Flex
Flex is a dollar-for-dollar declining balance account that Columbia students, faculty and staff can add funds to as they wish.
Flex allows you to use your Columbia University ID to pay for goods at all Dining locations as well as a number of other on and off-campus merchants.
Participating Merchants
View the list of participating merchants accepting Flex below and don't forget to use Flex for your food order delivery via Grubhub!

Frequently Asked Questions
All enrolled students, faculty, and staff of Columbia University.
Flex can be used at all on-campus Dining locations, as well as the University bookstore, and campus vending machines. Flex can also be used for purchases at many off-campus locations* and for online food delivery through Grubhub.
*The participating merchants are not monitored for the quality of service by Columbia. The list of participating merchants is provided as a convenience.
A typical transaction takes 30 to 45 seconds to complete. We have heard from you that this is longer than you had hoped, so we are exploring ways to expedite the process.
If you experience an issue using your Flex at an off-campus vendor, please submit this form.
Your Flex account rolls over from year to year, but expires upon graduation.
No, taxes will be applied to all purchases.
Some Dining Plans may include Flex. This balance will be available to students before they arrive to campus.
Money can be added at anytime for plan holders or non-plan holders:
- Teachers College students should speak to a cashier.
- All other students can add funds through SSOL.
Your Flex account can be accessed through SSOL. Once logged in, navigate to Columbia card, then cardholder transactions, and then select Flex account balance.
The Columbia Evening Shuttle (powered by Via) provides transportation within a set coverage area according to the schedule on the Transportation website. Follow the instructions to download the Evening Shuttle app and start booking free evening rides.
In order to improve this program, we need feedback from you. If you would like to report an issue using your Flex at an off-campus vendor, please submit this form. If you have a question about the program or would like to send us a comments or suggestion, please email us at [email protected].