Using Your Card
In addition to serving as your University ID, your Redbird Card can be used for a variety of purposes, including dining, printing, copying, vending machines, and more. In many cases, you may need to add money to your card account in order to make purchases at certain locations.
See a copy of our Disclosure Statement for the terms and conditions governing use of your Redbird Card.
Where Can I Use It?
The Redbird Card is widely accepted on the Illinois State University campus.
The Redbird Card is not an ATM Card. You cannot withdraw cash from your Redbird Account.
Each location has a reader which your Redbird Card is processed through to access your accounts via the Redbird Card system. Each reader is set up to look into one account at a time, in a certain order. If no money is found in the first account, the next account is accessed. The balance shown after your transaction is processed corresponds to the account from which money was deducted.
These locations may also accept Cash, Check, Debit/Credit Cards or Gift Cards. Please contact specific locations for details.
Residence Halls
Canteen Vending Machines
Location: Residence Halls
Order of accounts used:
Eat on Campus
Canteen Vending Machines
Location: Academic/Admin Buildings
Order of accounts used:
Other Places and Services
Redbird Spirit Shop
Location: Bone Student Center and North Street (319 W N Street, Normal)
Order of accounts used:
Redbird Card Office - Replacement IDs, Holders, and Lanyards
Location: Bone Student Center
Order of accounts used:
Offline Charges
When a card is swiped at a location and the system is offline due to equipment or software problems, the transaction is stored in the reader. As soon as the location comes back online, the reader will send all of the stored transactions up to the computer to be subtracted from the accounts.
If the cardholder did not have any money, or if he or she spent the remainder of the money before the transaction was loaded, the transaction goes into Offline Charges as a negative. When more money is added to the Redbird Account, the negative amount is cleared against what was added.
The Redbird Card is Currently Not Accepted for Purchases at
- Box Office Ticketmaster (Box Office does accept the Redbird Card for other purchases)
- Bowling and Billiards Center (BBC)
- CPA Box Office
- Illinois State University Golf Course
- Redbird Athletics events and concessions
- Parking pay lots and event parking
Locations and Events on Campus That Require Student Verification for Admittance
- University Golf Course
- Bowling and Billards Center (BBC)
- Computer Labs
- Health Services and Pharmacy
- For purchasing tickets at the Bone Student Center Box Office at discount rates
- Residence hall guest check-in and door access
- Student Fitness Center
- Red Alert Pass
- Admittance to some athletic events
- Admittance to some theatre events
- Library books, materials, and laptop checkout
- Some off-campus locations for State employee discounts
- Free bus service with Connect Transit
- Computer Help Desk
Types of Accounts
There are several "money" and Meal Plan accounts available on the Redbird Card. The account(s) available to you will depend on a variety of factors, including your meal plan, semester, and whether you are a student or faculty/staff.
When you first receive your Redbird Card, none of the above accounts will be active. They become active when you deposit money into the Redbird Account, sign a Residence Hall room and meal contract, or sign a Meal Plan contract for off-campus students. Meal Plans purchased after the initial meal plan load will not be accessible immediately after contract submission.