10.1 Online Joining

This page describes how to apply for a NEW membership of a u3a and pay using a credit/debit card or PayPal (if the u3a has enabled Online Membership applications).

If you are an existing u3a member wishing to renew, please refer to 10.2.1 Online Renewals. 

Note:

• Online payments are processed through your u3a's PayPal account. You do not need your own PayPal account to use this facility.
• You will not be charged for using online membership services, although you u3a will have a small commission fee deducted from your payment by PayPal.
• The types of membership and membership fees shown in the pictures below are unlikely to be the same as you will see – they are for example only.

Joining Online

1. The application process is usually initiated by clicking a link on your u3a’s website.
   
   Press OK on the warning notice to proceed to the Membership Application page:
   
       

2. Select the type of membership that you require at the top of the page:
   
   
   
   
3. Fill in the details about yourself and your address using any guidelines that have been supplied by your local u3a:
   
   
   
4. Read the information about Gift Aid (if it has been enabled by your u3a) before ticking one of the boxes to indicate whether or not you would like your u3a to claim tax relief on your subscription:
   
   
   
   Note: For Gift Aid claims to be processed, you must fill in a Title as this is required by HMRC.
   
   
5. Press the Make Payment button:
   
   
   
   If you did not select a box in the Gift Aid section you will be prompted to do so:
   
   
   
   

At this point you have 2 payment options:

• Pay by Debit or Credit card (see A below), or
• Pay by PayPal (see B below)

A) Paying with your Debit/Credit Card

1. To pay with a Debit or Credit card, enter your email address and press Pay by Debit or Credit Card

2. Enter your email address again at the next screen. Ignore the options to Log in to PayPal and press Continue to Payment followed by Continue as a guest

3. Enter the details of your payment card and your contact details

4. Press Pay now as guest

Note: there is also the option of using the details that you have entered to create and pay with a new PayPal account by 

5. Now skip Section B and continue to Section C (Confirmation of Payment) below

B) Paying with PayPal

1. To pay with you own PayPal account, enter your email address and press Next

Note: if you don't have a PayPal account, but would like to create a new one - follow the steps described in section A above until the final step when there is an option to create a PayPal account using the details that you have already entered.

2. Enter your PayPal password and press Log in

3. Select one of your stored credit cards or click Add debit or credit card if you wish to use a different card, before pressing Complete Purchase

C) Confirmation of Payment

After receiving confirmation of payment, click Return to Seller to return to your local u3a website

You will receive 2 confirmation emails:

• A confirmation of payment from PayPal
  
  
• A confirmation from your u3a. This may have your membership card attached (if your u3a has chosen to use this facility)

[Note for System admins - The email from the u3a is set in System Messages. If you are using the Members Portal then we suggest that this email directs new members to register for the Portal. You can use the Tokens in this email to remind them of their email address used and membership number. It can also be helpful to remind them of the pieces of information needed to register]

Revision History

v2	2021-07-12	Graeme Bunting	Changes to the PayPal screens
v3	2023-01-12	Graeme Bunting	New Gift Aid requirements and changes to PayPal screens
v4	2023-02-27	Graeme Bunting	Changes to PayPal screens
v5	2023-11-01	John Alexander	Add the need to enter Title is claiming Gift Aid is selected
v6	2024-04-03	John Alexander	Add using System Message confirmation email to remind on Membership registering process.
v7	2024-05-26	John Alexander	Update guidance if you have your own PayPal account.
v8	2024-05-30	John Alexander	Update screen image for removal of Male / Female
v9	2024-12-15	Graeme Bunting	Removal of the "Continue to PayPal to complete payment" screen. Other images updated. Minor changes to text.