Heartland, a provider of credit/debit/prepaid card processing, payroll, check management and payment services, as well as campus cards, is the first-ever winner of this award, which recognized the company’s Give Something Back Network for its pioneering payments solution for colleges and universities.

By replacing the traditional school ID card with a OneCard and contactless cell phone tag powered by the Network, students, faculty and staff can make payments on campus and off. With every off-campus purchase made with the card/tag, the sponsoring school automatically receives a minimum donation of one-third of 1.5% of the purchase price. Cardholders can elect to donate an additional 1% to the school or other eligible nonprofit organizations. Alternatively, cardholders can receive 1% cash back. The OneCard/tag, first introduced at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania last year, can also be used at vending and laundry machines or to provide access control, check out library books, buy meals or to receive financial aid, tuition reimbursement or refunds.

“The introduction of this next-generation payment system at Slippery Rock…last fall was the first step in launching the Give Something Back Network and the beginning of a new era of low-cost, convenient payment solutions for institutions, consumers and merchants,” said Bob Carr, chairman and chief executive officer of Heartland.

The Best in Payments awards, established in 2007 by Cards & Payments, recognize industry excellence in five categories: Marketing Campaign, New Products, Technology Implementation, Outstanding Payments Executive and the newly added Editor’s Choice award.