Food for Thought: Exploring Cornell Meal Plan

What is the meal plan at Cornell?

What is the Cornell meal plan? Cornell University offers several meal plans for students living on campus. The specific meal plan options and details may vary from year to year, but generally, here are the plans that students can choose from:

Unlimited

• Access to all meals during approved service periods in the 10 residential dining rooms
• $400 Big Red Dollars per semester
• 8 extra meals for guests each semester
• Required for first-year undergraduates students

 Bear Traditional

• Access to 14 meals each week during approved service periods in the 10 residential dining rooms
• $400 Big Red Dollars per semester
• 4 extra meals for guests each semester

 Bear Choice

• Access to 10 meals a week in the ten residential dining rooms during designated service hours
• $500 in Big Red Bucks per semester
• 4 extra meals for guests each semester

Bear Basic

• Access to 7 meals each week in the ten residential dining rooms during approved service periods
• $500 Big Red Dollars per semester
• 4 extra meals for guests each semester

House Meal Plan

• Access to all meals during approved service periods in the 10 residential dining rooms
• $400 Big Red Dollars per semester
• 8 extra meals for guests each semester
• Required for students living at the WCHS

House Affiliate

• A food plan for current off-campus residents who have previously resided in the WCHS for at least one semester.
• 3 meals each week in any West Campus dining room
• $100 Big Red Bucks per semester

South Campus Meal Plan

• Access to ten meals a week in the ten residential dining rooms during designated service hours
• $420 City Bucks every semester
• $500 Big Red Bucks per semester
• 4 extra meals for guests each semester
• Residents at 112 Edgemoor, Cascadilla Hall, Schuyler House, and Sheldon Court are eligible

Sorority & Fraternity Life (SFL) Supplementary (also known as Bear Supplemental)

• Access to 127 meals per semester at the ten residential dining rooms during specified service periods (Shabbat, holiday, and special meal prices apply at 104West!)
• $500 in Big Red Bucks per semester
• Available to all SFL members living off-campus

Sorority & Fraternity Life (SFL) members living on campus are only eligible for this plan if their chapter requires an out-of-house meal plan. Please keep in mind that the needed meal plan for the chapter must include at least 7 meals per week in order to qualify.

Off-Campus Value

• Access to 45 meals per semester at the ten residential dining halls during defined service periods
• $150 Big Red Bucks per semester
• 4 extra meals for guests each semester

Flex 10/500

• Access to 10 meals per semester in the ten residential dining rooms during approved service periods
• $500 in Big Red Bucks per semester

Just Bucks

• $500 Big Red Bucks per semester

Student meal plans are valid for the whole academic year and become legally binding when you sign the Dining Application or are enrolled automatically.

The meal plan will be charged to your bursar account in two installments in July and December. A non-refundable $50 administration fee will be charged once every school year for any of these meal plans.

Big Red Bucks can be used to pay for your own meals at any Cornell Dining facility for all debit meal plan options, but not to purchase meals for guests. Any debt balance from the autumn semester is carried over to the spring semester. Unused food swipes are not carried over.

Based on the terms of your plan, your swipes and Big Red Bucks (BRBs) for the spring semester will be added automatically. Any remaining Big Red Bucks balance must be spent by May 27, 2024.

What kind of food is included in the Cornell meal plan?

What kind of food is included in the Cornell meal plan? Students who have purchased a Cornell meal plan can access a range of dining alternatives.

The specific meal options may differ based on the dining hall or cafe; however, the following sorts of food are frequently available:

Hot Entrees

Cornell’s dining halls often serve a range of hot meals, including grilled chicken, pasta dishes, vegetarian alternatives, and more. These dinners are frequently served with side dishes such as vegetables, rice, or potatoes.

Salad Bars

Salad bars are available in several Cornell dining halls, where students can build their own salads with a selection of toppings such as fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, and dressings.

Sandwiches & Wraps

Some of Cornell’s cafés and convenience stores offer made-to-order sandwiches and wraps with a choice of meats, cheeses, and veggies.

Soups

Cornell’s dining halls and cafes frequently offer a variety of soups, including vegetarian and gluten-free selections.

Breakfast Foods

Cornell’s dining halls usually serve eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, waffles, cereal, and other breakfast items.

Desserts

A variety of desserts are available in several of Cornell’s dining halls and cafes, including cookies, brownies, cakes, and ice cream.

Cornell’s dining facilities also provide customized menus for students with dietary requirements, such as vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and kosher alternatives.

How much is the meal plan at Cornell?

How much does the Cornell meal plan cost? The cost of the meal plan varies depending on the individual plan selected by the student. You can refer to the following:

• Unlimited – $3,471 per semester; $6,942 per year
• Bear Traditional – $3,220 per semester; $6,440 per year
• Bear Choice – $2,787 per semester; $5,574 per year
• Bear Basic – $2,382 per semester; $4,764 per year
• House Meal Plan – $3,471 per semester; $6,942 per year
• House Affiliate – $661 per semester; $1,322 per year
• South Campus Meal Plan – $3,220 per semester; $6,440 per year
• SFL Supplemental (aka. Bear Supplemental) – $1,992.25 per semester; $3,984.50 per year
• Off-Campus Value – $837 per semester; $1,674 per year
• Flex 10/500 – $676 per semester; $1,352 per year
• Just Bucks – $500 per semester

How to change your meal plan at Cornell?

How do you modify your Cornell meal plan?

If you want to alter your meal plan, you should follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Student Center on the Cornell Student Essentials website with your NetID and password.
2. On the “Finances” area of your Student Center, click the “Enroll in a Meal Plan” link.
3. Choose the meal plan you want to join from the selection of options.
4. Examine the new meal plan’s terms and conditions, including the cost and quantity of meals included.
5. To confirm your choice, click the “Enroll” button.

It is important to note that each semester, there may be specified deadlines for altering your meal plan, and some meal plans may be unavailable at certain times of the year.

Furthermore, modifying your meal plan may have financial consequences, so carefully read the terms and conditions before making any changes.

If you have any questions or concerns, you can get help from Cornell Food Services or the Office of Financial Assistance and Student Employment.

If Cornell is your preferred choice for future education, take use of all available resources, including their excellent meal plan. You may be confident that your nutritional needs will be fulfilled with a range of healthy and delicious options, allowing you to focus on your academic and personal growth.

Furthermore, while the admissions process might be stressful, it is vital to stay focused and demonstrate the unique qualities that make you an excellent fit for Cornell. If you put in the effort, work hard, and have a strong desire to learn, you can make your dreams come true at Cornell.

AdmissionSight has you covered in this aspect. We have a decade of experience guiding students through the difficult admissions process of top universities. Please contact us to schedule your initial consultation.