Finally, students can use their BGSU ID cards beyond the campus.
A new payment system called City Bucks now allows the student ID card to be used like a debit card at various locations around Bowling Green. The system works off the student ID card as a pre-paid account, separate from other services like the Bursar account.
According to Chris Herron, Managing Partner of City Bucks, the pre-paid card is used to store money, and while it is free for any BGSU student to sign up for an account, the minimum amount of money added must in $50 increments.
Herron said there are many advantages to having a City Bucks account.
“It’s only one card that you have to carry,” Herron said. “Everyone already has a BGSU student ID card, so it cuts down on needing to have multiple cards.”
Herron said all of the spending can be tracked online, which allows an easy and organized way to keep track of transactions. He said that advantages are available for parents as well.
“It’s very easy and convenient for parents,” Herron said. “It gives them peace of mind, knowing where the student is spending the money and it’s also easy for them to add money as a gift for the students.”
While this is the first time the University has ever had such a program, many students on campus have wanted this for some time. Herron said that City Bucks will fit the needs of not just the students, but all parties involved.
“The University recognized that there was a want among the student body for it,” Herron said. “Several local merchants in town had expressed the desire to accept the student ID card off-campus and we were able to offer the University a low-cost, effective service.”
Among the participating merchants already signed under contract with City Bucks include: Fast Company, Sockman Automotive, Marco’s Pizza, A to Z Data Center, Bee Gee Bookstore, Domino’s Pizza, Pisanello’s Pizza, Wendy’s, Student Book Exchange, Arby’s, Subway, and Kroger. Herron said that there will continue to be more businesses signing up in the next few months.
“Just this summer we started signing up merchants,” Herron said. “We’re still talking with a lot more; we just don’t have all the contracts in place yet.”
Herron said that with the many advantages involved with the City Bucks account, it should be successful here in Bowling Green.
“Since it’s all prepaid, it makes it very easy to budget,” Herron said. “You know where you stand and exactly how much money you have; and you’re not accruing additional debt like a credit card.”
Students can sign up for City Bucks at www.citybucksbg.com or by calling 419-372-1185. Students can also sign up in the photo ID office in the Student Union.
CORRECTION: The original title of this piece (“Bursar cash portable”) was misleading. As stated in the article, the City Bucks program is not affiliated with the Bursar’s office. The mistake was made by copy staff, not by the article author.
– Copy Editor
