Transforming Student Payments at Azusa Pacific University with PayMyTuition
Interviewee: Michael Jackson, Director of Student Accounts & Data Systems
Azusa Pacific University (APU) is a private Christian university serving a diverse student population with multiple academic programs and student types. Managing student financial operations at APU requires balancing flexibility, accuracy, and clarity—while supporting students and families through complex financial decisions.
The Challenge: Fragmented Systems and Manual Processes
Before PayMyTuition, APU’s student payment environment struggled to keep pace with the university’s operational complexity and expectations around student experience.
Michael Jackson described the environment as functional, but increasingly inefficient:
“We knew there was a better way out there. We just hadn’t come across it yet.”
Azusa Pacific University Overview
1899
Founded
7,000+
Student Population
Azusa, California
Location
PeopleSoft
SIS Integration
The Goal: A Clearer, More Real-Time Financial Experience
As APU began evaluating alternatives, the focus shifted from simply replacing a vendor to re-imagining how student finances should work.
Top priorities included:
A non-negotiable requirement was the ability to integrate deeply with PeopleSoft Campus Solutions while reducing manual intervention across teams.
“We can finally focus conversations on what matters, not on explaining line-by-line confusion.”
Michael Jackson, Director of Student Accounts & Data Systems
The Impact: Measurable Efficiency and Clarity
Why PayMyTuition
APU selected PayMyTuition based on both product capability and partnership approach.
What stood out immediately:
Michael noted that the engagement level played a major role:
“You engaged us at every point and answered the tough questions. That gave us peace of mind—not just in the product, but in the partnership.”
Implementation & Go-Live
Implementation was led by APU’s Student Accounts and Data Systems team, working closely with PayMyTuition across several months.
Highlights included:
After go-live, APU identified opportunities to refine how students enrolled in payment plans. PayMyTuition incorporated this feedback and later delivered enhancements that expanded administrative flexibility.
“You took feedback and turned it into product improvement. That’s a very different experience from what we had before.”
IT perspective on deployment:
“The implementation was well-structured, and the responsiveness made a big difference. We felt confident going live.”
Long-Term Value and Strategic Positioning
For APU, the value of PayMyTuition extends beyond operational efficiency.
The platform has enabled:
Michael summarized it simply:
“Good tools let you do good work. This system gives us time, clarity, and confidence.”
Conclusion
By partnering with PayMyTuition, Azusa Pacific University transformed its student payment ecosystem—from fragmented systems and manual effort to a streamlined, real-time, student-centric experience.
What began as a payments initiative evolved into a broader digital transformation—one that supports students, empowers staff, and positions APU for long-term success.
“Don’t ask what the system can do. Ask what you want your process to be—and then see how the system supports that.”