Meal Plans
LionCash+
Recommended option for off-campus students who like to eat on campus and want the ability to use the plan at participating off-campus restaurants.
- Flexibility to use at any on-campus dining location, as well as many off-campus businesses
- Discounts at select on- and off- campus locations
- Convenience of cash-free purchasing with the Penn State id+ Card
Commuter Meal Plan
Recommended option for off-campus students who like to eat on campus, but need to charge the plan to the Bursar account (Available for purchase prior to the tuition billing due date).
- Flexibility to use at any on-campus dining location
- Discounts at select on-campus dining locations
- Convenience of cash-free purchasing with the Penn State id+ Card
- Ability to charge the Bursar account; funds will be activated when the student is in registered status
Campus Meal Plan
Recommended option for off-campus students who eat 14 or more meals per week at the dining commons (Required for students living on campus).
- Flexibility to use at any on-campus dining location
- Ultimate value at the all-you-care-to-eat dining commons and residential retail locations
- Convenience of cash-free purchasing with the Penn State id+ Card
- Ability to charge the Bursar account; funds will be activated when the student is in registered status
Meal Plan Comparison Chart
| Question | LionCash+ | Commuter Meal Plan | Campus Meal Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Is there a base cost? | No | No | Yes $1,275 per semester (2012-2013 rate) |
| Where are the meal plan costs? | Based on amount deposited | Level 1: $500 Level 2: $1,000 |
Level 1: $1,895/semester Level 2: $1,980/semester Level 3: $2,040/semester Level 4: $2,145/semester Level 5: $2,225/semester Level 6: $2,390/semester (Amount includes base cost) |
| What are the spendable dining dollars? | 100% of amount deposited | Level 1: $500 Level 2: $1,000 |
Level 1: $620 Level 2: $705 Level 3: $765 Level 4: $870 Level 5: $950 Level 6: $1,115 |
| How many meals will the plan buy in the all-you-care-to-eat (AYCE) dining commons? *Approximation is based on the average cost of lunch and dinner in the AYCE dining commons. |
$500 deposit: 3 meals/week $1,000 deposit: 6 meals/week* |
Level 1: 3 meals/week Level 2: 6 meals/week* |
Level 1: 9 meals/week Level 2: 10 meals/week Level 3: 11 meals/week Level 4: 13 meals/week Level 5: 14 meals/week Level 6: 17 meals/week* |
| How many meals will the plan buy in the retail operations? *Approximation is based on the average check in the retail operations. |
$500 deposit: 5 meals/week $1,000 deposit: 10 meals/week* |
Level 1: 5 meals/week Level 2: 10 meals/week* |
Level 1: 5 meals/week Level 2: 6 meals/week Level 3: 7 meals/week Level 4: 8 meals/week Level 5: 9 meals/week Level 6: 10 meals/week* |
| Where can the meal plan be used? | On-campus dining locations Off-campus businesses For full listing, visit: LionCash+ Merchants |
On-campus dining locations | On-campus dining locations |
| Is there a discount on purchases? | Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Can additional funds be added to the meal plan throughout the semester if needed? | Yes | No | Yes |
| Do leftover funds carry over? | Yes | Leftover funds at the end of the fall semester will carry over to the spring; however, leftover funds at the end of the spring semester are forfeited | Leftover funds will only carry over at the end of the fall semester if a new meal plan is purchased for the spring semester. Leftover funds at the end of the spring semester are forfeited |
| Can the meal plan be charged to the Bursar account? | No | Yes Funds are not activated for use until the student is in registered status |
Yes Funds are not activated for use until the student is in registered status |
| When can the meal plan be purchased? | Year Round | For Fall 2012: June 15–July 13 by 5 p.m. For Spring 2013: October 1–November 9 by 5 p.m. |
One semester prior |
| Who is eligible to purchase the plan? | Any Penn State student* *Students who are living on-campus must purchase a Campus Meal Plan with the Housing and Food Services contract; however, LionCash+ may be used in conjunction with the Campus Meal Plan for off-campus spending and for on-campus laundry, vending, and copier usage. |
Enrolled off-campus students and enrolled students living on-campus who are not required by contract to purchase the Campus Meal Plan | Students who are living on campus with a Housing and Food Services contract, as well as enrolled off-campus students and enrolled students living on-campus who are not required by contract to purchase the Campus Meal Plan |
| How do I purchase the plan? | www.idonline.psu.edu | www.eliving.psu.edu | www.eliving.psu.edu |
| Can the meal plan be cancelled or refunded? | Yes (Upon graduation or withdrawal from the University; or at the end of the spring semester) |
Only students who officially withdraw from the University | Only students who officially withdraw from the University |
Click here for a pdf version of the comparison chart (pdf).