Colleges across the country are implementing the Student One card, so students can easily access school resources without having to carry multiple cards.  The student one card acts as a student’s meal card, library access card, computer lab access card, student debit card and many other resources that require student identification.  Students can easily receive a student one card through registering for classes.  A photo id may be required, so it’s important to go to your respective student center to have a photo taken for the upcoming school term. 

The student one card can act as your debit card as well.  The card acts as a financial aid debt card.  If you have financial aid left over after paying tuition and room & board then you apply the left over funds to your student one card.  Many college’s offer student one cards that can purchase food, school supplies, school books, and many other school related expenses at participating stores on campus.  When a item is purchased, your student one card will be debited immediately and your balance will reflect how much you have remaining to spend.  It’s important to balance your spending, since most schools give you an up-front lump sum cash deposit once per school term.  Once the balance is gone, then students will have to wait for the next school term for their balance to be replenished with funds.

Colleges and universities have been using ID cards for a variety of uses, including financial transactions, since the early 1990s. As technology has evolved so have card capabilities, leaving colleges with an ever-growing menu of options.

The student one card may be the passport to several financial accounts. Some of the possibilities include:

Meal plan accounts: Students that are on their college’s student meal plan can also use the student one card to pay for all student meals on campus.  The student one card can be used to purchase meals at all food kiosks, cafeterias, and student stores.  Plan dollars are stored on the cards and deducted every time the student eats in the cafeteria or related campus sites.

School-based preloaded accounts: This works much the same as conventional preloaded debit cards, only the school holds the money, acting as the financial entity. Students and parents can put money on the card as needed via a website, campus kiosks or through the campus financial office. Many times, schools also use the accounts to deposit grant and loan money earmarked for living expenses. Students can use the money on campus and, in many cases, with a set group of off-campus merchants.

 Checking accounts: Some colleges have agreements with local banks to offer students free or low-fee checking accounts. Students' ID cards double as ATM or debit cards. In some cases, those debit cards will also carry a Visa or MasterCard logo, which lets students use them anywhere those cards are accepted. The money is debited from their bank accounts.

Discounts and deals: College IDs have long been good for student discounts, typically at places such as movie theaters, museums and attractions near the campus. These days, colleges and the companies that pair with them are offering better deals, often for a small fee.  Discount programs give students some fun without draining their wallets,

The student one card can also be used as a student identification card giving students access to the school library, computer lab, special student events, and many more school related functions.  It’s important to carry the student one card with you at all times, since this will be your main college ID card. 

The student one card has given students the option to use one card for all of their school needs.  Whether it’s school access to student areas (library / computer lab), purchase of school supplies, or ordering cafeteria food, students now only need their Student One card.  Welcome to the cashless campus.  The student one card has made it more effective and efficient for students to complete their everyday living, which is why more and more colleges are converting to the Student One card.