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Redbird Card Office

Redbird Card Office

What We Do

The Redbird Card Office creates all Illinois State University student, faculty/staff, extra-help, and other miscellaneous ID cards. The Redbird Card Office receives deposits for the Redbird Account, monitors the card system, and is responsible for the accounting of the Redbird Account.

All Illinois State University students, U-High students, faculty/staff, and retirees are eligible to open a Redbird Account. Your Redbird Card is the property of Illinois State University. It is entrusted to each student, faculty, and staff member while enrolled or employed by the University. The Redbird Card is used for identification, State employee discounts, vending, copiers, microfiche, laser printers, and admittance to University buildings, computer labs, and events.

Beginning Fall 2014, the Redbird Card Office (partnering with Gift of Hope), became Illinois State University's organ and tissue donor registry location. We have cards available at our front desk. There are drop boxes available in the office as well to collect any completed registry cards.

Crisis Assistance

Visit our Campus Resources page for State & National Helpline information.

How can I check the balance in my account?

You can view your balances through My Illinois State. Select the Student tab, and then select "Redbird Card" under the Finances heading.

Read more in our FAQ

Protect Your Redbird Card

Decoded and damaged cards may be rejected by our card readers.

  • Do not bend, fold, or expose your card to excessive heat, washing, or other damaging elements.
  • Do not pass your card through any other system (i.e. automated bank tellers), as decoding may occur.
  • Do not leave your Redbird Card on or near a TV, stereo, telephone, microwave, or other electromagnetic equipment.
  • Do not store your Redbird Card next to magnetic earbud cases, these have been known to de-magnetize the magnetic stripe.
  • Do not punch holes in your card. This may make your card unusable in any reader.

Special care must be taken of ID cards used for door access that have the internal antennae. Bending the cards may damage the antennae inside the card.