New ID cards not fully functional

The Prairie View A&M Plus Card/Debit MasterCard was first introduced to the student body in spring 2012, and now that fall 2012 has begun students are using their old identification cards along with their new PV Plus cards.

Students who attended summer school in 2012 received their Higher One cards during the summer, while other students had to wait until the fall semester before the cards they received in the mail became functional.

"The Panther card was brought to give students a better solution to receiving their refund money," said Equilla Jackson of Treasury Services.

The decision to implement the Plus Card was made to ensure a smooth transition between federal funding and student accounts.

"Me personally, I agree with the Plus Card because it is helping students who may not have banking resources," said student government vice president and junior mass communication major Jarrick Brown.

With a Higher One account, students are able to make purchases, wherever debit or credit cards are accepted.

When the Plus cards become fully functional, students will be able to use them in the Purple Zone and Farrell Hall, the Until that time, students will have to use their old identification on cards to wash clothes, use their Pantherbucks and access their meal plans.

In order to access funds, students must first activate the card online at pvamupluscard.com, set up the card number and choose whether they want their refund set to their card or a secondary account.

"The quickest way to receive your refund money is to open a One Account which will allow you to receive your funds same day rather than waiting 2-3 business days for the money to transfer to your bank of choice," said Jackson.

Without selection a refund preference, there will be delays in receipt of overpayment funds.

Currently, the sole purpose of the Plus Card is for refund purposes and it can also be used as a form of identification on campus.

If a student has not received their the Plus Card, staff at W.R. Banks are available to help assist with problems.

"When using the Plus card make sure you swipe and sign like any other credit card," said Jackson. "If you use your card as a debit meaning type in your pin number, there will be a charge of $.50 per transaction rather than using the credit option which allows you to sign with no additional service charges."

Terms and conditions of the Higher One account are provided by the banking services of Bancorp Bank, and additional information fees can be found on the bank's website., Panther grill and Jazzman's café. The expected full functionality date is Oct 1.