Replacement Guide

How to Build Your Own Populi

Replace Populi with a custom build. Run your whole college

Weekend Project
49 features8 integrationsOne weekend

Estimated Timeline

Based on 49 features at Weekend Project difficulty, expect about One weekend with AI-assisted development.

1
Setup & scaffolding
2 hours
2
Core features
4-6 hours
3
Polish & deploy
2 hours

Recommended Tech Stack

Next.js 14

Full-stack React framework with API routes and server components

Supabase

PostgreSQL database, auth, and real-time subscriptions

Tailwind CSS

Utility-first styling for rapid UI development

Key Features to Replicate

Top features across 8 categories. See all 49 features

Financial Aid(6 features)

Aid Packaging & Batch Disbursements

Schedule disbursements using preset timetables. Built-in Pell tables and aid origination fees. Disburse awards in batches and mark them released in COD.

FAFSA Import & Aid Application Processing

Information from the FAFSA feeds directly into profiles and aid applications. Review error codes, aid counselings, and MPNs.

Fully-Integrated Aid Processing

Process financial aid without using EdConnect or a bolt-on solution. Connect directly to DoED from a user-friendly interface.

SAIG Mailbox & COD Integration

Download documents from your SAIG mailbox, sync awards to COD and resolve responses.

SAP Reporting

Track Satisfactory Academic Progress and flag students that are in danger of losing aid eligibility.

+1 more in this category

Learning(6 features)

Assignment Submission

Students get secure electronic assignment submission. Faculty get an integrated interface for grading, rubrics, and feedback.

File Management & Video Hosting

Upload files, video, and audio and use them in assignments, lessons, tests, and discussions. Content streaming is optimized for students' devices and locations.

Learning Management System (LMS)

Full-featured Learning Management System integrated with SIS so you don't have to worry about syncing enrollment and grades.

Online Tests & Discussion

Build, administer, and grade tests and quizzes. Save hours of busywork with automated grading for tests and discussions.

Proctoring & Plagiarism Checker

Help students stay responsible with verified proctoring for online tests and plagiarism checks for all kinds of assignments.

+1 more in this category

Administration(5 features)

Advising

Run what-if scenarios to see how different courses will impact degree completion. Customizeable flags identify struggling students so you can help them get back on track.

Enrollment Agreements

Design enrollment agreements that trigger based on student registration. Require signatures before students continue.

Online Registration

Prerequisites, co-requisites, scheduling, and more. Powerful features make online registration a breeze.

Student Information System

Unified student profile across entire platform, for the entire student life-cycle. Never worry about sharing data again.

Transcripts & Degree Audit

As students take courses, Populi builds transcripts automatically. You and your students see exactly what they've taken and what remains to complete their degrees.

Fundraising(5 features)

Bulk Communications: SMS, Email & Print

Maintain regular contact with your supporters using all channels. Mail merge letters and print envelopes.

Campaign Management

Set goals and create donation pages for specific fundraising projects. Create appeals and track their effectiveness.

Currency Support & Gifts-in-Kind

Accept any currency and record gifts-in-kind.

Donor CRM

Keep notes, schedule calls and follow up on to-dos on donor profiles. View annual giving and print individual and annual giving statements.

Online & Mobile Donations

Make it easy for your supporters to donate wherever they are, from any device. Custom donation pages can be embedded on any site. Let your donors set up recurring monthly gifts via credit card or electronic check.

Admissions(4 features)

Application Fees

Integrated application fees allow applicants to pay prior to starting or as the final step when they are ready to submit.

In-App Question & Answer

Applicants can submit questions directly from the application and your team can use in-app messaging to follow up.

Online & Mobile Applications

Easy to design and implement online applications. Applicants can stop and continue anytime. Monitor progress and encourage completion from any device.

References

Request and receive applicant references securely. 100% online.

Billing(4 features)

Automated Student Billing

Automated student billing that is clear, so that your students know exactly what is due.

Exports for Accounting Software

Reconcile for a period and lock transactions. Run summary entries for accounting software or run exports.

Payment Plans & Mobile Payments

Make it easy to pay by offering payment plans, payments from any device, or with opt-in recurring payments automatically drafted.

Tuition and Fee Management

Tuition schedules trigger based on registraion. Fee rules trigger based on preset conditions. Invoice in bulk or individually.

Integration(4 features)

LTI

Learning Tools Interoperability integration.

SSO (Single Sign-On)

Integrate with your school's systems using SSO.

Web API

Integrate with your school's systems with a powerful API.

Webhooks

Connect systems using webhooks for real-time data synchronization.

Reporting(4 features)

Aging Report

Keep tabs on receivables with a built in aging report that tracks invoices that are 30-60-90-120-121+ days overdue.

Application Reporting

Customizeable and save-able reports so that your can keep your team focused on the task at hand.

IPEDS Reporting

Create any kind of custom report you want. Standard reports like IPEDS? We built those in for you.

Pipeline Reporting

See exactly where your leads are at and help them advance. Study your pipeline to improve your process.

Cost Calculator

Keep Paying Populi

Monthly$199/mo
Yearly$2.4k/yr
5-Year Total$11.9k

Build It Yourself

Est. Build Time~4 hrs
Hosting$20/mo
DifficultyVery Easy

Total Cost Comparison

1 YearSave $2.1k
SaaS
$2.4k
DIY
$240
3 YearsSave $6.4k
SaaS
$7.2k
DIY
$720
5 YearsSave $10.7k
SaaS
$11.9k
DIY
$1.2k

DIY hosting estimate based on Vercel + Supabase free/pro tiers (~$20/mo). Build time estimated from 49 features at very easy complexity.

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