University ID Card: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Summary

Questions and answers about university ID cards.

Body

Your University ID card is your official UW-River Falls identification card. It gives you access to campus resources such as the campus library, door access, fitness center, and meal plans.

Students: Your card is valid as long as you are a student. There is no need for a new card unless you lose your current one or it no longer works properly. Students do NOT automatically receive a new card every academic year.

What are the benefits of having a University ID?

Access to campus resources
Proof of identity on campus
Door access
Meal plan usage at food venues on campus
Campus/Athletic events
Printing on campus
Check cashing at the University Center Information Desk
Fitness Center access at Falcon Center (there may be additional requirements).

How do I qualify for a University ID?

To be eligible for a University ID, you need to be affiliated with the university in some way such as:

Full or part time student currently enrolled in classes, taking .5 or more credits in any given semester
Full or part time faculty/staff member with an active appointment for a department on campus
Affiliated with a sponsorship program approved by both the Carding Office and at least one other department on campus
- To verify if a sponsorship program is an approved affiliation with campus, send an email to DoTS with the name of the program. A member of the Carding Office will respond promptly!

I am a returning student, but I took a semester off from campus. Do I need to pay for a new University ID?

No. If you were not a registered student for at least 1 Spring or Fall semester, you do not need to pay for a replacement ID when you return. We can print a new ID for you at no cost. If you happen to have your original student ID, you are welcome to keep using that one as it should remain functional with any applicable systems (Fitness Center, door access, meal plans, etc.).

Where can I obtain a University ID?

The Carding Office. Our team accepts photos submitted virtually using our MyTech portal in which we pre-print the IDs prior to your arrival. This means no appointments are necessary, and the ID is ready for pickup at your convenience during our normal business hours! If you cannot make it to campus for any reason, we can also mail your UWRF ID card to the mailing address on file in your eSIS account. Once the photo is submitted, you will receive a response from our team indicating the photo's acceptance or rejection; this email can be responded to with any questions about the process or about how to mail it out.

What requirements need to be met for an approved photo for my ID card?

The following guidelines must be met in order for a photo to be taken or to be approved for submission:

No hats or head garb, unless for religious purposes.
We must be able to see your eyes; if glasses are worn, try to avoid glare.
Have a solid, single colored background; blue is recommended.
The tops of the shoulders and an area above your head must be visible.
The person submitting the photo should be the only one visible in the photo; i.e., group photos are not accepted.
There should be no visible and distinguishable artwork or text on your clothing within the photo; unless for religious purposes.
No artistic filters, masks, or twinkly things added to the photo.

Can I have a family member pick up my ID in my place?

No, only the person the UWRF ID card belongs to can pick it up. We can mail the ID card if you cannot pick it up during Carding Office business hours.

What type of identification do I need to provide to obtain a University ID?

A valid form of government issued ID is required to validate your identity. Acceptable forms of supporting documentation include:

Driver License (or State-issued ID)
Military ID
Passport/Visa
High School ID

If you are unable to provide any of the above, please contact us directly.

I'm new to UW-River Falls but I can't physically come to campus. How can I get my ID card?

We accept photo submissions virtually using the MyTech portal. Following the submission, the university coordinates with you regarding the delivery or pickup of your ID card.

Is there a fee to obtain a University ID?

The first ID card is provided at no cost. A replacement is available at no cost if you have a change in name or status (such as going from a student to a staff member). A replacement fee of $15 is assessed to replace any lost or stolen cards. The replacement fee is required for any student, staff, or faculty who lose their ID card; no one is exempt from this fee. The Carding Office accepts cash, credit, and NFC-style payments. We can also directly bill your student eSIS account in the event other tenders are inaccessible.

What should I do if I lose my UWRF student/staff ID?

Immediately go to the GET Funds website and use the "I Lost My Card" feature to report your card as lost. This disables your ID card so it can't be misused. You can also contact the Carding Office. A new ID can be obtained at the Carding Office. There is a $15 fee to replace a lost/stolen card for any students, staff, or faculty member. If you happen to lose your ID card on the weekend and you are residing on campus, there are options available for accessing your residence hall and eating in the University Center while the Carding Office is closed. See this article for that additional information.

How do I reactivate my lost card?

If you found your lost card and would like to reactivate it and have not already purchased a new one, you can do so in two ways:

Go to the GET Funds website and use the "I Found My Card" button. (This button only becomes available if you reported your card lost online.)
Stop by the Carding Office.

Note: If you find a previously lost ID after getting a new one printed, the old one will no longer function. Once a new ID card has been printed, the old ID card is forever obsolete.

Can I punch a hole in my UWRF student/staff ID?

No. The proximity chip in your card has a copper wire that transmits a signal and punching your card in the wrong spot will ruin your card. Any University ID card that has been hole punched and malfunctions as a result of the hole punch may be assessed a $15 replacement fee at the discretion of Carding Office staff.

I forgot my UWRF ID at home. What do I do?

Unfortunately our options are limited if you don’t physically have your UWRF ID. Since you can only have one active card and when you obtain a replacement ID card, your old card is deactivated and you can never go back to an old card. Your options are to purchase a new ID card or return home and retrieve your UWRF ID card.

Details

Article ID: 1665

Created

Fri 5/23/14 11:42 AM

Modified

Fri 10/10/25 9:52 AM

University ID Card: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Summary

Body

What are the benefits of having a University ID?

How do I qualify for a University ID?

I am a returning student, but I took a semester off from campus. Do I need to pay for a new University ID?

Where can I obtain a University ID?

What requirements need to be met for an approved photo for my ID card?

Can I have a family member pick up my ID in my place?

What type of identification do I need to provide to obtain a University ID?

I'm new to UW-River Falls but I can't physically come to campus. How can I get my ID card?

Is there a fee to obtain a University ID?

What should I do if I lose my UWRF student/staff ID?

How do I reactivate my lost card?

Can I punch a hole in my UWRF student/staff ID?

I forgot my UWRF ID at home. What do I do?

Are there discounts for using my student/staff ID?

How do I view my meal plan balance to see what is left in my account?

Who do I talk to if I see odd charges on my account?

I am auditing a class on campus. Can I get a student ID card?

Details

Details

Related Articles

Related Articles (3)