What are installment plans?
Installment plans let you split a large dues item into multiple smaller payments with separate due dates. This is especially helpful for expensive seasonal fees.
Example:
A $1,200 season fee can be broken into three installments:
- • $400 due September 1
- • $400 due October 1
- • $400 due November 1
Benefits of installment plans:
- Easier for families to budget large fees over time
- Reduces sticker shock for expensive programs
- Automatic tracking of partial payments
- Reminders sent automatically for each installment
Setting up an installment plan
Create a new dues item
From your team dashboard, click Add Dues and enter the total amount (e.g., $1,200 Season Fee).
Enable installments
Toggle Use installment plan and specify the number of payments (e.g., 3 installments).
Choose a payment frequency
Pick how far apart the installments fall — Weekly, Biweekly, or Monthly. GetDues divides the total evenly and spaces the due dates using the frequency you select, starting from the due date you set. A live Payment Schedule Preview shows each installment’s amount and date before you save.
Save and send reminders
GetDues will automatically remind members about each upcoming installment as the due dates approach.
Payment frequency
When you set the number of installments, you also choose how often they come due. The frequency you pick drives the dates GetDues generates for the schedule:
- Weekly — one installment every 7 days.
- Biweekly — one installment every 2 weeks.
- Monthly — one installment each month.
The first installment uses the due date you set, and each later installment is spaced out from there by the frequency. Change the frequency and the Payment Schedule Preview updates instantly so you can confirm the dates before saving.
What members see
When you send a reminder, members see their payment schedule broken down clearly:
Season Fee: $1,200 total
✓ Installment 1: $400 (paid)
→ Installment 2: $400 due Oct 1
Installment 3: $400 due Nov 1
Members can pay any installment early, and GetDues tracks each payment separately.
Tracking partial payments
GetDues automatically tracks which installments have been paid:
- Your dashboard shows “2 of 3 installments paid” progress
- Reminders only mention upcoming or overdue installments
- Reports show partial payment status for each member
- Members see their payment history in their portal
Tip:
You can manually mark an installment as paid if a member pays you directly (cash, check, etc.). GetDues will update the schedule automatically.
Editing an existing plan
To change an installment plan, open the dues item from your team dashboard and click the edit (pencil) icon. The edit form lets you adjust the total amount, the number of installments, the payment frequency, and the due date.
Changing any of these regenerates the schedule: GetDues replaces the existing installment rows with a brand-new set of installments based on your updated settings. The schedule preview updates as you make changes, so you can confirm the new dates and amounts before saving.
Heads up:
When you save, the warning “Saving will regenerate the installment schedule. Existing installment records will be replaced.” means the planned installment line items are rebuilt from scratch. Your members’ recorded payments and any account credit are not deleted — they stay on file, and GetDues re-applies available credit against the updated balance after you save.
Your chosen frequency is remembered when you reopen the edit form, so you don’t have to reselect it each time.
Need help with installments?
Our team can help you set up the perfect payment plan for your season.
Contact Support