LionCash Program for Merchants
LionCash is an online, prepaid flexible spending account accessed by the Penn State id+ Card. Funds deposited into LionCash accounts can be used to purchase goods or services at participating on- and off-campus locations. LionCash funds are also accepted at on-campus laundry, vending, and copying machines.
As a convenience to Penn State faculty, staff, students, and affiliates, LionCash accounts are established for all Penn State id+ cardholders when their card is issued. Cardholders simply activate the account by making an initial deposit.
Each time the card is used, the system will check to make sure the balance in the account is sufficient to cover the purchase price. The amount of the sale will be deducted from the account, and the new balance will be displayed at the reader or printed on the receipt.
The LionCash Advantage
There are more than 100,000 Penn State id+ Card users in Pennsylvania, and Penn State students, faculty, and staff members carry their id+ cards whenever they're on campus and in town. As a LionCash merchant, your company can take advantage of the program's award-winning advertising and marketing initiatives and its convenient and secure procedures that will boost business and introduce your services to the University community.
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Marketing opportunities – LionCash provides a new outlet for your company's marketing efforts.
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Competitive edge – LionCash funds may be spent only at participating locations.
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Security – The Penn State id+ Card is used to process sales, which adds a measure of security over non-photo credit/debit card sales.
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Less cash handling – Merchants will recognize a decrease in the amount of cash they handle.
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Fast settlement of sales – Merchants can choose to receive daily, weekly, or monthly settlements.
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Automated sales reporting – LionCash offers merchants an electronic daily sales report, e-mailed the morning after every business day.
How to Participate
Please call (814) 865-7590 or email [email protected] for assistance with joining the LionCash Program.
"We are getting more business from the program than ever before. Some days we have the same amount of LionCash slips as debit slips - it's amazing!"
Merchant FAQs
How do I get a LionCash Accepted Here decal?
LionCash Accepted Here decals, available in various sizes, are provided to all participating LionCash businesses when they join the program. Displaying the decals throughout your business is a fantastic way to advertise your participation in the LionCash Program further.
To request additional decals for your business, please e-mail the id+ Program with your business name and the sizes and quantities you'd like. Please reference the sizes available as well as recommended placement below.
Small:
3.25" x 2.25" (single-sided decal)
- This size is recommended for display on counters, cash registers, and display cases.
Medium:
4.25" x 2.75" (double-sided decal)
- This size is recommended for display on windows and doors because it displays the LionCash logo on both sides but can also be displayed on counters, cash registers, and display cases where more room is available.
Large:
7.25" x 4.5" (double-sided decal)
- This size is recommended for display on windows and doors because it is more prominent and displays the LionCash logo on both sides.
What are the benefits of LionCash to cardholders?
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Deposits can be made online – family and friends can also make deposits online and include a personalized message to the cardholder.
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It's easy to manage the account online – check balances, view transaction history, or report a lost or stolen id+ card.
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Active accounts remain open and carry forward from semester to semester and from year to year.
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It's safer and more convenient than carrying cash. Even if the id+ card is lost or stolen, the funds will be protected if the card is reported, and the funds are immediately available when a replacement id+ card is issued.
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The card is convenient and flexible. It can be used to access residence halls, ATMs, library privileges, fitness memberships, the Newspaper Readership Program, and other University resources.
How is LionCash marketed to faculty, staff and students?
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One-on-one interactions with first-year students and parents during New Student Orientation sessions held throughout the summer months.
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Advertising in The Daily Collegian, Penn State's daily newspaper
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Digital signage
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Penn State id+ website
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Various printed brochures, posters, and other materials
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Promotional events and programs
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Penn State Today, news for faculty, staff, and students
Where is LionCash currently accepted?
Cardholders can use LionCash funds at many on- and off-campus locations:
- A wide range of participating off-campus merchants, including restaurants, bookstores, computer stores, grocery stores, fitness facilities, florists, clothing/apparel stores, and other retail stores
- On-campus food service locations
- On-campus laundry facilities
- Select on-campus vending and copier machines
Can LionCash be accepted for telephone orders and off-site deliveries?
LionCash accounts can be debited for telephone orders by entering the card number manually into the terminal. There are inherent risks associated with this type of transaction, and, in the case of a dispute, the burden of proof lies with the merchant. To minimize the risk of fraud, we recommend that a copy of the receipt go out with the delivery. The delivery person should visually inspect the id+ card and obtain the cardholder's signature for authorization.
Can tips be charged to LionCash accounts?
Yes. Tips to servers can easily be charged to a cardholder's LionCash account.
Are there any restrictions on the types of goods and services that be purchased with LionCash?
LionCash cannot be used to purchase packaged alcohol, illicit drug paraphernalia, tobacco products, electronic cigarettes (vaping) products, or for card-to-cash exchange (merchants may not accept LionCash in exchange for cash). Businesses where more than 50 percent of gross sales are from alcohol are not eligible to participate in the LionCash program.
How much does it cost to participate in the program?
In exchange for services (operation of card program, account management, advertising, marketing, etc.) each merchant pays a flat 4 percent service charge on all net LionCash sales (purchase minus refunds). There are no other annual, maintenance, or "per transaction" fees associated with the program. If you don't process any LionCash sales, you don't pay any fees.
Merchants are required to purchase and maintain their own terminals.
How will I be paid for LionCash sales?
The University will reimburse you for net sales processed via LionCash (less the 4 percent service charge) on each University business day via an ACH electronic payment directly into the bank account designated on the application. In most cases, the funds will be deposited within 48 hours. A settlement statement will be e-mailed for the funds deposited. Merchants also have the option to select either weekly or monthly settlements instead of daily.
Error resolution will be handled by Auxiliary and Business Services Accounting Operations.
What equipment is required to accept LionCash?
New installations require the use of a Verifone terminal. Contact our office today to learn more about the various equipment options available.
Please call (814) 865-7590 or email [email protected] for more information.