Physical Card

The Contactless Smart Chip is embedded into the CatCard.  It is a multi-application chip that has the capability to store a prepaid value directly on the card. The contactless chip is used mainly for high security building access.  Using contactless technology will also reduce the number of cards that must be replaced due to swipe damage. Personal data is encoded on your CatCard, and is used for necessary University of Arizona internal purposes only. Information will not be provided to outside entities without the cardholder's prior consent.

In an effort to comply with privacy issues, The University of Arizona has eliminated the student ID/SSN from the face of the card. A randomly assigned 16-digit ISO number will identify all cardholders. This unique identifier will facilitate services associated with the CatCard.

The Magnetic Stripe is the large black stripe on the back of the CatCard. Personal data is encoded on your CatCard, and is to be used for necessary University of Arizona internal purposes only. Information will not be provided to outside entities without the cardholder's prior consent.

The ISO number is a unique, computer generated, 16-digit number used with some campus systems of the CatCard. This number will appear on the face of the CatCard. If the CatCard is lost or stolen, a new ISO number will be generated when the card is replaced, and the old ISO number will be permanently canceled. All previous access and services will automatically update on your new card.

Your University ID# will not appear on the face of your CatCard, but will be encoded electronically on your card, unless you request otherwise. Your University ID#, if you elect to include it on the CatCard, is used for University of Arizona internal purposes, such as student and/or personnel services where access to your records is required. The number will not be provided to outside entities without the cardholder's prior consent.

Your decision to use this number as an electronic form of identification is voluntary, and you may request that your University ID# not be encoded on your card. The CatCard Office will then replace your University ID# on the CatCard database, the magnetic stripe, and the SmartChip with an ID# consistent with current CatCard policies.

Contactless SmartChip Contents:
-ISO#

Magnetic Stripe Contents:
-Name
-University ID# (or replacement #)
-ISO#

Yes, the CatCard Office does keep the digitized photos stored in the CatCard database. This allows for instant card replacement. The photo also give the CatCard Staff an additional means of identifying persons requesting replacement cards.

Yes, the University of Arizona will purge the photo if requested, however, many cardholders have expressed support for digitization simply because it allows the University of Arizona to validate appropriate account usage more quickly. It also allows instant card replacement, and serves as an additional identifier; something other than the EmplID/SID or ISO number. The University of Arizona will not release photographs in the database.

Lost or stolen cards can be replaced for $25.00. The $25.00 fee will be waived if a copy of the police report is produced within 90 days of issuance and it states that your CatCard or wallet was stolen. Changes to your CatCard (number change, photo change, etc.) can be made for a replacement fee of $25.00. Damaged CatCards can also be replaced for $25.00. Certain name changes are free. Please contact the CatCard Office for name change exceptions.

Meal Plan/CatCash balances will be frozen once you have reported your card lost or stolen (520-621-7043 [Option 1]). When you receive your replacement card, the Meal Plan/CatCash funds will be transferred to your new card. To minimize possible losses, it is vital to report the loss or theft of your card as soon as possible.

Yes, you can! CatCard is now available in either Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. To learn more about eligibility, visit the Obtaining a CatCard page.