Parents

Thank you for visiting our Parents Section. While this web site is primarily designed for your student’s use, we want to be sure that your debit spending questions are addressed. If you do not find an answer to your question below, or if an answer needs additional clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us. The Commodore Card Office staff looks forward to assisting you.

Most Common Parental Questions:

What is the process for my student to get their Commodore Card?

What does my student do if their card is lost or stolen?

What debit spending options does Vanderbilt offer?

How can I see my student’s debit spending activity?

Where can the Commodore Card be used?

What are my student’s meal plan options?

How can my student add funds to their Commodore Card?

How and when can my student make a change to their debit spending funds (Commodore Cash)?

Can my student remove cash from their Commodore Card?

What is the process for my student to get their first
Commodore Card?

The Commodore Card is used for identification, access to residence halls, academic buildings and sporting events, and is used as a debit card for meal plans and other purchases both on and off campus. Commodore Cards for new students are made in advance of fall move-in to minimize inconveniencing students with long lines and delays.

Vanderbilt contracts Magnolia Press Publications to collect first year students’ photos for the Commodore Card in conjunction with the Newcomer project. The Newcomer is the University’s annual publication of photos and biographical information about the new student class.

Each new student will receive a request by mail in May to submit a photo to be used for the Commodore Card and the Newcomer.

Your first-year student will pick up their Commodore Card at The Ingram Commons Multi-Purpose Room Saturday, August 17 beginning at 8:00am.  If they are unable to obtain their card during move-in, the Commodore Card Office will be open during its normal business hours, which are: 8:30am to 4:00pm, Monday through Friday.  Need directions to the Commodore Card Office?

 (Back to top)

What do I do if my student's Commodore Card is lost or stolen?

If a Commodore Card has been lost or stolen, it must report it immediately! Students may do this anytime by clicking here or follow the Lost/Stolen Card link on this site.

They may also contact the Commodore Card Office at 615-322-2273 (On-campus dial 2-CARD) between the hours of 8:30am to 4:00pm, Monday through Friday.

Lost Commodore Cards for are reissued at the Commodore Card Office only. There is a $20.00 fee for all replacement cards.

For student's protection, all Commodore Cards used by someone other than the cardholder will be confiscated. Unauthorized expenditures of up to $500.00 are the responsibility of the cardholder for lost or stolen Commodore Cards not reported within 24 hours.

(Back to top)

 

What debit spending options does Vanderbilt offer?

A Vanderbilt debit spending account functions in much the same way as a bank debit card. Funds are added to a debit spending account, which can be used at a number of campus locations to purchase various products and services. When a purchase is made using the Commodore Card, funds are automatically deducted from the debit account balance.
Vanderbilt offers students two types of debit spending accounts:

 

Differences between Commodore Cash and Meal Money

Commodore Cash

Meal Money

No meal plan required

Meal plan required

Can be used for food and non-food purchases

Can be used for food purchases only

Can be used on campus only

Can be used at on and off campus eateries

Unused balance can be carried over year-to-year

Unused balance can not be carried over year-to-year (“Use it or lose it”)

Purchases are taxable

Purchases are non-taxable except for off-campus purchases

 

(Back to top)

How can I see my student’s debit spending activity?

There are three ways in which to view your student’s spending activity:

Once you receive your access instructions, you may view your student's spending activity and account balance, add funds to their account, and report a lost card.

(Back to top)

 Where can the Commodore Card be used?

Click here for a list of the locations where the Commodore Card is accepted.

What are my student’s meal plan options?

Meal Plan options and details can be viewed at the Vanderbilt Dining website.

(Back to top)

 

How can my student add funds to their Commodore Card?

There are several ways in which funds can be added to your student’s Commodore Card:

Commodore Card Office
PMB 407813
Nashville, TN 37240 -7813

Please be sure to include your student’s name, last four digits of their social security number, and the debit spending plan to which funds are to be added (i.e. Commodore Cash or Meal Money).

(Back to top)

 

How and when can my student make a change to their debit spending funds (Commodore Cash)?

Your student will make their Commodore Cash selection beginning February 6, 2013 through July 23, 2013 for the fall semester and through November 23 for the spring semester.  Selections made during this timeframe will be billed to your student account and appear on your August billing statement for the fall and December for the spring.

If a Commodore Cash selection is not made or your student selects $0.00, your student will incur a $35.00 late payment fee if additions are made between July 23, 2013 and September 15, 2013 and again between November 23, 2013 and January 23, 2014. You may add by check at any time without incurring a fee.

(Back to top)

 

Can my student remove cash from their Commodore Card?

No.  However, funds can be transferred from Commodore Cash to the student's account at the Office of Student Accounts. No transfers or refunds may be made from Meal Money.

(Back to top)

 

Commodore Card Office
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday
8:30 a.m-4:00 p.m.