PayPal and Venmo Add Tuition Payments at Thousands of Colleges
PayPal and Venmo now support college tuition payments through Illumia, Nelnet Campus Commerce and TouchNet, reaching thousands of institutions and families.
Summary
PayPal announced Wednesday, August 19, 2026, that students and families can pay college tuition using PayPal or Venmo. The company partnered with education payment platforms Illumia, Nelnet Campus Commerce and TouchNet, which collectively serve thousands of colleges and universities, adding the familiar apps as another payment option.
Nelnet Campus Commerce president Jackie Strohbehn said broader payment choice could provide flexibility, reduce friction and prevent affordability from disrupting enrollment. TouchNet president Jeremy Loch said the integration expands institutional choice while benefiting tuition payers and schools. TechCrunch questioned whether easier payment meaningfully addresses college costs, contrasting eighteen-year-old campus library workers earning $10 per hour with five-figure tuition bills and the prospect of draining bank accounts or assuming debt through a familiar app. The announcement provided no details about fees, participating institutions or rollout terms.
Positives
- Thousands of colleges and universities served by Illumia, Nelnet Campus Commerce and TouchNet could gain PayPal and Venmo tuition payments.
- PayPal and Venmo give students and families another option for making major tuition payments.
- Nelnet Campus Commerce expects the integration to increase flexibility and reduce payment friction.
- TouchNet says the integration broadens institutional payment choice and benefits both tuition payers and colleges.
Risks & concerns
- Five-figure tuition bills remain unaffordable for many students despite a simpler payment interface.
- $10-per-hour campus library wages illustrate the gap between student earnings and tuition costs.
- PayPal and Venmo convenience does not eliminate the risk of depleted bank accounts or education debt.
- The announcement did not specify fees, participating colleges or detailed rollout terms.
