What you’ll find in this article
You’ll learn the difference between discounts, financial aid, and credits, plus when to use each to adjust what a family pays (or what they still owe).
Quick definitions
Use these as your “which tool should I use?” guide.
Discounts
A discount reduces the price of a registration.
Common reasons to use a discount:
A promotion (ex: “Full Day” camp discount)
Prorating for a late joiner (for a single player or registration)
Discounts can be:
Fixed amount (ex: $25 off)
Percentage (ex: 25% off)
Financial aid
Financial aid is a discount that’s specifically meant for players who need financial assistance.
Use financial aid when:
The club is awarding need-based assistance through your Financial Aid process/module
You want to track assistance separately from standard promotions
Financial aid can also be:
Fixed amount (ex: $100 off)
Percentage (ex: 50% off)
Credits
A credit reduces the amount owed to the club (a player’s balance), and it doesn’t have to be tied to a specific registration.
Use credits when:
You’re returning value after a cancellation (instead of refunding to a card/bank)
You want to apply an account-level adjustment the family can use later
A credit is often used instead of (or in addition to) a refund, depending on your club’s policy.
Examples of each type
Discount scenarios
Your club runs a week-long camp with morning and afternoon options. If a family chooses a full day, they receive a discount on the total cost.
A player joins halfway through the season and shouldn’t pay the full amount. You apply a discount to prorate what they owe.
Note: For program-wide proration, use your Price Overrides setup instead.
Financial aid scenario
A player qualifies for club-awarded aid after applying through your Financial Aid process/module.
Credit scenarios
A camp is cancelled due to weather. You cancel the registration, and the family receives a credit they can use toward a future registration.
A player has a season-ending injury after paying in full. Since they plan to return next year, you issue a credit for the portion of the season they missed to apply to their next program.
How to choose the right option
If you want to…
Lower the price of one registration: use a discount
Award need-based help and track it separately: use financial aid
Adjust what a family owes overall or carry value forward: use a credit
Return money to the original payment method: use a refund (covered in the Refunds article)
FAQs
What is the main difference between a discount and a credit?
A discount reduces the price of a registration. A credit reduces the amount owed to the club (a player’s balance) and does not have to be tied to a specific registration.
When should I use financial aid instead of a standard discount?
Use financial aid when awarding need-based assistance through your Financial Aid process/module or when you want to track assistance separately from standard promotions.
Can financial aid be a percentage or fixed amount?
Yes. Financial aid can be set as a fixed amount (ex: $100 off) or a percentage (ex: 50% off).
If I need to return money to a family’s card or bank account, should I use a credit?
No. To return money to the original payment method, use a refund (covered in the Refunds article).