Apple Expands Support for Contactless Student ID Cards to 12 More American Universities

Apple has increased the number of universities at which students can access their student IDs via their iPhone and Apple Watch.

Apple this week has officially announced that with the upcoming school year, 100,000 college students across the United States will have access to their contactless ID card on their iPhone and/or Apple Watch, allowing students to instantly buy their lunch, access their dorm, and more:

In the coming school year, more than 100,000 college students will enjoy the ease and convenience of carrying their student IDs on iPhone and Apple Watch. Students at Clemson University, Georgetown University, University of Tennessee, University of Kentucky, University of San Francisco, University of Vermont, Arkansas State University, South Dakota State University, Norfolk State University, Louisburg College, University of North Alabama and Chowan University will soon be able to use their student ID in Apple Wallet to get into dorms, buy lunch and more.

“We’re happy to add to the growing number of schools that are making getting around campus easier than ever with iPhone and Apple Watch,” said Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Internet Services. “We know students love this feature. Our university partners tell us that since launch, students across the country have purchased 1.25 million meals and opened more than 4 million doors across campuses by just tapping their iPhone and Apple Watch.”

Up to this point, Apple says that a handful of schools already support the feature, including Johns Hopkins University, Temple University, and the University of Alabama, among others.

The new schools to feature the technology include Clemson University, Georgetown University, University of Tennessee, University of Kentucky, University of San Francisco, University of Vermont, Arkansas State University, South Dakota State University, Norfolk State University, Louisburg College, University of North Alabama, and Chowan University.

Apple says since the launch of the service, students have used an iPhone or Apple Watch to purchase 1.25 million meals and open more than 4 million doors. Apple is adding support for CBORD, an access and food-service vendor, Allegion, a security provider, and HID, a maker of access-control devices.

Students must add their student IDs to Apple Wallet. Once that’s complete, they can hold the iPhone or Watch near a reader wherever physical student ID cards are accepted on and off campus. Two-factor authentication protects the credentials, Apple says.