FAQs
Find answers to our most common MaineCard questions right here.
Mobile MaineCard
All new and incoming students are issued a Mobile MaineCard as their campus ID. Once your photo is approved, you can use your phone to access your residence hall, the Rec Center, dining, and other campus locations.
Mobile credentials on a student, faculty or staff member’s smartphone are now the primary form of ID at UMaine.
Incoming students and eligible full-time faculty and staff can receive a Mobile MaineCard.
Your phone must meet the current Transact Mobile Credential requirements:
Your phone will not work with Mobile MaineCard if it does not support NFC or a compatible digital wallet (Apple Wallet / Google Wallet / Samsung Wallet).
International phones are not currently supported at this time.
Transact eAccounts is the phone app that lets you set up your Mobile MaineCard, add funds to your Black Bear Bucks account, and monitor your balances. The app is available through the App Store or the Google Play Store. Please note that meal plan balances may still be processing during the first week of the semester.
Setup Issues
This could be caused by several things:
- Your phone requires a system settings (or wallet app) update and is blocking the “Add to Wallet” option.
- Your account needs to be adjusted by the MaineCard team – contact them only after updating your phone’s operating system.
- Your phone may not be compatible for the Mobile MaineCard’s required technology.
- Your photo must be approved before your Mobile MaineCard can be created.
- If you just received a photo approval notification, it may take 1-2 hours before you can add your digital ID to your wallet.
- If you haven’t submitted your photo yet, find the steps on our Mobile MaineCard Setup page.
This error is likely due to a required phone system update or a terms & conditions agreement in your phone’s Settings.
Not to worry! You’re most likely enrolled. Please email the MaineCard Team and we can easily resolve this issue for you: um.mainecard@maine.edu.
When registering, the wrong portal may have been selected
- Select “UM” for portal when registering.
- If you have mistakenly registered, delete eAccounts, reinstall it, and then set it up again.
- If you registered properly in eAccounts, contact the MaineCard Team and they can resolve the issue.
Common Questions
Remove your old Mobile MaineCard from your old phone’s digital wallet, install Transact eAccounts on the new phone, sign in, and add the card.
If you no longer have your old phone, contact the MaineCard Office so they can remove the old credential and help you download it again through Transact eAccounts.
Several things can cause your Mobile MaineCard to stop working, including a damaged NFC chip, first approach at door lock, or a dining meal plan issue. If your phone is not tapping anywhere, contact the MaineCard Office. Your Resident Assistant can issue you a temporary access card for room access and the dining halls will accept your student ID number until your Mobile MaineCard is restored.
Call Public Safety (UMPD) at 207.581.4040 during business hours to report your phone as lost. After replacing your phone, contact the MaineCard Office. They can help you set up your Mobile MaineCard on your new device.
Since the New Balance Student Recreation Center manages their own database for who is allowed entry into the facility, MaineCard Services is unable to grant or troubleshoot your gym access.
Students
- If your Mobile MaineCard is not working but you feel that it should be, contact the Rec Center directly.
- If your Mobile MaineCard is not tapping at the entrance, contact the MaineCard Office.
- If you are not currently enrolled in classes, your Rec Center benefits will not work.
Faculty & Staff
If your Mobile MaineCard is not allowing you access, please be aware of the following policies:
- You are not trying to access the gym earlier than your benefits start date as found in MaineStreet.
- You hold a Mobile MaineCard with the athletics bear logo with Faculty/Staff printed on it.
- UMaine Dining employees do not obtain the benefit of a free membership, but are welcome to purchase one at the Rec Center.
- Contact the MaineCard Office at um.mainecard@maine.edu or 207.581.2273.
- If you are locked out, contact your Resident Assistant or Residence Life staff.
- For after-hours access from 4 PM to 8 AM and on weekends, contact the UMaine Police Department, which is available 24/7.
- UMaine Dining will request your MaineStreet ID number so you can access food when you need it at your dining hall.
- Contact Residence Life staff or Campus Safety (UMPD) for assistance accessing your residence hall. Be sure to report your lost phone to the UMaine Police Department.
- Contact the MaineCard Office first thing on Monday morning.
Contact your Resident Assistant or Residence Life staff for a temporary card. If you cannot reach anyone, contact Campus Safety at 207.581.4040.
We strongly encourage bringing a portable charger to keep in your backpack with you throughout the day.
Spending Accounts
Add funds to your Black Bear Bucks account through our online transaction portal or through the Transact eAccounts app. Family and friends can also make guest deposits using your MaineStreet ID and last name. Funds can also be added at the MaineCard Office or the Fogler Library Value Transfer Station.
Students must contact UMaine Dining to change their meal plan.
Phone: (207) 581-3463
Email: um.dining@maine.edu
Office Location: Hilltop, Suite 104, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469
Website: University of Maine Dining
Meal Plan Dollars and Black Bear Bucks can both be used for food and beverage purchases at UMaine Dining locations. View this comparison chart of Meal Plan Dollars vs Black Bear Bucks.
Black Bear Bucks can also be used at the Maine Bound Adventure Center, University Bookstore, and certain participating off-campus businesses. Their accepted locations and uses are slightly different.
Yes. Black Bear Bucks cannot be used to purchase alcohol, tobacco, firearms, obscene materials, or store-value gift cards. Participating businesses must follow these restrictions.
Campus Services
Simply open your digital wallet. Present your active Mobile MaineCard in your phone’s digital wallet when requested by the driver or transit staff to receive free or discounted transportation on eligible routes. You can also use your Mobile MaineCard to receive discounts at participating businesses in the Bangor area.
Yes, the MaineCard Office provides free notary services to students, faculty, and staff members with a MaineCard. To schedule an appointment, email um.mainecard@maine.edu.
Notary FYI:
Do not sign your documents beforehand, and bring a valid government-issued ID.
If our notary is unavailable, most local banks and credit unions provide free notary services, as well.
