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Card Care

Protect your card by treating it with the care you would give your driver’s license or credit card. Keep the guidance below in mind:

  • Store your card separately from your cellular device to prevent demagnetization.
  • Magnetic fields can demagnetize and invalidate your card. Keep it away from TVs, stereo equipment, microwaves, and other magnetic devices.
  • Do not punch holes in, staple, or bend your card.
  • If you utilize a phone wallet and wireless charging for your cellular device, please remove your Wildcard from your phone wallet prior to charging. Failure to do so can deactivate the encrypted chip within your Wildcard (resulting in a $25 replacement card fee).

In addition to the magnetic stripe, your card will display your photograph, name, and other information. Learn about the "anatomy" of your Wildcard.

Your card is the property of Northwestern University and must be surrendered upon University request or your separation from Northwestern. Your card is for your use only and is not transferable under any circumstances.