> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.getfloa.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Stripe Connect Setup

> Connect your Stripe account to receive payments directly from your students

## What is Stripe Connect?

**Stripe Connect** allows you to receive payments directly from students who purchase your courses on Floa.

<Info>
  **Without Stripe Connect:** Students can't purchase your courses — you can only preview and share products.

  **With Stripe Connect:** Students buy your courses, and payments go directly to your Stripe account.
</Info>

### How It Works

1. You connect your Stripe account to Floa
2. Students purchase your courses through Floa's checkout
3. **Payments go directly to your Stripe account** (minus Stripe's processing fees)
4. You manage payouts, refunds, and financial reporting in your Stripe Dashboard

<Tip>
  **Floa uses Stripe Connect** to enable direct payments to creators. This means you maintain full control of your funds and financial data.
</Tip>

***

## Why Connect Stripe?

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Get Paid Directly" icon="money-bill-wave">
    Payments from students land in your Stripe account, not Floa's. You control your money.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Fast Payouts" icon="clock">
    Stripe pays out to your bank account on a rolling basis (typically 2 business days after purchase).
  </Card>

  <Card title="Transparent Fees" icon="receipt">
    Stripe's standard processing fees (2.9% + \$0.30 per transaction). No hidden Floa fees.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Secure & Compliant" icon="shield-check">
    Stripe handles PCI compliance, fraud detection, and secure payment processing.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Prerequisites

Before connecting Stripe to Floa, ensure you have:

<Steps>
  <Step title="A Stripe Account">
    **Don't have a Stripe account yet?**

    1. Go to [stripe.com](https://stripe.com)
    2. Click **Sign Up**
    3. Complete the registration (business details, bank account, identity verification)

    **Already have a Stripe account?**

    You can use your existing account. No need to create a new one.

    <Info>
      **Stripe requires identity verification** to activate payouts. You'll need to provide business details, a tax ID (EIN or SSN), and bank account information.
    </Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Business Information Ready">
    Stripe will ask for:

    * Legal business name (or your personal name if sole proprietor)
    * Business address
    * Tax ID (EIN for businesses, SSN for individuals in the US)
    * Bank account for payouts
    * Phone number
    * Date of birth (for identity verification)

    Have this information ready before starting the connection process.
  </Step>

  <Step title="An Active Floa Subscription">
    You need an active subscription (Starter, Pro, or Scale) to connect Stripe and sell products.

    **Current pricing:**

    * **Starter:** \$27/month or \$270/year
    * **Pro:** \$97/month or \$970/year
    * **Scale:** \$297/month or \$2,970/year
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## How to Connect Stripe to Floa

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Settings">
    1. Log into Floa
    2. Click your profile icon (top-right)
    3. Select **Settings**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Go to Stripe Connect Section">
    1. In Settings, find the **Integrations** or **Stripe Connect** section
    2. Click **Connect Stripe** (or **Connect with Stripe**)

    <Info>
      **First time connecting?** You'll be redirected to Stripe's secure onboarding flow.
    </Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authorize Floa in Stripe">
    Stripe will open a new window or tab asking you to:

    1. **Log into your Stripe account** (or create one if you don't have an account)
    2. **Review permissions** Floa is requesting (ability to create charges, manage customers, issue refunds)
    3. **Authorize the connection** by clicking **Connect**

    <Warning>
      **Do not close this window** until you see a confirmation that the connection succeeded. If you close it early, the connection will fail.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Complete Stripe Onboarding (If New Account)">
    If you're creating a new Stripe account or haven't completed identity verification:

    Stripe will ask you to:

    * Provide business details (name, address, industry)
    * Verify your identity (upload ID, provide SSN/EIN)
    * Add bank account for payouts
    * Agree to Stripe's Terms of Service

    **This process takes 5-15 minutes.**

    <Tip>
      **Stripe may request additional information** (business documents, website details) for compliance. Respond promptly to avoid payout delays.
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm Connection in Floa">
    Once Stripe onboarding is complete:

    1. You'll be redirected back to Floa
    2. You should see **"Stripe Connected"** in your Settings
    3. Your Stripe account email or business name will be displayed

    **You're now ready to accept payments!**
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## After Connecting: How Payments Work

Once Stripe is connected, here's what happens when a student buys your course:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Student Purchases Course">
    1. Student clicks **Enroll** or **Buy Now** on your product
    2. They're taken to Floa's checkout page (powered by Stripe)
    3. They enter payment details (credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc.)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Payment is Processed">
    1. Stripe processes the payment securely
    2. **Funds go directly to your Stripe account** (not Floa's)
    3. Stripe deducts processing fees (2.9% + \$0.30 per transaction)

    **Example:**

    * Student pays \$97 for your course
    * Stripe fee: \$3.11 (2.9% of \$97 = \$2.81 + \$0.30)
    * **You receive: \$93.89**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Student Gets Access">
    1. Student receives confirmation email
    2. They can immediately access the course in Floa
    3. Progress is tracked automatically
  </Step>

  <Step title="You Get Paid">
    1. Funds settle in your Stripe account (typically 2 business days after purchase)
    2. Stripe automatically pays out to your bank account based on your payout schedule
    3. **Default payout schedule:** Daily or weekly (you can customize this in Stripe)
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  **Check your Stripe Dashboard** at [dashboard.stripe.com](https://dashboard.stripe.com) to view transactions, payouts, and financial reports.
</Info>

***

## Managing Your Stripe Connect Account

### View Transactions

**In Stripe Dashboard:**

1. Go to [dashboard.stripe.com](https://dashboard.stripe.com)
2. Click **Payments** to see all transactions
3. Filter by date, amount, or customer

**What you'll see:**

* Customer name and email
* Purchase amount
* Stripe fees
* Net payout
* Payout status (pending, paid, failed)

### Issue Refunds

**To refund a student:**

1. Go to your Stripe Dashboard
2. Navigate to **Payments**
3. Find the transaction
4. Click **Refund** (full or partial)
5. Confirm refund

<Warning>
  **Refunds remove student access** to the course in Floa. Stripe fees are not refunded.
</Warning>

**Example:**

* Student paid \$97
* You refund \$97
* Stripe keeps the \$3.11 processing fee
* **You lose: \$3.11** (the original fee is not returned)

### Manage Payouts

**Default payout schedule:** Stripe pays out daily or weekly to your bank account.

**To change payout schedule:**

1. Go to Stripe Dashboard
2. Navigate to **Settings > Bank accounts and scheduling**
3. Choose **Daily**, **Weekly**, or **Monthly** payouts
4. Save changes

<Tip>
  **Manual payouts:** You can also trigger payouts manually if you need funds faster. Go to **Balance > Payout** in Stripe.
</Tip>

### Update Bank Account

**To change where Stripe pays you:**

1. Go to Stripe Dashboard
2. Navigate to **Settings > Bank accounts and scheduling**
3. Click **Add bank account**
4. Verify the new account (Stripe will make 2 small deposits to verify)
5. Set as default payout account

***

## Disconnecting Stripe

**If you need to disconnect your Stripe account from Floa:**

<Warning>
  **Disconnecting Stripe stops all payments.** Students will not be able to purchase your courses until you reconnect.
</Warning>

**How to disconnect:**

**Option 1: From Floa Settings**

1. Go to **Settings > Stripe Connect**
2. Click **Disconnect Stripe**
3. Confirm disconnection

**Option 2: From Stripe Dashboard**

1. Go to [dashboard.stripe.com/settings/applications](https://dashboard.stripe.com/settings/applications)
2. Find **Floa** in your connected applications
3. Click **Disconnect**

**What happens after disconnecting:**

* Students can't purchase your courses
* Existing students keep access to courses they already bought
* Past transactions and payouts remain in your Stripe account
* You can reconnect at any time

***

## Troubleshooting Common Issues

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Connection Failed or Timed Out">
    **Symptoms:**

    * Stripe window closed without confirmation
    * Error message: "Connection failed"
    * Stuck on "Connecting..." screen

    **Fix:**

    1. Go back to Floa Settings
    2. Click **Connect Stripe** again
    3. Complete the flow without closing windows
    4. If it still fails, clear your browser cache and try again
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Stripe Onboarding Incomplete">
    **Symptoms:**

    * Stripe is connected but payouts are disabled
    * Message: "Action required" in Stripe Dashboard

    **Fix:**

    1. Go to [dashboard.stripe.com](https://dashboard.stripe.com)
    2. Look for banner: "Finish setting up your account"
    3. Click **Continue setup**
    4. Complete identity verification (upload ID, provide tax info, add bank account)

    **Why this happens:** Stripe requires full verification before enabling payouts to prevent fraud.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Payouts Are Delayed">
    **Symptoms:**

    * Funds are in Stripe balance but not in your bank account
    * Expected payout didn't arrive

    **Possible causes:**

    1. **First payout delay:** Stripe holds your first payout for 7-14 days (standard security measure)
    2. **Bank verification pending:** If you recently added a bank account, verification may take 2-3 business days
    3. **Unusual activity flagged:** Stripe may hold payouts if they detect suspicious transactions

    **Fix:**

    1. Check [dashboard.stripe.com](https://dashboard.stripe.com) under **Balance > Payouts**
    2. Look for payout status (pending, in transit, paid, failed)
    3. If status says "Under review," contact Stripe support for details
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Students Can't Complete Checkout">
    **Symptoms:**

    * Students report payment errors
    * Checkout page won't load

    **Possible causes:**

    1. **Stripe account suspended or restricted**
    2. **Payment method declined** (student's card issue, not yours)
    3. **Checkout integration issue**

    **Fix:**

    1. Check your Stripe Dashboard for any warnings or account restrictions
    2. Ask the student to try a different payment method
    3. If issue persists, contact Floa support
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="'Stripe Not Connected' Despite Successful Connection">
    **Symptoms:**

    * You completed connection but Floa still says "Not connected"

    **Fix:**

    1. Refresh the Floa Settings page
    2. Log out and log back into Floa
    3. Clear browser cache
    4. If still not showing, disconnect and reconnect Stripe
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Frequently Asked Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Do I need a business to use Stripe?">
    **No.** You can use Stripe as an individual (sole proprietor).

    **For individuals:**

    * Use your personal name as the business name
    * Provide your SSN (in the US) instead of EIN
    * Use your personal bank account for payouts

    **For businesses:**

    * Use your legal business name
    * Provide your EIN
    * Use your business bank account
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What fees does Stripe charge?">
    **Stripe's standard fees:**

    * **2.9% + \$0.30 per successful card transaction** (US)
    * International cards may have additional fees (1-2%)

    **Example:**

    * Student pays \$97
    * Stripe fee: \$3.11
    * You receive: \$93.89

    **No monthly fees, no hidden charges.**

    <Info>
      Stripe fees are industry-standard. Floa does not add additional processing fees on top of Stripe's fees.
    </Info>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does Floa take a cut of my sales?">
    **In V1: No platform fees.** 100% of your sales (minus Stripe's processing fee) go to you.

    **Future:** Floa may introduce platform fees or tiered pricing. You'll be notified well in advance of any changes.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="When do I get paid?">
    **Payout schedule:**

    * **First payout:** 7-14 days after your first sale (Stripe's standard security hold)
    * **Subsequent payouts:** 2 business days after each sale (or based on your payout schedule: daily, weekly, monthly)

    **Example:**

    * Student buys your course on Monday
    * Funds settle in Stripe on Wednesday (2 business days)
    * Stripe pays out to your bank on Thursday or Friday (depending on your bank)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use the same Stripe account for multiple platforms?">
    **Yes.** You can connect your Stripe account to multiple platforms (Floa, Shopify, Gumroad, etc.).

    All transactions will appear in the same Stripe Dashboard, and payouts go to the same bank account.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens to past sales if I disconnect Stripe?">
    **Past transactions remain in your Stripe account.**

    * You keep all past payouts
    * Transaction history stays in Stripe Dashboard
    * Students who already bought keep access to courses
    * New students can't purchase until you reconnect
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I switch to a different Stripe account?">
    **Yes.**

    1. Disconnect your current Stripe account (Settings > Stripe Connect > Disconnect)
    2. Connect a new Stripe account (Settings > Stripe Connect > Connect Stripe)
    3. Future sales will go to the new account

    **Note:** Past sales remain with the original Stripe account.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is Stripe available in my country?">
    **Stripe is available in 46+ countries.** Check the full list at [stripe.com/global](https://stripe.com/global).

    **Supported countries include:**

    * United States
    * Canada
    * United Kingdom
    * European Union (most countries)
    * Australia
    * Singapore
    * Japan
    * And more

    **If Stripe isn't available in your country:** You may not be able to accept payments through Floa yet. Check back as Stripe expands globally.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Security & Compliance

### Why Stripe?

Floa uses Stripe because it's:

* **PCI-DSS compliant** (highest security standard for payments)
* **Trusted by millions** of businesses worldwide (Amazon, Shopify, Google, etc.)
* **Built for platforms** with Stripe Connect specifically for marketplaces like Floa

### Your Data Security

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Payment Data Never Touches Floa" icon="lock">
    Credit card info goes directly to Stripe. Floa never sees or stores payment details.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Bank-Level Encryption" icon="shield-halved">
    Stripe uses 256-bit SSL encryption and tokenization to protect transactions.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Fraud Detection" icon="user-shield">
    Stripe's machine learning detects and blocks fraudulent transactions automatically.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Compliance Built-In" icon="check-double">
    Stripe handles PCI compliance, GDPR, and regional payment regulations.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Need Help?

**For Stripe-specific issues** (payouts, identity verification, account restrictions):

* Visit [support.stripe.com](https://support.stripe.com)
* Email Stripe support at [support@stripe.com](mailto:support@stripe.com)
* Chat with Stripe support in your [Dashboard](https://dashboard.stripe.com) (bottom-right corner)

**For Floa + Stripe integration issues** (connection failures, checkout not working):

* Contact Floa support (coming soon: universal support section in Floa)
* Check this guide's Troubleshooting section above

***

## Quick Reference

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Connect Stripe" icon="link">
    Settings -> Stripe Connect -> Connect Stripe
  </Card>

  <Card title="View Transactions" icon="list">
    Stripe Dashboard -> Payments
  </Card>

  <Card title="Issue Refund" icon="rotate-left">
    Stripe Dashboard -> Payments -> \[Transaction] -> Refund
  </Card>

  <Card title="Change Payout Schedule" icon="calendar">
    Stripe Dashboard -> Settings -> Bank accounts and scheduling
  </Card>

  <Card title="Update Bank Account" icon="building-columns">
    Stripe Dashboard -> Settings -> Bank accounts and scheduling
  </Card>

  <Card title="Disconnect Stripe" icon="unlink">
    Settings -> Stripe Connect -> Disconnect Stripe
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

<Tip>
  **Pro tip:** Keep your Stripe Dashboard open in a pinned tab. It's your financial command center for tracking sales, managing refunds, and monitoring payouts.
</Tip>

***

## Additional Resources

* **Stripe Connect Documentation:** [stripe.com/docs/connect](https://stripe.com/docs/connect)
* **Stripe Dashboard:** [dashboard.stripe.com](https://dashboard.stripe.com)
* **Stripe Support:** [support.stripe.com](https://support.stripe.com)
* **Stripe Global Availability:** [stripe.com/global](https://stripe.com/global)