If you’re new to LBCC Financial Aid you’ll receive an LBCC Debit Card from Higher One soon if you haven’t already. A card is sent to every student who applies for financial aid at LBCC. Be sure to keep it and “activate the card” when you get it to receive your financial aid. “Activate the card” means going online at the Higher One web site and making a choice of how you want to receive your financial aid. There won’t be money on the card when you receive it. That will come later if you’re eligible for financial aid but everyone who applies for it receives a card and is eligible to open a OneAccount.

There are 3 choices. The fastest way to access your financial aid is to open a OneAccount with Higher One. You can use the debit card to access your money instantly after we wire it to them. It also gives you the opportunity to open a bank account with free checking if you don’t already have one. Higher One has ATM’s at both campuses. Your second choice is to have Higher One transfer it electronically to your own preexisting bank account through an ACH. While this does take an extra couple of business days, you have the convenience of having one account at a bank with which you’re familiar, have a history and can continue to use their network of ATM’s. Your final choice is to have Higher One send you a paper check. This can take up to an extra week and you still have to get it cashed but it is an option.

Whatever your preference, be sure to activate your card to make it known to Higher One. You can also change that choice at any time online.