10.1 Online Joining

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

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

Note: 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.

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.   

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:

Please note that if your selecting Gift Aid that you must fill in a Title as this is required by HMRC for the claim to be processed. 

2. Read the information about Gift Aid before ticking one of the boxes to indicate whether or not you would like your u3a to claim tax relief on your subscription:
   
   
   
   
3. Press the Make Payment button:
   
   
   
   If you did not select a box in the Gift Aid section you will be prompted to do so:
   
   
   
   
4. You will be asked to continue by pressing the Continue to PayPal to complete payment button:
   
   
   

At this point you have 2 payment options:

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

Just to confirm that PayPal is a collection facility and the individual members does not need their own PayPal Account. If they have one then PayPal, by default, directs the person to use their individual account to pay because of the cookies in use. 

If you do not wish to pay using you individual PayPal account then you need to delete your cookies before starting this payment process. 

A) Paying with your Debit/Credit Card

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

Enter your email address again at the next screen and press Continue to Payment

(There is also an option to Log in and pay with a PayPal account)

Enter the details of your payment card and your contact details

At this point you have the option of using the details that you have entered to create and pay with a new PayPal account by pressing Create Account & Pay Now

If you still wish to pay by card, untick the Save information & create your PayPal account button and click Pay now as guest

Now skip section B and continue to section C (Confirmation of Payment) below

B) Paying with PayPal

To pay with an existing PayPal account, enter your email address and press Next

If PayPal recognises your email address, you will see a screen similar to this. Enter your PayPal password and press Log in

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)
• This email is one 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	2024-05030	John Alexander	Update screen image for removal of Male / Female