Automated payment link generation for application fees

Purpose

1.1 Enable real-time, personalized payment link issuance for prospective students paying application fees, reducing manual effort and improving applicant experience.
1.2 Integrate payment gateway with student enrollment management, ensuring seamless fee tracking and automating status updates in records.
1.3 Minimize human errors and streamline finance reconciliation, while supporting instant applicant notifications and reminder flows.

Trigger Conditions

2.1 Submission of online application form by a candidate.
2.2 Status change on CRM/admissions portal to “Application Started” or “Payment Pending.”
2.3 Receipt of relevant API webhook or form submission event indicating applicant intent to pay.
2.4 Scheduled batch for sending payment links to incomplete applications.
2.5 Manual or automated admissions staff action for payment request initiation.

Platform variants

3.1 Stripe
• Payment Links API: Create a payment link with applicant details and fee amount programmatically (PaymentLinks.create).
3.2 PayPal
• Invoicing API: Generate and email digital invoice on application event (Invoices.create).
3.3 Square
• Checkout API: Create a checkout link specific for application (CreatePaymentLink endpoint).
3.4 Razorpay
• Payment Links API: Auto-generate links and push to student via SMS/email (PaymentLink.create).
3.5 Authorize.Net
• CreateTransactionRequest: Configure one-time payment URL generation with applicant reference.
3.6 Google Forms + Google Apps Script
• Triggered email with Apps Script on form submit, embedding generated payment URL.
3.7 Typeform + Zapier
• Use form submission trigger to call payment processor and email/SMS unique payment link.
3.8 HubSpot CRM
• Workflow Extension (Custom Code Action): On contact create/update, trigger payment link workflow.
3.9 Salesforce
• Flow Builder: Launch payment link API call using custom Apex or external service action.
3.10 Freshdesk
• Automations: On ticket event (applicant enquiry), auto-send payment link using webhook or integration.
3.11 Mailchimp
• Transactional Email: Automated email on subscriber sign-up, embedding customized payment link.
3.12 Twilio SMS
• Programmable Messaging: Send payment link to phone number from form or CRM (Messages.create).
3.13 WhatsApp Cloud API
• Send API: Deliver unique application payment link as WhatsApp message with applicant name.
3.14 Microsoft Power Automate
• Flow: Trigger on SharePoint/Forms event, call payment processor, send Teams/email notification.
3.15 Google Sheets
• Apps Script/Addon: On row addition, invoke payment API and paste link into “Payment Link” column.
3.16 Monday.com
• Automations Center: On new item/create, use native integration or webhook for payment link.
3.17 ClickSend
• SMS API: Automated SMS to applicant with fee payment URL on enrolment trigger.
3.18 Zendesk
• Triggers: On ticket tag/update (“enrolment”), call webhook to create and dispatch payment link.
3.19 ActiveCampaign
• Automations: On contact form fill, run webhook or email step to deliver payment link.
3.20 Docusign
• PowerForms API: On form entry, insert payment link into confirmation email sent to applicant.

Benefits

4.1 Eliminate repetitive manual payment link creation for staff.
4.2 Accelerate applicant payment cycle and admissions processing.
4.3 Ensure payment tracking and status sync across CRM, email, and finance.
4.4 Deliver professional, immediate, and consistent communication to candidates.
4.5 Support multi-channel link delivery — email, SMS, WhatsApp, and portal.
4.6 Reduce missed payments through automated reminders and real-time updates.
4.7 Enhance applicant experience with instant, secure payment journeys.
4.8 Improve reporting and compliance through digital audit trails of fee requests.