In an effort to give its students more spending options, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tenn. has extended its declining balance ID BUC$ program to off-campus merchants. So far, five businesses, including a grocery store, pharmacy, two fast food restaurants and hair salon, accept the school’s ID BUC$ mag stripe card which is linked to the student’s ID card.

Participating merchants have identifying stickers on their doors, and they are listed on the Campus ID Services Web site. The university hopes to add more merchants in the future.

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