student ID online

Getting a Student ID for Online Students

| 2 minute read

Having a student ID card is something that most college students take for granted. On-campus students shuffle through an orientation that ends with their picture being taken and a plastic card given to them with their name and student number. Why do you need it? What can it be used for? What are the benefits of having a student ID card if you’re not on campus?

Student ID cards can give you a lot of benefits and online students at Online at Southern Miss can receive one no matter where they are in the world!

A student ID card provides physical proof that you are a student at a university. You might not know it, but a large majority businesses offer a student discount with proof of a student ID. Your local movie theater, your gym, and even local restaurants might all have huge savings waiting for you to show them your card!

Amazon and clothing retailers offer huge savings for students. You can sign up for a free trial of Amazon Prime for six months as a student (which is over $60 in savings.) Some clothing retailers like Ann Taylor and Banana Republic offer a 15-20% discount in stores with a student ID. With all those savings, why wouldn’t you want to get a student ID card?

How do you get a student ID card as an online student?

Well, the steps are easy!

Student ID with No Photo

  1. Call Southern Miss Photo Services at 601.266.4149
  2. Pay $15 for you ID card over the phone using a debit or credit card
  3. Your ID card will be mailed to your preferred address in SOAR

Student ID with Photo

  1. Forward a copy of a photo identification card and a recent passport photo via US Mail, Federal Express or UPS to: Photo Services, Box 5097, Hattiesburg, MS 39406
  2. Call Southern Miss Photo Services at 601.266.4149
  3. Pay $15 for your ID card over the phone using a debit or credit card
  4. Once the ID has been printed, the copy of your photo identification will be destroyed by Photo Services at Southern Miss
  5. Your student ID card will only be mailed to you at the address on your photo ID card that you submitted. No exceptions.

*replacement cards are $25

Receiving a student ID is easy and can be done by online students! Whether you’re in Mississippi or across the country, you deserve the benefits that come with being a Golden Eagle!

Looking to become a Golden Eagle? Check out all of our fully online Bachelor, Master, and Certificate programs here! Or fill out the form below on a program you would like more information on!


Office of Online Learning

All blog posts are written and maintained by the Office of Online Learning at The University of Southern Mississippi. We provide support to online students, to faculty teaching online courses, and to units seeking to develop, grow, or improve online programs at the University.

For more information, email us at online@usm.edu.