º£½ÇÉçÇøcard FAQs

You’ve got questions? We’ve got answers! Browse our most popular FAQs below.


What is the Mobile º£½ÇÉçÇøCard?

All new and incoming students are issued a Mobile º£½ÇÉçÇøCard as their campus ID. Once your photo submission is approved, you can begin setting up your mobile credential and use your phone to unlock your residence hall room, access the Rec Center, and tap to pay at dining and other campus locations.

As of January 1, 2024, Physical º£½ÇÉçÇøCards are no longer issued. Mobile credentials are now the primary form of ID, offering enhanced security, reduced plastic use, and greater convenience. They are also the most popular option among students and faculty/staff due to their ease of use.

Can I get a physical º£½ÇÉçÇøCard instead of the Mobile º£½ÇÉçÇøCard?

The University of º£½ÇÉçÇø is a mobile-first campus, meaning all students are issued a Mobile º£½ÇÉçÇøCard for enhanced security and safety.
You will find that most students prefer their Mobile º£½ÇÉçÇøCard to physical cards.

Accessibility Accommodation Exception
If you have a disability and require special accommodations, please contact Student Accessibility Services (um.sas@maine.edu | 207.581.2319).

Other Extenuating Circumstances Exception
Contact the Dean of Students: Andrea Gifford (agifford@maine.edu | 207.581.1406)

If your student physical card request has been granted, please note:
One Credential Only: If approved, your Mobile º£½ÇÉçÇøCard will be deactivated.
Fees: A $35.00 fee applies if your physical card is lost or damaged.

I never received the email invitation to submit my º£½ÇÉçÇøCard photo.

All photo submission links are sent to your fully activated .

  • Fall 2026 Students: Invitations are sent in batches from mid-July throughout August. It is normal for peers to receive their links before you do – don’t worry!
  • Missing your link? Check your spam or junk folder first.
  • Need Help? If classes begin in less than 30 days and you still haven’t received an invitation, contact the º£½ÇÉçÇøCard Office at um.mainecard@maine.edu or 207-581-2273.

How do I show my Mobile º£½ÇÉçÇøCard to ride the local bus or to get a discount at an area business?

To ride for free or at a discounted rate on eligible routes, you must present your active Mobile º£½ÇÉçÇøCard in your phone’s digital wallet when requested by the driver or transit staff. You can also use your Mobile º£½ÇÉçÇøCard in the same way to receive discounts at participating businesses in the Bangor area.

I got a new phone – will my º£½ÇÉçÇøCard automatically transfer?

Unfortunately, no – but it’s an easy fix!
If you still have access to your old phone: Visit our Mobile º£½ÇÉçÇøCard FAQs for steps to add your Mobile º£½ÇÉçÇøCard to your new device.
If you no longer have access to your old phone: Contact our office and let us know! We can remove the card from your old phone and then you can download it to your new phone through Transact eAccounts.

My Mobile º£½ÇÉçÇøCard isn’t working anymore – what do I do?

Not to worry – we can help! This could be the result of several things.

  • Not tapping anywhere: this is usually a damaged NFC chip in your phone. Contact your phone manufacturer for a fix and let your RA know right away to obtain a temporary access card..
  • Doesn’t unlock door: if it’s the first time accessing a door, this is normal – keep trying up to 10 minutes. Still red? Contact your RA or the º£½ÇÉçÇøCard Office.
  • Not tapping at the dining hall: if your Apple/Google/Samsung Pay works but it doesn’t work at the dining hall all of a sudden – contact Uº£½ÇÉçÇø Dining.

I’ve lost my phone. What should I do?

Call Public Safety (UMPD) at 207.581.4040 during business hours to report your phone as lost. After you replace your phone, please contact the º£½ÇÉçÇøCard Office so we may assist you with setting up your Mobile º£½ÇÉçÇøCard with your new phone.

I broke my phone. What should I do?

If I lose my phone at night or on the weekend, how do I eat and get into my residence hall?

To access your residence hall, you can reach out to Residence Life staff or Campus Safety (UMPD) for assistance. Please be sure to contact the º£½ÇÉçÇøCard Office first thing Monday morning. Our office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and Fridays by appointment only.

How do I put money on my Mobile º£½ÇÉçÇøCard?

Add funds from the Transact eAccounts icon link located on your º£½ÇÉçÇøStreet portal, or download the Transact eAccounts app to deposit funds quickly and securely to your Black Bear Bucks account. You can utilize our online deposit service by visiting the Manage Your Mobile º£½ÇÉçÇøCard page.

Family members and friends can also make a guest deposit in your Black Bear Bucks account as long as they know your º£½ÇÉçÇøStreet ID and Last Name as it matches what is in our system records.

You can add funds at the º£½ÇÉçÇøCard Office in the or you can use the Fogler Library Value Transfer Station (cash only, located near the Circulation & Reserve desk located on the first floor).

How do I change my meal plan?

Students may change their meal plans once within the first two weeks of each semester by visiting the Housing Portal on the Housing website. If you need modification to your meal plan for dietary reasons, contact Uº£½ÇÉçÇø’s Dietitian, Krista Niezelski, at Uº£½ÇÉçÇø Dining directly. Those with commuter meal plans need to fill out an exception form to change their meal plan. Contact Uº£½ÇÉçÇø Dining for more information.

What’s the difference between Meal Plan Dollars and Black Bear Bucks, and where can I use them?

Meal Plan Dollars and Black Bear Bucks allow students, faculty, and staff to use their º£½ÇÉçÇøCard for food and beverage purchases in all Uº£½ÇÉçÇø Dining locations. View a table of Meal Plan Dollars vs Black Bear Bucks

Black Bear Bucks may also be used at º£½ÇÉçÇø Bound Adventure Center, , and certain off-campus merchants close to campus.

Are there any restrictions to my Black Bear Bucks purchases?

Yes. Businesses may not permit any º£½ÇÉçÇøCard holder to purchase alcohol, tobacco, firearms, obscene materials, or store-value gift cards. View vendors that accept Black Bear Bucks.

Do I need money for laundry?

Nope! Laundry is unlimited for on-campus residents.

What is Transact eAccounts?

Transact eAccounts is the must-have app for managing your life at Uº£½ÇÉçÇø. You can download it now from the App Store or Google Play.
Note on Meal Plans in eAccounts: If you don’t see all of your balances right at the start of the semester, don’t worry! Changes and additions to student meal plans are often being processed during the first week.

  • Mobile º£½ÇÉçÇøCard: Set up and download your ID directly in your phone.
  • Easy Deposits: Add funds to your Black Bear Bucks instantly.
  • Balance Tracking: Monitor all your account balances in one place.

What is Duo Mobile?

is a secure login app that you install on your smartphone and use to approve sign-ins to your University of º£½ÇÉçÇø System accounts. It provides the required multi‑factor authentication for Mobile º£½ÇÉçÇøCard holders by sending login prompts or generating passcodes so only you can access your accounts, even if someone knows your password. Learn more about multi-factor authentication at .

Does the º£½ÇÉçÇøCard Office provide free notary services?

A: Yes! The º£½ÇÉçÇøCard Office provides free notary services to students, faculty and staff members with a º£½ÇÉçÇøCard. To schedule an appointment with the notary public, please email the º£½ÇÉçÇøCard Office at um.mainecard@maine.edu. Be sure you don’t sign your papers yet and bring a valid government-issued ID!

Questions?