If you're new to Ball State and looking for information about dining facilities, meal plans, nutrition, or general information, watch our video for incoming students.

Dining offers convenient meal plans designed to fit the needs of on-campus students, off-campus students, and Ball State employees.

On-Campus Students

As an on-campus student, you’ll choose a meal plan that provides 10, 14, 18, or 21 meals per week. You’ll also receive a debit-style Dining Plus account to supplement those meals. Dining Plus funds can be used without restriction on amount or time of day to provide added flexibility.
 

Academic-Year Residential Meal Plans
Meal Plan Meals per Week Dining Plus
21+ Plan 21 meals per week
(3 each day)		 $75 per semester
Any 18+ Plan Any 18 meals per week $75 per semester
Any 14+ Plan Any 14 meals per week $100 per semester
Any 10+ Plan Any 10 meals per week $100 per semester

For even greater flexibility, you can purchase Dining Cash funds, described in its menu below.

All students who live in a residence hall on campus during the academic year must hold a meal plan. You will select your meal plan when completing your online housing/dining contract. Visit Housing and Residence Life to learn more about rates and how the shared Housing + Dining contract works.

  • If you’re someone who likes to eat three full meals a day, an athlete, or a person who just doesn't want to worry about finding regular meal options, 21+ plan may be a good choice.
  • If you generally skip one meal a day or eat a few meals off campus each week, the Any 18+ or Any 14+ plans may be better options.
  • Are you gone a lot on weekends? The Any 10+ might be for you.

The 21+ plan is the default choice if you do not specify a meal plan on your contract.

Have you decided the meal plan you signed up for isn't the right one for you? Each semester you have the opportunity to change your meal plan.

Fall semester changes to your on-campus meal plan

  • Adjustments can take place after you have submitted your Housing + Dining contract
  • Instructions for making changes to fall semester on-campus meal plans:
    • Visit the Housing + Dining portal & pull up your application
    • Select the Your Contract link, followed by the Change Your Meal Plan tab
    • Make your choices & submit

Spring semester changes to your on-campus meal plan

  • You can request changes to your Spring semester on-campus meal plan later in the fall semester
  • To request a change to your meal plan, contact University Dining during the open period, & include the following
    • Name
    • Student identification number
    • Current plan
    • Intended plan

Note: If you have a newly discovered dietary need or an unexpected change in financial situation that you would like the director of Ball State Dining to consider as an exception for a meal plan change, please email us.

Your Ball State ID card serves as your meal card.

There are two assigned meal time frames, one for breakfast and another for lunch and dinner combined. These are called meal time periods (whether you choose to have a salad or pancakes at that meal) and have an assigned dollar allowance called a meal equivalency. You may use one meal swipe for the breakfast meal period and any two swipes during the lunch and dinner period.

Meal Periods and Amounts
Meal Period Timeframe 2021-22 Meal Equivalency
Breakfast 6:45 – 11 a.m. $5.35
Lunch & Dinner 11:01 a.m. – midnight $9.00

Any time you swipe your card, your cashier will use a meal from your meal plan unless you request another form of payment (such as Dining Plus or Cardinal Cash).

At a meal, you may purchase items that together total less than or equal to the meal equivalency. At all-you-care-to-eat locations, swipe your card once for unlimited dining.

Some important things to note:

  • Any unused dollar value at a meal does not roll over to future meals.
  • The academic year Dining week begins with breakfast on Sunday and ends with dinner on Saturday. Any unused meals at the end of the week do not roll over into future weeks.
  • If you’re going on a day-long field trip or will be student teaching off campus and need lunch, you can pre-order a sack meal to take with you.
  • If you encounter a temporary physical challenge that prevents you from visiting Dining, such as an illness or injury, please use this form (PDF) to designate a pick-up proxy.
  • If you will be away from campus for seven or more consecutive days, you may be eligible for a partial refund of funds (PDF).
  • Meal plans are not available in the summer, however, Dining Cash and standard payment options are still accepted.

Dining Plus is a debit account of funds that comes with your meal to provide flexibility in how you purchase meals and snacks.

How to Use Dining Plus

Dining Plus may be used at any dining location, in any amount, at any time*, and as often as you like, regardless of the meal time period or whether or not you've used (or plan to use) a meal during that period. You can use as much or as little Dining Plus in one transaction as you like.

To make a purchase entirely with Dining Plus, ask the cashier to use Dining Plus before the cashier swipes your meal card (your BSU ID).

Many students will also use their Dining Plus to cover the extra amount if their purchase exceeds the amount of money allotted for a given meal (for allotments, see “How Do I Use My Plan” section). 

*Any Dining Plus amount remaining at the end of the fall semester will transfer to the spring semester, but unused Dining Plus expires at the end of spring semester.

If You Run Out of Dining Plus

If you spend all your Dining Plus, you can purchase Dining Cash at a 10 percent discount. Dining Cash functions in the same way as Dining Plus, but it does not expire until you are no longer a student at Ball State.

Are you worried about running out of the Dining Plus debit funds that come with your meal plan? You can load yourself back up by purchasing Dining Cash in any amount you choose. Dining Cash functions like Dining Plus, but it remains valid until you are no longer a BSU student.

10% Discount

If you currently hold a meal plan, you will receive a 10 percent discount on your purchase of a Dining Cash account when you purchase in even hundred-dollar increments. (For example, purchase an account of $100 in Dining Cash for $90, saving $10.)

Any student may purchase Dining Cash, but you must hold or have signed up for a meal plan—either a residential or an off-campus plan—at the time the Dining Cash account is purchased to receive the discounted rate.

Purchase Online

If you are on a meal plan or are signed up for a plan, use our online portal to purchase Dining Cash.

Buy Dining Cash

Funds purchased before 5 p.m. will be available the morning of the next business day; if purchased after 5 p.m., they will be available the morning of the second following business day. (For example, a purchase made at 7 p.m. on Friday will be available Tuesday morning.)

If you are not on or signed up for a meal plan and use the link above, a discount will be applied in error; the discounted amount will then be taken out of the value of your Dining Cash.
To purchase Dining Cash without a meal plan, please see the “Off-campus Students” section.

*Financial Aid Note  

Whether you commute to campus or stay in a residence hall during summer sessions, you have the same option available—Dining Cash. Dining Services accepts cash, credit, and Dining Cash during the summer break, as meal plans are inactive during those months. 

Your Funds

Dining Cash is a debit-style account you can use to spend in any way you like for meals and snacks at Ball State Dining locations. Purchases can be made in any amount and with no limits on frequency. It can even be used alongside meal plans during the academic year. Dining Cash rolls over each semester and stays active until you graduate or are no longer a Ball State student.

Discount Note

If you are a student purchasing during the academic year, you may be eligible for a 10% discount. Please select the respective Dining Cash option under the "On-Campus Students" or "Off-Campus Students" section above. 

Purchasing

Orders are placed online. Access through the portal below.

Purchase Dining Cash

 

Block Plans

Block 25, 50, 75, and 100 plans can be purchased at any time and can be used throughout the fall and spring semesters. If you run out, you can purchase another block at any time. Note: If you find yourself running out of meals, Dining Cash is another option. Learn more and purchase discounted amounts in the Dining Cash menu further down this page.

Any-5-Meals Plan

This plan is similar to our on-campus plans and provides 5 meals each week that can be used as you want during any of the meal periods, providing maximum flexibility. It comes with an additional account of debit funds called Dining Plus to provide added flexibility. Dining Plus may be used at any time without restriction on amount spent, frequency of purchases, or time of day. The Dining Plus provided with your Any 5 plan expires at the end of the academic year.

Purchase off-campus meal plan

*Financial Aid Note  |  *Summer Note

 

Meal Plan Choices for Commuters
Off-Campus Plans     Note(s)
Any-5-Meals Weekly allotment
5 meals available each week
of the academic year		 2021-22 Price
$1544		 This plan includes $100 of
Dining Plus for the semester
Meal Block 100 Balance of 100 total meals
Use as you choose
in the academic year		 2021-22 Price
$900		 1Daily maximum of 3 meals
2Unused meals roll over
from fall to spring semester
Meal Block 75 Balance of 75 total meals
Use as you choose
in the academic year		 2021-22 Price
$675		 1Daily maximum of 3 meals
2Unused meals roll over
from fall to spring semester
Meal Block 50 Balance of 50 total meals
Use as you choose
in the academic year		 2021-22 Price
$450		 1Daily maximum of 3 meals
2Unused meals roll over
from fall to spring semester
Meal Block 25 Balance of 25 total meals
Use as you choose
in the academic year		 2021-22 Price
$225		 1Daily maximum of 3 meals
2Unused meals roll over
from fall to spring semester

In each plan, you choose what combination of meals you want to eat.

There are two assigned meal time frames, one for breakfast and another for lunch and dinner combined. These are called meal time periods (whether you choose to have a salad or pancakes at that meal) and have an assigned dollar allowance called a meal equivalency. You may use one meal swipe for the breakfast meal period and any two swipes during the lunch and dinner period.

If you go over the amount allotted, you may use Dining Plus or another form of payment to pay the difference.

Meal Periods and Amounts
Meal Period Timeframe 2021-22 Meal Equivalency
Breakfast 6:45 – 11 a.m. $5.35
Lunch & Dinner 11:01 a.m. – midnight $9.00

Some important things to note:

  • Any unused dollar value at a meal does not roll over to future meals.
  • In the Any-5-Meals plan, any unused meals at the end of the week do not roll over into future weeks.
  • The academic year Dining week begins with breakfast on Sunday and ends with dinner on Saturday.
  • If you encounter a temporary physical challenge that prevents you from visiting Dining, such as an illness or injury, please use this form to designate a pick-up proxy.
  • The Any-5-Meals plan lasts each week of the academic year when classes are in session.
  • Merit scholarship funds can be used toward commuter meal plan Meal Blocks, but not for the Any-5-Meals plan. Contact Financial Aid and Scholarships for more details.

Dining Cash is a debit-style account of funds to spend in any way you like for meals or snacks. Purchases can be made in any amount and with no limits on frequency. Unlike Dining Plus, Dining Cash does not expire until you graduate or are no longer a Ball State student.

10% Discount

If you currently hold a meal plan, you will receive a 10 percent discount on your purchase of a Dining Cash account when you purchase in even hundred-dollar increments. (For example, purchase an account of $100 in Dining Cash for $90, saving $10.) Any student may purchase Dining Cash, but you must hold or have signed up for a meal plan—either a residential or an off-campus plan—at the time the Dining Cash account is purchased to receive the discounted rate.

*Financial Aid Note  

Purchase Online

You may purchase Dining Cash through our online portal, depending on whether you are on a meal plan.

You Have a Meal Plan     You Do Not Have a Meal Plan

Funds purchased before 5 p.m. will be available the morning of the next business day; if purchased after 5 p.m., they will be available the morning of the second following business day. (For example, a purchase made at 7 p.m. on Friday will be available Tuesday morning.)

If you are not on or signed up for a meal plan and use the first link above, a discount will be applied in error; the discounted amount will then be taken out of the value of your Dining Cash. To avoid this, please use the second link.

Dining is pleased to offer Ball State employees the opportunity to dine on campus at a 10 percent discount with the purchase of Employee Dining Cash.

How It Works

Purchase Dining Cash online in $50 increments, and you'll immediately get the 10 percent discount. For example, if you purchase $100 in Dining Cash, your credit or debit card will be charged $90.

Your Ball State ID card is used to access your Dining Cash. You can use your ID to make purchases in any Dining location. Purchases can be made in any amount and as often as you like. The funds in your account will decrease in the style of a debit account.

Your Dining Cash is valid as long as you are a Ball State employee.

Eligibility

All faculty, professional, staff, and service employees are eligible for the program, including full-time, part-time, and temporary employees.

Student employees are not eligible for Employee Dining Cash.

Purchase online

You may purchase dining cash using our online portal.

Buy Dining Cash

We are committed to creating a safe environment for all who eat on campus. The University is taking several steps to advance the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors. We appreciate your understanding and patience.

UNIVERSITY DINING PLAN