Beginning in January 2023, students will be able to conveniently and securely access on-campus facilities and resources with just a tap of their phone through a new mobile id+ card, the university announced Monday.

Students can access residence halls, purchase food, use laundry machines, and more through contactless and tap-to-pay technology.

“Mobile devices are playing a more significant role in the higher education landscape. Penn State’s continued advancement of student resources is a part of the University’s student-centric mission,” John Papazoglou, associate vice president for Auxiliary and Business Services, said in a release. “The mobile id+ card enhances this mission, bringing the University closer to a digital campus.” 

The university will begin to phase in upgrades to card readers at residence hall entrances, commons buildings, on-campus laundry, Lion Cash, and meal plans across all Commonwealth Campuses.

Penn State is encouraging all students to download the Transact eAccounts app on their phones before the launch. Students will need to have the app and upload their photo to be able to use the mobile ID card.

The university is already working to provide new physical id+ cards for Penn State students, faculty, and staff. The physical cards will still be a necessity for students, as not every location will accept mobile transactions.

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Emily Grill

Emily is a third-year broadcast journalism student from New Jersey. She likes to think that being Italian and 5 feet tall are her biggest personality traits. You can probably catch her at Chick-fil-A at least two or three days out of the week. Feel free to contact her by emailing exg5292@psu.edu.

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