Eligibility
UNC Charlotte will provide meals according to the plan selected. A student required to have a meal plan, as outlined in their housing contract, will need to select a Meal Plan during the housing application process. The student will be charged each semester for a Meal Plan selection. Non-use of a Meal Plan by a student in “required meal plan” housing does not nullify the requirement to purchase a plan each semester, nor does it negate the charge for an unused plan. If a student does not select a plan, or if a student selects a plan for which they are not eligible, a meal plan will be assigned by the University.
First-year students living on campus
All first-year students living on campus are required to purchase one of the Daily Plan each semester of occupancy, regardless of their housing assignment. If a plan is not selected or an incorrect plan is requested, the Daily Plan with $300 Declining Balance will be assigned. Students who enroll with college credit are considered to be first-year applicants if they have not taken any college courses since graduating high school, as defined by the Office of Admissions. Summer credits taken between graduating high school and entering UNC Charlotte do not change this designation. Any student considered a first-year student in the fall will continue with that designation for the academic year.
Upper-class students assigned to “required meal plan” housing
All upper-class students (sophomores, juniors, seniors) who are assigned “required meal plan” housing accommodations (those in traditional style spaces – Holshouser, Scott and Wilson Halls – and in the suites – Belk, Cedar, Hawthorn, Hickory, Holshouser, Hunt, Laurel, Levine, Lynch, Miltimore, Oak, Wallis and Witherspoon Halls) are required each semester to purchase one of the Meal Plans offered to them. These students are eligible to choose from one of the Daily or Block Plans. If a student does not select a plan, or if a student selects a plan for which they are not eligible, the University will assign the 100 Block Meal Plan with $350 Declining Balance.
Upper-class students assigned to “non-required meal plan” housing
Upper-class students assigned to “non-required meal plan” housing (those in the apartments in Belk, Elm, Levine, Maple, Martin, Miltimore, Pine, Wallis, and Witherspoon Halls or Greek Village) may choose from any of the Meal Plans offered. These students may choose one of the Daily, Block, or Declining Balance plans, or may opt-out of a Meal Plan purchase.
International students
International students should request information regarding their Meal Plan options through the Office of International Programs before the beginning of the semester. Questions regarding meals plans for these students may also be directed to the Meal Plans & 49er Card Office at 49ercard@charlotte.edu.
Renewal for All Plans
Meal Plans purchased in the Fall semester will automatically be renewed for the Spring semester for all students unless changed or canceled by the student. Only students currently enrolled at UNC Charlotte may purchase a Meal Plan.
Effective dates and dining hall closures
Meal Plan purchases are effective on the first meal service date of each semester as posted at the Auxiliary Services website.
Dining halls will be closed during Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, and Spring Break. Meal Plan prices reflect these closures. Declining Balance funds can be used throughout campus at the University retail dining locations open during these breaks. For up-to-date hours of operation visit the Dine on Campus website.
Important Dates 2025-2026
Fall Semester
| Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025 | Last day for upperclass and commuter students to make changes or cancel their meal plan without incurring a $25 administrative fee |
| Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025 | First day of meal service |
| Friday, Sept. 5, 2025 | Final deadline to change or cancel a meal plan |
| Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025 | Last day to use meals for the semester |
Dining Hall Closures 2025-2026
Fall Semester
| Wednesday, Nov. 26 to Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025 | Thanksgiving Break — all dining halls closed |
| Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 to Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026 | Winter Break — all dining halls closed |
Students with The Daily Plan may only use one meal within a 15-minute period unless they are using a guest meal in addition to their meal. For example, if you’ve entered SoVi for dinner at 6:30 p.m., you will have to wait 15 minutes before you can enter Social 704. Weekend and holiday hours may affect meal periods.
| Meal Periods | Meal Period Hours |
|---|---|
| Breakfast | 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. |
| Lunch | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
| Midday | 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Dinner | 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. |
Changes and cancellations
Students may request a change to their Meal Plan through the change period indicated on the Meal Plan website (approximately the third Friday of meal service), unless there is a change to the academic calendar. For the most up-to-date meal plan change information, including dates, please visit the Auxiliary Services website. The University has the right, at its sole discretion, to amend Meal Plan options in the event that the University’s schedule for in-person instruction changes due to a Force Majeure.
Student Meal Plan changes or cancellations by students are prorated (as described below) to each semester’s first meal service date and are subject to a $25 Meal Plan Processing Charge, whether the student has used the Meal Plan or not. After the change period, no other Meal Plan changes or cancellations may be made for the current semester. This also applies to students who have moved from required housing to apartments or have moved off campus unless the student has requested a cancellation due to withdrawal from the University.
All Meal Plan changes or cancellation requests are submitted online, using the Meal Plan selection Form, accessible on the Housing website, the Meal Plan website, or under the “Student Additional Links” section of Student Self-Service in the MyCharlotte Portal. Any questions may be directed to the Meal Plans and ID Office, located in the Student Union, or at 704-687-7337.
Meal Plan changes and cancellation requests are processed daily. Students are allowed to submit only one change or cancellation request per day. Changes will post the next day.
If Changing Between The Daily Plan, 160 Block, 100 Block or the 40 Block Plan
The original plan will be refunded in its entirety, and the new plan will be billed accordingly. The meal usage will transfer to the new plan. If the student exceeds the allotted declining balance, their new plan will start with a zero balance, and they will have a separate charge for the overage.
If Changing from The Daily or a Block Plan to a Declining Balance Plan
A prorated refund of the meal portion of the Meal Plan will be issued. Proration is determined based on time, if the Daily Plan is the original plan, and based on usage if changing from a Block plan. Declining balance use from the original plan will transfer to the new Declining Balance plan.
If Canceling The Daily Plan, 160 Block, 100 Block or the 40 Block Plan
A prorated refund of the meal portion of the Meal Plan will be issued. Proration is determined based on time if one of the Daily Plans is canceled and usage if a block plan is canceled. The original Declining Balance portion of these plans will remain with the student and cannot be canceled.
If Changing from a Declining Balance Plan to The Daily or Block Plan
Declining balance use from the original plan will transfer to the new declining balance. If you exceed the allotted amount of declining balance, your new plan will start with a zero balance and you will have a separate charge for the overage. The meals will be assigned in full.
If Canceling a Declining Balance Plan
The remaining balance will be refunded to the student.
Appeals
Dining appeals are available for students who have experienced an extenuating circumstance that impacts the need for a Meal Plan. To begin the appeal process, a student must submit a first-level appeal through the Strategic and Success Initiatives.
Withdrawals
Once a request for cancellation due to a withdrawal from the University has been reviewed and validated, the student will be financially responsible for the daily prorated dining charge for their Meal Plan. The Meal Plan charge will be prorated through the date of the last use of the plan or through the effective date of withdrawal from the University, whichever date is later; and a prorated amount will be credited to the student’s account. This cancellation will also incur a non-refundable $150.00 withdrawal fee, which will be applied to the student’s account. No cancellations or refunds are permitted for students who withdraw within the last four (4) weeks of classes, based on the last date of the semester. If a student is released from their dining contract due to withdrawal from the University but re-enrolls later for the initially withdrawn term, the student will again become financially responsible for the originally contracted dining plan.
The cancellation terms above do not apply to students who have been granted a withdrawal with extenuating circumstances from the Dean of Students Office, which are handled on a case-by-case basis.
Optional Dining Account (ODA)
An Optional Dining Account (ODA) may be used to supplement a Meal Plan. Funds for this account are not billable through Student Accounts but can be deposited separately through the 49er Card website or the Meal Plans and ID Office (located in Room 127, Popp Martin Student Union) using cash, check or credit/debit card. This account may be used for food purchased in University dining halls, concessions, and convenience store locations. The Optional Dining Account carries over indefinitely as long as the student is enrolled at the University.
Disclosure Terms and Conditions for ODA
- The Optional Dining Account is a non-required account of pre-deposited funds accessed by the Cardholder for the sole and exclusive use for food purchases in all Dining Services locations and it is placed on the 49er ID Card. This account should not be confused with the 49er Account.
- Deposits to Optional Dining Accounts can be made in the Meal Plans and ID Office located in the Popp Martin Student Union. A minimum deposit of $5.00 (no maximum limit) may be made by cash, check or credit card.
- Deposits may also be made at the 49er Card website.
- If the Cardholder’s deposit check is returned for non-payment, a $25.00 charge will be assessed on the Cardholder’s account and the account will be automatically suspended. The account will not be reactivated until the NSF check is reconciled and all appropriate bank NSF fees have been reimbursed to the Meal Plans and ID Office.
- There is no daily limit on the number of purchases that may be made and debited to the account provided funds are available. The Cardholder understands and agrees the 49er ID Card is not a credit card, nor can it be used to obtain cash or cash advances from the account under any circumstances.
- Balances of account may be obtained at any Dining Services point-of-sale location or the 49er Card Online website.
- Account Inactivity – Optional Dining Accounts that are inactive for a period of six (6) months will be assessed a $1.00 per month inactivity charge for each inactive month thereafter.