Campus Funds
Campus funds allow students to turn their UAlbany ID cards into a form of payment at on-campus dining venues, vending machines and other locations. Download the CBORD Mobile ID app for contactless payment and online food ordering.
Note: You cannot withdraw cash from any campus funds.
You are responsible for keeping your UAlbany ID card safe, and you are liable for all activity on the card until it is deactivated. Visit the UAlbany ID Cards page for detailed information on ID card security and deactivation.
Please contact the ID Card Office with any questions related to campus funds.
campus-funds
Compare Campus Funds
| Feature | Discount Dollars | Munch Money | Podium | Campus Gold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of a tax-free student meal plan, with dining discounts and base cost applied | Yes | No | No | No |
| Used only for food and beverages | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Can be used at on-campus vending machines | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Expires at the end of spring semester | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Can be used at select off-campus retailers | No | No | Yes | No |
Discount Dollars
As part of a student meal plan, Discount Dollars gives you a deep discount at on-campus retail dining venues.
Discount Dollars are set up as a declining balance account on your UAlbany ID card. Each time you use your ID card to purchase food and beverages at a dining location, the venue’s discount will be removed from your total and the remaining balance will be debited from your Discount Dollars account.
Each meal plan comes with different Discount Dollar amounts and limits for optional add-on funds. Enroll in a meal plan or deposit funds.
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Where to Use Discount Dollars
Starting Fall 2024, all retail dining will be 40% off when using Discount Dollars.
Note: Discount Dollars can be used to purchase prepackaged goods at 518 Market and on-campus vending machines, but discounts are not applied for these items. We recommend adding Munch Money or Podium funds to your ID card for these purchases instead.
Discounts are also offered for passes to residential dining halls for meal plans that don’t include unlimited access.
Discount Dollars cannot be used off campus.
Rolling over Discount Dollars
Discount Dollars roll over semester to semester for one full academic year (summer to spring) if you remain enrolled at UAlbany.
Discount Dollars remaining on your account at the end of the spring semester will be forfeited.
If you lived on campus during the fall semester but move off campus for the spring and do not purchase another meal plan, your Discount Dollars will remain active until the end of that spring semester.
Discount Dollar Refunds
Meal plans, including Discount Dollars, are subject to New York State tax laws.
Therefore, full or partial refunds may only be granted under certain circumstances, and only during the first eight weeks of the semester for which the plan was purchased.
If a student cancels their meal plan because they are withdrawing from the University, any optional add-on Discount Dollars will be forfeited.
If a meal plan is canceled but the student remains enrolled at the University, add-on Discount Dollars will be converted to Munch Money.
Please refer to UAlbany Dining’s meal plan terms and conditions for additional information.
Munch Money
Munch Money is a declining balance account you can use to buy food and beverages on campus.
Munch Money is separate from meal plans, and any student can elect to add Munch Money funds to their UAlbany ID card.
The minimum deposit for Munch Money is $25, and funds can be added at any time. Deposit funds.
munch-money
Where to Use Munch Money
Munch Money funds can be used at all on-campus retail dining venues and any on-campus vending machine that accepts payment via UAlbany ID card.
Students on a meal plan may want to add Munch Money to purchase prepackaged goods at 518 Market and on-campus vending machines, since these items don’t activate discounts with the Discount Dollars.
Munch Money funds cannot be used off campus.
Rolling over Munch Money
Munch Money funds roll over semester to semester for one full academic year (summer to spring) if you remain enrolled at UAlbany.
Munch Money funds remaining on your account at the end of the spring semester will be forfeited.
Note: If you have rollover Munch Money from a previous semester, only the rollover balance will display at registers and vending machines until the rollover is exhausted.
Refunds are not available.
Podium
Podium is a declining balance account you can use to buy food, beverages, books, tickets and other necessities on and off campus. All Podium purchases are subject to New York State sales tax.
Any student can add Podium funds to their UAlbany ID card. The minimum deposit for Podium is $10, and funds can be added at any time. Deposit funds.
podium
Where to Use Podium on Campus
Podium funds can be used at the following on-campus locations:
- All retail dining venues
- Any vending machine that accepts payment via UAlbany ID card
- AcaDamien's Bookstore
- UAlbany Performing Arts Center (performance tickets)
Note: Students on a meal plan may want to add Podium funds to purchase prepackaged goods at 518 Market and on-campus vending machines, since these items don’t activate discounts with the Discount Dollars.
Podium cannot be used to purchase gift cards.
Where to Use Podium off Campus (Off Podium)
Podium funds can also be used at the following off-campus locations, called Off Podium:
- Blaze Pizza: Stuyvesant Plaza, 1475 Western Avenue, Albany, 518-261-1125
- Subway (two locations)
- Campus Mobile, 1181 Western Avenue, Albany, 518-454-0952
- 1181 Western Avenue, Albany, 518-454-0952
- Jersey Mike’s: 1206-10 Western Avenue, Albany, 518-275-0080
- Shah's Halal Food: 4 Delaware Avenue, Albany, 518-650-6265
- Shun's Kitchen: 853 Madison Avenue, Albany, 518-482-2222
- Wingstop: 911 Central Avenue, Albany, 518-275-0742
Podium cannot be used to purchase gift cards.
Note: University Auxiliary Services at Albany, Inc. and the University at Albany do not necessarily endorse the services or products listed on or linked to this website. Questions or concerns should be conveyed directly to businesses.
Local businesses interested in becoming an Off Podium location should email [email protected].
Podium Rollovers, Inactivity & Refunds
Podium funds are taxable in New York State. Therefore, refunds may only be granted under certain conditions.
Your Podium balance carries over from semester to semester if you remain enrolled at UAlbany. New deposits can be made at any time and will be added to your existing balance. Deposit funds.
Balances cannot be transferred to other people or accounts. Balances never expire until you officially leave the University and submit the Podium Refund Request Form.
You can request a refund up to three years after graduating or withdrawing from the University. A refund check will be mailed to your home address. All refunds are subject to a $5 processing fee.
After three years of inactivity, your funds will be subject to New York State escheating regulations. If we are unable to reach you at that time, the remaining balance will be turned over to the New York State Comptroller. If that balance is over $20, you can request it through the Unclaimed Funds process.
Campus Gold
Campus Gold is an advance of up to $650 per semester that is available to any student upon request.
Students typically request Campus Gold while they are waiting for their financial aid to arrive and need to purchase textbooks, course materials and other supplies from AcaDamien’s Bookstore and to buy food and beverages from on-campus dining venues and vending machines.
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How to Request Campus Gold
Note: You may need to authorize the use of your financial aid for additional charges to receive Campus Gold.
Once you’re registered for fall or spring classes, you can request Campus Gold through the ID Card Portal during a six-week period (about four weeks before and two weeks after the start of the fall or spring semester).
Please visit the Academic Calendar for semester start dates. Campus Gold is not available for the winter and summer terms.
Where to Use Campus Gold
Campus Gold can be used at the following on-campus locations:
- All retail dining venues
- Any vending machine that accepts payment via UAlbany ID card
- AcaDamien's Bookstore
Note: Campus Gold cannot be used to pay your student account bill (tuition, fees, etc.).
During the first four weeks of the semester, Campus Gold can only be used on campus. Please visit the Academic Calendar for semester start dates.
If you have any remaining balance at the end of those four weeks, your Campus Gold funds will either be converted into Podium funds or returned to your student account, depending on which option you selected when you requested Campus Gold. If you made multiple requests, the option you selected on the latest request will be applied to your entire balance.
If you elected to have your remaining Campus Gold refunded into your student account, the funds will be removed from your ID card and be applied to any balances remaining on your student account. If you’ve already paid your E-Bill before this happens, a refund check will be mailed to your home address.
If you elected to have your remaining Campus Gold converted into Podium funds, all Podium rules will apply.
Campus Gift Cards
Campus gift cards are pre-paid, declining balance cards that can be used at numerous locations on UAlbany’s campus. They’re a great gift for students, faculty and staff!
Please contact the ID Card Office with any questions related to campus gift cards.
campus-gift-cards
Purchase a Campus Gift Card
To purchase a campus gift card, please email [email protected] or come into the ID Card Office during business hours.
Gift cards have a minimum denomination of $10, with additional funds added in $5 increments.
There is a $1 activation fee for each gift card purchased. Gift cards have no value until activated at the time of purchase.
Where to Use a Campus Gift Card
Campus gift cards are accepted at the following on-campus locations:
- All retail dining venues
- Any vending machine that accepts payment via UAlbany ID card
- AcaDamien's Bookstore
- UAlbany Performing Arts Center (performance tickets)
Campus Gift Card Terms & Conditions
Use of a campus gift card constitutes acceptance of the following terms and conditions:
- The gift card is subject to all applicable New York State sales tax laws.
- To redeem your gift card, it must be presented to the cashier at the time of purchase.
- The gift card is not a credit/debit card and has no implied warranties.
- Gift cards cannot be redeemed for cash.
- Protect this card as though it were cash. Gift cards are non-refundable and will not be replaced if lost, stolen or damaged.
- After 12 months of non-use, a $4 per month dormant account fee will be deducted from the remaining balance on the card until depleted.
University Auxiliary Services (UAS) reserves the right to change or amend these terms and conditions as necessary.