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

# Frequently Asked Questions

> Quick answers to common ClassCents questions

## Getting Started

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How much does ClassCents cost?" icon="dollar-sign">
    ClassCents is **completely free** for all teachers!

    All features are included at no cost. We're committed to making classroom economy tools accessible to every teacher.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What age groups is ClassCents designed for?" icon="users">
    **Primary audience**: K-8 classrooms (ages 5-14)

    The system works great for:

    * Elementary school (K-5): Full feature set
    * Middle school (6-8): More advanced features like auctions and budgeting
    * High school: Can work, but designed primarily for younger students
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do I need technical skills to use ClassCents?" icon="laptop-code">
    **No!** ClassCents is designed for teachers, not developers.

    * Intuitive interface
    * Step-by-step wizards
    * No coding required
    * Visual guides and tutorials
    * Support available if you get stuck
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How long does setup take?" icon="clock">
    **First-time setup**: About 15 minutes

    * Create classroom: 2 minutes
    * Add students: 5-10 minutes
    * Create rewards: 5-10 minutes
    * Award first points: 1 minute

    After initial setup, daily management takes just 5-10 minutes!
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Student Access

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Do students need accounts?" icon="user-plus">
    **No traditional accounts needed!**

    Students access dashboards via:

    * QR codes (password-free)
    * Unique dashboard URLs
    * No email or password required

    Perfect for young students who can't manage passwords!
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can students access from home?" icon="house">
    **Yes!** Students can access from any device with internet:

    * Check balance at home
    * Show progress to parents
    * Shop for rewards
    * Participate in auctions

    Great for family engagement!
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is it safe for students to use?" icon="shield-check">
    **Yes, ClassCents is designed with student safety in mind**:

    * No personal information displayed publicly
    * Students can't see other students' data
    * No social features or messaging
    * FERPA compliant
    * Secure authentication
    * No external links or ads
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What if a student loses their QR card?" icon="circle-info">
    **Easy to fix**:

    1. Open the classroom's **QR Codes** tab
    2. Select the student and click **Refresh Access**
    3. The old QR code and PIN are invalidated immediately
    4. Reprint the new card and hand it to the student
    5. All balance and history are preserved
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Currency & Points

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Should I use dollars or points?" icon="coins">
    **Both work great - choose based on goals**:

    **Use Dollars (\$)** if:

    * Teaching financial literacy
    * Want real-world connection
    * Students understand money concepts
    * Mirroring actual economy

    **Use Points** if:

    * Simpler for younger students
    * Game-ified feel preferred
    * Avoid confusion with real money
    * Very large numbers (inflation-proof)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How much should students start with?" icon="piggy-bank">
    **Recommended: 50-100 points/dollars**

    **Why**:

    * Students feel "wealthy" immediately
    * Can afford small rewards quickly
    * Provides buffer for early mistakes
    * Creates positive first impression

    Starting at 0 can feel demotivating!
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What if the economy becomes inflated?" icon="arrow-trend-up">
    **Signs of inflation**:

    * Everyone has huge balances
    * Rewards too cheap to be motivating
    * Students don't value currency

    **Solutions**:

    * Introduce expensive "luxury" rewards
    * Create auction system for special items
    * Reduce earning amounts slightly
    * Offer "tax" or "savings bond" opportunities
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can students have negative balances?" icon="minus">
    By default, students cannot spend more than their current balance — the system prevents overdrafts automatically.

    **Prevent negative**:

    * Students can't spend what they don't have in the shop
    * Simpler for younger students
    * Avoids discouragement
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Classroom Management

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How often should I award points?" icon="calendar-days">
    **Recommendation**: Multiple times per class period

    **Frequency by age**:

    * **K-2**: Every 15-30 minutes for positive behavior
    * **3-5**: 3-5 times per class period
    * **6-8**: Daily recognition, weekly bonuses

    More frequent = better reinforcement!
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Should I deduct points for bad behavior?" icon="hand">
    **Use sparingly!** Positive reinforcement works better.

    **When to deduct**:

    * Clear rule violations with agreed-upon "fines"
    * After warnings and explanations
    * As natural consequences students expect

    **When NOT to deduct**:

    * First offense of new rule
    * Punitive/reactive responses
    * Without clear explanation

    Focus on rewarding good behavior instead!
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How many rewards should I offer?" icon="gift">
    **Start: 5-10 rewards**
    **Later: 15-30 rewards**

    Include variety:

    * Multiple price points (low, medium, high)
    * Physical items and privileges
    * Individual and group rewards
    * Short-term and long-term goals
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I have multiple classrooms?" icon="school">
    **Yes!** Create separate classrooms for:

    * Different class periods
    * Different grade levels
    * Different academic years
    * Co-taught classes

    Each classroom has independent:

    * Currency settings
    * Student rosters
    * Rewards catalogs
    * Payment schedules
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Technical Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="What devices are supported?" icon="devices">
    **ClassCents works on**:

    **Desktop/Laptop**:

    * Windows, Mac, Linux
    * Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge

    **Mobile**:

    * iOS (iPhone, iPad)
    * Android phones and tablets
    * All major mobile browsers

    **Chromebooks**: Excellent support!
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do I need internet?" icon="wifi">
    **Yes**, ClassCents requires internet connection:

    * Teacher dashboard needs internet for all features
    * Student dashboards need internet to view/shop
    * No offline mode currently available

    Data syncs in real-time when connected.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I export my data?" icon="download">
    **Yes!** Export options:

    * Transaction history (CSV/Excel)
    * Student rosters with balances
    * Analytics reports
    * Badge awards history

    Great for record-keeping and parent reports!
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens to data at end of year?" icon="calendar-xmark">
    **Your choice**:

    **Option 1: Start Fresh**

    * Keep your student roster
    * Clear transaction history
    * Reset balances to the classroom's starting balance

    **Option 2: Delete**

    * Delete the classroom permanently
    * All student and transaction data removed

    <Info>Archive (read-only classroom history) is on the roadmap for a future release.</Info>
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Payment & Jobs

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How do automatic payments work?" icon="money-bill-transfer">
    Automatic payments for classroom jobs:

    1. You create a job (e.g., "Line Leader")
    2. Set payment amount and frequency
    3. Assign student to job
    4. System pays automatically on schedule

    [Learn more about payment schedules →](/advanced/payment-schedules)

    <Info>New in v2.3.3: Configure payment times per classroom!</Info>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="When exactly do payments process?" icon="clock">
    **You control this!** Configure in **Settings** → **Classroom Settings** → **Payment Schedule**:

    * Choose your timezone
    * Set time of day for daily payments
    * Set day/time for weekly payments
    * Set day/time for monthly payments
    * Configure the bi-weekly cycle reference date

    The system checks every hour and only fires payments when your configured schedule says they're due.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can students apply for jobs?" icon="files">
    **Yes, this is optional!**

    Enable job applications:

    1. Go to job settings
    2. Turn on "Allow Applications"
    3. Students can request jobs from dashboard
    4. You approve or deny

    Great for student agency and ownership!
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Badges & Achievements

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="When do badges get awarded?" icon="award">
    **Automatic badges**: The system checks every hour and awards any newly-eligible students. After a student crosses a badge threshold, they typically receive it within an hour.

    **Manual badges**: Awarded instantly when you click **Award** in **Settings** → **Classroom Settings** → **Badges**.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="My badge awarded to everyone - why?" icon="users-gear">
    **Most common cause**: Currency amount mismatch

    **The problem**:

    * You wanted \$200 badge
    * You entered `200` in a dollar-based classroom
    * System interpreted as \$2.00 (200 cents)
    * Everyone with \$2+ qualified

    **The fix**:

    * Edit badge
    * Change amount to `200.00` (the dollar amount)
    * System will now correctly check for \$200.00

    [Learn more about badge amounts →](/advanced/badges#understanding-currency-amounts)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I revoke a badge?" icon="xmark">
    **Yes**, but use sparingly:

    1. Go to student profile
    2. Find badge in badges tab
    3. Click **Revoke**

    Use for:

    * Incorrectly awarded badges (errors)
    * Duplicates
    * Extreme circumstances only
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Auctions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How do auctions work?" icon="gavel">
    **Quick overview**:

    1. Teacher creates auction with start/end times
    2. Students place bids (must be higher than current bid)
    3. At end time, highest bidder wins
    4. Winner's currency is deducted
    5. Teacher delivers reward

    [Full auction guide →](/advanced/auctions)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What if two students bid the same amount?" icon="equals">
    **Can't happen!** System requires each bid to be higher than the current high bid.

    No two students can have the same amount as high bid.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can students cancel bids?" icon="ban">
    Students can't withdraw an individual bid, but they can keep raising their own bid — only the highest one counts. If they're outbid by another student, the reserved amount returns to their spending balance automatically and they can spend it elsewhere.

    A teacher can also **Cancel** an entire auction from the Auctions dashboard, which refunds every reserved bid back to the bidders.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Timezone Settings

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Why are there two timezone settings?" icon="clock">
    ClassCents has two separate timezone configurations:

    **1. User Profile Timezone** (User Settings)

    * Controls how dates/times DISPLAY in analytics
    * Shows "2:00 PM" in YOUR timezone
    * Affects reports and dashboards
    * Personal preference setting

    **2. Payment Schedule Timezone** (Classroom Settings)

    * Controls WHEN automated payments process
    * "Pay students at 8 AM Pacific Time"
    * Affects actual payment execution
    * Per-classroom setting

    <Info>These serve different purposes and can be set independently!</Info>
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Data & Privacy

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Is ClassCents FERPA compliant?" icon="scale-balanced">
    **Yes!** ClassCents follows educational privacy best practices:

    * Student data not shared with third parties
    * Teachers control access to classroom data
    * Data encrypted in transit and at rest
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I delete my data?" icon="trash">
    **Yes, you have full control**:

    * Delete individual students from your classroom
    * Contact support to delete your teacher account or request full data removal
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Who can see my students' data?" icon="eye">
    **Only authorized users**:

    * You (the teacher)
    * ClassCents support (only when requested for troubleshooting)
    * The individual student (their own data only)

    Other teachers cannot see your classroom data.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Students can't log in" icon="door-closed">
    **Check**:

    1. Have login cards been printed for these students? (Classroom → **QR Codes** → **Print Cards**)
    2. Is the QR code scanning properly (lighting, camera focus, undamaged card)?
    3. Is the student using their own card (name on card matches them)?
    4. Internet connection working?
    5. If still stuck, select the student in the QR Codes tab and click **Refresh Access** to issue a new QR + PIN
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Payments not processing" icon="money-bill-wave">
    **Check**:

    1. Payment schedule configured? (**Settings** → **Classroom Settings** → **Payment Schedule**)
    2. Students assigned to jobs?
    3. Current time matches configured time?
    4. For bi-weekly: reference date set?
    5. Check transaction history for errors

    [Payment schedule guide →](/advanced/payment-schedules)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Rewards not showing for students" icon="eye-slash">
    **Check**:

    1. Is the reward marked **Visible**?
    2. Is the **Stock** count above zero?
    3. Is the reward marked **Redeemable** (not auction-only)?
    4. Has the student refreshed their dashboard?
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Transaction didn't record" icon="receipt">
    **If transaction missing**:

    1. Check transaction history - may have recorded with different reason
    2. Check student's transaction list specifically
    3. Try the transaction again
    4. If duplicate occurs, can manually undo
    5. Contact support if transactions regularly missing
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Feature-Specific Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can I use ClassCents with multiple classes?" icon="chalkboard-user">
    **Absolutely!** Create:

    * Multiple classrooms (one per class period)
    * Separate settings for each
    * Different currencies if desired
    * Independent economies

    OR:

    * One classroom with all students
    * Use groups to organize by period
    * Shared economy
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can students trade currency with each other?" icon="handshake">
    **Not built-in**, but you can facilitate:

    * Student requests trade
    * Teacher approves and processes manually
    * Deduct from one, award to other
    * Log as "Trade with \[student name]"

    Consider implications: trading can create wealth inequality or social issues.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I reset balances mid-year?" icon="rotate-left">
    **Yes, but consider carefully**:

    Options:

    * Reset all students to starting balance
    * Adjust all balances by percentage
    * Give everyone bonus currency

    This effectively "forgives" poor performance and gives fresh start.

    <Warning>Resets can demotivate students who saved carefully!</Warning>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can parents see their child's progress?" icon="users">
    **Yes!** Share the student's QR code with parents:

    Parents can:

    * View balance and transactions
    * See earned badges
    * Monitor earning patterns
    * Encourage saving behavior

    Great for parent-teacher communication!
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Still Have Questions?

<Card title="Contact Support" icon="headset" href="/support/contact" horizontal>
  Can't find your answer? Create a support ticket and we'll help!
</Card>