Application Settings & Emails
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Beyond the individual form, Lazarus has a set of settings that shape the experience across all of your applications — the message families see when they open your form, the emails they receive at each step, and how payments are handled. This guide walks through each one.
Where to Find Application Settings
Navigate to Applications in the left sidebar and open the Settings tab. Everything in this guide lives here.
Important: These settings are global. They apply to every application you run, not one form at a time. Keep that in mind whenever you change a payment or fee option.
Your Application Welcome Message
The welcome message is the text families see at the top of your application page when they open it. It's your chance to greet them, set expectations, and explain anything they should know before they start — your program in a sentence or two, what they'll need on hand, or how long the form takes.
Keep it short and welcoming. This is the first thing a prospective family reads, so a warm, clear message goes a long way.
Email Templates
Lazarus sends families automated emails at key moments, and you can customize the subject line and body of each. There are three:
- Application invite — sent when you invite a family to apply. Use it to introduce your school and encourage them to complete the form.
- Acceptance email — sent when you accept an application. This is your welcome-to-the-school moment, so make it warm and include any next steps.
- Rejection email — sent when you reject an application. Keep it kind and respectful; families remember how they were treated even when the answer is no.
Each template has its own subject line and message body. Write them in your school's voice — these emails represent you.
Tip: Draft your acceptance and rejection emails before you start reviewing applications. When decisions go out, you'll be glad the wording is already set and consistent for every family.
Payment Methods
You choose which payment methods families are allowed to use when they pay an application fee:
- ACH Bank Transfer — families pay directly from their bank account. Lowest fees, good for larger payments.
- Credit Card — standard card payments and the most familiar option for most families.
- Apple Pay / Google Pay — digital wallet payments, convenient on mobile devices.
- Cash / Check / Other — an offline option where families pay you directly, with no Stripe fees since the payment happens outside the platform.
You must have at least one method enabled. We recommend enabling Credit Card at a minimum, and adding ACH Bank Transfer to give families a lower-cost option for larger amounts.
Who Pays the Fees
Two toggles decide who absorbs the costs of processing a payment:
- Charge families the Stripe processing fee — when on, families pay Stripe's processing fee on top of your application fee, and your school receives the full amount you set. When off, the fee comes out of what you receive.
- Families pay the platform application fee — when on, families cover the Lazarus platform fee. When off, your organization absorbs it.
Like everything on this tab, both toggles apply to all of your applications. Consider the impact on your families when deciding who carries the cost.
For the full breakdown of Stripe's rates and how payouts reach your bank account, see Accept Payments through Stripe in the Getting Started guide.
Saving Your Settings
Remember to save after making changes. Your welcome message, email templates, payment methods, and fee toggles take effect across your applications right away.
Next, put your application in front of families by inviting them or sharing your link.