InstantSync for MySchoolBucks

MySchoolBucks InstantSync integration syncs Fees and Fines in Genesis directly into the MySchoolBucks Payment Portal.  Payments made in the MySchoolBucks Payment Portal sync back automatically into Genesis.  You must have a MySchoolBucks payment account in order to use this integration.  For more information on MySchoolBucks, visit https://myschoolbucks.com/.

The MySchoolBucks InstantSync integration will incur a standard 2-way interface charge from Genesis. 

How it works

• To start, you will need to configure in Genesis which Fee Category you wish to sync to MySchoolBucks.  You then simply pick a date to start (the date can be in the past) and fees/fines from that date, that meet the selected category, will automatically appear in the MySchoolBucks portal. 
• Continuing day forward, as soon as a fee or fine is created in Genesis, it is also created in MySchoolBucks.
• A MySchoolBucks button will appear in Parents Portal that will direct Parents to the MySchoolBucks Portal where they can log in and pay for the fees or fines you have created.

The Sync

The sync of fees/fines to MySchoolBucks is instant.  The second they are created in Genesis, they are pushed to MySchoolBucks via our shared API.  The sync of Payments made in MySchoolBucks happens in one of three ways.

1.  Any time you visit a students fee page all payments are automatically pulled via the API
2.  Any time a parent logs into the Genesis Parent Portal, all of that parent's student payments are pulled.
3.  MySchoolBucks InstantSync task will also run nightly and pull down any payments that have not yet been pulled down.

Setup

Step one is to identify if you have fees in MySchoolBucks that also exist in Genesis.  If so, we may need to purge the unpaid fees in MySchoolBucks prior to enabling the interface.  This will avoid duplicate fees appearing in a parent's MySchoolBucks account. 

If you have UNPAID fees in MySchoolBucks that DO NOT exist in Genesis, these fees will NOT be able to sync with Genesis.  Only fees created through the Instant Sync Integration will be managed.  You will need to work with MySchoolBucks to remove these UNPAID fees from MySchoolBucks and recreate them in Genesis.

Step two is to enter your MySchoolBucks credentials and URLs into Genesis on the MySchoolBucks setup screen.  MySchoolBucks will supply you with this information. (This should be done in the testing phase with a Genesis System Support Member)

Step three is to identify which fee/fine Category in Genesis should be synced to MySchoolBucks. Categories can be added from the Setup > Codes screen under "FEE_CATEGORY". 

Step four.  You will need to run both Test Connection tests (Test Pull and Test Push) to ensure you can connect to your MySchoolBucks server. (This should be done in the testing phase with a Genesis System Support Member)

Step five is to populate the "Send student fines created after this date:  " field. This can be found at Payments > MySchoolBucks once the credentials and URLs have been filled in. **Once this field has been populated, Genesis will be able to send all fees and fines in qualifying categories with a date equal or greater to the one entered.  Fees created prior to this date will not be sent.  You will also need to enable the tasks listed below.**

Tasks

There are a total of three separate tasks for MySchoolBucks. 

1. MySchoolBucks Sync - Get Payments - This will enable Genesis to pull fee payments from MySchoolBucks 
2. MySchoolBucks Sync - Send Fees - This allows MySchoolBucks to Import fees and fines from Genesis
3. MySchoolBucks Integration - Nightly Sync- This task runs validations against the Genesis and MySchoolBucks databases to make sure everything is properly in sync.

Additional Features

• Change the Parents URL (Defaults to 'Go to MySchoolBucks')
• Add a Message on Parent Portal under the Fees and Fines Tab.
  • Located Payments > MySchoolBucks you can leave a message to show in Parents Portal.

FAQ

Q: Can a fee be assigned to a dynamic list?

A: Yes, a fee can be assigned to a dynamic list of students. This is under Payment > Fees > Click Edit Fee button.

You have four different options:

• Create a student list of all students assigned this fee
• Assign this fee to students
• Remove this fee from students who have no paid this fee
• Remove this fee from inactive students who have no paid this fee

**Important to know that assigning fees via list will not include new students. The only fees that are automatically assigned to students are sports and activity fees.**

Q: Can a fee be assigned to one student?

A: Yes, a fee can be assigned to one student. Under Studentdata > Select Student > Fees and fines and add record.

Q: What, if a parent drops off a check rather than use MySchoolBucks, can I just add that payments to the Fees and Fines for a student?

A: Yes, this can be done. Fees/Fines paid (or waived) in Genesis will mark the fine in MySchoolBucks as paid/inactive.  Under Studentdata > Select Student > Fees and fines > Make a Payment.