Students
Get Your CatCard
New Students:
You will receive your first CatCard upon arrival to campus your first semeseter. To be issued a CatCard, please bring a valid government-issued photo ID with you to the CatCard Service Window (main level of Miller Dining Commons in the Hedges Complex). A CatCard cannot be issued without identity verification. You may upload your own photo or have your photo taken at the CatCard Service Window.
New undergraduate or graduate students will be charged a $20.00 fee on their first semester tuition statement.
The same undergraduate, or graduate, CatCard is used during your entire stay as an MSU undergraduate, or graduate, student.
A $20.00 replacement fee will be charged at time of printing for all lost, stolen, or damaged cards.
Visiting Students & Research Scholars:
To be issued a CatCard, please bring a letter from your sponsoring department stating your name, GID number, and status/relationship with MSU along with a valid government-issued photo ID. A CatCard cannot be issued without identity verification. You may upload your own photo or have your photo taken at the CatCard Service Window.
NOTE: Only individuals who have a completed Courtesy Affiliate form on file with MSU and have a valid GID number will be issued a CatCard.
Using Your CatCard
The CatCard is your identification card for Montana State University. The CatCard is used as your meal card and residence hall access card. Your CatCard is also used for access into approved academic buildings after-hours, student activities, the Campus Recreation Fitness Center, computer and math labs, library services, and much more.
CatCash
By depositing money online, or at the CatCard Service Window, your CatCard can be used as a debit card at various on-campus and Grubhub vendor locations. The locations page lists all the places where you can use your CatCash.
Meal Plans
Both dining halls on campus use the CatCard to gain entry. For more information about the dining halls and meal plans, visit the MSU Culinary Services website.
Residence Halls
Students living on campus use their CatCards to gain entrance to their residence hall.
Campus Recreation Fitness Center
The Campus Recreation Fitness Center uses the CatCard to gain entry. For more information about Campus Recreation's offerings, please visit Campus Recreation's Website. Graduate students, students taking less than 7 credits, and students attending Gallatin College may need to pay an additional fee for gym access - please go to the MSU Student Accounts Office in Montana Hall to pay this fee.
MSU Library
Your CatCard is your library card. A CatCard is required, and must be presented at the Library Service Desk, in order to checkout materials and technologies. More details here.
Student Printing Funds (Student Computer Labs, Residence Halls, & Library)
As a registered student, you will receive $7.50 per semester via your CatCard for printing. The printing money is only usable on printers, not photocopies. If this money is depleted you can deposit money into your CatCard's CatCash account to continue printing.
Student Athletic Event Tickets
MSU students are eligible to receive one free ticket to each MSU home game.
All student tickets are paperless - students must present their valid CatCard to gain entry. Football game tickets must be reserved ahead of time on a first-come, first-served basis via msustudenttickets.com.
For more information regarding student tickets please visit msustudenttickets.com or call 406-994-CATS.
Note - Graduate students, students taking less than 7 credits, remote campus nursing students, and students attending Gallatin College may need to pay an additional fee to be eligible for student tickets - please contact the MSU Student Accounts Office in Montana Hall to pay this fee.
