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Cornell University

Cornell Dining

Apply for a Meal Plan or Change Your Meal Plan

Apply for a Meal Plan or Change Your Meal Plan

Cornell Dining meal plans are designed to make your life easier while providing convenient, healthy, and delicious options. Why enroll in a meal plan?

Convenience - The best meal of the day is just a few minutes away with about 30 dining eateries campus-wide.

Variety - You can't beat our menu options, with everything from sushi and Grab-n-Go sandwiches, to hearty home-cooked and international entrees, daily kosher menus, and plenty of vegan and vegetarian options.

Flexibility - Big Red Bucks (BRBs) are funds placed in a declining-balance account when you enroll in a meal plan, offering great flexibility. Each BRB equals $1 and can be used to make tax-free food purchases on campus, when and where you want.

Meal Plan Requirement:
  • All undergraduate students living in on-campus housing* are required to enroll in a meal plan. This requirement applies to all undergraduate students who entered Cornell in the 2021-2022 academic year and after. 
  • Students subject to the requirement will be automatically enrolled in the Unlimited plan or the House Meal Plan. 
  • The Unlimited plan is required for first-year undergraduates. All students living in the West Campus House System (WCHS) are required to participate in the House Meal Plan.  
  • Except for those living in the WCHS, upper-level and transfer undergraduates may opt into the Bear Traditional plan or the South Campus Meal Plan, depending on residence.  The SFL Supplemental plan is another option for members of some Sorority & Fraternity Life (SFL) organizations.

* On-campus housing that is subject to the meal plan requirement includes:  North and South Campus Residence Halls, the West Campus House System, Program Houses, McGraw Place Residences, and the Townhouse Apartments.

Upgrade, reduce, or cancel your meal plan:

  • Upgrade a meal plan by using this link or by submitting a Cornell Dining meal plan upgrade request ticket anytime throughout the year.
  • If eligible, the deadline to reduce or cancel your meal plan for the Fall 2024 semester is September 11, 2024, and February 5, 2025 for the Spring 2025 semester. You may enroll in a reduced meal plan by visiting the Meal Plan Dashboard and selecting "Meal Plan Enrollment".
    • Most new Fraternity/Sorority members (if eligible) who are living in North Campus, West Campus, or South Campus residence halls will be permitted to reduce their meal plans to the Bear Supplemental Meal Plan. To qualify for the SFL Supplemental, you must belong to a Greek Organization as a recognized member and have a required meal plan with your house that provides at least 7 meals per week. To align with the Fraternity/Sorority timeline, the fall deadline to change a meal plan for new members is September 25, 2024.
  • Students whose circumstances will change for the Spring semester will receive guidance in November about how to cancel their meal plan.  These changes in circumstances include study abroad, Fall graduation, leaves of absence, etc.
  • To cancel your meal plan, submit a Cornell Dining meal plan cancellation request ticket. Be sure to include your name, NetID, and CUID card number in your message, along with a brief reason for your request.