Quick Links to Topics:

• ID Card Information
• Using Cavalier Advantage
• Making Deposits
• Managing Account Funds
• General Information
• Terms & Conditions

ID Card Information

If my card is lost or stolen, what should I do?

If your student or faculty/staff ID card is lost or stolen, we recommend you immediately deactivate it online through the ID Card Office. This will stop all activity on your Cavalier Advantage account and protect any other privileges. You are responsible for charges made prior to notification that your card has been lost or stolen. Students with meal plans will still be able to give their UVA ID number up to six times per semester with proper identification. If you find your lost card (and you haven't replaced it with a new one), you may easily reactivate it the same way.

If you need to obtain a replacement student or faculty/staff ID card, visit the ID Card Office in the lower level of Observatory Hill Dining Hall during business hours (Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.). There is a $20 replacement fee, which may be paid by Cavalier Advantage ONLY.

When your replacement ID card is made, the balance in the Cavalier Advantage account simply transfers to the new card. The old card will no longer work and no one will be able to access your Cavalier Advantage account from that card.

Using Cavalier Advantage

What is Cavalier Advantage? 

Cavalier Advantage works as a declining balance account on your ID card; funds must be available in the account for its use. When purchases are made, the balance decreases; when it reaches a zero balance purchases will no longer be accepted. Cash cannot be withdrawn from the account, and there is no minimum balance to maintain.

How do I sign up/apply for an account?

There is no need to sign up for a Cavalier Advantage account. Each student and employee is automatically given an account on his or her ID card. To activate the account, simply make a deposit.

Does Cavalier Advantage require a PIN (Personal Identification Number)?

No. A PIN is not required to use Cavalier Advantage.

Can I withdraw cash from Cavalier Advantage?

No. Cash cannot be withdrawn from this account.

Can I use Cavalier Advantage at any locations off-Grounds?

No. Cavalier Advantage cannot be used at off-Grounds locations.

Are there any fees for using the Cavalier Advantage account?

The only fees involved are in making a deposit or obtaining an account refund. There is a $2 processing fee for each deposit made online, in person, or over the phone. (No fee if you use one of the cash machines.) There is a $20 processing fee for account refunds.

Making Cavalier Advantage Deposits

How do I make a deposit?

DEPOSITS

Total per semester deposits to a Cavalier Advantage account cannot exceed $1,502 and balances carry over until graduation or withdrawal from the University.

Cash Deposit Machines

Simply insert your UVA ID Card into the Cash Deposit Machine, then insert cash ($1's, $5's, $10's or $20's) and follow the machine prompts to confirm your balance.   

Cash Deposit Machine Locations (Accept Cash Only) - No Processing Fee
Claude Moore - Health Sciences Library
Clemons Library
Newcomb Hall (2nd Floor)
Observatory Hill Dining Hall
Science & Engineering Library at Clark Hall

Online Deposit  

There is a $27 minimum per deposit ($25 to the account; $2 processing fee).  Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover are accepted.  

Online Deposit

Phone and In-Person Deposits

There is a $52 minimum per deposit ($50 to the account; $2 processing fee) when making a deposit by phone or in person.

• Phone in a deposit, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m to 434-982-5735.
• In person deposits at the ID Card Office and University Bookstore. They accept cash, checks and credit cards.

How much should I deposit?

We recommend depositing approximately $100 to $200 per semester for incidental expenses such as laundry, vending, copying, etc.  If the student will be using Cavalier Advantage to buy textbooks, we recommend you deposit the estimated cost of the textbooks in addition to the $100 to $200.  There is a maximum of $1502 in total deposits to a Cavalier Advantage account per semester. A $2 processing fee is deducted from the deposit. Money may be added at any time, and it will roll over each semester and each year.

If I give you my credit card number, can you make automatic deposits for me?

No. We do not have the ability to establish an automatic deposit system; the depositor must initiate the deposit each time. The only option that may be available for automatic depositing would be through an outside institution, such as your bank's payment services. Please include your card number if you do establish automatic deposits through an outside institution.

If I use a credit card to make a deposit, does that appear as a cash advance?

No. If you use a credit card to make deposits to Cavalier Advantage, the transaction shows up on your card as a regular purchase.

Can I make a deposit by transferring money from a checking or savings account? 

No. We cannot process an electronic transfer from a bank account.

How can my parent, guardian, or other relative make a deposit to my account?

They can make a deposit online through the guest website. They will need to input your 9 digit student ID number to complete the deposit.

Managing Account Funds

What happens to my Cavalier Advantage funds at the end of the year?

Your Cavalier Advantage balance will roll forward at the end of every semester and school year until you graduate or separate from the university.

How can I get a refund of my Cavalier Advantage account balance?

In order to obtain a refund, a student must have graduated or terminated their enrollment with the University, and employees must be leaving their position at the University. To request a refund, simply email with your name, the last 5-digits of your UVA ID number ONLY (for security purposes), and your current address. Also include your reason for requesting the refund (recent graduation, termination of enrollment, etc). Please be advised there is a $20 processing fee for all refunds. Refunds can only be processed for accounts with a balance of $30 or more.

 You have sixty days after leaving to request a refund.

General Information

Couldn’t I just use my bank debit card around Grounds? Why would I need Cavalier Advantage?

The majority of locations on-Grounds accept cash, credit cards, and Cavalier Advantage as payment. Cavalier Advantage is also the only way to pay for self-service printers and copiers and a convenient option to pay for laundry machines.

Cavalier Advantage is also safer than carrying cash or credit cards; in the event of a lost or stolen ID card, all activity on your account can be stopped immediately by deactivating your ID card online through the ID Card Office. Furthermore, the picture on the ID card adds extra security.

What is the difference between Cavalier Advantage and Flex Dollars?

Flex Dollars are included with UVA Dine meal plans. They can be spent at retail food locations such as Chick-fi-A, Starbucks, Bento Sushi, The Juice Laundry, and many others.  Any purchases made with Flex Dollars are tax-free on-Grounds and can only be used to purchase food. When purchasing food at a location such as the Pavilion with an ID card, students should specify "Flex Dollars" or "Cavalier Advantage" to the cashier.

Cavalier Advantage is accepted at the following locations:

• All Dining locations on-Grounds (including dining halls) except Darden and the Hospital
• Vending machines
• Housing laundry machines
• All Bookstore locations
• Cavalier Computers
• Bookstore Copy Center
• Self-service printers/copiers
• Newcomb Hall Post Office
• Pharmacy at Student Health and Wellness
• Pharmacy at Bookstore
• University ID Office

What is the difference between Cavalier Advantage and Student Charge at the Bookstore?

Cavalier Advantage is a declining balance account; the money must be available to make a purchase. Charging a purchase at the Bookstore (widely known as "Student Charge") will send a bill to the permanent address on file for the student. To make a purchase with Cavalier Advantage, the balance on your account would simply decrease and no bill is sent. Students should specify "Cavalier Advantage" or "Student Charge" to the Bookstore cashier when making a purchase, and they must present their student ID.

Terms & Conditions

What are the terms and conditions of a Cavalier Advantage Account?

Cavalier Advantage is an account on your UVA student or faculty/staff ID card which is administered by the Office of Business Services. Your University ID card is non-transferable.

Upon graduation or withdrawal from the University, you may request a refund in writing if your balance exceeds $30. A $20 processing fee will be charged for all refunds. You have sixty days after leaving the University to request a refund.

A lost or stolen student ID card, faculty/staff ID card should immediately be deactivated online through the ID Card Office. This will stop all activity on your Cavalier Advantage account and protect any other privileges. You are responsible for charges made prior to notification. Students with meal plans will still be able to give their UVA ID number up to six times per semester with proper identification. If you find your lost card and you haven't replaced it with a new one, you may easily reactivate it the same way.

If you return merchandise purchased with your Cavalier Advantage funds, your Cavalier Advantage account will be credited.

Deposits made online, utilizing the web-based deposit system, will be processed without the use of the actual card.

Changes to these terms and conditions as well as procedures related to the Cavalier Advantage program will apply to all cards and supersede those in effect at the time the card was issued.

The Office of Business Services is responsible for establishing, maintaining and terminating accounts. If you have any questions, please email.

What is the University policy on Academic ID cards?

HRM-002: Issuance and Use of University Identification Cards establishes guidelines for the issuance and use of University of Virginia identification cards and provides clarification on who is eligible for an identification card.