Account information
The Gopher GOLD Account is the University of Minnesota Twin Cities declining balance account on the U Card — it is not a bank account.
- $1.00 in Gopher GOLD is equivalent to $1.00 in US Currency
- You do not need to sign up for your Gopher GOLD account. It is already available on your U Card
- You must have money in your account to spend it. You cannot overdraft or go negative. You can store up to $1000 in your Gopher GOLD account.
- Gopher GOLD is not just for students; staff and faculty can use it too!
Accepted at
Students, faculty and staff
Check your balance
Students, faculty and staff
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Parents and caregivers
University student record information, including Gopher GOLD account balance and transaction history, is recorded online in a dynamic profile that is continually updated and managed by One Stop Student Services.
A student must grant permission for a parent or guest to view the balance in their Gopher GOLD Account. Access may be granted to view the balance in the Gopher GOLD Account through an online authorization process hosted by One Stop Student Services.
To find out more about how to grant Parent/Guest Access so that a guest can view the accounts for Gopher GOLD Value, student Meal Plans and FlexDine visit the One Stop Parent/Guest Access Webpage.
One Stop Parent/Guest Access Page
If you would just like to deposit to a student's or another person's Gopher GOLD account you do NOT need Parent/Guest Access. You only need Parent/Guest Access to see a person's Gopher GOLD balance and transaction history.
Make a deposit
Close your account
A Gopher GOLD account will be closed only after the cardholder submits a "Request to Close Gopher Gold Account" form and is no longer an active member of the University community.
Upon receipt of a Request to Close Gopher Gold Account Form, the U Card Office will verify the cardholder's University status using University registration, employment, or other systems. University systems may take up to one full academic term to reflect inactive status. Exception: Persons called to active military duty should contact One Stop, not the U Card Office. One Stop will coordinate all account withdrawal activities for military personnel, including the request to obtain a refund of Gopher GOLD value from the U Card Office.
If you continue to use Gopher GOLD value from the Gopher GOLD account associated with this request after you've submitted this form, your refund will be reduced by that amount.
Closed accounts are subject to a $10 administrative fee.
Refunds for students are posted to the student's University account. Refunds for non-students will be made by check and sent to the mailing address on file with the University.
Visitors
General information
Visitor Gopher GOLD Cards are cards available for people who do not have a U Card but would like to make purchases using Gopher GOLD, such as paying for printing at University Libraries or Print labs.
If you have a U Card, your Gopher GOLD account is on your U Card. You can load money into your Gopher GOLD account and swipe your U Card to make purchases using Gopher GOLD.
If you do not have a U Card, you can purchase a Visitor Gopher GOLD card at the Coffman U Card Office for $1.
Make a deposit
Register your card
We recommend you register your Visitor Gopher GOLD card to receive monthly balance and account information emails. Registering your card will also allow us to connect you to the card if the card is lost and returned to the U Card Office.
Register your card below.
Deactivate a card
If you lose your Visitor Gopher GOLD Card, it was registered, and you know the card number, you can deactivate it. You may then purchase another Visitor Gopher GOLD Card and have your balance from your deactivated card transferred to your new card. To make this transfer, please email [email protected] and include your deactivated card number, your new card number, and your first and last name.
Once a card has been deactivated, it can never be reactivated.
Deactivate your card below.
Frequently asked questions
Can I withdraw money from Gopher GOLD?
No, you may not. The only time you money may be withdrawn from your Gopher GOLD account is if you are leaving the university.
Does Gopher GOLD rollover each semester/year?
YES! The Gopher GOLD value will stay on your U Card as long as you actively use your account. However, if your Gopher Gold account remains inactive for a year (no deposits or purchases) you will start to incur inactivity fees
- You will not continue to be charged if your balance reaches zero.
Gopher GOLD vs. Dining Dollars
Gopher GOLD and Dining Dollars accounts both live on the U Card, but there are some distinct differences.
| Feature | Gopher GOLD | Dining Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Cash Equivalent | $1.00 = $1.00 USD | $1.00 = $1.00 USD |
| Tax Status | Purchases Taxed | Purchases Tax Free |
| Deposits |
|
|
| Rolls Over? | Yes, as long as there is one transaction of $0.01 or more every 12 months. | No, expires at the end of each spring semester. |
| Closing the Account | Can close upon exit from University, $10 closure fee | Cannot be closed |
How do I know if I have a Gopher GOLD account?
If you have a U Card and are enrolled in the University as a student (undergraduate, graduate, continuing education or affiliated), staff (including affiliated staff) or faculty, then you have a Gopher GOLD account. All that you need to do in order to start using Gopher GOLD is make a deposit to your account to activate it.
How much money should I add to Gopher GOLD?
It depends on what you/your student will be using Gopher GOLD for. We recommend a starting balance of $100, which should get most students through an entire year for printing. Individuals may store up to $1000 on a Gopher GOLD account.
What fees does Gopher GOLD have?
Gopher GOLD does not have usage fees except when:
- Depositing online ($2.50 convenience fee).
- The account has not been used for 12 months.
- The account is closed.
Explanations for the latter 2 events are below. The general fee structure of Gopher GOLD is mandated by state law and similar across all Big Ten schools and exists to prevent Gopher GOLD from being used as a bank account. You will never be charged beyond the balance of your Gopher GOLD account.
Gopher GOLD Usage Fees
| Event | Fee | Reasoning | Communication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gopher GOLD is used at least 1 time every 12 months | $0.00 | Regular usage shows that the individual is an active participant on campus. | Users get a monthly statement reminding them to keep updated on their balance. |
| Gopher GOLD has not been used for 18 months | Full account balance forfeited | The entire balance is forfeited given the earlier warning period in addordance with the Gopher GOLD Terms and Conditions. | User gets a final monthly statement and account is closed the next business day. |
Gopher GOLD Closure Fees
| Account Balance | Closure Fee | Returned to Holder |
|---|---|---|
| Balance is under $10 | Remainder of account balance | $0.00 |
| Balance is over $10 | $10 | Balance less $10 |
What happens to my Gopher GOLD account when I graduate or leave the University?
We recommend you spend your Gopher GOLD balance prior to graduating or leaving the University.
- You may also close your Gopher GOLD account ($10 fee) if you have a larger balance and would like that balance to be returned to you.
- It could take up to 1 full semester to receive your check.
- If you do not close your account or spend your Gopher GOLD, after 1 year of inactivity on the account, you will begin to receive inactivity fees.