Meal Plan FAQ

As a first-year student, can I use my meal plan at any location?
The First-Year Full Board Plan is designed to be used primarily at The Marketplace. Only after The Marketplace closes each evening can you use a meal exchange, either at Café 77, Fireside, or Foodside. The plan allows for a maximum of one meal exchange per after-hours period. The meal plan flex dollars that come with the first-year plan may be used anywhere, anytime, without restriction.

Upper-Division students can use their Full Board plan anywhere, anytime.

Will my meal plan assignment from Fall Term automatically carry over to Winter/Spring Term?
Yes - If you wish to make changes to your meal plan for Winter/Spring Term, those changes must be requested between October 10 and 4:00 pm on October 30, 2023.

What is the meal equivalency rate?
The meal equivalency rate is $7.50 for breakfast and $10.00 for brunch, lunch, and dinner.

Will my "Meal Plan Flex Dollars" automatically carry over to the next term?
No.

Will my "Food Flex Dollars" automatically carry over to the next term?
Yes - Food Flex Dollars carry over from Fall Term to Winter/Spring Term, but do not carry over to the next academic year.

What is the difference between "Meal Plan Flex Dollars" and "Food Flex Dollars?"
"Meal Plan Flex Dollars" are assigned as a part of your meal plan in the value of $250 for the fall term and $300 for the winter/spring term. They can be used at any location during any open hours. Meal Plan Flex Dollars are only valid during the term in which they are issued. If the initial allotment is completely utilized, you may add "Food Flex Dollars" for additional purchasing power.

"Food Flex Dollars" can be added in increments of $25.00, and any remaining balances will be carried over from Fall Term to Winter/Spring Term (but NOT to the following Academic Year). Food Flex can be added at The Marketplace, Brief Stop, or by using the Meal Plan Form.

Did the amount of Meal Plan Flex that comes with meal plans go up this year?
Yes. Prior to this year, meal plan flex had been allotted at $225 for fall and $225 for winter/spring. This number had remained unchanged for over 10 years, meaning students now have significantly less purchasing power with those dollars than they did when those levels were set. To correct for this, and to acknowledge the fact that our meal plans are billed in two unequal halves (fall term and winter/spring terms), the new allotments for 2023-24 and beyond will be $250 for fall and $300 for winter/spring.

Will my Law Campus Connection or Law1000 Meal Plan Dollars automatically carry over to the next semester?
No. However, any additional Food Flex Dollars you add carry over from Fall Semester to Spring Semester, but do not carry over to the next academic year.

Where can I use my "Meal Plan Flex Dollars"?
You can use the Meal Plan Flex Dollars that are assigned with your meal plan anytime, anywhere, without restriction.

What are my dining options during times when The Marketplace closes to set up for special events?
You have the option to use your meal plan at Café 77 during these times, which are very infrequent.

Should I use "General Debit" for my food?
You can. However, we instead recommend using Food Flex Dollars. This exempts your purchases from Virginia sales tax. All purchases made with Meal Plan Flex or Food Flex dollars are tax exempt, whereas purchases made with General Debit are not.

As a first-year student, do I have any guest meals?
Yes - You have six guest meals per term; however, you must be present during the time the guest meal is redeemed.

Can I share my meal plan card with friends?
No.

As a first-year student, can I use my meal plan at the upper-division dining locations?
Yes - You may redeem a dinner meal exchange at Café 77, Fireside, or Foodside after The Marketplace has closed. You can always use Meal Plan Flex Dollars or Food Flex Dollars at any campus location.

What options do I have for food intolerances?
If you have any food intolerances, please reach out to Jan Kaufman, Director of Health Promotion, at jkaufman@wlu.edu, or Dining Services at diningservices@wlu.edu. We will make every effort to accommodate your needs. Dining Services partners with a registered dietician on staff who can assist you in navigating these issues. You may also ask our staff to talk with a chef at any time if you have specific questions about the ingredients in a particular dish.

If I am studying abroad, how do I obtain my refund?
If you are flagged as abroad prior to the start of fall or winter terms, you will typically not be billed for a meal plan.

If you are abroad for spring term, your Meal Plan cost will be refunded on a prorated basis depending on the number of weeks you are away. "Meal Plan Flex Dollars" are not refundable and should be spent prior to your time abroad.

The refund is initiated by Dining Services, processed by the University Business Office, and shows up as a credit on your student account.

Who do I notify in Dining Services when I am on Spring Option?
Students staying on campus and not taking a class for Spring Term may choose to keep their meal plan. In these cases, Dining Services will cover the required tax so you have easy access to food while you are on campus. Spring Option students will receive an email from Dining Services prior to the start of spring term requesting their preference on keeping or dropping their spring meal plan.

If you elect to drop your plan, a refund is submitted by Dining Services, processed by the University Business Office, and shows up as a credit on your student account.

Can I add money to my card without having a meal plan?
No. You can only add food flex if you have a campus meal plan.

Where can I add money to my "Food Flex Account"?
Funds may be added at The Marketplace, Brief Stop, the University Business Office, or by using the Meal Plan Form.

How and when can I make changings to my meal plan?
Please see Dining Policies and Schedule for open enrollment periods when meal plan changes can be made. All meal plan changes may be made using the Meal Plan Form.

Who is automatically assigned to a meal plan?
All undergraduate students, 1L, and 2L students are assigned a meal plan. See meal plan options for more information.

Do unused meals roll over from week to week?
No, meals do not roll over. Each week period runs from Saturday through Friday.

Can I get a refund for my meal plan if I decide not to return to Washington & Lee?
Yes, if you are unable to return or decide not to return to campus, a full refund will be issued for your selected or default meal plan.