The free MyPaymentsPlus app by Horizon Software International - developers of the popular MyPaymentsPlus.com online prepayment system for school meal, service and activity fees - gives districts another convenient, secure way to facilitate meal payments for parents.

"The MyPaymentsPlus app is a natural extension of MyPaymentsPlus.com, which serves more than 500 school districts and 1.8 million users across the country," says Tina Bennett, Horizon's vice president of online payment systems. "With more than 100 million iPhones sold during the past year - and more than 500,000 apps in the App Store - we know our customers are looking for mobile solutions that simplify their lives."

Simplicity and security are at the core of the MyPaymentsPlus app. Users search for "MyPaymentsPlus" in the Apple iTunes Store to download the app and login with their existing MyPaymentsPlus usernames and passwords. New users can also create a login and password within the app. The MyPaymentsPlus app utilizes the same security methods used by leading online and mobile banking services.

Once in the app, a user can check an account balance, review recent transactions and add more money to their MyPaymentsPlus account using a credit card, debit card, savings account, or checking account. Each account can be personalized with a child's photo, and the app sends push notifications that alert parents when preset low-balance thresholds are reached.

"The MyPaymentsPlus app is incredibly easy to use," Bennett says, "and we expect all types of school districts will find it a valuable resource for the parents and guardians they serve."

The MyPaymentsPlus app is currently available for the Apple iPhone and iPad and is being developed for Google's Android operating system. New features and functionality will be released in future generations of the product.