Yeah, they gave me a money card to pay me with but NO ONE ACCEPTS IT. I just like cash better. If I lose my cash I'm out just what I had on hand. Not possibly my whole bank account and identity. And trust me, I misplace things everywhere.
And don't forget the iPod vending machine in the Detroit airport. I had a good maniacal laugh at that one. It wasn't just like... headphones (which is a good idea, actually) and iTunes cards. They had iPods on there. Because buying several hundred dollar electronics out of a vending machine in a crowded airport with no extended warranty plan or anything is totally a good idea.
And I believe my college does have some sort of plan like that. I know you can get refillable student cards through my work that are essentially the same thing. Not sure how good they'd be for highschool but they work for colleges.