Campus ID News
Card, mobile credential, payment and security
FEATURED
PARTNERS
Harvard CrimsonCash logo

Harvard to end longstanding declining balance program starting July 1

CrimsonCash to be phased out in stages over next 12 months

CampusIDNews Staff   ||   Jun 07, 2024  ||   , ,

Harvard’s CrimsonCash – a declining balance program that enables students to use their campus card to make payments on and off campus – will be sunsetted in phases beginning July 1, 2024 and finishing July 1, 2025. The announcement was made in an email sent to account holders and a posting on the university’s website.

At one time, CrimsonCash was widely regarded as one of the industry’s most successful, pioneering declining balance programs. Millions of dollars flowed through the system and the off-campus merchant program was a model for other campuses.

Over the years, the prevalence of open system payment methods took a heavy toll on CrimsonCash and virtually all declining balance programs. Today it is the norm for students to arrive on campus with a bank account, debit card, and credit card.

CrimsonCash was widely regarded as one of the industry’s most successful declining balance programs with millions flowing through and a model off-campus merchant program.

According to the announcement, the decision to end CrimsonCash was “made in close consultation with University partners and stakeholders and based on significantly reduced utilization of the program due to the evolving purchasing habits of the Harvard community.”

In the first phase, July 1, 2024, four key areas will stop accepting the payment method:

  • On-campus undergraduate residential dining
  • Vending machines
  • Harvard athletic gyms
  • Off-campus merchants (note GrubHub merchants will still accept CrimsonCash until the following year)

In each of these venues, cash, credit, and debit cards will be accepted – with the exception of residential dining. Dining will not accept cash but will continue to accept mealplans and the BoardPlus dollars that are provided with mealplans.

On January 1, 2025, phase two will see CrimsonCash eliminated from all retail dining locations on campus.

The trickier applications include laundry and on-campus print and copy services. These locations only accept CrimsonCash today, so a wholesale change is required.

On July 1, 2025, the final phase will end the program entirely. A new Grubhub agreement will define the new payment options, though credit and debit cards will certainly continue. Student grilles will accept the BoardPlus account and other payment options to be determined.

Harvard CrimsonCash merchant sign

CrimsonCash signs to come down across Cambridge as off-campus merchant program ends

The trickier applications include laundry and on-campus print and copy services. These locations only accept CrimsonCash today, so a wholesale change is required.

The announcement stated that for these services, the future payment and funding model is yet to be determined.

An article in the Harvard Crimson noted, “the email did not describe how or if Crimson Cash would be replaced (for laundry and print) but added that the program team would share more information over the coming academic year.”

“Leadership is looking at options to streamline laundry, print, and copying funding and payment methods,” states the email.

All this seems to leave the door open to new models that could eliminate fees for residence hall laundries and could include a dedicated account for printing and copying. Both approaches are common on campuses today.

On many campuses across the country, declining balance and off-campus merchant programs are constricting. For Harvard, it seems the cost to maintain the program ultimately outweighed the operational efficiencies and student convenience considerations.

Farewell CrimsonCash. You’ve had a great run.

Related Posts

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

RECENT ARTICLES

mobile ordering on phone
Apr 01, 25 /

Mobile ordering, flex, and meal swipes cut wait times in half at Berkeley

Berkeley Dining expanded its Grubhub mobile ordering to allow both flex dollars and meal swipes at four on campus dining locations. Previously, flex dollars could only be used to purchase food through the Grubhub app from off campus restaurants, but now both flex dollars and meal swipes can be used for pickup at campus restaurants. […]
NACCU video shoot promo
Mar 27, 25 /

Going to NACCU? Do a quick video interview and get a $50 gift card

At the CampusIDNews booth (#113) in the NACCU exhibit hall, the CampusIDNews team is shooting short (5-8 minute) video interviews with campus leaders and exhibitors profiling things happening, shaping, or confronting their programs and our industry. I would like to invite you to participate and share your insights with other NACCU members and higher ed […]
Allegion Atrium partnership
Mar 26, 25 / ,

Allegion and Atrium announce strategic alliance for higher ed market

Allegion and Atrium announced a strategic alliance, whereby the “two companies are establishing a formal partnership to revolutionize access control, credentialing, and campus one card solutions,” says the Allegion press release. The release is short on details, but it likely signals bigger news to come. We are excited to partner with Allegion with an initial […]
CIDN logo reversed
The only publication dedicated to the use of campus cards, mobile credentials, identity and security technology in the education market. CampusIDNews – formerly CR80News – has served more than 6,500 subscribers for more than two decades.
Twitter

Attn: friends in the biometrics space. Nominations close Friday for the annual Women in Biometrics Awards. Take five minutes to recognize a colleague or even yourself. http://WomenInBiometrics.com

Feb. 1 webinar explores how mobile ordering enhanced campus life, increased sales at UVA and Central Washington @Grubhub @CBORD

Load More...
Contact
CampusIDNews is published by AVISIAN Publishing
315 E. Georgia St.
Tallahassee, FL 32301
www.AVISIAN.com[email protected]
Use our contact form to submit tips, corrections, or questions to our team.
©2025 CampusIDNews. All rights reserved.