Using Your MaineCard
What can we help you find?
Use & Abuse of MaineCard (Physical & Mobile)
As the holder of an active Mobile MaineCard and/or an active physical MaineCard, please be aware that sharing your MaineCard credentials with others (such as family, friends, or roommates) is prohibited. This action may cause a safety risk to you and to others living around you.
The sharing of your personal credentials may result in the loss of your physical MaineCard and the possibility of a referral to student conduct.
Thank you for understanding. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at um.mainecard@maine.edu or call 207.581.2273.
What Your MaineCard Can Do
An exciting campus experience is awaiting you! Here are just a few of the many things you can access with your MaineCard:
What are Black Bear Bucks?
Your Black Bear Bucks account is a debit account that you can use on your MaineCard. Add funds to your MaineCard and spend your Black Bear Bucks on and off campus!
On campus
Off-campus
Use your Black Bear Bucks off campus at participating merchants for food, beverages, groceries, and even gasoline!
The off-campus merchant program is continually growing, so check in often to see where your MaineCard can take you.
On-campus discounts do not apply off-campus. Some restrictions apply.
Access and Entrance
Residence halls and rooms are locked at all times and are accessible only by the residential student’s MaineCard or Mobile MaineCard.
Your Mobile MaineCard will give you access to your residence hall. If using an Apple iPhone, your phone can have a dead battery and still allow you to access your door within a certain timeframe.
If you need assistance with your MaineCard not working on your room, please call 207-581-4371 between 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. After hours, please call University Police at 207-581-4040.
Dining Meal Plans
Use your MaineCard to get access to the dining halls on campus, Hilltop and York. Funds, such as Meal Plan Dollars and Black Bear Bucks, can be used via MaineCard for food and drink in locations such as The Bear’s Den and Union Central Market.
Off-campus students, faculty, and staff can sign up for Commuter Meal Plans online. Visit UMaine Dining for more information about meal plans and dining options.
Printing On Campus
Each student receives $16 in PaperCut printing credits each semester. After your $16 credits are exhausted, printing costs will be taken out of your Black Bear Bucks.
Please note that PaperCut printing funds and Black Bear Bucks are not accepted at UMaine Printing and Mailing Services. Visit the PaperCut site to learn more.
Fogler Library Barcode
To find your Library Barcode with a Mobile Mainecard, please visit: the MyCampus homepage > Select “Campus Life” then “Maine Card”.
Once it pulls up the information, you will be able to access your MaineStreet ID, MaineCard number, and Library Barcode number to sign in online at the Fogler Library to borrow materials.
Compare Meal Plan Dollars to Black Bear Bucks
| Use | Meal Plan Dollars | Black Bear Bucks |
|---|---|---|
| Where can the funds be used? | At UMaine Dining, on Everyday App, on UMaine System campuses | At UMaine Dining, on Everyday App, on UMaine System campuses, at select on- and off-campus vendors |
| Is there a discount? | On-campus: 5% off purchases and exempt from food tax (8%) | On-campus: 5% off purchases and exempt from food tax (8%) |
| What can I buy? | Food/non-alcoholic beverages on campus | Food, non-alcoholic beverages, groceries, and even gasoline on- and off-campus |
| Do funds roll over? | Roll over from fall to spring semesters | Roll over until card holder leaves UMaine |
| Are funds refundable? | No | Yes, after cardholder leaves UMaine |
| When do funds expire? | Funds expire day after Commencement | Funds do not expire |
| Able to be charged to student account? | Yes | No |
| Fund type is best for: | People who want to use as part of a meal plan or charge to student account | People who want flexibility for on-and off-campus purchases |
| Where do I add funds? | UMaine Dining, My Housing website | MaineCard office/website; eAccounts app |
| Bottom Line: | Best for students who want to use MPDs as part of a meal plan or charge to a student account. | Black Bear Bucks are best for people who want flexibility for on-and-off campus purchases. |
Use Your MaineCard Off-Campus
You may use your Black Bear Bucks at participating locations near campus. On-campus discounts and tax exemptions do NOT apply to participating off-campus merchants.
Alltown Market
Convenience Store & Gas Station
103 Park St.
Orono, ME
207.866.1163
Get directions
Aroma Joe’s
Coffee/Bakery Shop
99 Park St.
Orono, ME
207.866.1109
Get directions
Dysarts Travel Stop
Travel Shop/Deli
17 Stillwater Ave.
Orono, ME
207.827.3459
Get directions
Five Guys
Fast Food Restaurant
878 Stillwater Ave.
Bangor, ME
207.990.8900
Get directions
Order on Grubhub
Online Food Ordering
Visit the GrubHub website or scan the QR code to download the app & begin.
Kosta’s Old Town
268 Main St.
Old Town, ME
207.817.0417
Get directions
Lin’s Takeout Kitchen
156 Park St.
Orono, ME
207.951.2733
Get directions
Pepper’s Landing
Restaurant
Seafood restaurant
170 Main St.
Old Town, ME
207.866.2111
Get directions
Information for Off-Campus Merchants
The University partners with Transact to offer our students access to their Black Bear Bucks account at local merchants. We currently have a broad variety of businesses enrolled in the program and are always looking to expand the program.
If your business is interested in joining our program, please visit the Campus Cash website. Thank you for your interest!
