A MavCARD is an essential part of campus life at UNO, providing access to services, facilities, and more. These procedures can help you get the most out of your MavCARD.
Find more information about:
Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Cards
Get Your MavCARD
Eligibility
To receive a MavCARD, an individual must be an active member of the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Enrollment or employment status will be verified prior to card issuance. Eligible individuals include currently enrolled students, active faculty or staff, and approved affiliates.
All individuals must present a valid, government-issued photo ID for identity verification, provide their university-issued NUID number, and meet the criteria outlined below:
- Students: Newly admitted or returning students who are enrolled in at least one (1) course in the current or upcoming semester are eligible to receive a MavCARD.
- Employees: Faculty, staff, and other employees may receive a MavCARD on or after their official start date once their information has been successfully entered into the University HR system.
- Affiliates: UNO departments must submit the appropriate Special Card Request Form prior to issuance. Approved affiliates, such as volunteers, visitors, or contractors, may obtain a MavCARD upon the start of their appointments.
What to Bring
The University requires a person’s photo and identity to be verified against an approved form of identification to issue a MavCARD. All forms of ID must be the original physical document. Photocopies or photos of an ID on a mobile device are not accepted.
One Form of Government-Issued Identification
Provide one of the following:
- Domestic or foreign driver’s license.
- Military ID.
- Domestic or foreign passport.
- Any other state or government-issued ID with your photo and name.
Two Forms of Alternative Identification
If the individual does not have a government-issued ID, they must present two forms of alternative identification, one of which must include their photo and name:
- High school ID card.
- School yearbook with your photo and name.
- High school diploma.
- Birth certificate.
- Medicare or Medicaid card with their name.
- Permanent residence card.
For additional acceptable forms of identification, please contact the MavCARD Services Office.
Note: MavCARDs are not considered a legal form of identification and are not to be used for purposes outside of the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Photo Requirements
Individuals may choose to have their photo taken in the MavCARD Services office at the time their card is issued, or they may upload a photo in advance through the MavCARD GET Mobile Application.
If uploading a photo, it must meet MavCARD Photo Guidelines to be approved. In general, photos must be clear, in color, and taken against a plain, neutral background. The individual’s full face must be visible, centered, and facing forward with a neutral expression. Hats, sunglasses, filters, heavy shadows, or other obstructions are not permitted unless worn for documented religious or medical reasons. Photos must be high resolution and may not be cropped from group photos, other identification cards, or social media images.
Photos that do not meet these requirements will be rejected, and a new submission will be requested. This process will continue until the photo meets university standards.
For complete specifications, examples of acceptable and unacceptable photos, and detailed submission instructions, please review the full MavCARD Photo Guidelines page.
Important Note: Uploading a photo online does NOT automatically print the card.
In-Person Process
To obtain a MavCARD in person, visit the MavCARD Services Office, located on the second floor of the Milo Bail Student Center in Room 216. During peak periods, such as the beginning of the semester, anticipate longer office wait times and plan accordingly.
The office is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., excluding university recognized holidays.
Be sure to bring a valid photo ID and your University issued NUID number.
Once a person’s information has been verified, a MavCARD will be printed and issued during a person’s visit.
Mail and Office Pick Up Process
New students and employees should begin by completing the DocuSign process and uploading identification through the MavCARD Services DocuSign Form.
Photos intended for printing on a MavCARD may be uploaded directly through the MavCARD GET Mobile Application. Photos submitted via the app are manually reviewed by staff and may require up to one full business day for processing. All submissions should comply with the MavCARD Photo Guidelines to avoid delays. Uploading a photo online does NOT automatically print the card.
The form allows a choice between picking up the MavCARD in person or having it mailed to a provided address. Processing typically requires 5 to 7 business days. Following all submission instructions and providing complete documentation helps prevent delays.
This form cannot be used to request replacement MavCARDs. All replacement cards are issued on site and are not mailed. Fully remote students seeking replacement should contact unomavcardservices@unomaha.edu for guidance.
Note for Housing Students: MavCARDs are not mailed to incoming residents during the three (3) weeks prior to designated move-in dates. Residents who have not received a MavCARD by the official move-in date may visit the MavCARD Services Office during business hours to pick up the card in person.
Renewing a MavCARD
A MavCARD issued during a previous enrollment period remains valid and does not need to be replaced annually unless:
- A University status changes (e.g. transitioning from student to faculty/staff or affiliate, or vice versa)
- The card is lost, stolen, or damaged.
MavMONEY and Adding Funds
What is MavMONEY?
MavMONEY is a prepaid declining balance account linked to the MavCARD and may be used at participating locations on and off campus. The funds deposited are non-transferable and do not accrue interest. Transactions will be denied if there are insufficient funds in the account.
How to Add Funds
Acceptable methods for adding funds include cash, check, or major credit card payments made in person at the MavCARD Services Office, through MavMONEY Cash-to-Card machines, or via the MavCARD GET Mobile Application.
Refund Policy
Accounts with no activity for a period of two (2) years will be deemed inactive, and the balance forfeited to the University. Upon permanent separation from the University, cardholders may request a refund of their remaining MavMONEY balance if it exceeds $15.00. A $10.00 administrative fee will be applied to the refund. Refunds will be issued by check and mailed to the cardholder’s permanent address within two (2) weeks. Refunds will not be processed for balances under $15.00, unless otherwise required by law.
Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Cards
Lost or Stolen MavCARDS
Visit the Lost or Stolen MavCARDs page to view steps for reporting and replacing a lost or stolen MavCARD.
Replacement Process
Cardholders looking to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged MavCARD must visit the MavCARD Services Office in person and present valid photo identification to verify their identity. All forms of identification must be the original physical document. Photocopies or photos of identification on a mobile device are not accepted. All replacement cards are issued on site and are not mailed to cardholders. Fully remote students who are looking to replace their MavCARD should email unomavcardservices@unomaha.edu for more information.
A non-refundable replacement fee of $15.00 will be assessed for cards that are lost, stolen, or damaged. Payment may be made at the MavCARD Services desk, or for students, applied to the student’s account. The replacement fee will not be refunded if the original card is later found after a replacement has been issued.
Damaged cards must be surrendered to the university to obtain a replacement. Damaged cards are subject to the replacement fee. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Deep scratches or gouges to the magnetic stripe
- Holes, cracks, bending, or warping
- Damage caused by chewing or exposure to washing machines or dryers
- Deactivation due to contact with electronic devices such as phones, computers, or tablets
- Deactivation due to contact with wireless chargers (magnetic and non-magnetic)
Replacement Fee Schedule
| Definition | Fee |
|---|---|
| First Card Issuance | No Fee |
| Status Change (Student to Employee, etc.) | No Fee |
| Legal Name Change (with documentation) | No Fee |
| Lost or Stolen Cards | $15.00 |
| Preferred Name Change | $15.00 |
| Cosmetic Replacements (requesting a new photo) | $15.00 |
| Damaged Cards (less than 4 years from the issue date) | $15.00 |
| Damaged Cards (4 years or greater from the issue date) | No Fee (if the damaged card is returned) |
Card Care Tips
A MavCARD is more than just an ID—it is the key to campus life. Proper care ensures it lasts and maintains functionality. The MavCARD contains two technologies:
-
Magstripe (magnetic stripe): Stores basic card information for swipe access.
-
Prox (proximity) sensor: Allows tap access for doors and services without swiping.
To help your MavCARD last as long as possible and prevent damage, avoid the following:
-
Do not store the card on the back of a phone or near magnets, as magnetic fields can erase the magstripe and deactivate the prox sensor.
-
Do not punch holes in the card or use it as a tool, which can damage both technologies.
-
Keep it away from wireless chargers to prevent accidental deactivation.
-
Avoid bending, flexing, or curling the card or storing the card in a tight wallet.
-
Store it in a safe, flat location to prevent physical damage.
- Avoid extreme temperatures, such as leaving the card in a hot car or near heating devices, which can warp the card and affect both magstripe and prox functionality.
Following these tips will help your MavCARD work reliably for all campus services.
Facility and Service Access
Possession of a MavCARD does not guarantee access to all University buildings, facilities, services, or resources. Access permissions are determined separately by the appropriate University departments or authorities and may be modified or revoked at any time without notice.
Cardholders are responsible for complying with all University access control policies and procedures.
The MavCARD Services Office does not manage, assign, or modify building access permissions. Any questions or concerns related to building or facility access must be directed to the cardholders’ department and the University Public Safety department, which oversees access control systems.
MavCARD Fees
Students are charged a fee for their MavCARD and MavCARD Services. This fee will show up on a student’s account at the time of registration. (See Mandatory Student Fees)
MavCARD fees are essential to ensuring the operation and maintenance of the MavCARD system. These fees enable the department to provide reliable and efficient services to students, faculty, and staff, ensuring that MavCARDs remain an effective tool for campus life.
Chosen Name Policy
The MavCARD Services Office can process and print a new MavCARD for cardholders who want to designate a chosen name on their MavCARD.
MavCARD Services does not designate a cardholder’s chosen name. For MavCARD Services to process and print a MavCARD with a chosen name, the following steps must be taken prior to visiting the MavCARD Services Office:
Designate Chosen Name
- Students: Update chosen name through MavLINK per the University Registrar
- Faculty and Staff: Contact Human Resources at 402.554.3886 or update through Firefly.
Request An Updated MavCARD
- Once a chosen name is designated, individuals can visit the MavCARD Services Office to request a new card. A $15 fee will be applied for reprinting a MavCARD with a chosen name.