This article appeared in a July 2016 issue of the student newsletter.
Big news: The colleges of DCCCD have introduced a better way of sending refund and disbursement money to students. A new service called eRefunds has replaced the Higher One/DCCCD Money Card program.
With eRefunds, you don’t have to wait to get a card in the mail to tell us how you prefer to receive financial aid disbursements, refunds, grants or any other payments you may be owed. Instead, you can log in to eRefunds through eConnect and ask us to deposit funds directly into the bank account of your choice.
Don’t have a bank account? Don’t worry — in that case, we’ll mail a check to the address we have on file for you.
How to Request Direct Deposit
Making the switch to direct deposit is simple. Just choose which scenario below best describes you (Option A or Option B), and then follow the steps.
Option A: You Already Have a Bank Account
If you have a bank account already, all you need to set up direct deposit with eRefunds is 1) your bank account number and 2) your routing number. Call your bank if you aren't sure where to find these numbers.
When you have located that information:
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Log in to
eConnect.
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Click on the eRefunds link. This will take you to the TouchNet website.
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Enter your eRefunds login, which is e(student ID number)@student.dcccd.edu (example:
e1580648@student.dcccd.edu), and your eConnect password. (Note: If you are also an employee of the district, your eRefunds login will use your 3x4 login ID (example: abc1234@dcccd.edu); you will still use your eConnect password.)
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Click on the tab that says “eRefunds.”
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Follow the instructions on the screen to sign up for direct deposit to your checking account or prepaid/reloadable card.
Option B: You Do Not Have a Bank Account
No bank account? No worries. DCCCD will continue to mail your disbursements and refund checks to the address we have on file for you.
If you’d like to open a bank account in the future, shop around at local banks and credit unions to find the bank and terms that best fit your needs. It is possible to find bank accounts that are free, especially if you arrange to be paid by direct deposit.
Here is a list of a few financial institutions that offer students
checking accounts and reloadable cards that can be used for direct deposit.
View Your eRefunds Online
Want to view your past refunds and disbursements? Log into eConnect and click “My Disbursements.” Also, you should receive an email alert every time one of your deposits is processed.
Get to Know Some New Names
Don’t be surprised if you see several different brand names as you’re exploring eRefunds. While eRefunds is now our main refund and disbursement service, Heartland/TouchNet is the software that connects DCCCD to the eRefunds service, and Heartland/ECSI processes the refund data and runs the student support hotline.
As they say, sometimes it takes a village!
How to Navigate eRefunds
To learn more about eRefunds, visit
dcccd.edu/eRefunds. Here you can find answers to important questions, such as:
- What Is eRefunds?
- How Does eRefunds Work?
- Does eRefunds Charge Students Any Fees?
- What If I Want to Keep My Higher One Account?