Cards are produced on several WSU campuses:

In Everett, CougarCards are printed in room 236 of the WSU-Everett building.  The phone number there is (425) 405-1600, and you can reach the Everett CougarCard office by email at cougarcard.everett@wsu.edu

In Pullman, the CougarCard office is located in room G60 of the Compton Union Building (CUB).  The phone number there is (509) 335-2273, and you can reach the Pullman CougarCard office by email at cougarcard@wsu.edu

In Spokane, CougarCards are printed in the Student Affairs office, located in room 130 of the Academic Center.  The phone number there is (509) 358-7978, and you can reach the Spokane CougarCard office at cougarcard.spokane@wsu.edu

In Tri-Cities, CougarCard photos are taken at Campus Security, located in room 202B in the Floyd building, 2710 Crimson Way,  Richland, WA.  The phone number there is (509) 372-7698, and you can reach the Tri-Cities CougarCard office at cougarcard.tricities@wsu.edu

In Vancouver, CougarCards are printed in the Cougar Center, located in the Student Services Center (VSSC).  The phone number there is (360) 546-9779, and you can reach the Vancouver CougarCard office at cougarcard.vancouver@wsu.edu

You need to ensure that the photos you submit are in either the JPEG, PNG, or GIF file formats.  Apple recently adopted another image format, HEIC, as the default image format on iOS devices.  Pictures taken on iOS 11 or newer devices may need to be converted before uploading.  This wikiHow article discusses some methods of doing that:  Easy Ways to Convert iPhone Photos to JPG (with Pictures) (wikihow.com).

If all else fails please email us at cougarcard@wsu.edu and we will identify an alternate way to get your CougarCard picture to us.

You will need photo ID in order to pick up your CougarCard.  Acceptable photo IDs are:

• a photo ID issued by a US state or protectorate, such as a drivers license or state ID card.
• a photo ID issued by the United States federal government such as a military ID card.
• a current passport.

If you lose your card, you can deactivate it to prevent anyone else from using it until you find it or replace it.  You can deactivate your lost card online.  Alternatively, if you have the GET app on your phone, you can deactivate it that way.  If all else fails you can contact the card office by sending an email to cougarcard@wsu.edu or calling (509) 335-2273 and requesting your that your card be deactivated.

If your CougarCard has been activated as your WSECU ATM/debit card, you must also notify WSECU immediately at wsecu.org or by phone at 800.562.0999. if your card has been lost or stolen.

If you have a CougarCard Plus with WSECU, there is no charge for a replacement card.

If you lose your standard CougarCard the replacement fee is $20.  We cannot reactivate previously lost CougarCards, but if you bring in an old card it will cost $17 for a replacement card instead of $20.

Badge replacements are $10.

Global Campus students can request a CougarCard online here.

In order to complete this online form, you will need to attach a passport-style photo of yourself and a scanned copy of a state- or federally- issued picture ID, or a passport.

 If you are not a Global Campus student, please contact the CougarCard center in Pullman for instructions specific to your situation.  Phone (509) 335-2273, or email cougarcard@wsu.edu

Yes, students living off campus should have a CougarCard. It will allow them to take the bus for free, as well as acting as their sports pass, printing money, library privileges and if they deposit Cougar CASH on their cards they can use them at vending machines, and receive discounts at certain University owned dining locations when they purchase with Cougar CASH.

Temporary cards are available at all residence halls with card access at the hall desk, during hall desk hours.  Students who reside in residence halls with CougarCard access to the room level on the Pullman campus can use specialized Temp Card Kiosks to provide them with a temporary card that can be used to access their room in case they lose their CougarCard.  Temp Card Kiosks are available for use 24 hours a day, and are located in the following residence halls:

Community-Duncan Dunn

Global Scholars Hall

McCroskey

Northside

Olympia

No, the CougarCard can only be used by the person whose details are on the card. The University has the right to confiscate or refuse to accept a CougarCard for any of its designed applications, if it is presented by a person other than its owner. If the CougarCard is confiscated it will be considered to have been lost or stolen and relevant fees will need to be paid for a replacement. 

Replacement cards are encoded differently than their predecessors, and only the last one made will work.  So, if you were to find a card that you had previously lost and replaced, and reactivated your account online or with the GET app, that card still would not work.  When you visit the CougarCard center in the CUB to reactivate your card we will both verify your identity and ensure that the card you have is the latest, working version.

The CougarCard Plus is a WSU student identification card that links to your WSECU checking account and acts as a standard Visa^® debit card.

Cougar CASH is a discretionary prepaid debit account that's part of your CougarCard.  It is the convenient, cashless way to pay for products and services at many WSU campus locations.  Typically Cougar CASH is used for making purchases at vending machines, lab supplies, computer supplies and repairs, food operations that do not accept the Resident Meal Plan, and other discretionary purchases on or near campus.

A Resident Meal Plan and Cougar CASH are both accounts connected with students’ CougarCard. You can have either or both Cougar CASH and a Resident Meal Plan simultaneously, and the balances are independent of each other.

Resident Meal Plans are a service of WSU Dining Services and are usually purchased as part of your housing and dining contract.

With a Resident Meal Plan, students receive a discount at Dining Services locations. Resident Meal Plan funds roll over to the following semester if they purchase a Resident Meal Plan for the upcoming semester, or expire at the end of the semester if they do not. Learn more about the Resident Meal Plan here.

Cougar CASH is a voluntary debit program. You will not receive any Cougar CASH unless you deposit funds to your account. Cougar CASH does not expire and remains available from semester to semester until you spend it, graduate, or otherwise separate from WSU. You can request a refund of your Cougar CASH balance at any time.

There are several ways to deposit funds into your Cougar CASH account:

• Online through the CougarCard Self Service pages
• Through the GET app
• In-Person at the CougarCard Center, located in CUB Room 60. Find our hours at cougarcard.wsu.edu.
• At Cash to Card machines, which are located in dining centers, and at the Replacement Card Kiosk, which is located next to the CougarCard Center.

Sales tax is not charged when you use Cougar CASH to pay for food items at Dining Services locations on campus.

There are some non-University-owned operations located on the Pullman campus where you can use Cougar CASH. At these operations sales tax is charged on Cougar CASH just as it is on cash, debit cards, or credit cards.

Cougar CASH carries forward from semester to semester for as long as you are affiliated with WSU.   A Cougar CASH refund can be requested by sending a refund request containing your name and WSU ID number via email to cougarcard@wsu.edu. 

Once you graduate or otherwise don’t have an active ongoing affiliation with WSU, if you didn’t request a refund and if you don’t use your Cougar CASH for more than one year, the balance of the account will be donated in the account holder’s name to Washington State University.  See Cougar Card Rights and Responsibilities page for more details.

The CougarCard Plus allows you to access Cougar CASH, your Resident Meal Plan and your WSECU checking account. Swipe the red magstripe to access Cougar CASH or the Resident Meal Plan; swipe the green magstripe to access your WSECU account. 

Please note that all three accounts – Cougar CASH, the Resident Meal Plan and the WSECU account  – are debit accounts and have a $0 balance until funds are deposited. If no funds are available, transactions will be declined.

The CougarCard Plus links to your Cougar CASH account and your WSECU checking account. Both of these accounts are debit accounts and do not have available lines of credit. However, you can swipe the WSECU magstripe on your CougarCard Plus anywhere Visa^® debit cards are accepted.

You can use your CougarCard to make PIN-based point of sale purchases at more than 1.4 million Interlink point-of-sale locations in the United States.

You can access your WSECU account using your CougarCard Plus to make purchases anywhere Visa^® debit cards are accepted.

The CougarCard Center developed a relationship with WSECU to provide enhanced banking services for the students, faculty and staff of WSU.

The leaders of the WSU student government observed similar programs at other universities and requested the CougarCard Center develop a program for WSU students, faculty, and staff. After the CougarCard Center and Business Services researched several different financial institutions and the enhanced services they could offer WSU students, it was decided to pursue a banking relationship with WSECU.

The CougarCard Center, in partnership with Business Services, issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to select a bank to provide enhanced banking services for WSU students, faculty and staff wishing to link a bank account to their CougarCard. WSECU was selected to provide these banking services as a result of this formal bid process.

Leaders of the undergraduate and graduate WSU student government and staff from Business Services, Purchasing, the CougarCard Center, Information Technology Services, Administrative Services and the Regional Campuses participated in the RFP selection process.

No. All WSU students, staff and faculty are eligible to receive the standard CougarCard. Students, staff and faculty members may also elect to open a WSECU account in order to obtain the CougarCard Plus.

No, only a WSECU account can be linked to your CougarCard Plus.

You will be able to use your CougarCard Plus to make ATM transactions and Interlink PIN-based point-of-sale purchases with your CougarCard Plus after it is linked to your WSECU checking account. You can also upgrade to the CougarCard Plus and use your card for purchases anywhere Visa® debit cards are accepted worldwide.

In addition, WSECU offers financial wellness counseling, resources, and education opportunities here:  https://wsecu.org/financial-wellness

By upgrading to the CougarCard Plus, you have the convenience of two cards in one: your official Washington State University CougarCard and a Visa^® debit card that is widely accepted around the world. In addition, you’ll have access to the many perks of WSECU membership, including financial wellness counseling, credit cards with incentives that encourage healthy credit-building habits, low-rate loans, individual attention, and the pride that comes with being part of an organization that is Washington-proud and dedicated to the common good.

Open your WSECU account online through the appropriate link, or visit WSECU's Pullman CUB Branch.

Domestic WSU students, faculty, and staff:

Domestic WSU affiliates

International students, faculty and staff:

International WSU affiliates

No, you will still find Cougar CASH to be a beneficial tool. Some on-campus locations do not accept bank debit card point-of-sale purchases. Cougar CASH is the only legal tender accepted for some services such as copying and printing in the WSU Pullman libraries.

Immediately report your lost or stolen CougarCard Plus to the CougarCard Center and WSECU to deactivate all linked accounts. The CougarCard Center can be reached at  or by calling 509-335-CARD. WSECU can be reached during business hours at 800-562-0999. After business hours, please call 866-861-5416 or visit  for more information. WSECU will replace your CougarCard Plus free of charge.

Washington State University is bound by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which generally prohibits the sharing of student information without that student's prior approval, even with parents and guardians.

Your student can review and edit their FERPA authorizations on MyWSU.wsu.edu.  Once you have logged in there, under Profile, select "Third Party Access" from the left-hand menu.

Payroll deductions to Cougar CASH are set up as voluntary deductions in Workday.  Abbreviated instructions are shown below.  Full instructions can be found here.

1. Log in to your myWSU student account (my.wsu.edu)
2. Select the 'Student Homepage' tab
3. Click the 'Manage Classes' tile
4. On the left-hand side, click 'Optional Services'
5. Under 'Optional Services', select the current term and click 'Continue'
6. Click the checkbox to purchase your Sports Pass and click 'Submit'

As of Fall 2023 your CougarCard will no longer work to access your WSU Sports Pass.  Details about how to get and access your WSU Sports Pass can be found here: 

https://wsucougars.com/sports/2020/4/3/Sports-Pass.aspx

If you are not a WSU student, or if you have other questions about the WSU Sports Pass, you can contact the WSU Athletic Ticket Office here:

WSU Athletic Ticket Office

You can change your preferred name in MyWSU. 

Log into MyWSU at https://portal.wsu.edu using your usual WSU login (your NID).

On the MyWSU home page, click the "Profile" app.

You should see a page with the heading “Personal Details”.  On that page under Names, click the name corresponding to the type “Preferred”.  If you do not see a name with type “Preferred”, click the “+” icon in the upper left of the Names list.

Either of those actions will open a window that will let you edit your preferred first, middle, and last names.

You can change your preferred name in MyWSU. 

Log into MyWSU at https://portal.wsu.edu using your usual WSU login (your NID).

On the MyWSU home page, click the "Profile" app.

You should see a page with the heading “Personal Details”, with two tabs at the top of the page.  Select the tab labeled "Biographic".  On that page click "Pronouns".  This will open a new window that will let you edit your preferred pronouns.

If you have financial questions about your account, please contact Housing and Dining Financial Services at (509) 335-8625 or email at hdfinance@wsu.edu.

The Cougs Feeding Cougs program, of which the Cougar Meal Swipe program is a part, is a cooperative program targeting food insecurity, and supported by the Dean of Students Office and the Center for Community Standards Compliance and Civil Rights. 

Detailed information about the program can be found here, including links to donate to the program, information about food pantry availability, and links to request assistance:  https://studentcare.wsu.edu/student-assistance/pullman/food-assistance/