting started to maintaining your account, to one-off unique scenarios you may encounter.
💡Want to learn more? Download the Payer’s Guide to brightwheel Billing.
Payments
How do I set up online payments?
How do I set up online payments?
It's quick and easy to get set up to make online payments to your program. Add a bank account or credit card, and you're ready to make payments!
How do I set up and manage autopay?
How do I set up and manage autopay?
Enabling autopay is a great solution to ensure tuition is paid on time, every time.
Billing autopay functions much like other automated payment systems and will charge the default payment method for the full balance due on the due date of each invoice or statement. It’s important to note that there can be multiple payment methods on file, but autopay will always trigger using the default payment method.
Some programs choose to enable Mandatory Autopay, and some do not. If autopay is not mandatory, parents and payers can manage these settings easily from the web or app. Learn more by viewing our Manage Autopay resource.
When/where are receipts sent?
When/where are receipts sent?
Receipts are sent to the email on file once payment is successfully processed. For payments made using a credit card, this should occur pretty quickly. For payments made using a direct bank transfer, such as ACH if located in the U.S. or pre-authorized debits (PADs) if in Canada, this could be up to 5-7 business days after making the payment
If you need to see a full history of all payments made in a given timeframe, you can pull a payment summary report for the desired date range. You can also view and print any desired invoices as needed.
How do I access the info I need for tax/reimbursement purposes?
How do I access the info I need for tax/reimbursement purposes?
Payers can access financial reports for tax or reimbursement from within their brightwheel account by printing individual invoices or statements or exporting the payment summary.
Invoices or states will include: EIN, charge details, and dates of service
Exporting the payment history will include: payment method, amount, date, status, payer name, the amount applied to invoice(s), invoice numbers, charges, and any dates of service added by the provider.
What are my service fees?
What are my service fees?
Service fees on online payments support brightwheel’s secure, efficient, and reliable transaction infrastructure, support operations and technical applications. If a program chooses, these fees may be passed on to payers and will appear on prepayment invoices, in the Make a Payment screen, and on post-payment receipts.
For specific fee policies, please contact your program. Brightwheel offers a wide variety of features and options, and ultimately it is up to each provider to determine their own policies and procedures.
Troubleshooting
Why am I getting errors when trying to add my FSA/HSA payment method?
Why am I getting errors when trying to add my FSA/HSA payment method?
FSA/HSA/Dependent Care accounts are potential options that can be added to a parent's brightwheel account to make payments to a program. It's important to note that each program can choose what type of payments they'd like to accept (direct bank transfers and Credit/Debit cards, or direct bank transfers only), and these settings may limit how certain FSA/HSA/Dependent Care accounts can be utilized.
Due to the nature of FSA providers and their specific regulations or requirements, there may be some other factors limiting your ability to use this payment method. If you have the option to add your FSA/HSA account but are experiencing trouble doing so, please follow our Troubleshooting steps so we can try and assist you further.
Why am I still being charged by a program my child no longer attends?
Why am I still being charged by a program my child no longer attends?
We understand how frustrating it can be when you receive invoices from a program that your child is no longer enrolled in or a program that has since closed. We highly recommend contacting your old program directly regarding any unexpected charges. Since your old program is responsible for creating and managing all transactions, they will be the best resource to assist you in how to resolve this matter
My payment failed. What should I do?
My payment failed. What should I do?
If a payment fails, both the payer and the program are notified. If your financial institution provides a reason for the failed payment, that reason will be included in the notification you receive. If there is not a reason or if you disagree with the reason, please reach out to your financial institution for more information.
If you are enrolled in autopay, it's important to note that autopay will not attempt to retry the payment. Instead, you can make a payment manually to make up for the payment that failed. If you do not make a subsequent payment, any past-due balances will be triggered via autopay on the due date of the next invoice posted to your account.
Edits & adjustments
How can I add another payer or update the primary payer on my child's billing account?
How can I add another payer or update the primary payer on my child's billing account?
If you would like to add another payer to your child's billing account or if you would like to update the primary payer, please reach out to an administrator from your program for assistance. Only administrators can manage payers and payers and primary payers, and they will be able to assist you!
How do I change my billing information?
How do I change my billing information?
If you'd like to update, remove, or add payment methods on an account, you can easily do so from the payer account. Please visit Payment Methods and Settings to learn more.
How do I transfer a credit from one child's profile to another?
How do I transfer a credit from one child's profile to another?
We recommend that you reach out to your program directly regarding this because only administrators can transfer payments from one sibling to the other. Brightwheel is a tool that schools use to manage all of their own billing, and is not authorized to make any changes to any account. Your program creates and manages all transactions (including charges, refunds, late fees, credits, and offline payments) and will be able to assist you!