Frequently Asked Questions and Answers!

Provided below is a list of the most frequently asked questions. USCard Services hope this information is helpful and welcomes your additions and comments. Send us an email. We'd love to hear from you!

Q: I can't get my login and password to work.

Q: My "guest" cannot login. Why?

Q: Can I get a replacement card if my card is lost or stolen? Is there a fee?

Q: My access to Lyon's Center is not working. What should I do?

Q: Financial Aid suggested using my USCard to purchase books. Help....How?

Q: I don't have a picture with me. Can I still get my id card?

Q: Is the USCard the same as the Credit Union Card?

Q: What happens to the balance at the end of the semester?

Q: How do I get a library card?

Q: Does my USCard work for parking? How do I sign up?

Q: Access to my building isn't working. What should I do?

Q: I don't like the photo on my ID card. How much does a new picture cost?

Q: I can't make a deposit. How do I fix it?

Q: The cashier made an error. How do I get the money put back on my account? (I returned an item....same answer provided below applies.)




Q: I can't get my login and password to work.

A: Make certain you are using your 10 digit ID number (student). If it is simply that you forgot your password, click on the "Forgot Password" link below the login function. A system generated password will be sent to the email address you registered under. You may stop by our Customer Service Counters located in PSX (University Park Campus) and Seaver (Health Sciences Campus) and request assistance. You may also contact us by telephone at (213)740-8709, Press Option 4. We will ask you a series of questions designed to confirm you are the account holder and proceed to reset your account. Please note resetting your account means you will establish a new password before you login. So, you will need to click on the "I'm new here" message in the upper right hand corner located below the login request.

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Q: My "guest" cannot login. Why?

A: Guests need to login using THEIR registered email address in the ID number field and password. The most common mistake is using the student ID number which won't work (students login with an ID number + password while guest's the email name registerd by the student) IF THE STUDENT HAS NOT SET UP GUEST ACCESS YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO LOGIN.

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Q: Can I get a replacement card if my card is lost or stolen? Is there a fee?

A: Request a card on-line at usc.edu/uscard or stop by the PSX (UPC) or Seaver (HSC) Card Office. The replacement fee is $25. You are also encouraged to use the on-line management capability to deactivated a lost USCard, especially after hours. YOUR OLD CARD IS AUTOMATICALLY DEACTIVATED WHEN A REPLACEMENT CARD IS PRODUCED!

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Q: My access to Lyon's Center is not working. What should I do?

A: Lyon's Center access requires student status which is assigned as you register and a completed Lyon Center Waiver. This type of record update occurs every 24 hours. If the Student Information System relfects your registered status we will assign access to the Lyon Center once you have completed the Lyon Center Waiver. If we can not confirm your registration status and/or completion of the Lyon Center Waiver, you will be advised to try again in 24 hours.

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Q: Financial Aid suggested using my USCard to purchase books. Help....How?

A: Finiancial aid is applied as a credit to your student account. Simply put discretionary funds on your USCard by instructing us to bill or debit it to your student account. This transfers the amount you "billed" to your USCard account. Some sponsors limit the types of purchases they will cover so keep in my your USCard has virtually unlimited purchasing power on campus.

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Q: I don't have a picture with me. Can I still get my id card?

A: USCard can take your photo. A picture is not necessary although we strongly encourage the use of our on-line services for submission of a digital image. If you are getting a replacement ID, we will use the image on file. The on-line form includes this option. Be ready to present forms of identification, with at least one form containing a photo such as a drivers license.

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Q: Is the USCard the same as the Credit Union Card?

A: No, the Credit Union offers Visa and/or MasterCard credit and debit cards. USCard is not a "bank" card and can not be used to withdraw cash or transfer money from an "on demand" deposit account.

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Q: What happens to the balance at the end of the semester?

A: The balance remains in your USCard account until you graduate. The funds are always yours! You may request a refund of any unused balance by stopping by our PSX or Seaver Customer Service Counters and filling out a request for the refund. Any credit balance is applied to your student account and the university cashier office will refund the credit to your specified bank account. Note, you must graduate, or withdraw from the university to request we "cash out" your discretionary balance.

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Q: How do I get a library card?

A: The bar code on the USCard is your library card.

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Q: Does my USCard work for parking? How do I sign up?

A: Most lots, especially those associated with University Housing, use your USCard for access. To obtain parking, visit Transportation Services located in PSX.

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Q: Access to my building isn't working. What should I do?

A: Stop by your Housing Customer Service Center, or call or visit USCard Services. The telephone number to call is (213)740-8709. The service counters are located in PSX on University Park Campus and Seaver Lobby on the Health Sciences Campus.

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Q: I don't like the photo on my ID card. How much does a new picture cost?

A: The photo on the ID may be replaced with a new picture. USCard can take a photo of a picture and an on-line submission of a jpeg image is also possible. The background must be blue. The issuance of a new card will be treated as the replacement of a lost/stolen card. To find out how much your id replacement will cost, contact our customer serivce center at (213) 740-8709 or uscard@usc.edu.

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Q: I can't make a deposit. How do I fix it?

A: Ask USCard to reset your account. It is likely you are using a different email address and/or using an incorrect password. Just use the on-line form to contact us, or click on ask Ben in the lower right hand corner.

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Q: The cashier made an error. How do I get the money put back on my account? (I returned an item....same answer provided below applies.)

A: Visit the location that made the error. The cashier will complete a log error sheet and turn it in to USCard. Upon receipt the account is credited. This process occurs approximately every 24 hours and is necessary to assure accounting and auditing for changes in sales and ending balances.

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