The Many Ways Mobile IDs Can Revolutionize College Campus Life

Here’s how institutions of higher education can successfully transition to mobile credentials and enjoy the numerous advantages this technology offers.
Published: January 24, 2025

Mobile wallets have become an integral part of many people’s daily lives. From paying for a morning coffee to accessing public transportation to serving as a badge to enter workplaces or educational institutions and even storing drivers’ licenses, mobile wallets on our phones and watches offer unparalleled convenience.

Similarly, on college campuses, student ID cards — often referred to as campus IDs or one-cards — serve myriad functions. These IDs not only grant access to buildings, but may also facilitate dining service transactions, act as event tickets, enable printing and laundry services, provide library access, support point-of-sale purchases at bookstores and vending machines, manage parking, and often even work with off-campus merchants and transit systems.

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Traditionally, these functions were enabled using magnetic stripe cards, and more recently, some institutions have adopted 13.56MHz smart cards. However, the future lies in wallet-based mobile student IDs. A one-card system that integrates all these functions into a single mobile credential can revolutionize campus life, making it more seamless and efficient.

More College Campuses Are Adopting Mobile Credentials

Wallet-based student ID technology has been available since 2019, but its adoption is now gaining significant momentum. Implementing a mobile credential into the campus ecosystem is not an overnight process; it requires considerable time and effort to get buy-in and budget approval from all campus stakeholders. A well-thought-out launch plan is essential, and the entire implementation process can take anywhere from six to 18 months. Despite the complexities involved, the benefits make the journey worthwhile. Partnering with experienced and trusted advisors can significantly ease the transition.

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More than 100 schools have already implemented mobile student IDs in some form. In fact, eight out of the 16 schools in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) use mobile credentials, including early adopters like Auburn University and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Campuses of all sizes can also successfully implement and reap the benefits of mobile credentials, including enhanced security, convenience and a more modern campus experience, which can be particularly appealing to tech-savvy students.

IDs on Smartphones and Watches Appeal to Many Campus Stakeholders

Students

The introduction of mobile credentials offers numerous benefits to various campus stakeholders. For students who have grown up in a digital world, a mobile-first experience is not just a convenience but an expectation. A tech-forward campus can be more attractive to prospective students and their parents, offering peace of mind with security features like advanced encryption, multi-factor authentication and the ability to use their credentials even with a depleted phone battery.

Mobile credentials eliminate the need to carry physical cards or keys, thereby reducing the likelihood of loss. Students’ phones are practically glued to them — if a phone is lost, they don’t go long without realizing it and taking action. The student ID lifecycle can be managed with the ability to disable it or mark it as lost, then reactivate if found, enhancing security. Students can skip the trip to the card office when setting up or replacing their ID or changing to a new phone. Personalized security features on mobile devices such as face ID or passcodes add an extra layer of security and ensure the student ID can’t be used by unauthorized individuals and details of the student aren’t visible.

Related Article: How College Mobile Credentials Enhance Inclusion, Retention, and Safety

With mobile credentials, students, faculty and staff can enjoy seamless access across campus. Payments and secure access to dorms and other buildings can be done with the tap of a smart phone or watch. They can also gain real-time visibility and management of dining and spending accounts, adding another layer of convenience.

Campus Services

For campus card offices, auxiliary services and student affairs, mobile student IDs can be a game-changer. For one, it offers a marketable feature that can help attract and retain students. The frictionless experience can also promote significant growth in on-campus and off-campus spending. Operational efficiency is another significant benefit. The reduced need for physical cards means fewer expenses for card production, printers and consumables. The process to deploy and deactivate mobile credentials within the one-card system is straightforward, making it easier to manage. Plus, the ability to issue credentials remotely means fewer office hours are needed to distribute physical cards and serve students, thereby reducing the number of employees required or allowing them to focus on other responsibilities.

Mobile student IDs are also more environmentally sustainable, cost-effective and touchless, aligning with modern expectations. Moreover, the involvement of tech giants like Apple and Google adds an extra layer of reliability and innovation, ensuring that the technology is robust and continuously evolving.

Campus Police, Security and Housing

Other departments, such as campus security and housing, stand to benefit. For campus security or police, mobile credentials enhance overall safety by reducing the risk of lost or shared cards and unauthorized access. The security features in smartphones, combined with fewer instances of lost or stolen ID cards, make it more difficult for unauthorized individuals to gain access to campus facilities or student dorms. As mentioned previously, credentials can be deactivated or temporarily disabled until the device is located.

Student housing particularly benefits from the shift to mobile credentials. One significant advantage is the reduction in resident hall lockouts when students forget their key or card. These lockouts can range from several instances per night to one or two per month. By using mobile credentials, which students are less likely to forget or lose compared to physical cards or keys, the frequency of lockouts can be significantly reduced. This not only enhances the student experience by minimizing disruptions but also reduces the workload on housing services, which can otherwise be burdened with frequent requests to unlock doors. The streamlined access management provided by mobile credentials allows housing staff to focus on more strategic tasks, further improving operational efficiency and resident satisfaction.

Finally, mobile credentials contribute to a more sustainable campus by reducing plastic waste, aligning with broader sustainability goals. The elimination of physical cards means fewer resources are used in their production and shipping, and less waste is generated when cards are printed or replaced when lost. This eco-friendly approach not only supports the institution’s sustainability initiatives but also resonates with environmentally conscious students and staff.

What Factors Make a Campus Mobile ID Program Successful?

The successful deployment of mobile credentials hinges on several key factors. First and foremost, the mobile credential must be capable of handling all the use cases that a traditional plastic card could support. It would be counterproductive to ask students to use their phone or watch for some tasks and a physical card for others, as this would undermine the convenience factor. The goal is to ensure that the mobile credential can be used for everything, thus providing a seamless experience.

Choosing the right technology partners is another crucial element. Institutions should look for partners with a proven track record in mobile credentials and a deep understanding of the campus environment. Great technology partners bring not just the technical know-how but also the ability to integrate with existing campus systems, processes and devices that enable a wide variety of applications. This drives the complete, seamless experience and success in the overall deployment.

Related Article: How to Improve Mobile Device Security on Campus

Finally, campus-wide buy-in is essential for a smooth transition. This means that all stakeholders, including students, faculty and staff, must be willing to adopt and use the new technology. A readiness to learn and adapt to new processes, even if there are initial growing pains, can significantly ease the transition. Schools that launch mobile IDs successfully — with full campus buy-in, executive support and marketing — can see up to a 50% adoption rate by students per month, and up to 80% adoption in the school year. This means that campuses can begin to eliminate the option for a plastic card within a few years of adoption.

Is Your Current Technology NFC-Compatible?

Implementing mobile credentials involves more than just the software; the hardware and ecosystem must also be considered. One of the primary considerations is the compatibility of existing access control hardware with mobile credentials. Institutions need to assess whether their current hardware supports near field communications (NFC) mobile credentials and determine what upgrades or replacements may be necessary. This could involve firmware updates, upgrade kits or even total replacements.

Other devices and terminals used on campus also need to be evaluated for compatibility and capability. This includes point-of-sale systems, vending machines and any other devices that interact with the one-card system. Ensuring seamless integration with existing campus systems and software is crucial for a smooth transition. Institutions must also consider the long-term implications, such as maintenance and future upgrades, to ensure the system remains functional and up to date.

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In addition to hardware compatibility, interoperability is a crucial factor that campuses must consider both for the ease of initial deployment and for future scalability. Interoperability facilitates integration with existing systems and devices that interact with the one-card system. This not only simplifies the deployment process but also ensures that the system can adapt to future technological advancements or changes in campus needs.

Mobile IDs Are Worth the Effort

The adoption of mobile student IDs in higher education offers a multitude of benefits, from enhanced security and convenience to cost savings and operational efficiency. While the journey to implementation may feel complex, the end result is a more modern, tech-forward campus that meets the expectations of today’s students and is ready for what the future holds. By carefully selecting technology partners, gaining campus-wide buy-in and ensuring compatibility with existing systems, institutions can successfully transition to mobile credentials and enjoy the numerous advantages they bring.


Olivia Renaud is Allegion’s credentials group product manager. She was previously employed by Apple where she led the development of innovative products such as the Student ID, Employee Badge, Hotel Key, and Resident Key in multi-family housing in Apple Wallet. 

Strategy & Planning Series
Strategy & Planning Series
Strategy & Planning Series
Strategy & Planning Series
Strategy & Planning Series