Do I need a physical Charger Card?

With Charger Card Mobile ID, a physical Charger Card is not necessary. Most smartphones with NFC technology are compatible and can be used for dining, door access, library card access, etc. Certain programs and campus departments require program-specific physical IDs (nursing student badges, OIT employee badges, etc.). Departments should let employees/students know if this is a requirement or not.

How do I submit my photo for Charger Card Mobile ID?

  • Read the guidelines and review examples of proper photos.
  • Log into your new Charger Card account on myUAH and look under "Campus Services."
  • Under "Campus Services" click on "Online Photo Submission" link located below the "Charger Card" heading.
  • After clicking the link, you will arrive to your Charger Card student information page. Please click the link there to submit a new photo.
  • Otherwise, please stop by Charger Union 131 anytime between 8:15 AM and 5:00 PM Monday through Friday to have your photo taken.

How do I choose a meal plan?

Meal plans are automatically assigned to full-time undergraduate students before the Fall and Spring terms based on semesters of on-campus residency. If you would like to change your assigned meal plan, please visit our Forms page to complete the Meal Plan Change Request Form. Students who are not automatically assigned a meal plan (part-time students, graduate students, etc.) may use the Meal Plan Change Request Form to choose an optional meal plan. 

Students have until the end of the first two weeks of the Fall and Spring semesters to make any changes to their dining options. All change requests are processed manually.

What is the difference between Charger Bucks and Dining Dollars?

Charger Bucks and Dining Dollars are funds assigned with some meal plans, and provide students flexibility to eat at the on-campus retail locations as they would like throughout the semester.

  • Both may be spent dollar-for-dollar at any of the retail dining locations.
  • Charger Bucks expire at the end of each semester.
  • Dining Dollars roll over from Fall to Spring, but expire at the end of each Spring semester.
  • Dining Dollars do not transfer from Spring to the following Summer and/or Fall.

What is Flex?

  • Flex is a declining balance account that is accepted by all participating vendors of the Charger Card.
  • Flex funds can be purchased independently at multiple locations, including on-campus PHIL machines, our website, or through the Bursar’s Office.
  • Flex funds can be used in all on-campus dining locations, the UAH Bookstore, vending machines, and the Salmon Library.
  • Any money remaining in the Flex account will rollover to the next semester as long as a student is actively enrolled.
    • A student may request a refund within one year following withdrawal or graduation from the University.
    • Debit account activity will be reviewed annually.
    • If an account remains inactive for one year, an annual fee of $25.00 will be assessed to the Flex account until the account balance reaches zero.

How do I add money to one of my Charger Card accounts throughout the semester?

There are three ways to deposit funds onto Charger Cards:

  • Flex and Dining Dollar deposits can be made online.
  • Cash deposits can be made through PHIL machines onto Flex or Dining Dollar accounts. These machines are located on the first floor of Salmon Library next to the vending machines, the first floor of Charger Union next to vending and also in the Conference Training Center lobby.
  • Deposits by cash, check, or credit card are accepted by cashiers in the Bursar’s Office (SSB 123) between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. 
  • Charger Bucks may not be purchased.

Can money be added to my Charger Card account over the phone with a credit card?
Yes. Call 256-824-6226, but expect a 24-hour delay in our placing the amount on your card.

Can I mail payments for deposit to my Charger Card account?

Yes. The money will be added to your account within 24 hours of receiving it in the Cashiers Office. Checks should be made payable to UAH and should include your student ID number (A#) and type of deposit. Please mail:

UAH
Cashier's Office
Student Services Building, Room 123
Huntsville, AL 35899-5050

Unless otherwise instructed, we will apply the deposit to your Flex account.

I have several dietary restrictions. Are there any meal options for me? 

The Charger Café offers the Simple Services station which provides safe & appetizing food choices for our students with food allergies, gluten intolerance, and those who prefer simple food. 

All foods offered at this station are naturally free of milk, eggs, wheat / gluten, soy, shellfish, peanuts, and tree nuts. 

All the on-campus retail brands offer the same menu as other campus dining locations across the nation.

What are the operating hours of dining locations?

To view dining location hours of operation, please visit Dining Service's website.

How can I receive information about changes to the Dining program?  

Please follow us on social media, or visit our website at https://www.uah.edu/dining.

 dininginstagramdiningtwitter

diningfacebook

 

Why are students required to purchase meal plans?

The rationale for the program was to promote an atmosphere of belonging and participation.  Numerous studies have indicated that most engaged students, those residing on-campus and dining on- campus have experienced substantial social and educational benefits from their on-campus experiences.

Another primary reason for the UA System policy is to assist our 1st year resident students with that are transitioning from High School to college.

We understand many are not transitioning from High School. Please read about meal plan exemptions below. 

More information about our campus meal plan policy is located here.

Can I request an exemption from the meal plan requirement for off-campus full-time students?

Yes, please visit our Forms page to fill out a Meal Plan Requirement Exemption Request.

If your student status has changed to less than 12 hours, you no longer have the requirement. However, you are responsible for notifying the Charger Card Office in writing within the two-week change deadline or you will have to keep the plan for the semester.

The current exemption reasons are:

  • Older Than Traditional Aged Students (over 25)
  • Married (A copy of your marriage license MUST be submitted)
  • Parental Status (A copy of birth certificate MUST be submitted)
  • Co-op Position / Student Teaching
  • Online Classes Only
  • No longer a full time student or withdraw from UAH
  • Medical Condition (Proper documentation from medical personnel is required)
  • Seeking Second Bachelor's degree / Graduate Student

If you find that you meet one of the exemption requirements, please fill out an exemption request form on our Forms page. 

What happens to my meal plan if I withdraw from the University? Do I get a refund?

If you are a Housing resident, please contact the Housing Office to complete the check-out process. For off-campus students, please notify the Charger Card Office that you have withdrawn from all classes and we will refund your unused meal plan.

Can anyone else use my Charger Card?

No, you should never lend your card to anyone.

Can I use my Dining Dollars or Meal Plan in the bookstore?

No, the only accounts you can use are Flex funds and Athletic Book Scholarships.

What should I do if I lose my mobile phone and/or Charger Card?

Please notify the Charger Card office immediately by phone 256-824-2720 or in person in Charger Union room 131.  We will freeze the ID and access privileges until a replacement can be secured.  A $25.00 replacement fee will be charged to your student account for reprinting a physical card. If after hours and for safety or security issues, contact the Office of Public Safety at 256-824-6596.

What if my Mobile ID / Charger Card does not work or gets damaged?

Please visit the Charger Card Office. For physical cards, the magnetic strip's encoding is sometimes erased or  is not programmed correctly. Depending on the circumstances, a $25.00 fee may be charged if a physical replacement is necessary. Please take care of your Mobile ID/Charger Card's physical condition, keeping them away from abrasive materials and other devices with a magnetic field.

Can I get the current balance of my card account or a copy of my transactions?

Yes. Visit eAccounts on my.uah.edu or within the Transact eAccounts application to check your Charger Card account balances.