Dining offers convenient meal plans designed to fit the needs of on-campus students, off-campus students, and Ball State employees. Your Ball State identification card is used to access your meal plan, and is swiped at the registers.
SPECIAL NOTE: Changes to meal plans for the Spring 2025 semester can be made November 11 - January 10. If made by December 5, the change will be reflected on your first spring eBill.
To request a change, please email dining@bsu.edu and include the following: your name, student ID number, current meal plan, and the new plan you want.
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.
200 Meal Plan Block: You receive a balance of 200 meals per semester. You can use these for any meals you would like throughout the semester, however a limit of three meals max per day. Once you run out of these meals, you must use Dining Plus, Dining Cash, cash/debit card, or Cardinal Cash to pay for any additional. You may not buy another 200 meal block.
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 setting 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 |
2024-25 Meal Equivalency |
Breakfast | 7:00 – 11 a.m. | $5.75 |
Lunch & Dinner | 11:01 a.m. – midnight | $9.45 |
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.
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 on a field trip, you may be eligible for a partial adjustment 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 plan 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
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 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.
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
Off-Campus Students
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. You can purchase a new meal block at any time if you run out. However, these plans expire at the end of the academic year, so be mindful of using all meals before the spring semester ends. 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
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 |
2024-25 Meal Equivalency |
Breakfast | 7:00 – 11 a.m. | $5.75 |
Lunch & Dinner | 11:01 a.m. – midnight | $9.45 |
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.
- The Any-5-Meals plan lasts each week of the academic year when classes are in session.
- The Block Plans are active for the fall and spring semesters, but do not roll past spring semester to summer or fall.
- 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 an active 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
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.
Faculty/Staff Dining Cash
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
HOW TO CHECK YOUR UNIVERSITY DINING ACCOUNT BALANCE
BSU Dining "GET" App Instructions:
GET will allow students check their meal plan and balances of Cardinal Cash, Dining Plus, and Dining Cash using their Ball State University log in credentials via the GET app or on their computer.
There are two ways to view the information.
1. Navigate to https://get.cbord.com/bsu.
Once there, login using your BSU username and password.
2. Download the GET Mobile app for their iPhone or Android.
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cbord.get
iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/get-mobile/id844091049
Once selected, it will take you to the BSU sign-in page where you will need to enter your BSU username and password. It will also send a push notification through the Duo app after signing-in.
Once the sign-in is complete, you should now be able to see your BSU meal plan information. It will show you your ID card picture, name, meal plan balances, and other information such as where and when you used your meal plan.