Pasadena City College considers merging student IDs with bankcard functionality
Pasadena City College’s Associated Students are faced with the decision to incorporate a US Bank debit card function to students’ IDs.
The PCC Courier reveals that under the US Bank proposal, all future student ID cards at the college will feature both the US Bank and MasterCard logos on the front of the card along with the student’s photo and ID number.
From the college’s perspective, the merger with US Bank will cut costs associated with the disbursement of student financial aid. Should the merger happen, students will have the option of receiving a physical check from US Bank, a direct deposit into their bank accounts, or by signing-up for the US Bank debit account students could have their funds wired directly to their debit card.
Maintaining three branches in Pasadena and 25,000 ATMs countrywide, US Bank enables students to collect the debit card money and use the card anywhere MasterCard is accepted.
For students who elect to use the debit card, two options will be available — a basic card option that will only accept funds from PCC/US Bank and does not require providing a social security number, and a second, deluxe card option that will allow students to accept transfers from anyone, parents, other banks, employers, etc.
One feature sure to put parents’ minds at ease is that the account cannot be overdrawn. In fact, US Bank has not specified any fees for the card as of yet, with the exception of certain transfers.
In order to support both bank and campus functionality, the card will feature two magnetic strips, one for student information and one for bank information.
