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Follow this Four-Step process to determine how to get your card working:
  1. Check the physical condition of your card. If it has been bent, any piece of the magnetic stripe on the back is missing, or the card is badly worn, you may need to get a replacement from our office, the NIU OneCard ID Office. If you bring in your old card, the replacement fee is $5.00. If your OneCard is still in good shape, go on to Step 2.

  2. Make sure that you have your correct, active card. If you lost your OneCard at a previous time, bought a new one and then lost it also, your old OneCard will not work. The old card was deactivated for your own security when you recieved your new card. There is no way for us to reacivate an old card that has been replaced. If you happen to find your old card and it does not work, follow one of these two solutions:

    If you know you have your correct OneCard, continue to Step 3.

  3. If you are a student, have you enrolled for the current semester? From the time you register, it takes twenty-four hours for the information in TRACS to download to your NIU OneCard. If you have registered for classes more than 24 hours ago, go on to Step 4.

  4. Select where your OneCard doesn't work:

If your NIU OneCard is not working as a TCF ATM/Debit Card:

Take your OneCard to the TCF Bank in the Holmes Student Center, accross the hall from the NIU Bookstore. Our office, the NIU OneCard ID Office, is unable to access any TCF ATM/Debit Privileges on your card.

If your OneCard is not working at the NIU Campus Recreation Center:
  • Make sure that you have swiped out from your previous visit to the Rec Center. Your card will not let you into the Rec Center a second time if it thinks you are still there. To correct this problem, go to the Rec Center and carefully swipe your card through the Swipe Out Reader, wait about one minute, and then have the person at the front desk swipe your card through the Swipe In Reader.
  • All Non-Student Rec Center Members: Make sure that you have a current membership at the Rec Center. The Rec Center phone number is (815) 753-0231.
  • Call us and we can check the status of your card. Make sure to have it ready in case we need information from your card. Our phone number is (815) 753-9569.
  • Bring your OneCard into our office in the Holmes Student Center. We can check all aspects of your card here with our specialized equipment and get it working for you quickly.

My NIU OneCard is not working for my Huskie Bucks!
  • Call us and we can check the status of your card. Make sure to have it ready in case we need information from your card. Our phone number is (815) 753-9569.
  • Bring your OneCard into our office and we can check all aspects of your card here with our specialized equipment and get it working for you quickly.

Where is the OneCard Office Located?

My NIU OneCard is not working for my Meal Plan/Dining Dollars!

You will need to contact NIU Housing and Dining Services for help with your Meal Plan. Call them at (815) 753-1525 or email at housing-dining@niu.edu. We are unable to modify any Meal Plans (also known as Dining Dollars) that are set up by Housing and Dining.

My NIU OneCard is not working for my Residence Hall Door Access!

You will need to contact NIU Housing and Dining Services for help with your Residence Hall Door Access. Call them at (815) 753-1525 or email at housing-dining@niu.edu. We are unable to modify any student Door Access Privileges that have been set up by Housing and Dining.

My NIU OneCard is not working at the Library!
  • Has your Social Security Number recently changed? If it has changed since you recieved your OneCard, you will need to bring the new SSN, the old SSN, and your card into our office and we will need to check your card.
  • You will need to contact Registration and Records to verify that they have your correct Social Security Number. Their phone number is 753-0681. If they do have your correct number, bring your OneCard into our office for further troubleshooting.

My NIU OneCard isn't working at a place not listed!
  • Call us and we can check the status of your card. Make sure to have it ready in case we need information from your card. Our phone number is (815) 753-9569.
  • Bring your OneCard into our office and we can check all aspects of your card here with our specialized equipment and get it working for you quickly.

Where is the OneCard Office Located?

My NIU OneCard isn't working ANYWHERE!

Bring your OneCard into our office. We will check all aspects of your card here with our specialized equipment and get it working for you quickly.

Where is the OneCard Office Located?