Administration & Finance - University of Houston
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Cougar Card
Residential Students
cougar card uses

  • I am a new student at the University and new to living on campus, what do I need to do before I move in?

    Welcome to the Cougar Family!

    We are excited to have you joining us this semester.

    There are a few things you should do before attending New Student Orientation.

    1. Review your personal information on the self-service portal. If you have a preferred name you would like to appear on your Cougar Card you can update it by logging into AccessUH, then click MyUH Self Services. You will be able to add a name and set it as your preferred name in the Personal Details section. When it’s time to get your Cougar Card let the representative know you would like to use your preferred name on the card.
    2. Make sure you follow the photo requirements for your photo before uploading it.
    3. Upload your photo by going to AccessUH and clicking on the Cougar Card Connect portal. Please allow 2-3 business days for your photo to be reviewed.
    4. Uploading your photo before orientation will help expedite your Cougar Card process during orientation pick up.
    Remember you will need to have your Cougar Card for move-in!

  • I’m a returning UH student living on-campus for the first time, do I still need a Cougar Card?

    Welcome to our on-campus housing!

    You will use your Cougar Card for check-in, on-campus dining, and access to your resident hall. Your Cougar Card is a vital part of your campus life, it provides access to sporting events, some special events, MD Anderson Library, Campus Recreation and Wellness Center, computer and printing labs, academic and administrative buildings, and on-campus dining locations.

    If you don’t have your Cougar Card yet, follow these steps to getting your first Cougar Card:

    1. Submit a photo through Cougar Card Connect in AccessUH.
    2. Once your photo has been approved, you can schedule an appointment to pick up your card.

    We’ll see you at the Cougar Card Office at the time of your appointment!

  • I’m a returning residential student and I’ve lost my Cougar Card; how can I get a replacement?

    Welcome back!

    Make sure that you visit the Cougar Card Office to pick up a replacement before your scheduled move-in date, so there is no delay in your check-in process.

    You will need to schedule an appointment to pick up your replacement Cougar Card through CougarQ in AccessUH. There is a $20.00 replacement fee for lost cards that must be paid in office. Once you arrive for your appointment you will need to pay the replacement fee. We accept all major credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and ShastaBUCKS. The Cougar Card Office does not accept cash. 

  • I’m a resident and lost my Cougar Card after 5:00 p.m. or on the weekend what should I do?

    If you lose your Cougar Card during the semester and it’s after Cougar Card Office hours, you still have options!

    1. Visit the front desk at your residential hall to get a Guest Card that will give you access to your room or building.
    2. Visit the UHPD office to request a Temporary After-Hours Cougar Card. You will need a valid form of identification and to sign an agreement form. UHPD will verify that you are a current student and issue a temporary card. All UHPD temporary cards must be returned to the Cougar Card Office when you pick up your new card. If you fail to return the temporary card you will have to pay a $20.00 fee for the temporary card plus the $20.00 replacement fee.

    Both these options are only temporary. You will still be responsible for getting a permanent replacement for your lost Cougar Card. There is a $20.00 replacement fee for all Cougar Card replacements that must be paid at the time of pickup. We accept all major credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and ShastaBUCKS. The Cougar Card Office does not accept cash.

  • I just replaced my Cougar Card, how do I get my dorm access on my replacement card?

    For residential students, if access is not active after 60 minutes, you may need to contact the front desk of your residence hall to check your access and re-encode access if necessary. 

  • I'm living on campus, but my Cougar Card is not working. What do I do?

    If your Cougar Card has suddenly stopped working for your residence hall or room, the first thing you should do is contact the front desk at your residence hall. They will need to check that your access is still active and that the reader is functional. The Cougar Card Office does not assign or remove building or room access. 

    If your card is still not working, you can schedule an appointment or join the virtual line through AccessUH in the CougarQ portal. Select the damaged card option when prompted. You must bring your damaged card with you to the office. Once you arrive at the office, we will check the smart chip and magnetic stripe on your card for any issues. If either function has stopped working due to normal wear and tear, we will issue a new Cougar Card. 

    If your card has stopped working on the weekend or after office hours, your residence hall will be able to provide you with a temporary card or you can also visit UHPD and be issued a temporary card. The temporary cards can be assigned building and room access and will also be linked to your meal plan and parking permit. Both of these options are temporary, you will still need to set an appointment to visit the Cougar Card Office the next business day to have your card checked and reissued. 

    Remember, you may also use your digital card located in the UHGo app for meal plan, parking garage entry (Welcome Center Garage excluded) and ShastaBUCKS and Cougar Cash transactions.