Higher One Higher One refund fiasco New Haven, Connecticut

Thank you for your response.  If someone had provided this information in the numerous emails sent to HigherOne, this problem could have been settled long ago. 

The instructions on your website regarding ACH forms should be explained more fully to avoid problems like this.

Hello. My name is Aaron and I work with Higher One. I'd like to help clarify the information here as it seems to be a matter of miscommunication. 

While it is true that you can have a refund directly deposited into an existing bank account, it is only possible from the initial time of refund disbursement - meaning that the transfer to the Automated Clearing House (ACH) must be done at the time the school sends Higher One the refund file and refund wire. This process skips the OneAccount checking account completely, and is directly deposited into the designated bank account listed on the ACH form.

However, if a refund is deposited into the OneAccount checking account, and then the refund preference is changed to ACH Transfer, which sounds like the case here, then only future refunds will be deposited into the designated bank account on the ACH form. However, because the OneAccount checking account is a fully functioning, FDIC Insured Checking account there are multiple ways to use the funds in the account. All of these ways can be found through this Easy Help link: https://www.higheroneaccount.com/easyhelp/pta?basepage=answer&type=public&param=2229

Additionally, because it is a fully functioning bank account, banking regulations require that the account owner, in this case your daughter, be present when discussing details of the account. This would be the same situation if you were to walk into a bank branch and attempt to talk to them about an account not under your name. This is to ensure the safety and security of the account information and is a regulation every banking institution follows. 

We hope this information is helpful!