NELP Application

A Rails-based payment management system for the NELP (New England Literature Program) application process. This application handles user registration, payment processing, and administrative management for program fees and application costs.

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🚀 Features

User Features

• User Registration & Authentication - Secure user accounts with Devise
• Payment Processing - Integrated payment system with Nelnet payment gateway
• Payment History - View all payment transactions and receipts
• Balance Tracking - Real-time balance calculations for program fees
• Static Content - Access to program information, privacy policy, and terms

Administrative Features

• Custom Admin Interface - Bootstrap admin dashboard (replaces ActiveAdmin)
• User Management - View and manage user accounts
• Payment Administration - Monitor and manage all payments
• Program Settings - Configure program years, fees, and schedules
• Content Management - Manage static pages and program instructions

🛠 Technology Stack

• Ruby: 4.0.6
• Rails: 8.1.3
• Database: PostgreSQL (primary DB also hosts Solid Queue / Cache / Cable)
• Authentication: Devise
• Admin Interface: Custom Admin:: MVC
• Payment Gateway: Nelnet
• Asset Pipeline: dartsass-rails (SCSS compilation)
• Frontend: Stimulus, Turbo, Importmap
• Background jobs / cache / cable: Solid Queue, Solid Cache, Solid Cable
• Testing: RSpec, FactoryBot, Capybara

📋 Prerequisites

• Ruby 4.0.6
• PostgreSQL
• Node.js (for asset compilation)
• Git

🚀 Getting Started

1. Clone the Repository

git clone https://github.com/lsa-mis/nelp_application
cd nelp_application

2. Install Dependencies

bundle install

3. Database Setup

# Create and setup the database
bin/rails db:create
bin/rails db:migrate
bin/rails db:seed

4. Environment Configuration

Copy the example environment files and configure your credentials:

# Configure your database credentials in config/database.yml
# Set up your Nelnet payment gateway credentials in Rails credentials

5. Start the Application

# Start the Rails server
bin/rails server

# Or use the development script
bin/dev

The application will be available at http://localhost:3000

🔧 Configuration

Payment Gateway Setup

Configure your Nelnet payment gateway credentials in Rails credentials:

# config/credentials/<environment>.yml.enc
NELNET_SERVICE:
  DEVELOPMENT_KEY: your_dev_key
  DEVELOPMENT_URL: https://auth-interstitial-qa-authorize.auth.it.umich.edu/nelnetApi/payment/
  DEVELOPMENT_REDIRECT_URL: https://auth-interstitial-qa-authorize.auth.it.umich.edu/nelnetApi/redirect/
  PRODUCTION_KEY: your_prod_key
  PRODUCTION_URL: https://auth-interstitial-authorize.auth.it.umich.edu/nelnetApi/payment/
  PRODUCTION_REDIRECT_URL: https://auth-interstitial-authorize.auth.it.umich.edu/nelnetApi/redirect/
  ORDERTYPE: your_order_type
  SERVICE_SELECTOR: QA # or PROD

Development and staging use the QA payment/redirect URLs. Production uses the production URLs.

Admin Access

Create an admin user in the Rails console:

the seed file will create the admin user

🧪 Testing

The application uses RSpec for testing. Run the test suite:

# Run all tests
bundle exec rspec

# Run specific test files
bundle exec rspec spec/models/
bundle exec rspec spec/controllers/
bundle exec rspec spec/features/

Test Coverage

• Model validations and associations
• Controller actions and authorization
• Payment processing workflows
• User authentication flows
• Admin functionality

📁 Project Structure

app/
├── controllers/
│   └── admin/            # Custom admin MVC controllers
├── queries/              # Query objects (e.g. admin dashboard)
├── models/               # ActiveRecord models
├── views/
│   └── admin/            # Admin ERB templates
├── assets/               # SCSS stylesheets and images
└── javascript/           # Stimulus controllers

config/
├── initializers/         # Application configuration
├── locales/             # Internationalization files
└── routes.rb            # Application routes

spec/                    # Test files
├── models/              # Model tests
├── controllers/         # Controller tests
├── features/            # Integration tests
└── factories/           # FactoryBot factories

Environment-Specific Configuration

• Development: Uses test payment gateway
• Staging: Uses test payment gateway with production-like setup
• Production: Uses live payment gateway

📊 Key Models

User

• Handles authentication and user management
• Tracks payment history and balances
• Manages user sessions and preferences

Payment

• Stores payment transaction details
• Calculates balances and payment status
• Integrates with Nelnet payment gateway

ProgramSetting

• Manages program years and fee structures
• Controls program availability windows
• Stores program-specific instructions

AdminUser

• Provides administrative access
• Manages application settings and content

🔐 Security Features

• Authentication: Secure user login with Devise
• Authorization: Role-based access control
• Payment Security: Secure hash generation for payment processing
• Data Protection: Encrypted credentials and sensitive data
• CSRF Protection: Built-in Rails CSRF protection

🐛 Troubleshooting

Common Issues

1. Payment Gateway Errors

   • Verify Nelnet credentials are correctly configured
   • Check that the service selector matches your environment

2. Database Connection Issues

   • Ensure PostgreSQL is running
   • Verify database credentials in config/database.yml

3. Asset Compilation Issues

   • Run bin/rails assets:precompile for production
   • Check that dartsass-rails is properly configured

Getting Help

• Check the application logs in log/ directory
• Review the test suite for expected behavior
• Consult Rails and gem documentation

📝 License

MIT License

🤝 Contributing

1. Fork the repository
2. Create a feature branch
3. Make your changes
4. Add tests for new functionality
5. Ensure all tests pass
6. Submit a pull request

📞 Support

For technical support or questions about the NELP application, please contact the development team.