Life takes money, and college life is no different. With that being said, you won’t have to drain your savings account in order to enjoy your time in Farmville.
There are two ways to pay for college-related expenses aside from directly out of your own pocket: Bonus Dollars and Lancer CA$H. While generally similar, the nuances of each system are very different.
Bonus Dollars are included as part of your meal plan and are generally for food. Bonus Dollars are accepted at all establishments in the basement of the Lankford Student Union, Chick-fil-A and Moe’s at the Longwood Landings and Java City in the Greenwood Library.
Bonus Dollars are added at the start of the semester and roll over from semester to semester, but not from year to year.
For example, I have the 10- meal premium plan – that is, I’m allotted 10 meals a week at D-Hall and 350 Bonus Dollars for the semester. I start the fall semester with 350 Bonus Dollars, and whatever is left after the fall is tacked on to 350 added at the start of the spring semester. However, whatever is left after the year is done cannot be spent the following year.
Bonus Dollars are not reloadable – when they’re gone, they’re gone. Also, they cannot be used at Subway or McDonald’s, as those restaurants don’t have contracts with Aramark Dining Services, which runs the dining services at LU. Purchases made with Bonus Dollars are tax-free, according to the Longwood website.
Lancer CA$H can be spent at the first handful of locations listed above, as well as vending machines on campus, McDonald’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Pino’s, Sweet Frog and a host of other restaurants.
In addition, it’s for more than just food. You use it for laundry at three dollars a load (washing and drying), the library for printing if you don’t have your own printer, other printing locations around campus, the post office and others.
To add money to your Lancer CA$H account, simply stop by Lancaster G22, the Janet D. Greenwood Library, Lankford Student Union or create an account on longwood.managemyid.com to add there.
Money can be deposited to Lancer CA$H at any time, and the balance carries over every year that you’re at Longwood.
Hopefully these tips help you manage your time, energy, money and hunger better in your four (or more) years in Farmville.
One last bit of advice is to never forget to bring your Lancer Card with you wherever you go!
