You are here: American University Campus Life One Card & Dining Services Meal Plan Information and Facts

Back to top

This page provides information regarding Meal Plans at American University, including details about Meal Plan Rates, Meal Plan requirements, Meal Plan usage and the Meal Plan terms and conditions.

For additional information and questions please contact One Card & Dining Services at 202-885-CARD (2273) or email mealplans@american.edu

What is a Meal Plan?

A Meal Plan consists of Meal Swipes and Eaglebucks. Meal Plans may be purchased in the Academic Year and summer terms by actively enrolled students.

Academic Year (fall and spring semesters) Meal Plan rates are determined based on the type of meal plan purchased. Students living in AU campus housing may be required to enroll in a minimum meal plan determined by terms lived in housing and housing assignment. In these cases, meal plans will be default enrolled by One Card & Dining Services. Students will be able to increase their meal plan if required to hold a minimum meal plan.

Students seeking meal plan enrollments for the summer semester have the choice to select any of the options for the meal plans offered.

Charges and refunds for all meal plans are pro-rated and calculated on a daily basis, based on the time of enrollment and total dining days per semester.

Meal Plan FAQ

Spring 2021 Meal Plan Rates
Meal Plan Type Meal Plan Rate Meal Plan Description
175 Block Plan $2,442/semester This plan provides 175 meals per semester, approximately 10-11 meals per week, plus $400 Eaglebucks.
100 Block Plan $1,588/semester This plan provides 100 meals per semester, approximately 6 meals per week, plus $400 Eaglebucks.
50 Block Plan $695/semester This plan provides 50 meals per semester plus $100 Eaglebucks.
$800 Eaglebucks $800/semester This plan provides 800 Eaglebucks and no meal swipes.

Charges and refunds for all meal plans are pro-rated and calculated on a daily basis, based on the time of enrollment, total dining days per semester and the type of meal plan one is enrolled in.

  • The Fall Semester total dining days are 108 days and do not include Thanksgiving Break (Wednesday before Thanksgiving- Saturday following Thanksgiving).
  • The Spring Semester total dining days are 109 days and do not include Spring Break (Sunday before Spring Break- Saturday following Spring Break).

Charges and refunds for all meal plans are pro-rated and calculated on a daily basis, based on the time of enrollment, total dining days per semester and type of meal plan one is enrolled in.

The Dining Days formula is calculated by the meal plan rate, subtracting Eaglebucks amount, divided by the total number of dining days.

Example: 100 Block Meal Plan ($1,588/semester includes $400 Eaglebucks as of Fall 2019 meal plan rates)

  • Dining Daily Rate Calculated: ($1,588- $400 (Eaglebucks))/108 (Fall Semester Dining Days total)= $11.00/day
  • A student who enters a meal plan 30 days into the Dining Days calendar, would receive each day prorated. Based on the previous example that would be $11.00 multiplied by 30 days which equals $330.00
  • Alternately, a student who is eligible to cancel a meal plan 30 days into the Dining Days calendar would just pay those 30 days, again based on the the previous example.
  •  Eaglebucks are also prorated. Based on this same example, a student who enters a meal plan 30 days into the Dining Days calendar should anticipate their Eaglebucks funds to begin at $144.44 per account: $400 divide by 108 equals a daily rate of $3.70. The student will receive a prorated credit of $55.56 for their Eaglebucks account.

Meal Plans consist of meal swipes and Eaglebucks.

Meal Swipes are the total number of swipes associated with a particular meal plan. For example if a student is enrolled in a 100 Block Meal Plan the total amount of swipes available for that meal plan are 100 Swipes.

A swipe is deducted from a student's account each time the Meal Plan is utilized. All swipes will expire at the end of every semester. There is no rollover for swipes.

Eaglebucks are dollar amounts added to the meal plan account when a meal plan is purchased. The balance (in dollars) decreases when the student makes a purchase (in dollars) from the account. These are used at on-campus and off-campus dining locations. Additional Eaglebucks can be added ot the account through Eaglebucks.com. Unused Eaglebucks will carry foward throughout a community members tenure at American University.

Meal Exchanges allow a student to use one swipe from their meal plan in exchange for a meal from an AU Dining Retail location. A meal exchange consists of an enrtree, side and a drink.

Meal Swipes and Meal Exchange can only be utilized at dining locations managed and operated by AU Dining. For more information on AU Dining Retail locations visit the AU Dining website.

 

Minimum Meal Plan Requirements are based on the Housing License Terms and Conditions as agreed upon by Housing & Residence Life.

First- and second-year students residing in campus housing are required to be on a meal plan, based on credits earned at AU.

  • First-year students living on campus are required to have at least a 175-Block meal plan.
  • Second-year students living on campus are required to have at least a 100-Block meal plan.
  • Apartment Residential Students (McDowell Hall Apartments, Nebraska Hall and the Frequency Apartments) will not be required to hold a meal plan.

 

Visit our Meal Plan site to learn more.

Disability-Related Accommodations

Students who have a disability-related dietary need(s), such as a food allergy that substantially limits their dining experience are strongly encouraged to make the university aware of their accommodation needs as early as possible. To request disability-related dining accommodations, please complete the Getting Started with Disability Accommodations request form.

For more information about accommodations, please visit the Academic Support and Access Center (ASAC) website titled "Registering for Accommodations," or contact the ASAC at asac@american.edu or calling 202.885.3360.

Religious Considerations

On occasion, students' religious observance necessitates consideration academic, housing, or food-related purposes. If you have a need for such a religious consideration, you may submit a request through Kay Spiritual Life Center.

Economic Considerations

The office of One Card & Dining Services does not make exceptions to the mandatory meal policy based on economic reasons.

2020 - 2021 Academic Year Dining Services FAQ

Please refer to American University's Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page that reflect current policies and resources. This page is designed to provide the AU community with up-to-date answers to help you navigate the university’s response to the evolving COVID-19 situation.

Deep cleaning and strict safety measures will be implemented for all food service operations as explained in detail on the University COVID-19 FAQ page.

Physical distancing will be in place in both production and service areas following local health department guidelines, CDC recommendations and university requirements. All Dining employees (managers and associates) must attend mandatory training on ServSafe COVID-19.

To ensure physical distancing and provide appropriate cleaning time, the closing hours of the dining program will be adjusted. Previously open until 2:00 a.m., locations in the tunnel will now close at 12:00 a.m.

Meal Plan Quick Links
Where can the Meal Plan be used?
Retail Venue Campus Location Meal Swipe Eligible Meal Exchange Eligible Eaglebucks Eligible
Terrace Dining Room Mary Graydon Center (MGC) X   X
Einstein Bros. Bagel Mary Graydon Center (MGC)- Marketplace   X X
Pom + Honey Mary Graydon Center (MGC)- Marketplace   X X
The District Pickle (Kosher Deli) Mary Graydon Center (MGC)- Marketplace   X X
Wonk Burger & Absurd Bird Mary Graydon Center (MGC)- Tavern   X X
Hissho Sushi & Create Mary Graydon Center (MGC)- Tavern   X X
Subway Butler Pavilion- The Tunnel   X X
Eagle's Nest Market Butler Pavilion- The Tunnel   X X
Starbucks Butler Pavilion- The Tunnel     X
Campus Coffee & Tea Bender Library- Terrace   X X
DC Eats Kerwin Hall - First Floor   X X
East Campus & BUILD Pizza East Campus   X X
Spring Valley Cafe Spring Valley Building- 6th Floor   X X

**Meal Exchanges allow a student to use one swipe from their meal plan in exchange for a meal from an AU Dining Retail location. A meal exchange consists of an enrtree, side and a drink.