Prepaid
There are three ways you can access Cougar Cash accounts to deposit funds, check balances and transactions, or report lost/stolen cards:
- Use the BYU App.
- Sign in to the website.
- Use the Cougar Cash Deposit Station located in the Cougareat to load cash directly onto your account.
Remember: Select eCheck as your payment method to avoid paying any service fees! Also, make sure to save your payment profile to avoid re-entering payment information.
The minimum deposit is $5. Cougar Cash balances carry over from year to year. You can check your balance online or on the BYU app.
Gifting Funds
Do family members want to gift you some Cougar Cash? No problem—they can add funds directly to your account with your ID number on the Add Money to a Cougar Cash Account page.
You can also grant family members access to your My Financial Center account using Access Delegation. They can then log in at my.byu.edu using their own Net ID to deposit Cougar Cash.
What is Cougar Cash Prepaid?
Cougar Cash is a prepaid account on the BYU ID card that lets students and employees make simple purchases from retailers across campus, including printing and vending.
How do I load funds on my Cougar Cash Prepaid account?
Three Simple Ways to Load Funds
- BYU App
- Website
- Cougar Cash Deposit Station
Cougar Cash Prepaid FAQ
What is Cougar Cash?
Cougar Cash is a prepaid account on the BYU ID card that lets students and employees make simple purchases from retailers across campus—including printing and vending.
Why should I use Cougar Cash?
Here are some reasons to consider why you should use Cougar Cash.
- Save Sales Tax - Students, faculty, and staff are not charged sales tax at campus restaurants when they pay with Cougar Cash.
- Printing - Cougar Cash is the only way to pay for printing at many labs across campus.
- Laundry - If you live in on-campus housing, you receive a discount when using Cougar Cash to pay for the use of the washers and dryers associated with your housing unit.
- Vending - Cougar Cash provides a way to buy a snack at vending machines.
Where can I use Cougar Cash?
Cougar Cash can only be used at campus locations. Most dining locations, BYU Store, laundry machines, printing, vending, and many other locations prefer accepting Cougar Cash over other payment types. Click here to see a list of locations that accept Cougar Cash.
Why is there a service charge on credit and debit card deposits?
Because of merchant fees associated with credit and debit card deposits, they are more expensive than eChecks to process. The service fee is intended to cover the cost of the merchant fees BYU would have to pay for these transactions.
Why is the maximum balance restricted to $1,000?
Cougar Cash is not intended to be used for large dollar purchases such as tuition and housing payments. The maximum balance amount of $1,000 is for safety and security purposes. Replenishing your Cougar Cash balance can be made by making additional deposits as frequently as necessary.
My deposit failed, why is the charge still showing as pending on my bank account?
When you make a deposit to your Cougar Cash account using a debit or credit card, your deposit will appear as a pending transaction on your bank account until the transaction settles. If the address billing information you provide does not match the billing information on file with your financial institution, for your protection, BYU rejects the deposit. When this happens, the pending status may remain on the transaction for a few more days before the transaction is removed.
Can I withdraw funds from my Cougar Cash account?
Cougar Cash accounts are not intended for cash withdrawals. Try to put only those funds on your account that you intend to spend with campus merchants. If a withdrawal is necessary, contact the ID Center in the Wilkinson Center (801-422-5092) to request a withdrawal.
What if my ID card is lost or stolen?
If you lose your ID card, deactivate it immediately by logging into your Cougar Cash account. Deactivating your card will protect your funds from unauthorized use. A replacement for your ID card can be obtained from the ID Center in the Wilkinson Center.
If I have a meal plan, can I also have a Cougar Cash account?
Yes. If you have a meal plan, your meal plan account and your Cougar Cash account will both be attached to your BYU ID. Any food purchases at Dining Services locations will automatically be deducted first from your meal plan account. All non-Dining Services purchases will then be deducted from your Cougar Cash account.
I used Cougar Cash to buy a vending item, but it didn’t dispense properly. Can I get a refund?
For Cougar Cash vending, printing, copying, and on-campus laundry refund requests, contact the ID Center. Be prepared to provide your Net ID, the date and location of the transaction(s), the amount, and the reason for the request.