Published • 22 Oct 2025
From dorm access to dining, campus cards are an essential part of everyday campus life. Not every campus ID solution is created equal, however—legacy systems like barcodes or magnetic stripes are not only dated, but easy to replicate, making them insecure. With new technologies available, colleges and universities aim to improve student experience, reduce friction, and enhance security.
For a tool so frequently used by students, accessibility, security, and versatility are paramount. These three technologies are transforming campus card solutions, streamlining transactions and setting adopting institutions apart: contactless systems (RFID, high frequency RFID, and NFC), hybrid payment methods, and mobile campus cards.
1. Contactless Payment Methods
Contactless systems use technologies like NFC (Near Field Communication), RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), and high-frequency RFID to enable tap-and-go transactions. These systems allow students to interact with readers by simply bringing a device or card close to a sensor—no swiping or inserting needed.
Benefits:
- Speed: Transactions happen in milliseconds, reducing wait times in busy locations.
- Durability: No wear-and-tear on magnetic stripes or chip readers, resulting in fewer malfunctions.
- Reduced Friction: Smooth foot traffic at entrances and payment counters, especially during peak hours.
- Security: High-frequency RFID and encrypted NFC transactions reduce the risk of card skimming and cloning.
Companies like Campus RFID offer a range of solutions for contactless and dual interface (contact and contactless) options, while Transact and other companies offer NFC campus credentials. Here’s a breakdown of each:
- Low Frequency (LF) RFID: With a frequency ranging between 125 and 134 kHz, low frequency passes through materials with greater efficacy and a lower chance of radio interference. The readable range is short at up to 10cm between the ID and the reader.
- High-Frequency (HF) RFID: Featuring higher transmission rates, HF RFID operates at 13.56 MHz and has a read range of up to 1 meter.
- Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) RFID: UHF (860-960 MHZ) has a read range of up to 12 meters. It features the fastest data transfer rates of RFID options as well as multiple tag reading capability.
- NFC: NFC-enabled cards allow for contactless transactions by tapping a card or phone against a compatible reader. Digital campus cards can be added to digital wallets like Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and Samsung Wallet.
The Scenario:
It’s the lunch rush. A popular campus cafeteria is completely slammed, and a long line has formed. The holdup? A student is frantically swiping their magnetic card for entry. With no other payment methods available, they repeatedly retry their worn card while impatience grows—along with the line.
At the same time, a campus caf at the college’s rival speeds smoothly along, each student scanning or tapping their campus card without friction. The small line moves quickly with students seamlessly signing in before proceeding inside. Having recently switched to RFID-enabled campus cards, the school is immediately seeing the difference in daily transactions.
2. Hybrid Card Reader Technology
Hybrid readers are terminals capable of accepting campus cards and major credit/debit cards. These systems allow institutions to consolidate hardware and let students choose how they pay.
Benefits:
- Flexibility: Students can pay for laundry with a campus account or a personal debit card—whatever’s convenient.
- Reduced Hardware Costs: Campuses only need one type of reader at each location, instead of separate systems for campus IDs and payment cards.
- Scalability: Ideal for universities that host public events—visitors can use their credit card, while students use their ID.
- Future-Ready: Easily integrates with mobile payments and tap-to-pay systems, helping campuses stay ahead of tech trends.
365 Retail Markets now offers hybrid payments on several devices, including the PayPlus and Payplus Omni payment devices, MM6 and MM6 Mini kiosks, and PicoCooler Vision smart cooler. Gone is the need for a separate card reader, simplifying retail and dining setups on (and off) campus.
The Scenario:
A student, a faculty member, and a visiting alum are lined up to check out from the MM6 Mini kiosk at the student union’s micro market. First, the student pays for their snack with their physical NFC campus card. Next, the faculty member scans their 365 Mobile App to pay for a beverage, using up some earned reward points in the process. The alum scans a snack and beverage for the road, then taps their debit card to pay. Despite using different methods, all three are paid up in seconds—from one device.
3. Mobile Campus Cards
Mobile campus cards are digital versions of student ID cards stored in mobile wallets like Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. Instead of swiping their plastic card, students simply tap their smartphone or smartwatch to complete transactions or gain access.
Benefits:
- Convenience: Students rarely forget their phones—but they might forget their ID. With mobile IDs, access to buildings, dining halls, or printers is always at hand.
- Real-time Updates: Lost card? No problem. Administrators can deactivate mobile IDs instantly and issue replacements remotely.
- Security: Biometric authentication (Face ID, fingerprint) adds a layer of protection that plastic cards lack.
- Touchless: No physical contact is needed, making this a hygienic option—particularly useful in post-pandemic environments.
Touchnet, Transact, and other companies offer mobile campus cards compatible with new and existing mobile apps, providing easy accessibility with one phone tap.
The Scenario:
A student checks the last place they could have left their physical campus ID. No luck, it’s officially lost. With a day full of classes, it’s bad enough that they must go to student services for a replacement, but now their dorm, cafeteria, and more are unavailable to them—but not for whoever finds their missing ID. Without a mobile ID option, the student is inconvenienced, and the school has a new threat to security.
The Bottom Line
As colleges transition towards smart campuses, upgraded campus card systems are now an incentive for students to enroll—but may soon be an expectation. By integrating mobile campus cards, contactless technologies, and hybrid payment readers, institutions offer students greater flexibility, faster service, and a more seamless campus experience.
These systems not only make life easier for students but also empower administrators with better data, enhanced security, and streamlined operations. It’s a win-win transformation—one tap at a time.
Ready to learn more? Reach out to our team today about our hybrid card reader technology.