What Is a Carolina Dining Services Meal Plan?
Carolina Dining Services (CDS) provides a range of meal plans designed to meet the diverse needs of students, faculty, and staff at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Whether you prefer to eat on campus several times a day or just need a few meals each week, CDS offers flexible options that combine convenience, affordability, and nutritious choices.
All plans give you access to the same highquality food venues from the historic Pit to the modern Hawfield Caf so you can eat wherever you feel most comfortable.
Plan Options
| Plan Name | Meals per Week | Dining Dollars* | Who It Suits Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited | Unlimited | $0 | Students who eat most meals on campus, athletes, and residents in oncampus housing. |
| 15Meal | 15 | $75 | Students with a balanced schedule who want flexibility without a fulltime commitment. |
| 10Meal | 10 | $50 | Students who dine offcampus often or need a modest number of meals. |
| 5Meal | 5 | $30 | Commuters and graduate students who need occasional campus meals. |
| Flex Plan (Points) | PointsBased | Varies | Students who prefer to use points for meals, snacks, or campus events. |
*Dining Dollars can be used at any CDS location for items not covered by your meal count, such as specialty coffee, snacks, or alcoholpermitted venues.
Pricing & Billing
Meal plan costs are posted each semester on the CDS website and are billed through the universitys student account system. Undergraduate plans typically run from $2,200 (5Meal) to $5,500 (Unlimited) per academic year. Graduate and staff plans have a separate schedule but follow the same tiered structure.
- Plans can be paid in full or split into two instalments aligned with fall and spring billing cycles.
- Refunds are available if you drop a plan before the semester begins, subject to a small administrative fee.
- International students may be required to purchase a minimum of the 10Meal plan to meet visarelated healthinsurance stipulations.
Flexibility & AddOns
CDS understands that schedules change. The following features add flexibility to any plan:
- Meal Swaps: Transfer an unused meal to a friend or family member within the university system.
- RollOver: Unused meals can roll over to the next semester for Unlimited and 15Meal plans.
- Dining Dollars Purchase: Buy additional Dining Dollars at any dining location or online.
- Special Event Passes: Use points or Dining Dollars for tickets to campus events, cooking classes, and farmtotable tours.
The Flex Plan allows you to allocate points as you like one point equals one meal, or you can spend five points on a beverage combo. Its ideal for students with irregular eating patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I know which plan is right for me?
- Review your typical weekly schedule. If you eat three meals on campus most days, the Unlimited or 15Meal plan is usually the best value. For occasional diners, the 5Meal or Flex Plan offers more control over spending.
- Can I change my plan after the semester starts?
- Yes, during the first two weeks of the semester you may switch plans without penalty. After that, changes are limited to moving to a highervalue plan; downgrades are not permitted until the next registration period.
- Do I need a student ID to use the meal plan?
- All meals are accessed with your UNC ID card, which serves as both your identification and meal plan account.
- What if I have dietary restrictions?
- CDS offers a range of accommodations, including glutenfree, vegetarian, vegan, halal, and kosher options. Contact the CDS Nutrition Services office to arrange personalized menus.
- Are meals covered on holidays?
- During universitywide holidays, most campus locations close, but select venues (e.g., the Pit) remain open with limited service. Dining Dollars can be used at nearby offcampus partners.
Get Help or Switch Plans
For personalized assistance, visit the Carolina Dining Services website or stop by the Dining Services Office in McGlohon Hall, Room 109. Staff are available MondayFriday, 8am5pm.
You can also call the main line at (919) 8461086 or email diningservices@unc.edu.
