ARTICard

If you are a new student enrolled in a degree program, you can avoid long lines at the beginning of the semester by submitting your photo in advance.

• Check your SAIC email for a personalized link to submit your photo
• Upon approval of your submitted photo, make an appointment to pick up your new ARTICard
• Photo submission deadlines are August 8 for the fall semester and January 3 for the spring semester

Students living in the 162 N. State Street Residences or Jones Hall do not need to make an appointment—you’ll get your ARTICard when you check in at the residence hall on your scheduled move-in date.

Make an appointment to visit the ARTICard office. Bring your valid US government-issued photo ID or passport.

• Background check must be completed prior to appointment
• Faculty contract must be signed and submitted to the Dean’s Office prior to appointment 
• Email completed ARTICard Terms and Conditions prior to appointment

Check your email one month before classes begin for a personalized link to submit your photo online. Upon approval of your submitted photo, adult students can make an appointment to pick up your new ARTICard. High School, Middle School and Children’s Programs students will receive their ID during the first day of classes.

If you already have an ARTICard, check to see if it’s expired and, if so, bring it to the ARTICard office and exchange it for a new one. You will need to surrender the expired ID to avoid being charged a $15 replacement fee.

Students enrolled in High School Programs, Middle School or Children’s Programs will need to complete and return the ARTICard contract to articard@saic.edu. 

Students enrolled in Adult Programs and the Teacher Programs will need to complete and return the ARTICard contract to articard@saic.edu. 

Winter/Spring 2025 Extended ARTICard Office Hours:

• Friday, January 10: 8:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
• Saturday, February 1: 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
• Sunday, February 2: 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
• Monday, February 3: 8:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, February 4: 8:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, February 5: 8:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
• Thursday, February 6:  8:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Regular office hours are Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 

The SAIC alumni card gives you access to exclusive benefits and events. Visit saic.edu/alumni for details. Make an appointment with the ARTICard office once your degree or certificate has been posted. If you have graduated within the past year, you must turn in your student ARTICard, or you will be charged the $15 lost ID fee.

• Make an appointment to visit the ARTICard Office
• For lost ARTICards, the replacement fee is $15 payable by ARTICash only
• For expired ARTICards, your expired ID must be returned in order to receive a new ID

• The Art Institute of Chicago museum: Students receive free admission with their ARTICard
• Campus Cafés
• Service Bureau and Print Services
• Shops and Instructional Facilities 
• Media Centers and Academic Computer Labs
• John M. Flaxman Library
• Laundry Facilities
• Vending Machines
• Material Source Locations

• Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, 1 E. Jackson St.
• Blick Art Materials, 16 W. Randolph St.
• CVS Pharmacy, 520 S. State St.

The ARTICard can only be used for in-store purchases, not online ordering or delivery. The card cannot be used to purchase alcohol, tobacco, or store gift cards.

• Sharp Building, 37 S. Wabash Ave., 2nd floor corridor
• MacLean Center, 112 S. Michigan Ave., lobby
• 280 building, 280 S. Columbus Dr., 2nd floor

Students

• Go to Self-Service
• Click on Financial Account
• Click on the Transact button
• On the Overview page, click the Add Money button under Would you like to add money to your ARTICard?
• Funds will immediately post to the ARTICash account

Adult Continuing Studies and high school students must have an active ARTIC account. To activate your account, visit password.artic.edu. Middle school and children's programs students cannot make online deposits.

Parents or Guardians
Before a parent or guardian may deposit through Transact, the account holder (student) must set them up as an Authorized Payer. Students can do this by: 

• Go to Self-Service
• Click on Financial Account
• Click on the Transact button
• On the Overview page, click on the Send a Payer Invitation button
• Enter Payer Information and click the Send Invitation button

The Payer will receive their user name and temporary password at the email address provided. Once a parent or guardian is set up as a Payer, they can add funds:

• Log in as an Authorized Payer at commerce.cashnet.com/saicpay
• On the Overview page, click the Add Money button under Would you like to add money to your ARTICard?

Staff and Faculty

• Log in to Self-Service
• Switch from the Employee Homepage to the Student Homepage
• Click on Financial Account
• Click on the Transact button
• On the Overview page, click the Add Money button under Would you like to add money to your ARTICard?

Safari is not a supported browser for online depositing.

Check your ARTICard balances, view recent transactions, and download monthly statements at eAccounts. Please note, eAccounts is not available to Continuing Studies students or alumni.

To make a purchase using your ARTICard, you must have the necessary funds in your ARTICash or Meal Plan account. You must deposit your own money into the ARTICash account. For students living in the SAIC residence halls, Meal Plan funds will be deposited into a separate Meal Plan account on your ARTICard. Meal Plan funds can only be used at the on-campus cafes.

Once funds are available in the appropriate account, present your ARTICard to the cashier at the participating location. The amount of the purchase will be deducted from your account, and the remaining balance will be displayed on the terminal or on your receipt.

The ARTICash account is funded with money that you deposit into the account at one of the deposit machines on campus or online. ARTICash can be used for payment on campus and at select off-campus locations.

The Meal Plan account is managed by Residence Life and is only available to students living in the SAIC residence halls. Meal Plan funds will be deposited into the Meal Plan account on your ARTICard at the start of the semester. Meal Plan funds can only be used at the on-campus cafes. They cannot be used anywhere else on or off campus. Visit the Meal Plan web page for more information.

The amount necessary per semester will vary from student to student. If a student plans to use his or her ARTICard to pay for books, supplies, food, and miscellaneous expenses, a deposit of $300-$500 per semester for full-time students may be sufficient. Keep in mind that additional deposits can be made any time throughout the semester.

The ARTICard is not an ATM card and the ARTICard Office cannot give cash refunds for any reason. A cardholder may request that his or her ARTICash account be closed at any time in writing, or in person at the ARTICard/U-Pass Office. There is a $10 fee to close the ARTICash account and refund checks will be issued in three to four weeks. The Meal Plan account is non-refundable.
 

You can check your ARTICard balances, view recent transactions, and download monthly statements online at SAIC eAccounts. Log in using the same username and password you use for SAIC Self-Service and your SAIC email. Your balance can also be verified at Value Transfer Stations across campus. Most ARTICard terminals also display your balance at the end of each transaction.

Lost cards should be reported immediately. During ARTICard/U-Pass Office hours, you can report your lost card in person or by phone. If a lost card is reported promptly, it does not mean lost money.

To replace a lost/stolen or damaged card visit the ARTICard Office. A replacement card will be produced in minutes and will have the same account and access features as your original card. There is a $15 fee to replace a lost ARTICard and a $5 fee to replace a damaged ARTICard payable by ARTICash only. 

If you notice a discrepancy on a receipt or balance statement, you should contact the ARTICard Office no later than 60 days after the transaction in question appears. 

Funds left in the ARTICash account will remain there until they are spent. You can request that your account be closed at any time. This request must be made in writing or in person at the ARTICard Office. All refunds will be processed according to SAIC policy and are subject to a $10 processing fee. All debts on the cardholder’s Tuition and Fee Account must be satisfied prior to a refund check being issued.
 

Your ARTICard is valid through the expiration date that is printed on the front of your ID card as long as you are enrolled for the current semester, you are an active SAIC employee or you are an SAIC degree holding alum.

You will need to renew your ID before the expiration date to maintain the access and privileges you are allowed as an active student, an active employee, or a degree holding alum. When renewing your ID, you will need to surrender the old ID to avoid being charged a $15 replacement fee.