Ben’s Bucks

Your F&M Campus Currency

Ben’s Bucks is a prepaid spending account built into your F&M ID card that offers a convenient and secure way to make purchases on and around campus. You can make purchases with the ID card you already carry — there is no need to carry cash, exact change, or debit or credit cards. Funds in this account can be spent by making purchases only. Account holders cannot withdraw cash from Ben's Bucks accounts.

What does prepaid mean?

A prepaid spending account is not linked to your bank. Instead, it is a separate account tied to a particular card to which you can deposit money for use. Ben’s Bucks is tied to your F&M ID card. 

You can spend only the amount that is in the account; the account cannot be overdrawn. This means if something costs $25 and you have $20 in Ben’s Bucks, your Ben’s Bucks will only cover $20. The account balance is immediately adjusted after you use your card. You can always deposit additional funds into your account. There are no costs, interest, or fees to use a prepaid account. 

How does Ben’s Bucks work?

Ben’s Bucks can be used on several locations on campus and a few locations off campus, as well. When making a purchase, you will swipe your ID card through a terminal (in the same manner you use a credit card), and the amount of the purchase is deducted from your account balance. 

How can I open an account?

Any F&M student, faculty, or professional staff member can open an account .

How do I add more money to my Ben’s Bucks account?

You can make a deposit online at any time. You can also create a schedule to automatically add value to your account. You determine the dollar amount and frequency. 

You may also go directly to the Cashier Window in Steinman College Center (in the Diplomat Exchange behind the welcome desk) to add money to your Ben’s Bucks account using a debit card, credit card or cash.  

If you are a parent or guardian who wants to add funds to your student's debit account, you can sign in as a guest to the student's Ben's Bucks account. The student must first add you as a guest to their account. You can also send a check, made payable to Franklin & Marshall College, to the following address:

Franklin & Marshall College

Attn:  Cashier

P.O. Box 3003

Lancaster, PA 17604-3003

Please make sure to include a note that includes your student's name and that the funds are to be deposited into your student's Ben's Bucks debit account.

What happens if I don’t use all my Ben’s Bucks by the end of the semester?

Your Ben’s Bucks roll over from semester to semester and year to year as long as you are a member of the F&M community.