Volunteer State Community College located in Gallatin, Tenn. is partnering with Heartland to expand the Volunteer State Campus Card to encompass prepaid debit card features for students who are receiving financial aid, according to the college’s student newspaper.

Volunteer State Campus Card will become the default financial aid refund option, however it is not required and those students who wish to opt out and continue receiving a paper check or direct deposit may request to do so.

“With the new pre-paid debit feature students will get their money much quicker,” said Rachel Welch, assistant director of accounting, “as opposed to waiting on a paper check in the mail.” For the college, the initiative will also reduce the cost of printing these paper checks and mailing them out to the students.”

Welch added, “A lot of students don’t have bank accounts. So, this will provide a convenient alternative for them to get their money.”

An ATM will also be placed on the main campus – specifically for the refund cards – and will allow students to make an unlimited number of cash withdraws. Students can also use their campus card anywhere that accepts Discover – which according to Heartland – 97 percent of the places that accept Visa and MasterCard now also accept Discover.

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