# Using RCP Subscriptions for Courses

HTML version: [Using RCP Subscriptions for Courses](https://support.gladstonesoftware.cloud/gladstone360/using-rcp-subscriptions-for-courses)

## Problem
You want to collect monthly course fees (for example junior courses) by Recurring Card Payment (RCP) instead of rolling course places manually each month and chasing debt.

## Resolution

1. **Create an RCP subscription for the programme**
   - Create an RCP subscription for the programme. See [Recurring Card Payment Set-Up in Plus2](../plus2/recurring-card-payment-set-up-in-plus2.md).

2. **Restrict the course to subscription holders**
   - **Restrict** the course or session so only holders of that in-date subscription can book it. RCP is only the payment method: it doesn't control enrolment by itself.
   - If unpaid, the subscription goes out of date and the customer can't book until the debt is cleared.
   - Separate subscriptions per session can restrict members to one session; moving between sessions means changing the subscription.

3. **Prepare before migrating existing customers**
   - Report outstanding balances and classify each as cash or RCP debt.
   - Decide whether to clear historic debt. Clearing existing debts before moving customers onto RCP is recommended.
   - Communicate the card-registration step and the collection date.
   - Pilot with a small group and reconcile before scaling.
   - Use cash debt where the customer should pay manually; RCP debt only where it should be collected with a future payment.

4. **Plan around course rollover timing**
   - An RCP runs for a rolling period from its payment date (for example the 20th to the 19th), not calendar months or a course's weekly structure.
   - If courses are rolled over in advance (for example on the 15th for next month, or up to about 2 months ahead for large programmes) and the course requires the subscription, the subscription may not cover the new dates yet, so the rollover charges or rejects the customer.
   - Courses tracked weekly (joining in week 2, 3 or 4 with pro-rata) don't match monthly RCP billing.
   - The clean fix is one monthly RCP-backed purchase rather than weekly instalments.
   - With large programmes, plan a transition (possibly a parallel set-up for RCP payers) rather than switching everyone at once. Avoid duplicating products for RCP and non-RCP customers unless the maintenance is accepted.

5. **Automate the failure path (if applicable)**
   - Full automation option: failed payment > automated email > sale converted to cash debt > status set to *RCP pending* > the customer isn't renewed onto next month's course.

6. **Test before replacing manual rollover**
   - Test future-date recognition of subscription validity, mid-period joining, moving between groups, cancellation, failure and reactivation.

## Notes

- To stop a course RCP, untick automatic renewal and remove the customer from the course. See [Cancelling, Freezing and Refunding RCP Subscriptions](cancelling-freezing-and-refunding-rcp-subscriptions.md).
- For pricing the course at £0 for subscription holders, see [Recurring Card Payment Set-Up in Plus2](../plus2/recurring-card-payment-set-up-in-plus2.md).