Meal Plans

The Campus Meal Plan offers the best discount for any student who eats more than 10 meals per week on campus (for University Park, these would be meals in the all-you-care-to-eat dining commons). The Campus Meal Plan is accepted at every Campus Dining location on campus and across the state at multiple Penn State campuses, creating the largest variety of options in addition to earning a discount on nearly every purchase. Items that are pre-packaged, branded, or at a nationally-branded concept (for example, Sbarro) will not receive a discount.

The Campus Meal Plan is comprised of two cost components: base cost (similar to a "membership fee"), which covers operational expenses, and dining dollars, which is the amount available on the student's Penn State id+ Card to make purchases with. There are three (3) levels of spendable dining dollars. Campus Meal Plan holders will receive a discount on qualifying purchases at select operations.

The student's Housing and Food Service (HFS) Contract defaults to level 2, and students can change the level at any time in eLiving until the last day of the semester. Remaining dining dollars at end the end of the contracted period are non-refundable, so if a student is running low on funds, the meal plan can be supplemented with LionCash and still receive the deeper Campus Meal Plan discount.

For students who live in University Housing, the Campus Meal Plan conveniently included in the HFS Contract and does not need to be purchased separately. Students living off campus can purchase the Campus Meal Plan through eLiving. There is no minimum credit load required for purchase; any enrolled student is eligible to purchase a Campus Meal Plan, so long as one is offered at their campus of enrollment.

To learn more about the Campus Meal Plan, watch this video (rates listed in video are from the 2021-2022 academic year).

The Commuter Meal Plan offers students living off campus the opportunity to eat for less than paying out of pocket while saving time that otherwise would be spent packing lunch or driving off campus. The Commuter Meal Plan offers a 10% discount on qualifying purchases. It's the best choice for students who eat on campus a few times per week and want to charge the cost of the meal plan to the student's LionPATH account. Three levels to choose from and each carries over from fall to spring - there's no need to purchase a spring meal plan when you have funds remaining from fall.

Students living off campus can purchase the Commuter Meal Plan through eLiving.

LionCash is the most flexible option for students, faculty, and staff - it's an online, prepaid spending account accessed with the Penn State id+ Card. LionCash members can receive a 10% discount on qualifying purchases. Funds can be added online at any time in increments as low as $5.00, and LionCash is accepted at on- and off-campus restaurants, markets, bookstores, entertainment venues, and more! Funds are available to students during their time as a Penn State student.

View our complete list of participating merchants and enjoy the convenience of making cash-free purchases on your terms.