Any student who purchases a meal plan, block, and/or Dining Dollars enters into a legally binding contract with ISU Dining. Along with the terms below, the 2024-25 ISU Dining Contract Terms and Conditions, the ISU Dining website, and the University Policy Library are included in the contract. It’s the student’s responsibility to become familiar with all contract provisions.

Meal Plan Eligibility and Requirements

ISU Dining will use your university issued ID number to access your university balance, your registrations status, and your in-term address to determine your eligibility for and the requirement to purchase meal plans, blocks, and Dining Dollars.  

Eligibility

To be eligible to purchase a meal plan, block, and/or Dining Dollars, students must be in good financial standing with ISU and: 

  • enrolled as a student at ISU, or
  • enrolled in the Admissions Partnership Program

ISU Staff members who wish to purchase a Faculty and Staff Plan can visit our page.

Requirements

Required Areas

  • First year residents assigned to Birch-Welch-Roberts, Barton-Lyon-Freeman, Oak-Elm, Maple-Willow-Larch, Friley, Helser, Eaton, Martin, Buchanan, or Geoffroy halls are required to select either the Cardinal or Gold meal plan.
  • Residents who do not make their own selection will be given the Cardinal plan.

Voluntary Areas 

  • Off-campus students assigned to Frederiksen Court, or Schilletter and University Villages are not required to contract for a meal plan.
  • On-campus residents living in Linden, Wilson, or Wallace Hall will not have a meal plan requirement.
  • Students in these locations may choose to purchase any meal plan, block, and/or Dining Dollars amount.
  • Returning residence hall students who live in the required meal areas can choose the Cardinal, Gold, or Campanile plan.
Fall 2025 Dates Subject to Change
Fall 2025 Dates Subject to Change Event
June 2 Fall dining options available for selection within the Housing and Dining Portal.
July 23 Residents of required areas who have not chosen a meal plan will be given the Cardinal plan.
July 20 Fall fees assessed.
August 19 Contract begin date. Meal plans / Dining Dollars available for use.
August 25 Classes begin. Meal blocks and Dining Dollars can be purchased and repurchased at any time during the academic year.
August 29 Fall meal plan change / cancel deadline. Last day to reduce meal plans and blocks for the remainder of the semester depending on eligibility based on housing assignment and contractual terms. Penalty or proration may apply. Dining Dollars can be increased but not reduced. Additional block plans can be purchased at any time during the semester.
November 24-28 Thanksgiving break certain dining centers are closed. Check hours for retail location availability.
December 6 Last day to receive a refund for fall if changing assignments or leaving ISU. There is no refund of fees during the last 14 days of any term.
December 19 Fall term ends. Fall meal service ends. All unused meals on Gold and Campanile plans expire. Unused block meals and Dining Dollars roll over for use during the spring semester.
Spring 2026 Dates Subject to Change
Spring 2026 Dates Subject to Change Event
December 2 Spring dining options are available for selection within Housing and Dining Portal.
December 23 Residents newly assigned to required areas who have not chosen a meal plan will be given the Cardinal plan. Spring fees assessed.
January 15 Contract begin date. Meal plans / Dining Dollars available for use. Depending on eligibility based on housing assignment and contractual term, last day to change to meal plans, blocks or Dining Dollars for full credit.
January 20 Classes begin.
January 23 Spring meal plan change / cancel deadline. Last day to reduce meal plans and blocks for the remainder of the semester depending on eligibility based on housing assignment and contractual terms. Penalty or proration may apply. Dining Dollars can be increased but not reduced. Additional block plans can be purchased at any time during the semester.
March 16-20 Spring break certain dining centers are closed. Check hours for retail location availability.
April 27 Last day to receive a refund for spring if changing assignments or leaving ISU. There is no refund of fees during the last 14 days of any term.
May 15 Spring term ends.All unused meals and dining dollars expire.