Meal Plan Policies

Summer 2026 meal plans

Mini Fall 2026 meal plan

Eligibility

Students may choose to purchase a block or declining balance meal plan for each session they attend but are not required to do so. Only students currently enrolled at UNC Charlotte may access accounts.

Effective dates, operational hours, and dining hall closures

Meal plan purchases are effective on each summer term’s first meal service date, as posted on the Auxiliary Services website.

Resident dining halls may be closed or operate on reduced hours between terms and on holidays. Meal plan prices reflect these closures. Declining Balance funds can be used throughout campus at the University dining locations open during these times. Please refer to the Dine on Campus webpage for up-to-date campus dining hours.

Summer 2026 Important Dates

Summer Session 1 (May 18 to June 24)

Summer Session 2 (June 29 to Aug. 5)

Mini fall session (8/9/26 – 8/11/26)

*Dates are subject to change

Blackout Dates and Dining Closures

Dining hall operational hours

Residential dining hall hours differ between the first and second summer and fall mini sessions. SoVi in South Village Crossing and Social 704 in the Popp Martin Student Union are open for meal service during the summer.  Please refer to the Dine on Campus webpage for up-to-date campus dining hours.

First summer session

Second Summer and Mini Fall Sessions

*Hours of operation are subject to change.  Visit the Dine on Campus website for the most up to date information.

Changes and Cancellations

All Meal Plan changes or cancellation requests must be 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 in the Popp Martin Student Union or at 704-687-7337. 

Students may request a change to their Meal Plan through the change period indicated on the Meal Plan Selection website unless there is a change to the academic calendar. Please visit the Auxiliary Services website for the most up-to-date information on meal plan changes, including dates and deadlines. The University has the right, at its sole discretion, to amend Meal Plan options in the event that the schedule for in-person instruction changes due to a Force Majeure.

All Meal Plan changes or cancellation requests are processed daily. Students are allowed to submit only one change or cancellation request per day. Changes will post the next day. Billing may take a couple of business days to reflect on Student Accounts.

Changes or cancellations requested before the first day of meal service for the semester:

The original plan will be removed and refunded in its entirety, and the new plan (if any) will be billed at its original rate.

Changes or cancellations requested on or after the first day of meal service for the semester:

Student Meal Plan changes or cancellations are prorated (as described below) and are subject to a $25 Meal Plan Processing Fee, 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.

Block Plans

Students can request a change to their Block plan through the posted deadline. 

If changing from a Block plan to a Declining Balance plan:

A prorated refund of the meal portion of the plan will be issued based on use. Declining balance use from the original plan will transfer to the new Declining Balance plan.

If canceling a Block plan:

A prorated refund of the meal portion of the meal plan will be issued based on use. The original Declining Balance portion of these plans will remain with the student and cannot be canceled.

Straight Declining Balance Plans: 

Students can request a change to their Straight Declining Balance plan by the posted deadline. 

If changing from a Straight Declining Balance plan to a Block plan:

The Declining Balance plan will be refunded entirely, and the requested Block plan will be billed at the original rate. Declining balance use from the original plan will transfer to the new declining balance of the chosen Block plan. 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.

If canceling a Declining Balance plan:

Cancellations are prorated based on the use of the plan. 

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 Tuition, Housing, and Dining Appeals Process. 

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 day 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 $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 during the same term, the student will again become financially responsible for the Meal Plan they were contracted for when the student withdrew.

The cancellation terms above do not apply to students who have been granted a withdrawal with extenuating circumstances from the Dean of Students Office and are handled on a case by case basis. 

Optional Dining Account

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 residential 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 & Conditions for Optional Dining Account

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Deposits may also be made at the 49er Card website.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Balances of account may be obtained at any Dining Services point-of-sale location or the 49er Card Online website.
7. 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.