Special Program Policies

The Special Program Cougar Card is available to university-affiliated individuals who are not enrolled students or active employees, including:

• Contractors
• Consultants
• Affiliates with a University of Houston Person of Interest (POI) record
• Non-degree-seeking students

The Cougar Card serves as the official University of Houston identification credential and may be issued as either a physical card or a mobile credential.

Per Cougar Card Terms and Conditions only one Cougar Card type can be active for a cardholder at a time, either a physical Cougar Card or a mobile Cougar Card.

Eligibility Requirements

To receive a Special Program Cougar Card, you must:

• Have an active Person of Interest (POI) record and UHID number.
• Be sponsored by a University of Houston department.
• Have a completed ePOI process submitted by the sponsoring department.
• Submit a photo that meets the Cougar Card Office's Photo Requirements.

Credential Options

Eligible individuals may choose one of the following:

Physical Cougar Card
A printed university identification card used for campus identification, access, and services.

Mobile Cougar Card
A digital credential available on supported mobile devices.

Mobile credentials are provided through:
-  Apple Devices: Apple Wallet via the UH Go app
-  Android Devices: Atrium Campus Connect

Cost

There is a $20 fee for special program Cougar Cards. 

The fee applies to:

• New physical Cougar Cards
• New mobile Cougar Cards
• Replacement Cougar Cards

Accepted Payment Methods

• Credit/Debit Cards
• Department Invoice
• Apple Pay
• Google Pay
• Samsung Pay
• ShastaBUCKS

Department-Paid Requests

If a sponsoring department elects to pay the fee:

• An invoice will be sent to the sponsoring department.
• Payment must be received before the credential is released or activated.

Maintaining Active Credential Status

The status of your Cougar Card is directly tied to your Person of Interest (POI) record.

When a POI record expires:

• The associated Cougar Card credential is automatically deactivated.
• Physical and mobile credentials are treated the same.
• Deactivated credentials cannot be reactivated.

Avoiding Credential Deactivation

Sponsoring departments are responsible for ensuring POI renewals are fully processed before the POI expiration date.

Failure to fully execute the renewal for the POI before expiration will result in automatic Cougar Card deactivation.

If Your POI Expires

Once a Cougar Card has been deactivated due to POI expiration:

• It cannot be restored or reactivated.
• A new Cougar Card must be issued.
• A new $20 fee is required.

Physical Card

After payment is received:

• A new card will be printed and issued.

Mobile Credential

After payment is received:

• Mobile access will be re-enabled.
• A new provisioning email will be sent to allow setup on the user's device.

How to Request a Special Program Cougar Card

Option 1: Department-Paid Request

1. Submit Request Form
   The sponsoring department completes the Special Program Cougar Card Request Form.
   Requests are typically processed within 24-48 business hours.
2. Submit Cardholder Photo
   The cardholder must provide a photo that meets published photo requirements.
   
   If the cardholder has AccessUH credentials:
   -  Submit the photo through Cougar Card Connect.
   
   If the cardholder does not have AccessUH credentials:
   -  The sponsoring department must email the photo to cougarcard@uh.edu.
   
   Do not email copies of government-issued identification.
   
   
3. Invoice Processing
   Cougar Card Services will issue an invoice to the sponsoring department.
   The invoice must be completed and payment received before the credential is released.
   
   
4. Obtain Credential
   
   For Physical Cards
   The cardholder must:

• • Schedule an appointment through CougarQ, or
  • Join the CougarQ virtual line

The cardholder's PSID is required.

Identity Verification

If the photo was submitted by email:

• Government-issued photo ID must be presented at pickup.

If the photo was submitted through Cougar Card Connect:

• No additional government ID is required at pickup.

Step 5: Mobile Credential Activation (if selected)

If a Mobile Cougar Card is chosen:

• The mobile credential will be activated after the invoice is processed.
• A provisioning email will be sent with setup instructions.

Option 2: Cardholder-Paid Request

1. Submit Photo
   Submit a photo meeting Cougar Card photo requirements.
   
   AccessUH users:
   -  Submit through Cougar Card Connect.
   
   Non-AccessUH users:
   -  Email the photo to cougarcard@uh.edu.
   
   
2. Visit the Cougar Card Office
   Schedule an appointment or join the CougarQ virtual line. Your UH ID will be required.
   
   
3. Identity Verification
   
   If the photo was emailed:
   -  Present government-issued identification at pickup.
   
   If submitted through Cougar Card Connect:
   -  Additional identification is not required.
   
   
4. Pay Fee
   Pay the $20 credential fee using any accepted payment method.
   
   
5. Mobile Credential Activation (if selected)
   -  Mobile access is activated after payment.
   -  A provisioning email will be sent for setup

Lost Mobile Device
If your mobile device is lost, stolen, or replaced, you have two options.

Option 1: Provision Your Credential on a New Device
Once you obtain a replacement device:

1. Sign in to you Apple or Android account.
2. Delete your previous Mobile Cougar Card connected to your lost device.
3. Activate the Mobile Cougar Card onto the new device through the UH Go app again.

Important Information

• Access will be unavailable until the new device is activated.
• Any temporary physical card issued will automatically deactivate when the mobile Cougar Card is activated on the new device.

Option 2: Purchase a Physical Cougar Card

Cardholders may obtain a physical Cougar Card for temporary or permanent use.

Requirements

• Schedule an appointment or join the CougarQ virtual line.
• Visit the Cougar Card Office.
• Pay the $20 replacement fee, the card will be printed at the time of payment
  Important Information

If the mobile Cougar Card is activated on a new device later:

• The physical card will automatically deactivate.
• No additional fee is required to activate on the new device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have both a physical card and a Mobile Cougar Card?
No, only one type of Cougar Card can be active at a time as stated in the Cougar Card Terms and Conditions. 

What happens if my POI expires?
Your Cougar Card automatically deactivates and cannot be reactivated.

Can my Cougar Card be restored after POI renewal?
No. Once deactivated, a new credential must be issued and the applicable fee paid.

Who is responsible for renewing my POI?
Your sponsoring UH department is responsible for ensuring the POI renewal is completed before expiration.

How much does a Special Program Cougar Card cost?
The fee is $20 for physical or mobile credentials.