<p>TechCASH accounts are now updated for the class of 2010.</p>
<p>What makes this better than a debit card? Is there anything beyond the convenience of just carrying around the MIT ID?</p>
<p>i figured id put like 2k in it and spend it for most stuff/food around campus… </p>
<p>not all places on campus would accept normal debit cards i guess? (like laundry) lol.</p>
<p>Yeah, a lot of places on campus don’t take debit cards. LaVerde’s, for instance, takes only cash and TechCash. The laundry machines take coins and TechCash. Some vending machines around campus take TechCash. Etc.</p>
<p>I also feel like purchases with TechCash are faster than with a debit card… no need to sign anything and hold up the line and make everybody glare at you.</p>
<p>And don’t underestimate the convenience of just carrying around your ID card – I carry my ID in my back pocket at all times, whereas I actually have to think about putting my wallet in a bookbag or purse.</p>
<p>Since the TechCASH is technically a debit card, can you withdraw cash from the ATMs on campus if you want to spend (non-plastic) money off-campus? My parents and I were thinking of having a TechCASH account they put money into for on-campus stuff and a credit card that bills to them (wow, I feel so spoiled saying that) for off-campus things. But I’m sure eventually a time will come up when I need cash, so is it possible to get that from the TechCASH card?</p>
<p>Don’t feel bad, my dad’s getting me a credit card too that he’ll pay for. ( i actually already have one!!) you’re not the only one! :)</p>
<p>No, you can’t use TechCash like an actual debit card. Hee, don’t we all wish. 
</p>
<p>I definitely do think you’ll want actual cash – perhaps you could open a checking account with [the</a> credit union](<a href=“https://www.mitfcu.org/]the”>https://www.mitfcu.org/) or with [url=<a href=“http://www.bankofamerica.com%5DBoA%5B/url”>http://www.bankofamerica.com]BoA[/url</a>]. Your parents could supply some seed money, then you could keep it going if you get an on-campus job.</p>
<p>credit union vs. BoA?</p>
<p>I’d get bank of america for sure. They have so many ATM’s around and they have banks in so many states.</p>
<p>Is anybody else having trouble accessing the “manage account” section of the TechCASH website? I can add money to my own card (as a friend or family member!) but I can’t manage the account to send warning emails or anything… I know my certificates are up-to-date because I can access other MIT sites that require them. Any ideas on what the problem might be?</p>
<p>Kcastelle,</p>
<p>I am having trouble too. I keep getting an error message that states that my ID number is invalid.</p>
<p>Okay, I called the TechCASH number and the woman said that the site is down right now and to just ignore that error message. We can add money in person by billing it to our Student Accounts, but we don’t get our ID cards until the 26th anyway (for those of you getting there early) so we’ll need cash/whatnot before then. Maybe I was the only one confused, but I’m posting this in case I’m not.</p>
<p>Thanks kcastelle,</p>
<p>I just tried to deposit again and keep getting the ID message. I was going to try mailing a check, but the deposit forms don’t seem to allow that. Instead the forms appear to allow students to authorize a sum that will appear on the next bill. Is this like an overdraft? Does anyone know if MIT charges for this.</p>
<p>I’m paranoid about not being able to do my laundry. Do the washers and dryers take cash or just techcash?</p>
<ol>
<li><p>You can actually go to the ID card office (in the basement of the student center) and write a check, which will be deposited into your TechCash account – no need to mail it.</p></li>
<li><p>The bursar’s account charge is probably the most common way MIT students put money on their cards. You just say “I want $X on my card”, and it’ll get charged to your account on the next bill that comes out. It costs $1.50 to do this online, but that’s the only cost associated (unless you don’t pay your bursar’s bill or something).</p></li>
<li><p>Yes, the washers and dryers also take quarters.</p></li>
</ol>