Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Cougar Card?
The Cougar Card is the official ID card for the University of Houston for all faculty, staff, and students. Your Cougar Card comes with multiple campus uses, including but not limited to; meal plan/cougar cash expenditures; printing expenditures in the campus’ general computing labs. Also your Cougar Card can be used at various locations; see our maps located at our” On Campus “tab.

How do I contact the Cougar Card Office?
You can come by our office located in the Welcome Center Parking Garage, Suite #151; hours of operation are 8:00AM – 5:00PM Monday – Friday or you may call us at 832.842.CARD (2273).

How do I get my Cougar Card?
You can request your Cougar Card in 2 ways; first you can simply select the Cougar Card Online Icon located at www.uh.edu/cougarcard or select the Cougar Card Icon available on AccessUH Here you will find all of the information needed to electronically submit your photo and instructions on when your Cougar Card will be available for pick up. Second, you can also visit our office located in the Welcome Center Parking Garage, Suite #151; our office hours are
8:00AM – 5:00PM Monday – Friday.

Will you mail me my new Cougar Card?
No, we do not mail out Cougar Cards to ensure the integrity of our program and to protect our students, faculty, and staff.

Do I need to bring anything to pick up my new Cougar Card?
You must bring a valid government issued photo identification prior to receiving your Cougar Card. Acceptable forms of valid government issued photo identification are as follows: US or Foreign Passport/Visa, US Driver’s License, US State or Federal issued ID, US Military Card or Permanent Resident Card.

How will I know that my online photo is acceptable?
You will receive an email notification of successful transmittal, and then you will receive an additional email indicating whether your photo has been approved or denied.

I just submitted my online photo, how long should I wait before coming to pick it up?
Please allow seven – ten working days from receipt of your approval email before coming to the Cougar Card office for pick up. Cougar Cards will be available for pick up at each individual new student conference or any time during our regular business hours.

When can I start using my new Cougar Card?
Once your card is printed it is ready for you to begin using it!

What accounts are available on my Cougar Card?
Active enrollment, Meal Plans with Cougar Cash, Cougar Cash Plans, Flex Accounts, Campus Printing Accounts, and To Go Containers for the dining facilities. Your Cougar Cash Flex, and Campus Printing Accounts function as declining balance accounts on your Cougar Card.

How do I use my Meal Plan Account?
Meal Plans are purchased under your AccessUH account and the values are placed on your Cougar Card. Based on the type of meal plan that you purchase either a Lifestyle or a Block, meals are deposited on your Cougar Card as a ‘count’ which can only be used in the all-you-care to eat dining facilities. You simply swipe your card at the cashier’s station and a count is deducted from your available balance. Visit http://www.uh.edu/cougar1card/coogcashloc.pdf for locations of where you can use your Meal Plan accounts.

How does the Access 7 Meal Plan work?
Access 7 Meal Plans allow you to access the all-you-care-to-eat dining facilities as many times as you wish, Monday through Sunday. You are limited to one swipe every 30 minutes.

How can I use my Guest Passes?
Guest Passes are provided to allow students the option of treating a guest to a meal. Access Meal Plans are not allowed to be shared amongst students or guests. Access 7 Meal Plans come with 15 Guest Passes. You are limited to one swipe every 30 minutes.

If I have already made one meal plan change, can I change my meal plan again?
If school has not started, you may make as many changes to your meal plan as you would like. After the first Residential Meal and before the 12th class day, you are allowed to make only one meal plan change per semester. Residential Students – if your housing agreement has been completed please login to AccessUH and select the Cougar Card Icon to make your changes. Commuter Students – please login to AccessUH and select the Cougar Card Icon to make your changes.

Do I have to purchase a meal plan?
Residential students living in Moody Towers, the Quadrangle, Cougar Village and new constructed residential facilities will be contractually required to be on a Residential Meal Plan; therefore Commuter Meal Plans are not available to residential students. Residential students are required to have a Residential Meal Plan each semester of the academic year; meal plans selected in the fall semester will carry over to the spring semester. Commuter students may purchase any meal plan for the semester and will need to select a new meal plan each semester.

As a residential student, can I purchase a Cougar Cash $1350 plan?
Junior, senior and graduate residents living in the Quadrangle, Moody Towers, Cougar Village and any new constructed residential facilities are allowed to choose this plan. The correct classification must be indicated in People Soft.

How do I use my Cougar Cash Account?
Cougar Cash Accounts are purchased under your AccessUHaccount and the values are placed on your Cougar Card. The dollar value of the Cougar Cash that you purchased is deposited on your Cougar Card and can be used at any UH Dining Services location on campus including the all-you-care to eat dining facilities. Cougar Cash can also be used at our partner locations on campus; McAlister’s Deli, Shasta’s Cones and More, Tealicious, and Chinese Star. Simply swipe your card at the cashier’s station and the amount is deducted from your available balance. Visit http://www.uh.edu/cougarcard/coogcashloc2.pdf for locations of where you can use your Meal Plan and Cougar Cash accounts.

Will my Meal Plan and Cougar Cash Accounts roll forward at the end of each semester?
Your Meal Plan Account does not roll forward; it expires at the end of each semester. Your Cougar Cash Account balances continue to rollover each semester and will be forfeited after one year of inactivity. Cougar Cash balance are not refundable.

Can I add more Cougar Cash to my account?
Yes, you can go online at AccessUHand select the Cougar Card Icon then select replenish your Cougar Cash. This option is available throughout the semester and will be charged to your student fee bill. Please note that you must purchase Meal plan/ Cougar Cash Plan within a current semester before you will be allowed to add additional money on line at AccessUH..

If I have a block Meal Plan, can I purchase another meal plan?
Yes! Log into AccessUHand click on the Cougar Card icon. Select the appropriate semester and choose your desired meal plan. The pro-rated cost will be available for you to review before making your selection.

What is a Flex Account?
A Flex Account is a University of Houston debit account. This account functions just like a traditional debit card but can only be used at on campus locations. This account is placed on all Cougar Cards and only becomes active when money is deposited.

How do I add money to my Flex Account?
You can deposit money at any Value Transfer Station located across campus, or you can come directly to the Cougar Card Office for both cash and credit card transactions, or you can call us for credit card transactions at 832.842.CARD (2273) 8:00AM – 5:00PM Monday – Friday. The Cougar Card Office accepts all major credit cards.

Where can I use my Flex Account?
You can use your flex account in the Barnes & Noble’s campus bookstores, all campus convenience stores, all campus eating establishments, and campus computing labs. Visit http://www.uh.edu/cougar1card/coogcashloc.pdf for locations of where you can use your Flex Account.

What are Campus Printing Accounts?
Campus Printing Accounts are assigned to all actively enrolled students each semester for our general campus computing labs as a declining balance. Each lab’s allocation expires at the end of each term. The allocations are as follows:
MD Anderson Library - $25.00
Information Technology Commons - $7.50
Writing Center - $7.50
Visit http://www.uh.edu/cougar1card/printingloc.pdf for locations of each lab.

What else can I use my Cougar Card for on campus?
Your Cougar Card can be used for active enrollment privileges, access to Athletic and Special Events, access to the Campus Wellness and Recreation Center, and access to administrative or academic buildings, rooms, elevators, or stairwells.

How do I take care of my Cougar Card?
Your Cougar Card is very durable, however following these simple preventive steps could help prolong the life of your card:

Do not tamper with the picture or printed information on the card.
Keep your Cougar Card away from magnets, computers, and cell phones.
Keep your Cougar Card away from excessive heat.
Do not scratch your Cougar Card – if the writing is illegible, the card will not be accepted.
Do not put your Cougar Card through the washing machine.

My card doesn’t seem to be working anymore, what should I do?
If you’re having problems when trying to use your Cougar Card, please contact the Cougar Card Office during regular business hours so that we can help determine what’s wrong and find a solution.

What do I do if I lose my Cougar Card?
Immediately report your Cougar Card as lost or stolen to the Cougar Card Office during regular business hours or the Campus Police 24 hours per day/7 days a week at 713.743.3333.

Do I have to pay for replacing my Cougar Card?
Yes, there is a $10.00 replacement fee; covering lost cards, updating photos, name changes etc. This charge can be paid in the Cougar Card Office with cash or credit at the time of re-issuance. The Cougar Card Office accepts all major credit cards.

If I replace my Cougar Card, what happens to my account balances?
All of your account balances are transferred to your new Cougar Card.

How can I tell what my current balances are?
You may go to AccessUHand select the Cougar Card Icon then My Account to view account balances on your Cougar Card. Every time you use your Cougar Card to purchase something, your balance as of that transaction is printed out on your sales receipt.

Where do I go if I have any additional questions about my Cougar Card?
You can call the Cougar Card Office at 832.842.CARD (2273) or you can visit our office located at the Welcome Center Parking Garage, Suite #151 8:00AM – 5:00PM Monday – Friday.