Savvy Student Guide

Free Food

• Keep an eye out for events on campus with free food - especially during the 
first few weeks of the semester; events hosted by the Student Success Center 
sometimes have free food too

• UofL Engage - search events on Engage using free food filter; sign-in > click 
on calendar icon on left toolbar > find "Perks" filter option > select "free 
food"

• Cardinal Cupboard - show your UofL ID card when you visit or request Grab 
and Go food packages

• Good Morning Commuters - free donuts, coffee, & hot chocolate in the Red 
Barn every Thursday 8-10 am

UofL meal plans

• Some students qualify to opt out of the meal plan - see website for details 
and deadline to opt out: 
https://louisville.edu/dos/students/studentpoliciesandprocedures/meal-plan-waiver 

• Interested in changing your meal plan? 
https://louisville.edu/cardinalcard/meal-plan-101-1 

• All meal plans revert back to the standard plan each semester. A student 
must change or add their meal plan every Fall and Spring semester.
https://louisville.edu/cardinalcard/spring-2018-meal-plan-upgrade-form#:~:text=A%20student%20must%20change%20or,plan%20to%20their%20student%20account. 

https://louisville.edu/cardinalcard/meal-plan-101-1

Places to eat on campus

BELKNAP CAMPUS

STUDENT ACTIVITIES CENTER
• Chick-fil-A (Student Activities Center [SAC])
• Eiffel Pizza
• Freshens 
• Louie's Corner
• Panda Express
• Starbucks - SAC East
• The Marketplace - 5 restaurants: Freshens, Global Eats, Prime Grill, Zen Sushi, 
• Wendy's
• Wiltshire at The Speed

AROUND CAMPUS
• Lueberry - Student Recreation Center
• Duthie Dash - Duthie Center for Engineering (Speed School)
• Einstein Bros. Bagels - Humanities Building
• Papa John's - Floyd Street Store
• Provisions on Demand (P.O.D.)
• Belknap Academic Building
• Davidson Hall
• University Tower Apartments
• Starbucks - Ekstrom Library
• Subway - Davidson Hall
• The Ville Grill

HEALTH SCIENCES CAMPUS
• Chick-fil-A - Health Sciences Center Commons
• Starbucks- Health Sciences Center Campus Bookstore

https://louisville.campusdish.com/

Places to eat close to campus

Walking distance:
• Bandido Taqueria Mexicana
• Cardinal Towne
• Home Run Burgers & Fries 
• Jimmy John's
• Mt. Fuji
• Noodles & Company
• Qdoba
• Coconut Beach
• Cottage Inn
• Dairy Kastle
• Denny's
• Insomnia Cookies
• McDonald's
• Taco Bell

Driving distance:
• Beef 'O' Brady's
• Double Dragon II
• Little Caesars Pizza
• Senior Iguanas
• The Granville Pub
• Wagner's Pharmacy

Off-campus restaurants accepting Cardinal Cash

Check out the locations close to campus that accept Cardinal Cash: https://louisville.edu/cardinalcard/off-campus

UofL Garden Commons

• Community garden on UofL's campus - open to all students and employees
• Located just north of the UofL Baptist Center
• Bring a bag and share in the harvest; see website for harvest days
• Follow on social media: https://www.facebook.com/gardencommons/about

Vegan and Vegetarian Options

Check out the webpage for vegan and vegetarian options at UofL:
https://louisville.edu/healthpromotion/files/ULDiningVeganVegetarianGuide.pdf/view

Microwaves on campus

• Off Campus Student Lounge - 2nd floor SAC West (has a fridge too)
• PODs have microwaves
• Davidson Hall Lounge, Room 105
• Duthie lobby
• Chemistry Building, 2nd floor lobby
• Texas Roadhouse study area (basement of the School of Business)

UofL Emergency fund

To assist University of Louisville students who encounter a catastrophic event that would jeopardize their continued education at UofL.
 

Scholarships

• ScholarshipUniverse - UofL has teamed up with ScholarshipUniverse to 
provide a streamlined application process to connect UofL students to 
scholarship opportunities. The UofL ScholarshipUniverse Portal is open year- 
round and serves as a central resource for UofL students to access 
information and/or apply for both institutional and external scholarships as 
they become available. 
https://louisville.scholarshipuniverse.com/public/home? 
scholarshipType=public&take=10&skip=0 

• Scholarship and payment plan list put together by the College of Education 
and Human Development in 2022
https://louisville.edu/education/departments/eleod/partners/files/scholarships-and-payment-plans-7-11-22.pdf 

• UofL Finding Free Money online workshop hosted by the Student Success 
Center. Check UofLEngage for more information. 
https://louisville.campuslabs.com/engage 

• Visit the Bursar Office for more information about payment plans. 
https://louisville.edu/bursar/payment

Persistence Grant

One time grant may be available to assist students with financial costs related to university bill or personal needs. Talk to a Student Success Coordinator in the Student Success Center for more info.

Books & Supplies Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I know which books I need?
Whether you order online from the bookstore or go in person, you’ll need 
your course schedule, including your section number, to get your books. 
Books are organized according to department, then course number, then 
course section—you could have different books than a friend who’s taking 
the same class, but with a different professor.

• Do I have to purchase all the books for every class?
Sometimes books are marked “optional” by your faculty member. If they 
don’t have that specific designation, you should plan on purchasing or 
renting them.

• Should I buy books in person, online, rent or e-books?
That is largely personal preference, and your budget might make you 
decide a certain way. UofL recommends buying books at the campus 
bookstore because they’ll definitely have what you need, the location is 
convenient, and if you need to return a book that you end up not needing, 
they make the process easy. Plus, they have a price match program, so you 
won’t pay more than you have to. More info about your options and the 
UofL Campus Store.

• When should I buy books?
Students should plan to have all their books in hand by the first class 
meeting, whether that’s renting, borrowing, or purchasing. If you buy early, 
you have a better chance of getting used or rental books, which are cheaper. 
Also, college classes move at a much faster pace than you’re used to in high 
school, so if you don’t have your books it’s easier to get behind and struggle 
to catch up.

• What if I can’t afford my books by the time I need them?
You can request an advance of your KEES money in ULink. UofL also has 
Student Success Coordinators who can help you problem-solve this and 
other obstacles to your academic success.

• What school supplies do I need?
 Your professors probably won’t tell you to get a certain type of notebook or binder like your high school teachers did, so you’ll need to develop your own system. Visit the Campus Store or call 502.852.6679.

Other textbook options

• Check with Ekstrom Library to see if the textbook for your class is available 
to check out

• UofL Used Book Exchange (facebook page):
https://www.facebook.com/groups/320138321506497/buy_sell_discussion 

• Louisville Metro Textbook Exchange (facebook page): 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/274257652979131/posts/597762583961968/ 

• Textbook rental ideas and comparisons:
https://walletwiseguy.com/best-college-textbook-rental-sites/ 
https://bookriot.com/cheap-college-textbooks/ 
https://thecollegeinvestor.com/16864/college-textbook-rental-

TARC

Ride any TARC buses for free with UofL student ID

UofL Bikeshare

UofL students and employees can borrow bikes on campus for short or 
long-term periods from a variety of locations.

• Free daily bike check-out at the SRC:
• Use your UofL ID to check out a bike, lock and helmet for free for the day, 
from the Student Recreation Center (SRC).

• Free longer-term bike loan:
• Borrow a bike for the semester

• Check out the interactive map to see where to check-out, fix-up and park 
bikes on UofL campuses.

LouVelo

City of Louisville bike share program- $15/month for college students with .edu email

CARDPool

Organize your own carpool with friends, family, classmates or find rides & offer rides online through Cardinal Directions. https://directions.louisville.edu/#/

Passports

Passport applications - accepted at the Passport Place in Jouett Hall (Room LL02). See website for details: 
https://louisville.edu/internationalcenter/passport

Passport pictures - taken at the Cardinal Card Office in the Houchens Building (Room LL05). See website for details: 
https://louisville.edu/cardinalcard/passport-photos

 

Free for UofL Students

UofL students have access to a variety of free resources just for being a student:

• Adobe Creative Cloud offerings
• Microsoft Office365 products
• Gartner Research Resources
• MATLAB
• LinkedIn Learning
• Badges & Micro-credentials

Cloud Storage
• CardBox
• OneDrive

https://louisville.edu/its/get-help/its-for-students 
https://louisville.edu/its/get-help/its-for-students
https://louisville.edu/digital-transformation/learn

Student ID uses

• Ride any TARC buses for free with UofL student ID
• Library card at UofL Libraries
• Meal plan purchases
• Cardinal Cash purchases
• Provides access to some UofL athletic events for free
• Check out a bike for the day, at the SRC

UofL student discounts (with student ID)

ENTERTAINMENT
• Discount of Louisville Zoo membership https://louisvillezoo.org/member- 
benefits/student-access-membership/ 

• Movies - student pricing on tickets at: (Locations may vary)
•AMC theaters https://www.amctheatres.com/discounts
•Cinemark https://www.cinemark.com/discounts 
•Regal theaters https://www.regmovies.com/search?uery=student%20discount 

SPORTS
• UofL Ice Hockey games - $5.00 UofL valid student ID 
https://cardsicehockey.com/faq 

• Louisville City FC
• Single-game tickets in the student section for $8
Student season tickets $5 per-game rate. Season tickets include all the 
regular perks of full-priced membership. 
https://www.loucity.com/students/ 


ARTS
• Speed Art Museum - free for UofL students, staff and faculty
• Muhammad Ali Museum - $10 with valid student ID 
https://19291.blackbaudhosting.com/19291/tickets?%20tab=3&txobjid=c5802200-0fd1-47f0-b7c8-2f5c05e2b2b8 

• Louisville Orchestra - show valid student ID to purchase $12 tickets in 
advance or at the door 
https://louisvilleorchestra.org/ticketing-patron-services/ 

• Actors Theatre - student discount (Wednesdays) 
https://www.actorstheatre.org/student-educator-nights/ 


GENERAL
• Restaurants, retails, transportation, entertainment (at participating locations) 
• https://studentdiscountlist.org/kentucky-ky-student-discount-list-restaurant-%20retail-grocery-travel/ 
• https://thekrazycouponlady.com/search?search=student%20discount 

UofL student discounts (with UofL email)

***Be sure to check out the free resources UofL already provides students, such as Microsoft Office365, before paying for a 3rd party resource***

(Discount locations may vary)

RETAIL
• Adidas
• Amazon Prime
• Aerie
• Aeropostale
• American Eagle
• Apple
• Apple Educational Store
• Asos
• Best Buy
• Chegg (see textbook category for more info on free textbook resources)
• Club Monaco
• Converse
• Costco
• Crocs
• FedEx
• General Motors
• Goodwill
• Headspace
• Hollister
• J Crew
• Kate Spade
• Levi's
• Nike
• Peloton
• Purple
• Razer
• Reebok
• Sam's Club
• Samsung
• The North Face
• The Princeton Review
• TOMS

ENTERTAINMENT
• Amazon Prime
• Apple TV+ & Apple Music
• Audible
• Hulu
• Lousiville Bats
• MLB.TV
• Pandora
• Peacock
• Paramount+
• SoundCloud
• Spotify Premium
• YouTube Premium


TECHNOLOGY
• Ableton Live
• Autodesk
• Babbel
• Cell phone plans - AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile
• Codeacademy
• Evernote
• Github
• HP
• Logitech
• Lenovo
• Microsoft
• Notion
• Ulysses

NEWS
• The Washington Post
• The New York Times

TRANSPORTATION
• LouVelo Bike Share
• Amtrak
• Zipcar
• Moving truck rentals - Penske & Budget
• Auto insurance - State Farm; Nationwide, Allstate; Farmers; Progressive; 
Geico

Resources:
•https://www.rollingstone.com/product-recommendations/lifestyle/best-streaming-deals-discounts-students-1118708/ 
•https://joinjuno.com/financial-literacy/personal-finance/best-student-discounts-you-can-get-with-an-id-or-edu-email
•https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/discounts-edu-email-address/
•https://www.bestcolleges.com/news/best-college-student-discounts-edu-email-can-unlock-big-savings/ 
•https://collegeinfogeek.com/student-discounts/ 
•https://www.collegedata.com/resources/study-break/best-student-discounts-to-use-in-college
•https://www.studentbeans.com/us 
•https://www.collegedata.com/resources/study-break/best-student-discounts-to-use-in-college 
•https://brokescholar.com/student-discounts
•https://thekrazycouponlady.com/tips/money/the-top-20-stores-that-offer-student-discounts 


 

Campus computer labs

List of computer labs on Belknap and HSC campus: https://louisville.edu/computerlabs/

Laptop checkout

• The Student Success Center has a short-term laptop checkout program for a 
4-hour period for in-building use. Checkout hours: 8:30-4:30 pm. Ask at the 
front desk in the Belknap Academic Building.

https://louisville.edu/studentsuccess/keys-to-success-1 

• Ekstrom Library, Kornhauser Health Sciences Library, and the Art Library 
have laptops (PCs & Macbooks) available to be checked out for a four-hour 
period for in-building use. These laptops come loaded with the Microsoft 
Office suite and wireless Internet accessibility. Ask at the Circulation Desk. 

https://library.louisville.edu/ekstrom/aus/equipment

Printing on campus

• Students can print from any computer in the library, BAB or computer labs 
using their Cardinal Card or UofL username and password; 11 cents per black 
& white copy or 15 cents for a color copy. Cardinal Cash is required for 
printing/copying services on campus. 
https://library.louisville.edu/printing

• Cardinal Cash can be added to your Cardinal Card in the following ways:
• Online with VISA, MasterCard, or Discover:
https://louisvillestudentlink.atriumcampus.com/ 
• At the Cardinal Card Office using cash, VISA, MasterCard, or Discover
• At any Value Port using cash

• Students can also print from a personal device by visiting 
https://printcentral.louisville.edu/myprintcenter/. Once the desired file is 
uploaded to your Print Central dashboard, you can print from any Canon 
printer station in the library.

Where to find campus jobs

Go to Cardinal Careers (online portal to search for jobs) - University Career Center to find work-study and non-work study jobs: https://louisville.edu/career/jobs-internships

Biggest campus employers

• Campus employers that need a lot of student workers:
Resources for Academic Achievement (REACH)
Student Recreation Center (SRC)
Ralph R. Wright Natatorium
UofL Libraries (Work study only)
UofL Information Centers
UofL Tour Guides 
Student Success Ambassador Peer Mentors


• Other places to work:
In your academic department
Student Activities Center/Red Barn

Metro College/UPS jobs

Participation in the Metropolitan College Program to get your tuition paid, bonuses, money for fees and other benefit

Work 3rd shift as part-time package handler

https://metro-college.com/

Working on-campus vs off-campus

Benefits of working on campus:
• Close to classes
• Close to where you live (if you live on or by campus); SAVE TIME & GAS
• Typically much more FLEXIBLE than off-campus job. On-campus supervisors 
usually work around your class schedule; may have time to do homework 
while getting paid
• Make campus CONNECTIONS- get to know other students, faculty and staff

https://louisville.edu/career/jobs-internships

Professional clothing

JC Penney Suit Up Event - UofL students receive up to 60% off professional clothing - watch University Career Center for more info.

https://louisville.edu/career

UofL Free Store

• Space for ongoing exchange of clean, functional, durable items like clothing 
and shoes; open to all students and employees during set hours each week 
during the regular academic year.

• Located in the Student Activities Center, W303C

• Free Sales! Last Tuesdays, August - April 4:30-6:30 pm in or outside the Red 
Barn (everything is free)

https://louisville.edu/sustainability/operations/free-store 
Follow on social media: https://www.facebook.com/UlFreeStore

Professional clothing

JC Penney Suit Up Event - UofL students receive up to 60% off professional clothing - watch University Career Center website for more info.
https://louisville.edu/career

Writing Help

Writing by yourself can get to be really mind-numbing. Sometimes its good to get a fresh perspective. If you are working on a paper/essay ask a friend to come sit with you and work, or even go to the Writing Center. A fresh pair of eyes can make a world of difference.

https://louisville.edu/writingcenter

I have 2 hrs. between 2 classes what do I do?

DO NOT GO BACK TO UR DORM!! Go to the library, cultural center, or lounge to study and get ur school work done. Homework over the weekend sucks. Don’t be stuck inside while everyone else is out and about.

Where Should I Study?

Pick a place to study where you can be comfortable and focused.
This does not mean studying in your bed! You should have a separate place to study, sleep, eat, and relax. This will maximize productivity. 

Places to study you may not be familiar with: 
• Bingham Poetry Room in Ekstrom Library
• Quiet floors in Ekstrom Library
• Study rooms in the Belknap Academic Building (BAB)
• UofL Art Library
• UofL Music Library
• Texas Roadhouse (study room in basement of the School of Business)
• Seating around the BAB

Many library study areas can be reserved ahead of time: https://library.louisville.edu/ekstrom/study-space-finder 

To reserve a study room in the BAB:
https://25live.louisville.edu

Time management and professionalism

• Homework early benefits you later.
• Talk to your professors, they are professors for a reason and like to know 
you are serious about your success. 
• School, work, and college life balance are hard, yet manage your time, and 
fun and success will come. 

• REACH Hackademic Series - free interactive online workshops to help you 
improve your academic life - note taking, test taking, studying and more.

Mail

• Be sure to stop by the post office area to check your mail weekly since mail 
is filtered through every few weeks! 

• Mail services/post office located in the Canon area (Suite W119) in the 
Student Activities Center (SAC)

• For packages - you will receive an email to your university email account 
when your package has arrived.

Mailing Address for mail delivery to residence halls:
Hall Name
Student Name
2100 S. Floyd Street, Suite W119
Louisville, KY 40292

https://louisville.edu/housing/options/info/university-mail-services

Check the Weather!

Louisville weather is wild! Check the weather app before you leave in case you need to pack a sweatshirt or umbrella! Also, invest in a good pair of rain boots! Campus can have some huge puddles so save yourself before your shoes are soaked!

Lost & Found areas on campus

• Student Success Center front desk - Belknap Academic Building

• UofL Libraries - visit the main service desk in any of the UofL Libraries to 
report or claim a lost item. Items are sent to the UofL Police Department 
(ULPD) at the end of the week.

• Student Activities Center (SAC) - Information desk on the third floor - W310. 

• All items sent to the UofL Police Department (ULPD) every Monday, 
Wednesday and Friday. Cardinal Cards given to Cardinal Card office every 
Friday.

• If you lose your Cardinal Card - check with the Cardinal Card office. When 
cards are found, they are often returned to that office. 
 

Counseling

1) UofL Counseling Center (covered by student fees, no additional payment)
• Offers individual or group counseling, workshops, couples therapy, urgent 
consultations and referrals.
• Learning disability & ADHD assessments offered on sliding fee scale. 
https://louisville.edu/counseling/faq/faq/#cost 

2) Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences (fees on a sliding scale)
• ADHD Evaluation Services (online)
• Eating Anxiety Treatment (EAT)
• Psychological Services Center (PSC) - testing, psychotherapy, anxiety 
treatment, mindfulness, eating disorders and more.

• Providers and resources in the community: 
https://louisville.edu/counseling/resources 
https://louisville.edu/psychology/psc/resources

• Contact Camille Smith, Program Coordinator at Campus Health 
Services/Insurance Advocate for assistance finding services through student 
insurance: stuins@louisville.edu or 502-852-6519

Campus Health Services

Campus Health Services provides basic primary care. Insurance advocate available who assists students enrolled in the UofL student health insurance program.

https://louisville.edu/campushealth

Need routine medical care?

Campus Health Services offers students routine medical care, flu & allergy shots and mental & sexual health services. 

• Appointments recommended. 
• See the FAQs about insurance and paying for your visit.
https://louisville.edu/campushealth/information/frequently-asked-questions/#what-is-the-cost-of-an-office-visit-

Student Recreation Center (SRC)

The SRC is free for students during the fall and spring semesters

• Offers group fitness, basketball courts, strength training areas, a sport club 
studio and more.
• SRC provides all equipment for users to check out for free - locks, towels, 
basketballs and more.
• Personal training, wellness information, self-guided video workouts also 
available.
• Summer memberships available.

Other athletics UofL students can use for free

• Natatorium - free for UofL students to use
Register for a pass at the front desk to use open swim hours
https://www.ralphwrightnatatorium.com/passes 

• Bass-Rudd Tennis Center - daily court time for students, faculty & staff
https://gocards.com/facilities/bass-rudd-tennis-center/2

UofL Sports Clubs

Get involved with a sport at a higher level than traditional intramurals. 
• Regular practices and may compete against other University club teams and 
participate in conferences and for league and national championships. 
• Includes competitive sports, instructional sports and social activity.

https://louisville.edu/intramurals/sports-clubs

UofL Intramurals

• Check out intramurals offered and how to register
• Free for students/staff/faculty
• Follow on social media for updates: 
Instagram: uoflcampusrec & X: UofLCampusRec

https://louisville.edu/intramurals/intramurals