Payments:
We have all but finalized a new payment method for this year. The
plan, which we are 99.9% sure about, is that we will make all payments
to you via reloadable stored value card. You will need to make a call
to activate your card once you receive it and can set a PIN number
online to use it as an ATM card. Otherwise it operates like a
MasterCard for purchases. The phone call should be free of charge to
those both inside and outside the U.S.
The cards will be loaded with U.S. dollars and the currency conversion
fees are apparently going to be much less than those for Western
Union. You should be able to use the card at any bank that has an ATM
or at any merchant that accepts MasterCard for payment; cards should
work in any country, as well. We will also include a small amount
extra, like 5 USD, to cover the cost monthly account maintenance fees
for the cards, but all other fees like ATM fees or credit card fees
will be your responsibility. AFAICT after reviewing the situation
with our Finance department, you only get charged small fees for
withdrawing cash using your card, about what you would be charged for
using an ATM not affiliated with your bank.
You will receive your stored value card a few days after start of
coding, loaded with 500 USD. If you successfully pass your mid-term
evaluation, the card will be reloaded with an additional 2000 USD and
once again if you successfully pass your final evaluation. It takes a
few days for the bank to process our request to add funds so you can
expect your monies a few days after the due dates of each evaluation.
Remember, this is not yet set in stone but is nearly there. We are
working to finalize this process with our Finance department.