FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What can we tell you about your card?
Q: What is the difference between Flex and Ram Bucks?
Q: Will the funds on my Ram Card carry over to next semester?
Q: Why was I charged an additional $2.00 when I made a deposit on the Ram Card website?
Q: I'm permanently leaving WCU. Can I request a refund of Ram Bucks?
Q: My Ram Card doesn't work when I try to swipe into my residence hall. What should I do?
Q: How do I get a new Ram Card? How much will it cost?
Q: I just got my Ram Card, when can I start using it?
Q: How do I activate my Ram Bucks account?
Q: Can I withdraw cash from my Ram Card (like an ATM)?
Q: Can anyone add Ram Bucks on to my Ram Card?
Q: What do I do if I lose my card?
Q: If I lose my card, do I lose the money I have on it?
Q: How can I tell what my current balance is?
Q: My card doesn't seem to be working anymore, what should I do?
Q: What is the difference between Flex and Ram Bucks?
A: Meal plans come with $250.00, $300.00 or $350.00 in Flex and may be used at any ARAMARK sponsored dining location on campus. Funds on your Flex account carry over from semester to semester as well as year to year, but are non-refundable upon graduation from the university. For more information about Flex and meal plans, visit the Campus Dining website by clicking here or by contacting the Bursar's Office at 610-436-2552. Please note: Flex deposits may take 48-72 hours to reflect on a card from the day the deposit is processed. Ram Bucks can be used just like Flex for on campus food purchases at any ARAMARK sponsored dining location, but can also be used at the WCU Campus Store, 40+ participating off-campus locations, such as restaurants, food trucks, supermarkets and pharmacies, most vending machines, WCU Library, SSI Service Center, Sykes Copy Center, and the Ram e Card Office. A complete, up-to-date list of locations that accept Ram Bucks is available under the "Locations Accepted" tab at the top of this page. Please note, Ram Bucks deposits are usually available within immediately after the deposit is processed. Funds on your Ram Bucks account roll over from semester to semester as well as year to year. You may request a refund of your Ram Bucks if you withdraw or graduate from the university. There is a $10 processing fee for all refunds (see the "Refunds" section under the "Terms & Conditions" at the bottom of this page). A portion of the proceeds generated by the Ram Bucks program is donated by Student Services, Inc., to student activities, campus programs, campus projects, and student scholarships. For more information about Ram Bucks, please contact the Ram Card Service Center.
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Q: Will the funds on my Ram Card carry over to next semester?
A: Both Ram Bucks and Flex WILL carry over from semester to semester and year to year. Funds remain on a Ram Card until they are used or the cardholder permanently leaves WCU (graduation, withdrawal, or transfer). Upon leaving WCU, if there is a balance of at least $10 in Ram Bucks, a cardholder may request a refund (see the "Refunds" section under the "Terms & Conditions" at the bottom of this page). Flex is generally not refunded. Please contact the Bursar's office at 610-436-2552 regarding Flex.
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Q: Why was I charged an additional $2.00 when I made a deposit on the Ram Card website?
A: There is a $2.00 administrative fee per transaction, when depositing money to a Ram Bucks account on the Ram Card website (www.RamECard.com) due to the high cost of processing credit/debit/EFT transactions. Deposits made to a Ram Bucks account using cash or a check never incur an administrative fee. There is never a charge for purchases made using Ram Bucks.
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Q: I'm permanently leaving WCU. Can I request a refund of Ram Bucks?
A: A refund may be requested if you have a minimum balance of $10.00 in Ram Bucks. Please print and fill out the Ram Bucks Withdrawal Request form found in the "Forms" section of our website. Proof of separation from the university must be included with the refund request (a copy of the withdrawal or dismissal form from the Registrar's Office, or a copy of the unofficial transcript indicating the date the degree was awarded). The amount refunded will be the Ram Bucks balance at the time the request is approved, minus a $10.00 processing fee. Please see the "Refunds" section under the "Terms & Conditions" at the bottom of this page for more information.
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Q: What is the Ram Card?
A: The Ram Card is your official West Chester University ID card, and so much more! A declining balance debit account on the Ram Card, known as Ram Bucks, allows you to make cash-free purchases all over campus and at select off-campus locations, such as restaurants, food trucks, supermarkets and pharmacies. The Ram Card also acts as a student's meal card and allows for swipe access into their residence hall, sporting events, cultural events and the recreation center. Whether you're buying textbooks, dinner, coffee, snacks, sweatshirts, medicine, or even discounted movie tickets, you can always use your Ram Card. The Ram Card is the only card you will need on campus! There are never any transaction fees or monthly charges and you can never spend more than the amount in your account. No more worries about bounced checks, credit card bills, or interest payments! Ram Card is also the most secure way to pay!
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Q: My Ram Card doesn't work when I try to swipe into my residence hall. What should I do?
A: If you live in a residence hall and recently got a new Ram Card, please visit Public Safety to get your new card activated. If you recently moved into a new residence hall, please contact your housing office (Office of Residence Life and Housing Services or University Student Housing) to get it activated for your residence hall door swipe.
If you lost your Ram Card and reported it lost/stolen on our website or with the Ram Card Service Center, your card may still be frozen. Please visit the Ram Card Service Center during normal business hours of operation (M-F 8:00 am-4:30 pm*) to have your card unfrozen. If neither of the above scenarios apply to you, your card may be damaged and you will need to purchase a new one at the Ram Card Service Center. See the "About" tab at the top of this page for more information about purchasing a new card. *Normal business hours subject to change without notice.
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Q: How do I get a new Ram Card? How much will it cost?
A: Incoming first year students generally receive their initial Ram Card after Orientation; the cost is included as a part of the orientation fee. Transfer and Graduate students not attending an orientation session should visit the Ram Card Service Center after registering for classes and prior to the start of their first class. Fees are charged for replacing lost, stolen, or damaged Ram Cards, as well as if you would like to change the picture or name on your card. Please contact the Ram Card Service Center for a list of current fees.
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Q: I just got my Ram Card, when can I start using it?
A: Once activated, funds on your card are available immediately for use. Students living in a North Campus residence hall should visit Public Safety (Peoples Building) to have their new Ram Card activated for door swipe access to their residence hall. Students living in an apartment on campus should visit their apartment's clubhouse to have their new Ram Card activated for door swipe access to their apartment. Any student, faculty, or staff that requires swipe access to other buildings should contact the main office of that specific building.
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Q: How do I activate my Ram Bucks account?
A: Simply deposit money to your Ram Bucks account and within minutes your account will be ready to go!
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Q: Can I withdraw cash from my Ram Card (like an ATM)?
A: You will not be able to withdraw cash from your Ram Card. Due to certain Federal Laws, the Ram Card can only act as a declining balance debit card. Upon graduation, or if you chose to leave West Chester University at any time, you can request a refund of your Ram Bucks (fees apply, and a minimum balance of $10 is required). Please see the "Refunds" section of our Terms & Conditions at the bottom of this page for more information.
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Q: Can anyone add Ram Bucks on to my Ram Card?
A: Yes. There are five (5) ways to add money to your Ram e Card.
ONLINE (credit card or checking account) - Card holders can log in to the Ram Card website (www.RamECard.com) to deposit Ram Bucks using a credit card or checking account. Parents and friends can deposit Ram Bucks by using the "Guest Deposit" feature. On the Ram Card website's home page, follow the on-screen instructions to either log in to your account or use the Guest Deposit feature.
IN PERSON (cash, check, money order, or credit card) - Visit the Ram Card Service Center during normal business hours, located on the ground floor of Sykes, to add Ram Bucks to your account.
MAIL (check or money order) - Mail a check or money order (no cash please!) along with the Mail-in Ram Bucks Deposit Form to the Ram Card Service Center. Ram Bucks Deposit Forms are available for download in the "Forms" tab above. If you would like a receipt, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
PHONE (credit card only*) - Call the Ram Card Service Center during business hours at 610-738-0429 to deposit funds into your Ram Bucks account using a credit card*.
* a $2.00 administrative fee will apply.
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Q: What do I do if I lose my card?
A: Log in to your Ram Card Account and click on the "Lost/Stolen Ram e Card" tab. Then click on the "Freeze Ram e Card" link. Funds on your Ram Card will be frozen so no one else can use them. Funds on a lost or stolen card can only be protected once the card has been reported lost or stolen. Please see the "Lost or Stolen Cards" section of our Terms and Conditions for more information. If you find your card after you have reported it lost or stolen, you can log in to your Ram Card account to unfreeze your card or stop by the Ram Card Service Center in person with your recovered card to have it unfrozen.
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Q: If I lose my card, do I lose the money I have on it?
A: The Ram Card Office can only protect the funds that are remaining on the card when it is reported lost or stolen. As soon as you contact our office, or freeze your card online, the account balance at that time will remain on your card. Once you get a new card, your funds will be automatically transferred to that card. Please see the "Lost or Stolen Cards" section of our Terms and Conditions for more information.
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Q: How can I tell what my current balance is?
A: Cardholders can log in to their Ram Card Account to check their balance and view transactions.
Cardholders can visit the Ram Card Office during business hours to obtain balance and transaction information.
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Q: My card doesn't seem to be working anymore, what should I do?
A: If you are experiencing problems with the proper functioning of your card at any retail location, including vending machines, please contact the Ram Card Service Center. If you are unable to access your Residence Hall, please contact the Public Safety Department (Peoples Building or by dialing x3311).
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