Campus Gold

What is Campus Gold?
Can I use Campus Gold for off campus purchases?
How do I sign up for Campus Gold?
What happens to my balance at the end of a semester?
How do I request a refund for unused funds on my Campus Gold account? 

What is Campus Gold?

Campus Gold, formerly known as Podium Advance, is an advance up to $650 per semester and is typically utilized by students who are waiting for financial aid to arrive and are in need of purchasing such items as textbooks and supplies at the University Bookstore, items in vending machines and food/beverages at UAlbany dining locations.

Once you request Campus Gold funds, a Campus Gold account is set up in your name and works as a taxable debit account accessible via your ID Card. The amount you elect to add to your Campus Gold account is then charged to your student tuition account and may be deferred against financial aid and/or paid in monthly installments using the University’s E-Payment plan.

Can I use Campus Gold for off campus purchases?

During the first four weeks of each semester, Campus Gold can only be used on campus. If you elected to have any Campus Gold balance at the end of the first four weeks of the semester maintained in your Podium account, you will be able to use that Podium balance both on and off campus. See https://www.albany.edu/uas/podium.php for additional information.

How do I sign up for Campus Gold?

Once registered for fall or spring classes, you can request Campus Gold by logging into your MyUAlbany account and following the instructions provided below. Registered Students can request funds for approximately four weeks before and two weeks after the start of each fall and spring semester. Dates for each semester will be posted on line and on campus. Students interested in Campus Gold for winter intersession or summer sessions should contact the ID Card Office at 518-442-5989 or [email protected] for sign up dates and procedures.

To Request Campus Gold (previously Podium Advance)

1. Sign into your MyUAlbany account www.albany.edu/myualbany.
2. Click on student Log In located in the middle of the page.
3. Use your personal Net ID and password to access your account.
4. Click on the Campus Life at the top of the page directly below your name.
5. Click on Request Campus Gold located on the left side (Forth option beneath ID Card Services).
6. Enter the Campus Gold amount you want in the box located in the middle of the page. The maximum amount any student can receive is $650.00.
7. Select either Option 1 or Option 2 regarding your remaining balance after the first four weeks of the semester.
8. Read the agreement below the amount you entered and click on the Agree and Save button located at the bottom of the page.
9. A confirmation page should appear indicating that MyUAlbany successfully recorded your transaction.
10. Your successful request will be added to your ID Card and available for you to spend within an hour.
11. Be sure to sign out and close all browsers .

What happens to my balance at the end of a semester?

When you requested Campus Gold, you indicated how you would like your balance managed at the end of the fourth week of the fall and spring semester. If you made more than one request, the selection you made last will be applied to your entire balance. If you decided to have your Campus Gold balance refunded, it will removed from your ID Card and refunded to your Student Account. If you have paid your tuition bill in full, a refund check will be mailed to your home address, or if you have established an e-refund account, any credit will be deposited to that account. If you decided to have your balance maintained as Podium, it will be rolled into your Podium balance, and is subject to the use and refund policies associated with Podium. See https://www.albany.edu/uas/podium.php for additional information. Summer balances will be refunded or rolled over after the fourth week of each fall semester. Winter intercession balances will be refunded or rolled over after the fourth week of each spring semester.

How do I request a refund for unused funds on my Campus Gold account?

If you would like to decrease your Campus Gold account balance before the fourth week of the semester, you can have any unused Campus Gold funds credited back to your Student Account by completing a form in the ID Card Office in Campus Center B-52.