For Parents and New Students

For Parents and New  Students

Your UCR Card is your official university ID. You'll like the UCR Card because it's easy, convenient, it makes good financial sense, and it keeps you connected to your student's UC Riverside experience.


What is The UCR Card?

Your UCR Card is your official university ID. Many departments use the UCR Card as a means to grant access to their information and services. From the libraries using the UCR Card to allow you to check out library books, to using your UCR Card to gain access to your Residence Hall, to a teacher requiring to see your UCR Card to take a test,  the UCR Card is a necessity of every day campus life. Always remember to carry your UCR Card with you at all times.



For Parents

You'll like the UCR Card because it's easy, convenient, it makes good financial sense, and it keeps you connected to your Student's UC Riverside experience.

With the UCR Card you can:

  1. Budget to meet your son/daughter's estimated expenses. See Bear Bucks Deposit Estimator.

  2. Feel comfortable knowing that your son/daughter can only use Bear Bucks in University approved locations.

  3. Using the UCR Card as a method of payment is safer than carrying around cash or credit cards. Plus, your student's account is value-protected against loss or theft once it's reported as missing.

Depositing to your student's Bear Bucks Account is easy: you just need your Student's UCR ID Number (860XXXXXX); once you have that, click here Guest Deposit  to add funds to their account.



For Students


Question Answer
How can my parents view my account balance and activity online?

According to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act we are unable to share this information. The law is designed to protect the privacy of the student.

How do I obtain a new UCR card? The UCR Card office is located in the University Commons, Suite 249.

1.  Orientation students: You need to bring your student identification number with you.  The student identification number will be given to you when you check in for orientation.  You will be asked to fill out an application and sign that you have read and understand the provisions of the UCR Card  Agreement (Click Here to view the agreement). You will receive your UCR ID Card at Bear Facts Orientation.  It is imperative that you bring your  your UCR ID Card with you when you come to campus in the Fall.  If you are living in the Residence Hall, they will encode your card for access to your Res Hall suite door and other common area doors.  The charge for a UCR Card is $20 and will be billed to your student account in September.

2.   Faculty and Staff: First check with your departmental HR Coordinator to make sure that you are entered into the University's Personnel/Payroll System and that you have an employee ID number. Once that is in place, bring a photo ID (driver's license, state issued ID card or passport) to the ID office. The charge for a UCR Card is $20 and can be paid by cash, check, credit card or by the department through the web recharge system.

3.  New Students (not attending orientation): You can come to the card office during the first week of school to obtain your UCR Card.  Be sure to bring your student ID number. There is a $20 fee for your card and will be billed to your student account.