Setup & Connecting Your Stripe Account

Modified on Thu, 23 Jul at 11:40 AM

CPR Enroll uses Stripe as its payment processing partner. Every student payment made during class registration, store purchases, or invoice payments flows through your connected Stripe account, so connecting Stripe is one of the first things to complete when setting up your account. This article walks you through connecting Stripe from the Setup Guide, verifying the connection, and configuring how processing fees are handled at checkout.

✔ Do I need a Stripe account first? No — you can create one during this setup. If you already have a Stripe account, you can link it directly by using the same email address on file with Stripe. Stripe account creation is free; Stripe charges its own per-transaction processing fee (typically 2.9% + $0.30 for US cards), which is separate from your CPR Enroll subscription.

Before You Begin

A business or personal email address you'd like associated with your payment account.
Basic business information, such as your business name, address, and tax ID (if applicable), since Stripe may request these during verification.
Authorization to complete this step on behalf of your business. If you're setting this up for a business, the form must be completed by the business owner or someone with significant management responsibility for that business.

Setup takes about 5 minutes, though Stripe may occasionally request additional verification information depending on your business type and location.

Connecting Stripe to CPR Enroll

From the left-hand menu, click Settings.
Click Setup Guide. You'll land on Your Setup Guide, where you can finish setting up your account with everything you need to sell and operate.
Under 1. Get Sell-Ready, find Connect Payments and click Connect. This opens the Connect Payments screen, where you'll link your account to Stripe.
On the Connect Payments screen, click Connect with Stripe. You'll be redirected to Stripe's secure connection page. CPR Enroll partners with Stripe to keep every transaction safe and secure, so none of your payment details are stored directly on CPR Enroll's servers.
On the Get Started with Stripescreen, enter your email address.
- Already have a Stripe account? Use the same email already on file with Stripe to link your existing account instead of creating a duplicate.
- New to Stripe? Enter the email you'd like to use, then click Continue to proceed with account creation.
Depending on your business type, Stripe may ask for additional details such as your business classification, banking information for payouts, or identity verification documents. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete this process.
Once you've completed Stripe's setup steps, you'll be returned to CPR Enroll, where your account status will reflect that payments are connected.

✔ Who can complete this step? If you're completing this on behalf of a business, the form must be completed by the business owner or someone with significant management responsibility for that business. Stripe uses this information to verify the account and remain compliant with financial regulations.

Verifying the Connection

After connecting, the Connect Payments screen will show your Stripe account status as connected.
Create a test class with a $1.00 price and enroll yourself using a test card to confirm payments are flowing correctly.
Check your Stripe dashboard (dashboard.stripe.com) under Payments to confirm the test transaction appeared.

Setting Up Payment Processing Fees

If you want to pass Stripe's processing fees to students rather than absorbing them yourself, you can configure a payment surcharge:

Go to Payments → Settings → Payment Processing.
Enter a Label — the name students see at checkout, for example "Processing Fee."
Enable the toggle and enter a Percentage (e.g., 2.9) and a Fixed Amount (e.g., 0.30).
Click Save. The surcharge will be added to all student transactions at checkout.

✔ Account-level vs. course-level fee assignment. You can also set whether the platform fee is paid by the account or the student on a per-course basis. In the course edit form, find the Platform Fee toggle and set it to Student Paid or Account Paid.

Best Practices

Use your official business email when connecting Stripe, rather than a personal email, to keep financial records and support communications organized.
Keep your Stripe login credentials secure, since this account handles your payment processing and payout information.
Double-check your payout bank details during Stripe setup to avoid delays in receiving funds.
Revisit the Connect Payments screen anytime if you need to update your connected Stripe account or review your payment status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question	Answer
Do I need a Stripe account before starting this process?	No. If you don't already have one, you can create a Stripe account directly during this setup by entering your email and following the prompts.
Can I use a personal Stripe account for my business?	The connection form must be completed by the business owner or someone with significant management responsibility for the business, so make sure the correct authorized person completes this step.
How long does it take to connect Stripe?	The guided setup typically takes about 5 minutes, though Stripe may request additional verification depending on your business type, which could take longer to process.
What happens if I already use Stripe for another business or platform?	Enter the same email address associated with your existing Stripe account. Stripe will guide you through linking or creating the appropriate account from there.
Is my payment information secure?	Yes. CPR Enroll partners with Stripe, a PCI-compliant payment processor, to ensure all transactions and sensitive payment data are handled securely.

✔ You're all set. Once connected, your CPR Enroll account will be ready to accept online payments for class enrollments, giving your students a smooth, secure checkout experience.

Related: The Setup Guide: Your Path to Success Checklist · Your NEW Setup Guide: How to Set Your Policies · How to Add a Course?