ASSESSMENT ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PAYMENT PROCESS DURING ENROLLMENT: BASIS FOR PROPOSED ENHANCED ONLINE TRANSACTION PROCEDURE

Abstract

In an era marked by rapid digital advancements, online transactions now cover a wide range of activities, including purchasing goods and services, transferring funds, managing investments, and conducting various financial operations—all within the virtual space. However, a major challenge persists in the enrollment process, where many institutions continue to rely heavily on manual procedures. Despite the growth of digital technologies, these paper-based systems still dominate, resulting in inefficiencies that hinder convenience and productivity for both students and faculty.  The ongoing use of manual enrollment processing creates several critical problems. First, it leads to delays and crowded queues, especially during peak registration times, causing frustration among students and staff. Second, the potential for errors, such as the misplacement of documents or incorrect data entry, increases, which could result in significant setbacks for students and administrative complications for institutions. These issues highlight the pressing need for a transition to automated systems that can enhance efficiency, reduce errors, and create a more convenient experience for all involved. A descriptive research design was implemented in this study. Respondents were selected based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria outlined in the methods section. To ensure that various characteristics of the population were adequately represented, stratified sampling was employed. This technique was chosen to account for the diversity within the population and ensure proportional representation of each subgroup. The study's respondents consisted of 273 students from the Office Administration program, covering all four years of study, from 1st-year to 4th-year. This sampling method provided a broad and representative sample to gain insights into the students' experiences. The results highlight a clear consensus among students that to avoid the inconvenience and delays associated with payment transactions during enrollment, the institution should consider implementing multiple payment options. This would enhance both convenience and security for students. Furthermore, e-payment systems offer numerous benefits, including cost savings, time efficiency, faster transaction processing, and reduced transaction fees. These advantages are particularly beneficial for the students of Bestlink College of the Philippines, as incorporating e-payment methods could streamline the enrollment payment process, making it more efficient and accessible. To improve the payment process during enrollment at Bestlink College of the Philippines, it is recommended to offer a variety of payment methods, such as GCash, PayPal, PayMaya, BDO, MetroBank, RCBC, Union Bank, and others. These options provide greater convenience for students who are seeking faster, more cost-effective, and time-saving ways to handle their financial transactions. As students increasingly rely on e-wallets for their daily financial needs, adopting these digital payment solutions can effectively address the demand for quick and secure transactions during enrollment, enhancing the overall process for both students and the institution.