Colonel Card Guide

Your Colonel Card serves as your official EKU identification and is used for services on campus like meal plans (meal swipes and flex dollars), building access, athletics, events, Colonel Cash, mail and package collection, and borrowing materials from EKU Libraries. The Colonel Card is available to all enrolled students and current employees.

Get Your Physical EKU ID Card


If you need or want a physical EKU ID card, please submit a request through this form. Please note a $25 fee will be charged to your student account. You will need your 9-digit EKU ID number and a government issued photo ID to verify your identity.

Get Your Colonel Card on Mobile


Colonel Cards are now accessible on mobile. Scan the QR code or download the eAccounts app for iOS or for Android to get started. Your mobile Colonel Card acts just like your physical card and now you can add it to your preferred digital wallet. Tap your iPhone, Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy, or other eligible Android phones at readers across campus to conveniently use your mobile Colonel Card.

Where Can You Use Your Mobile Colonel Card

  • Student Recreation Center
  • Cloud Printing services
  • Library
  • Dining Hall and other on-campus dining locations
  • Barnes and Noble Bookstore
  • Mailroom

Minimal setup is required to use your mobile Colonel Card. Most users can begin using their mobile Colonel Card on their phone in minutes. An approved photo is required.

Uploading Your ID Photo


Your Colonel Card is a photo ID, and while associates can take a photo for you in-office, you also have the option to upload your own photo. Once you are an active student or employee, you will have access to submit your photo online.

How to Submit Your Photo

Once you have received your EKU Credentials, please submit your photo to be displayed on your mobile Colonel Card. Photos will generally be approved within two business days.

Log in to the Transact eAccounts or download the Transact eAccounts mobile app, log in using your EKU credentials (i.e., joe_colonel1 and password used to log into your EKU email/Blackboard).

Tips for Taking Your Photo

  • Stand in front of a smooth, light background, such as a white wall.
  • Use good lighting. Photos that are dark, overexposed, or show glare on glasses will not be accepted.
  • Face forward and look at the camera.
  • The photo should be a centered, front-facing headshot from the shoulders up.
  • Photo must be 1MB or smaller and in JPG format to be accepted.
DO:
  • Use a recent color photo.
  • Keep eyes open and visible.
  • Center the photo and include a front view of the full face.
  • Use good lighting.
DO NOT:
  • Wear hats, masks, graduation caps, sunglasses or other items that obscure your face.
  • Include other objects, animals, or people in the photo.
  • Use patterns, textured, or scenic backgrounds.
  • Use images that have glare from glasses or heavy shadows.
  • Apply filters or other edits that change your appearance.

You will receive an email notification once your photo has been accepted. If it is rejected, the notification will also include the reason for rejection, this often includes common mistakes:

  • The photo is too far away. Be sure to crop the photo so that it goes from the top of your head to the top of your shoulders.
  • The photo is too light or too dark.
  • The background is not white or a light color.
  • The photo has filters applied.

Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Cards


If your Colonel Card is lost or stolen, report it immediately to the Colonel Card Office. A temporary hold can be placed on your card to prevent any unauthorized use; however, any transactions made with a lost card cannot be refunded. Visit the Colonel Card Office to receive a replacement the same day.

Reporting Lost or Stolen Cards/Devices

  • During regular business hours, contact the Colonel Card Office at 859-622-2179 to notify us to deactivate the mobile Colonel Card. Be sure to specify whether the physical card, watch, and/or phone version of the card should be deactivated. Any device not specified to be suspended will remain active.
  • If applicable, identify the fraudulent activity: For purchases using any form of Flex and/or Colonel Cash, contact the Colonel Card Office (Email: Cardservices@eku.edu) and report the suspected fraud.
  • In the Transact eAccounts app:
  • Select the settings gear in the upper right corner.
  • Select the Card Management option.
  • Choose the credential you want to deactivate and toggle it off.
  • You will receive a confirmation email. Only the selected card will be deactivated. All other credentials will remain active.
  • In the Transact eAccounts web version:
  • Select Card Services
  • Select Deactivate Card
  • Select the credential to deactivate and click on “Deactivate Card”
  • You will receive a confirmation email. Only the selected card will be deactivated. All other credentials will remain active.

Reactivating Credentials

To reactivate a found device that was suspended, perform the following steps:

  • In the Transact eAccounts App:
  • Select the settings gear in the upper right corner.
  • Select the Card Management option.
  • Choose the credential you want to reactivate and toggle it on.
  • You will receive a confirmation email. Only the selected card will be reactivated.
  • In the Transact eAccounts Web Version:
  • Select Card Services.
  • Select Activate Card.
  • Select the credential to reactivate.
  • You will receive a confirmation email. Only the selected card will be reactivated.

Colonel Card FAQs

In most cases, you will have your photo taken for your mobile Colonel Card during your orientation session.

If you did not, or if you need assistance adding your mobile ID please follow these steps.

  • Once you have received your EKU Credentials, please submit your photo to be displayed on your mobile Colonel Card. Please review our photo requirements.
  • Upload a photo for your mobile Colonel Card. Photos will generally be approved within two business days. If you haven’t done so already, set up your EKU Login and multi-factor authentication login.
  • Download the eAccounts Mobile App
  • Select Eastern Kentucky University and log in with your EKU email and password.
  • Select “Add to Wallet”

International students attending orientation programs will have ID distribution information included in their Pre-Arrival Information and Preparation Checklist.

To pick up your Colonel Card, you must provide your student identification number, which is a nine-digit number that begins with 901, along with a government issued photo ID to verify your identity. A passport, US driver’s license, state, or military photo ID are acceptable verification documents.

Fill out this form and we will send an EKU ID to your mailing address on file.

Contact the Colonel Card Office at (859) 622-2179 or email cardservices@eku.edu.

We recommend you retain your physical Colonel Card in a secure location as a back-up should you lose a device.

Yes, your physical Colonel Card will continue to function after you have added your mobile Colonel Card to your device. Remember, the Mobile ID is a privilege and benefit of being part of the EKU community. Anyone found to be misusing their physical card or Mobile ID will be subject to the applicable Code of Conduct or HR policies regarding fraud and/or misconduct.

Yes, you will need to install the updated version of the Transact eAccounts mobile app.

Confirm your device is not in Airplane Mode or experiencing any other service interruption. Updates cannot be made when there is no connecting service to sync data between Transact eAccounts and your device. The Transact eAccounts app will display the most current information.