Get a Cardinal Card

Online Students

Your first Cardinal Card is free.

Cardinal Cards are available to students enrolled in an approved online academic program and actively enrolled in the current semester.

Students must be enrolled in at least one course and reflected in university systems for a minimum of one business day before a Cardinal Card can be issued.

Important: Cardinal Cards do not expire. If you have previously received a Cardinal Card from the University of Louisville, your card remains valid unless it has been lost, stolen, damaged, or officially replaced.

Replacement Cardinal Cards are available for a $15 fee.

Online Photo Submission

To complete the process:

• Upload your photo and government-issued photo identification
• Submit your Cardinal Card Agreement webform on the same day as your photo submission

Approved Cardinal Cards will be mailed to the mailing address on file with the university. Please verify your address in ULink prior to submitting your photo.

This service is available only to first-time Cardinal Card holders.

Faculty and Staff

Cardinal Cards are available to faculty and staff who are actively employed by the University of Louisville and reflected in university payroll systems.

Employees must be active in payroll for at least one business day before a Cardinal Card can be issued.

Card Types

• Full-Time Employees receive a black Faculty/Staff Cardinal Card.
• Part-Time Employees receive a gray Faculty/Staff Cardinal Card.

What to Bring

• Employee ID Number
• Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, state-issued ID, etc.)

Before Visiting the Cardinal Card Office

• Complete and submit the Cardinal Card Agreement webform

Online Photo Submission

First-time card holders may complete the online photo submission process by:

1. Upload (sign in required) a photo and government-issued photo identification.
2. Submitting the Cardinal Card Agreement webform
3. Picking up their Cardinal Card at the Cardinal Card Office, Houchens Building LL05.

This service is available only to first-time Cardinal Card holders.

Replacement Cards

Cardinal Cards do not expire. If you have previously received a Cardinal Card from the University of Louisville, your card remains valid unless it has been lost, stolen, damaged or officially replaced.

Replacement Cardinal Cards are available for a $15 fee.

Upon Separation from Employment

Upon separation from employment, Cardinal Cards should be returned to the employee's supervisor in accordance with university procedures.

Cardinal Card Brochure [PDF]

Department Copy Cards

Departments may purchase Department Copy Cards for use with university printers and copiers.

Department Copy Cards allow funds to be added to an account that is restricted to printing and copying services.

Purchasing and Reloading

Departments may purchase or reload a Department Copy Card by submitting a completed Department Copy Card Request Form along with an approved journal voucher.

Card Cost: $2.00 per card

Lost or Stolen Cards

Departments should immediately notify the Cardinal Card Office if a Department Copy Card is lost or stolen so the account can be restricted.

If a lost or stolen card is not reported, the department remains responsible for all charges incurred using that card.

University Affiliates

University affiliates may be eligible to receive a Cardinal Card when sponsored by a university department.

Eligible Affiliates

• Visiting Scholars
• Visiting Researchers
• Visiting Students
• ROTC Participants
• Temporary Employees Not Paid Through UofL Payroll
• Other Approved University Affiliates

Required Documentation

• Approval letter on official University of Louisville letterhead
• Signature from the sponsoring Dean or Vice President
• University-issued ID number (if applicable)
• Valid government-issued photo ID
• Completed Cardinal Card Agreement webform

If a sponsored university account has been created (email, Blackboard, etc.), the assigned university ID number must be included in the approval letter.

Replacement Cardinal Cards are available for a $15 fee.

Retirees

Retirees are eligible for a Cardinal Card once retiree status has been verified through Workday.

Retirement paperwork must be fully processed by Human Resources and Payroll before a retiree card can be issued.

Retirees are encouraged to contact the Cardinal Card Office prior to visiting to confirm their retiree status has been updated.

Replacement Cardinal Cards are available for a $15 fee.

What to Bring

• Employee ID Number
• Current Cardinal Card for exchange
• Completed Cardinal Card Agreement webform

Alumni

Alumni Cards are available through the University of Louisville Alumni Association.

Cost: $5.00

To request an Alumni Card, please contact Alumni Relations at 502-852-3369.

Please allow 3–5 business days for processing and delivery to the Cardinal Card Office.

Alumni Cards may be used to access alumni benefits, discounts and promotional offers made available through Alumni Relations.

Questions? Contact Alumni Relations at 502-852-3369.

Visitors

Visitors may purchase a Visitor Card from any Value Port located on campus.

Visitor Cards provide temporary access to the Cardinal Cash program and may be used for printing and other approved campus services.

Card Cost: $2.00

Adding Value

Visitor Cards may be reloaded:

• At any Value Port machine
• At the Cardinal Card Office

Important Information

Visitor Card purchases and deposits are non-refundable.

Please carefully follow all instructions displayed on the Value Port screen before completing your transaction. The University of Louisville cannot issue refunds for Visitor Card purchases, deposits, lost cards, abandoned transactions, or funds lost as a result of user error.