Meal Plan FAQs

How do I select my meal plan ?

Information about meal plan options is available on the Meal Plans page. Once reviewed, students may register for their chosen meal plan on the Housing & Dining Portal.

How do I access my meal plan?

Your Redbird ID Card (University ID) is used to access your meal plan. You must carry your Redbird ID Card with you in order to use a meal swipe at the residential dining centers or use your flex dollars. Students will not be permitted to utilize their meal plan without their Redbird ID Card. Cashier stands will not accept a student’s UID number for access.

Where can I use my meal plan?

There are two full service residential dining centers located on campus: Watterson Dining Commons (Watterson Towers) and Marketplace at Linkins (Tri Towers). You may use your meal plan in both locations, regardless of where you live. Flex dollars, which must be spent on food or drink, may be used at all dining venues in Bone Student Center; Subways located in residence halls and Cardinal Court, and vending machines in the residence halls and Cardinal Court.

When can I use my meal plan?

Meal plans for fall semester become accessible on the Tuesday before classes begin and continue until the end of day on the Friday of finals week. Meal plans for spring semester become accessible the Friday before classes begin and continue until the end of day on the Friday of finals week.

Review the dining operating calendar to see when the dining centers are open and when there are closures. The calendar is updated each semester, so you can check for future semester closures and adjusted hours.

Can I use a carry out option in the dining centers?

Meal plan holders may take up to two carryout meals daily from the residential dining centers. Dine-in and carryout meals are two separate transactions. If a student would like to eat in the dining center and then get a carry out, they must re-swipe into the dining center to get the carry out box.

Meal plan holders may not take a seat in the dining center once a carryout box has been obtained.
A carryout meal includes one entrée, two side dishes, and one dessert.
A beverage may be taken to-go, but the meal plan holder must use their own reusable cup.

Can I use my meal plan to pay for a guest meal?

You may use flex dollars to pay for a guest meal. Meal swipes are nontransferable and may not be used for anyone other than the meal plan holder. Door rates are available on the dining website under Places to Eat. Door rates are subject to change each academic year. State law requires that all guest meals be charged tax.

Can I change my meal plan?

Meal plans can be changed on the housing/dining portal, please refer to the Meal Plans page for information on deadlines.

As a student living off campus or in Cardinal Court, can I purchase a meal plan?

Students living off-campus or in Cardinal Court or Fell/ School Street apartments have the option of purchasing a meal plan but are not required to. Please visit the Meal Plans page for information on meal plans available based on where you are living.

Where is my meal plan charged to, and how do I pay it?

All meal plans are charged to your student account. Students will work with Student Accounts to determine how they are paying. There are no payments made directly to Event Management, Dining, and Hospitality (EMDH). Please visit the Student Accounts website for more information.

When will charges appear?

Charges for the fall semester are placed on August 1, and charges for the spring semester are placed on January 1. There is no deposit due for meal plans. If a meal plan is added or adjusted during the semester, charges will appear or adjust on the Student Account in one to two business days. For additional questions about Student Accounts, please contact StuAccts@IllinoisState.edu.

What is the deadline to sign up for a meal plan?

Students can sign up for a meal plan for the coming academic year anytime after the portal opens in early February. If a student has not registered for a meal plan by the end of July, they will be auto-assigned a 7-Day Unlimited Plan. Students can change meal plans by the fall deadline (see Terms & Conditions).

How do I tell how much is left on my meal plan?

You may review your usage in My.IllinoisState.edu. Click Finances and then select Redbird Card. It will show your transactions and balances. Additionally, this information is easily accessible on the official Illinois State University mobile application under “Redbird Card.”

What if I run out of flex dollars before the end of the semester?

You may add Redbird Dollars to your Redbird Card through the Redbird Card Office. All retail dining locations accept Redbird dollars in the same manner as flex dollars.

What happens to unused meals?

All meals expire at the end of the week for traditional plans and end of the semester for block plans. There are no refunds for unused meals.

What happens to flex dollars at the end of the semester?

Flex dollars remaining at the end of the fall semester will roll over into the spring semester providing a meal plan is retained for the spring semester. All flex dollars expire at the end of the spring semester and are non-refundable.
If you choose to cancel your meal plan for the spring semester*, your flex dollars will expire at the end of the fall semester.

*Students living in traditional residence halls are required to have a meal plan.

What constitutes a meal?

Any access into the dining center is considered a meal whether you eat a bagel or an entrée, side, and dessert. In general, students on a block or traditional plan will not want to come into the dining center for a small snack or beverage since they have a limited number of meals they can eat in a semester or week. These students might prefer to purchase beverages and snacks from the retail restaurants on campus or vending machines in the residence halls using their flex dollars. Students on unlimited meal plans are allowed to enter the dining centers as often as they like, so they may choose to come in more frequently for a drink or snack between meals.

Please keep in mind that Unlimited Access Plans allow a maximum of two carry out meals per day.

Can I cancel my meal plan if my Housing contract has been cancelled?

Students that were living in the residence halls can cancel their meal plan once they have moved out of their room.

Students that were living in Cardinal Court or Fell/School Street can cancel their meal plan if they have not used any portion of their meal plan (meals or flex dollars). If meals or flex dollars have been used, the student must keep their meal plan, unless leaving the University.

Nutrition/Dietary Concerns

What options are available for students with food allergies?

Please visit the Food Allergies and Other Dietary Needs page on Dining.IllinoisState.edu for information on allergen-friendly options for students with food allergies or other dietary needs. Students are encouraged to utilize NetNutrition, the online menu database, where they can find all nutrition and allergen information for every item at the dining centers.

What if I don't think there are enough dining options that fit my diet?

EMDH has two registered dietitians* available to meet with students who have food allergies or other dietary needs. Our registered dietitians offer individual consultations for these students to educate them on safely dining at Illinois State and additional meal planning support as needed. Submit an Ask a Dietitian form to connect with a dietitian.
*EMDH dietitians do not provide general nutrition consultations.

EMDH Student Employment

Is EMDH hiring student employees?

EMDH continuously accepts applications for various student employee positions. Most hiring occurs at the end of the spring semester or over summer in preparation for the fall, so students are encouraged to apply at those times. To learn more about the hiring process and to apply for employment, please visit the EMDH employment website.

Food Insecurity

What resources are available for students facing challenges related to food insecurity and hardship?

EMDH is committed to providing care for the Redbird community. We work closely with the Dean of Students Office to assist students in need. If an Illinois State University student is dealing with challenges related to food insecurity and hardship, they should contact DeanofStudents@IllinoisState.edu for more information and guidance on the available resources.