Important Payroll Updates

Several upcoming changes in the Payroll Office will affect University employees and the dates their paychecks will be received. See below for full details.

Pay Dates are Changing

To comply with State of Tennessee regulations, starting in October 2025 biweekly and monthly payroll earnings will be available on the exact pay date as indicated on the payroll schedules. This is a change from the current timing, where payroll payments can appear earlier than the actual scheduled pay date.  
  
For exempt (monthly paid) employees, payments will appear in their accounts on the last working day of the month. For non-exempt (biweekly paid) employees, payments will appear in their accounts every other Friday.  The only exception to these schedules is when there is a holiday, in which case the payments will be available before the holiday. 

Pay Cards are Coming

Beginning Oct. 1, 2025, payroll checks will be distributed via pay card or direct deposit. Traditional paper checks will no longer be issued. 
  
Employees who do not have direct deposit will automatically be issued a digital pay card for the first payroll (BW21 or MN10), and a physical card will be mailed to you by the bank afterwards. Digital pay cards will be issued through an app (Dash Paycard) on your phone or personal device. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why are we making this change?
To comply with the State of Tennessee regulations regarding payroll payments, beginning Oct. 1, 2025, payroll checks will be distributed via pay card or direct deposit. Traditional paper checks will no longer be issued.

Is this the same as a regular bank account?
Dash Paycards offers everything you receive with a traditional bank account. 

• You can enjoy the benefits of their MyDashCard mobile app which can be downloaded directly to your phone/personal device.
• It is accepted anywhere Visa and Mastercard are accepted.
• You can pay bills and/or shop online.
• Easy, safe access to your money whenever and wherever you need it.
• Real-time alerts regarding your account.
• Fraud Protection.

What is a digital paycard?
A digital paycard is a card located in the employees’ digital wallet on their phone/personal devices.

Will a physical paycard be issued to the employee?
A physical paycard will be mailed to the employee’s personal mailing address of record by Dash in regular USPS mail.

If I have trouble with my paycard (digital or physical), where can I get help?
Trouble with the paycard itself (not working, lost, destroyed, etc.) will result in contacting Dash as they will be over all aspects of the administration of paycards on behalf of the University. The University will, of course, take responsibility for making sure they were indeed paid, and the funds were sent to the account on file with Dash.

Do I have to choose this as an option for payment?
If you already have an active bank account, you may certainly submit this information to the Payroll Office on a Direct Deposit Authorization form and receive your funds to the account you already have in place.

More information to come regarding Dash paycards in the coming weeks.