As we move toward a more cashless world, managing funds for school trips has also evolved. To keep up with these changes, Student Adventures is using the Till Card program to ensure students have easy access to funds for meals and incidentals while traveling. This card provides a simple, secure, and cash-free way for students to manage their meal allowances and offers flexibility for parents who want to add spending money for extras like souvenirs. Here’s everything you need to know about how the Till Card works and why it’s an essential tool for your child’s trip.
What is the Till Card?
The Till Card is a debit card specifically designed for students. Unlike cash, which many vendors in Washington D.C. no longer accept, the Till Card allows your child to pay electronically. The card is part of a free banking app that promotes financial literacy by helping kids manage their own funds in real-world situations.
Key benefits of the Till Card include:
- FDIC-Insured: Till accounts are insured up to $250,000, offering peace of mind for parents.
- VISA® Debit Card: The card can be used at any vendor that accepts VISA, making it convenient for meals, snacks, and souvenirs.
- Financial Literacy Tools: The app includes features for setting savings goals, managing allowances, and more, turning the trip into a practical learning experience.
How Does Student Adventures Use the Till Card?
With the Till Card, Student Adventures’ Tour Directors can instantly distribute funds to each student for meals and other allowances throughout the trip. This method ensures that every student has access to their meal funds, and parents don’t need to worry about carrying or handling cash.
For students who register for the Till Card:
- Direct Allowances: Meal allowances are loaded directly onto your child’s Till Card before each meal, ensuring they have the funds needed for dining.
- Keep the Balance: Any unused meal allowance can be kept by the student and used for other expenses during the trip, like snacks or souvenirs.
- Continued Use: After the trip, your child can keep and continue using the Till Card, with parents having the option to add funds for future needs.
For students who do not register for the Till Card:
- Loaner Card Option: Students who haven’t signed up for a Till Card will receive a Loaner Card, which must be returned to the bus leader after the final meal. Any unused funds on a Loaner Card are non-refundable.
Benefits of the Till Card for Parents and Students
The Till Card provides multiple benefits for both parents and students, making it an ideal solution for trip-related expenses:
- Ease of Use: Parents can add funds to the card at any time, even during the trip, allowing for additional spending money if needed.
- Transparency: Parents receive notifications about the funds transferred to the card, so they can monitor spending and feel confident that their child has access to what they need.
- Security: If the Till Card is lost or stolen, parents or students can freeze the card through the app, preventing any unauthorized transactions.
- Financial Literacy: The app’s tools help students manage their money and learn about saving, budgeting, and responsible spending—all valuable life skills.
Getting Started with the Till Card
Signing up for the Till Card is simple. Just download the Till app, create an account, and activate the card before your child’s trip departure. For added convenience, Student Adventures will link your child’s Till Card to the trip, allowing our Tour Directors to send meal allowances directly to the card.
The Till Card ensures your child has a secure, convenient, and easy way to manage their funds during their Washington D.C. adventure. With cash becoming less accepted, the Till Card is the perfect tool to give students independence while keeping parents connected and reassured.
Learn More About Till Here!
Download The App
The registration is only available via the App store on mobile phone. If you are viewing this email from your computer, scan the QR Code with your phone’s camera
It takes ~5 minutes and Till is here to help if you have any questions:
Email: studentadventures@tillfinancial.io
Call or SMS: (424) 377-8615
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my child already has a debit card?
Student Adventures can only issue trip meal allowances through the Till program. This ensures a consistent process for distributing funds to all students.
How will I know when funds are sent to my child’s card?
Your child will receive a text or push notification each time funds are transferred to their Till Card, along with the updated balance. This way, both you and your child are always informed.
What if the Till Card is lost during the trip?
No worries! Your child or you can freeze the card in the app. Student Adventures’ Tour Director can provide a replacement Loaner Card, but please note that the balance cannot be transferred from the original Till Card to the Loaner Card.
Can I add extra spending money to the Till Card?
Absolutely! You can add funds to the card anytime via the Till app, even during the trip, giving your child extra flexibility for souvenirs or snacks.
What if we do not sign up for the Till Card?
Students without a Till Card will receive a Loaner Card for the trip. However, any unused balance on a Loaner Card is forfeited and must be returned after the trip to avoid replacement fees.
We hope this guide gave you the understanding you need when planning your next Washington, D.C. field trip. If you want a personalized experience tailored to your students, please do not hesitate to call Student Adventures at 1-877-873-7550 or email us at info@studentadventures.org!