myLACCDCard by higher One

As of August 2010, financial aid checks are no longer issued. Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) has partnered with Higher One, a financial services company focused on higher education, to offer fast delivery of financial aid disbursements to our students. You will receive your disbursement through the myLACCDcard by Higher One. This new card will be your key to faster financial aid disbursements and increased choice for receiving your disbursement.

The following items should answer most of your Frequently Asked Questions.

What is the myLACCDcard?

The myLACCDcard is a new debit card from HigherOne Inc, a financial services company specializing in higher education. This card will allow you to easily access your disbursement funds (also called a “refund”). Once your debit card has been activated and the refund preference has been selected, you will be able to access your financial aid disbursements on the day that the Los Angeles Community College District releases the funds.

How do I get the myLACCDcard?

The myLACCDcard will be issued to LACCD students who applied for financial aid with a matching Student ID to the mailing address on file. We recommend that students confirm their mailing address in the Student Information System. (Address changes may be submitted to any of the following offices: Financial Aid Office, Business Office, or Admissions & Records.) The card will be mailed in a green envelope with the LACCD logo on it.

I don’t have my card yet. How do I find out about the status of my card? 

To check on the status of your card, visit www.myLACCDcard.com. Click on the “Where’s My Card?” link at the top of the page and follow the instructions. Also, make sure the mailing address on file at Los Angeles Southwest College (LASC) is current.

What do I need to do once I receive the myLACCDcard? 

Do not throw away the myLACCDcard! The myLACCDcard is your key to select a disbursement (refund) preference. You will need to enter the unique 16-digit number on your card to login to www.mylaccdcard.com and choose your disbursement preference. You must select a disbursement preference so that the LACCD knows how you would like to receive your financial aid funds.

You have two disbursement options:

1.  Easy Refund Option.  If you choose this option, you are opening up a checking account with Higher One and the myLACCDcard becomes an active Debit MasterCard.  Your financial aid disbursements (refunds) will be deposited to your Higher One account, called OneAccount.  You may then use the myLACCDcard to make purchases or withdraw cash from any Higher One ATM (or other ATMs, which will be subject to at least a $2.50 fee).
2. Electronic Deposit ACH Option.  If oyu choose this option, your financial aid disbursements will be deposited into your own checking or savings bank account (not a Higher One account). You will select which bank account you want the disbursement deposited into when you activate your preference. With this option the myLACCDcard is not active. To access your financial aid funds as soon as the LACCD successfully deposits the funds into your account, simply use your own bank’s ATM or debit card to make purchases or withdraw cash.

For more information on activating your card and choosing your refund preference, visit www.myLACCDcard.com.

What exactly is a OneAccount? 

You would set up your OneAccount if you choose the Easy Refund Option as your refund preference. The OneAccount is a fully functioning FDIC checking account with no minimum balance and no monthly fees. Selecting the OneAccount allows you to access your financial aid disbursements quickly and easily with benefits such as:

• Free internet banking features
• Ability to make purchases anywhere Debit MasterCard is accepted
• Ability to withdraw cash with no fees at any Higher One ATMs located on the LASC campus or at any other LACCD school
• Free mobile alerts about your OneAccount

How will I know when my financial aid disbursement has been direct deposited to my OneAccount? 

Higher One will send an email to the email address you entered during activation when your financial aid disbursement has been deposited to your OneAccount. You can also view the details of your OneAccount by accessing your statement online. Additionally, you can sign up to receive text messages sent directly to your cell phone with Mobile Alerts. Look for these options as you activate your myLACCDcard.

Is the myLACCDcard a Credit Card? 

No. The myLACCDcard is not a credit card. You can use it to make purchases at all participating merchants that accept Debit MasterCard, get cash at ATMs, pay bills, etc.

What is the maximum amount of money that can be withdrawn from an ATM in one day if I am using the OneAccount myLACCDcard?

You may withdraw up to $500 per day.

What is the maximum daily spending limit if I am using myLACCDcard?

You may spend up to $2,500 per day. If you wish to spend a larger amount, you should contact Higher One Customer Service to request an increase to this amount (1-877-524-3985, Monday through Friday 8:00am – 8:00pm EST).

Are there any fees if I use the myLACCDcard at another bank’s ATM?

Yes. You will be charged $2.50 from Higher One plus any fees the ATM might charge. Check the online Higher One Fee Schedule to view current fees associated with some of the myLACCDcard services, as well as what you can do to avoid certain fees.

What if I don’t want to open a OneAccount – can I have my financial aid deposited to my own bank account?

Yes, you may have your financial aid disbursement deposited to a checking or savings account at the bank of your choice. To do this, activate your refund preference as soon as you receive your myLACCDcard in the mail. During the activation process, be sure to select the ‘Electronic Deposit ACH Transfer To Other Bank’ option for your disbursement preference. When you do this, complete, print, and send the required third-party form to the designated address. (This form is available online during the activation process.)

Is the myLACCDcard an active debit card if I don’t choose the OneAccount as my disbursement preference?

No. The card is only an active debit card if you choose to open a OneAccount and have your financial aid refund deposited into this account. Once you select the Electronic Deposit ACH Option, all financial aid funds are deposited into your personal bank account and the myLACCDcard is no longer active.

Once I’ve already activated the myLACCDcard, how do I log in to view my Higher One account?

Go to www.myLACCDcard.com and enter your email address and password. The password is what you created upon activation of your myLACCDcard.

What if I have questions that are not answered here or on the myLACCDcard website?

You may contact Higher One at 1-877-524-3985, Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 8:00pm EST.

You can also click on the Easy Help feature at www.myLACCDcard.com to search the same comprehensive database used by their Customer Care Agents and to look at the most popular questions and answers.

If you still have questions regarding your myLACCDcard, you may also contact the LASC Financial Aid Office by calling 323-241-5338.