FAQs: Campus Cash


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What is Campus Cash?

Campus Cash is a prepaid debit account that you can use for purchasing many essentials, services, and conveniences on the Springfield campus.

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What can I buy with Campus Cash?

Food and drinks Printing and copying Books, supplies, and services
  • Campus vending machines
  • Concessions at athletic events
  • Brookens Library Café
  • Lincoln Residence Hall Café
  • Founders Residence Hall Café
  • Student Center Snack Bar
  • Capitol Perks (in PAC)
  • Food Emporium (in PAC)
  • Photocopies at public copiers
  • Printing from computer lab and Brookens Library print stations
  • Microfilm prints from Brookens Library scanners
  • Media Lab
  • UIS Bookstore
    (only photo i-cards accepted)
  • Laundry at UIS residence hall, townhome, and apartment laundry rooms
  • Tickets to Sangamon Auditorium events

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Who can use Campus Cash?

Students, faculty, staff—anyone with a valid i-card from any University of Illinois campus may have a Campus Cash account at UIS.

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How do I open a Campus Cash account?

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What are my deposit limits and options?

You may have a balance of up to $1300 in Campus Cash at any time.

You can add funds online, at Value Transfer Machines (VTMs), at the ID Center, and at the Bursar Office. Read the deposit options and locations for specifics.

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How do I check my balance?

You can check your deposit online, at Value Transfer Machines (VTMs), at vending machines, and at Food Service locations. You may also request an account statement from the ID Center. Read Ways to check your account balance for more details.

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How is Campus Cash different from a meal plans?

Campus Cash and meal plans are both declining balance accounts; they differ in what you can purchase and how it is taxed.

  • Campus Cash can be used to pay for food, beverages, services, books and a few other goods and services operated by the Springfield campus. Campus Cash purchases are taxed.
  • Meal plans may be used only to pay for food and beverages at campus-run venues. Meal plan purchases made at campus-run venues are not subject to sales tax.

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Must I choose between Campus Cash and a meal plan?

Not at all. The accounts are separate but both can be can be accessed with your one ID card.

If you have a meal plan, dining and vending purchases are deducted from your meal plan first. Campus Cash purchases are subject to sales tax.

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How do you keep my Campus Cash and meal plan balances straight?

If you purchase food or drinks at a campus-run venue and if you have a meal plan, your meal plan account is debited first. Otherwise, your Campus Cash account is accessed. If you ever "use up" your meal plan funds (and don't add more), of course Campus Cash is then debited for all your purchases.

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Do Campus Cash funds expire?

Active Campus Cash accounts do not expire and funds carry over each semester and academic year. However, it may cost you money when you do not use your Campus Cash account, as explained in the next topic.

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Can I get refunds for unused Campus Cash?

You may request a Campus Cash refund:

  • At the end of the academic year,
  • When you graduate, or
  • When you leave the University.

Complete a Campus Cash Refund Form, available at the ID Center or as a PDF. Turn the form in at the ID Center.

If you are a student, Campus Cash refunds are first applied to cover any outstanding balances on your University student account. Any remaining credit balance is mailed to your permanent address of record, unless you provide a different address with the refund form.

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Can I be charged inactivity fees?

Active Campus Cash accounts do not expire and funds carry over each semester and academic year, but not using your Campus Cash account may cost you money.

  • Any Campus Cash account that has a balance but no purchases or deposits for 12 months is considered inactive. Once inactive, a $5 inactive account maintenance fee is assessed monthly against the Campus Cash account until a purchase or deposit reactivates it or the balance reaches zero.
  • When a Campus Cash account remains inactive for 48 months, any remaining funds are transferred to the University's Unclaimed Property division.

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What are the Campus Cash terms and conditions?

Terms and conditions explain how deposits, refunds, liability, errors, and other activities are handled to ensure prompt, fair service to all Campus Cash account holders. View the Campus Cash terms and conditions.

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