Liberty University's Very Own Currency
by Rosa Elias
Some people call Liberty University a bubble, a world of its own within the small town of Lynchburg, Virginia. Over 15,000 students call the university’s grounds their home away from home. On campus, they hangout with friends, fulfill their academic duties and most importantly: eat!
​
Every residential student at Liberty University has one of two available meal plans, the Freedom Dining or the Freedom Dining PLUS+. Both of these plans have two things in common. Whether you have the Freedom Dining or the Freedom Dining PLUS+ plan, you automatically receive $150 in Dining Dollars and $80 in Flames Cash that go straight to your student ID, known as the Flames Pass.
Although Dining Dollars only work for on campus dining, Flames Cash is unique because they allow students to purchase at on campus and
off campus locations alike. However, Flames Cash does not just work for food but can be used for multiple purposes. Students can purchase items at the bookstore, dine at select locations around Lynchburg and pay for their laundry on campus. When used on campus, students receive a 15% discount on their purchases.
“I love Flames Cash. The main reason is because it makes me feel as if I’m not spending real money,” Sarah Wafford, a Liberty University sophomore, said. “And sometimes I just need to get off campus, and to have that option and still have that student money to pay for it is amazing.”
Even though Flames Cash can be used for more reasons than one, students say they use them most commonly at participating
off-campus merchants that accept it as a form of payment. Scattered all over town, some of the businesses that take Flames Cash include Applebee’s, Bean Tree Café, Buffalo Wild Wings, Chili’s, Panera, Millie’s Living Café, Texas Roadhouse and Tropical Smoothie Café.
​
“Sometimes you just need to go eat somewhere that’s not the Reber-Thomas Dining Hall,” Allison Clark, a senior at Liberty University, said. “The best places to go are Kenko; it’s so fun to go with friends, and Millie’s because it’s fresh and promotes a healthy lifestyle.”
Bean Tree Café is another favorite among Liberty students. Not only is its atmosphere quiet and friendly, which is great for studying, but it also serves a variety of beverages. Many students frequent it because it allows them to purchase their needed dose of caffeine with their Flames Cash. According to Michael, one of the staff members at the café, around 10% of purchases in the last three months were paid in Flames Cash.
Flames Cash helps students save money, but it also motivates them to step outside of Liberty University’s campus and support local businesses in Lynchburg. Millie’s Living Café, known for its smoothie bowls, is one of those local shops that benefits greatly from Flames Cash. Cassie Toms, a cashier at Millie’s, shared that 50% of purchases are made using Flames Cash on a regular Saturday.
“Every time students find out they can use Flames Cash they’re always like ‘Wow, that’s awesome!’,” Cassie Toms said. “It definitely brings the LU crowds in.”
After using their allotted $80, some students still find themselves wanting more Flames Cash on their Flames Pass. This is not a problem, given that students can add Flames Cash to their account at any point in the semester. Even better, Flames Cash roll-over to the following semester, so students do not need to worry if they don’t use them all.
If you’re a Liberty student, and you want to add more Flames Cash to your student account, click here.