Frequently Asked Questions: Meal Plans

Meal plans and resident hall access are preloaded onto RED ID's that are distributed during orientation.  Replacement ID's can be purchased at the SDSU Card Office, located on the second floor of Student Services West (SSW).

The first meal begins on Thursday, August 17, 2023 for the fall semester. The first meal begins on Monday, January 15, 2024 for the spring semester.

Meal plans are accepted at over 30 dining locations, including all six Aztec Market Convenience Stores. All locations that accept SDSU Meal Plans are labeled with a red MP logo under the hours & location tab.

The following locations do not accept the meal plans: Faculty Staff Club, Chipotle and Trader Joe's

University housing residents can change their meal plans during the three designated change weeks below. Freshmen residents may change between the three traditional plans (Flex 5, Flex 7 and Meals Plus), while 2nd Year/Upper Division residents may choose between four plans (Flex 5, Flex 7, Meals Plus and 2nd Year Plan).  The meal plan holder may change their meal plan by signing a new agreement with the SDSU Dining Office.  Your meal plan may be changed during the following designated dates by visiting the SDSU  Dining office located in the Education Building, room 112.  There is a $10 change fee required at the time of the request, we accept cash, credit or debit. Office hours for meal plan changes are Monday - Friday 8am – 3pm.  Requests must come directly from students as the account holders.  Cancellations are not an option at any time once selected, regardless of year.

• September 11-15, 2023 - Effective Monday, September 18, 2023
• November 13-17, 2023 - Effective Monday, January 15, 2024
• February 5-9, 2024 - Effective Monday, February 19, 2024

*No balances from your old plan will carry over when moving out of the Meals Plus or 2nd Year Plan. 

Fall 2023: 18 deposit weeks; 86 weekdays and 34 weekend days = 120 total days. Spring 2024: 16 deposit weeks; 78 weekdays and 28 weekend days = 106 total days.

No, there are no refunds at any time on unused balances. Students are encouraged to take full advantage of their meal plans during their time in residence halls.  Declining meal plan (Meals Plus and 2nd Year Plan) balances rollover from fall to spring for residents as long as the housing contract remains active and students do not change out of the plan.  At the end of spring semester, all meal plans expire and unused funds are forfeited without refund.

The staff of SDSU Dining will work with students to identify where food is available that meets specific dietary needs. Please contact Student Ability Success Center at (619) 594-6473 as soon as possible to discuss your specific situation.  You will be referred to dining for a consultation if it is deemed that a meal plan is advised.  Also, many vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options are available in our restaurants, convenience stores and at The Garden.

Meal Plans are built for food and beverages only. Consumable OTC medications are eligible for purchase on the meal plan, but toiletries are not.  Meal plans are not valid on merchandise, gift cards, alcohol or gratuity.

You can pick up a temporary meal card from the SDSU Dining Office (Education Building, Room 112) or pay for your meal and bring your receipts to the SDSU Dining Office or email them to sdsudining@sdsu.edu for a refund within two weeks of your purchase. The receipts must be from a location where the meal plan is accepted and within the stipulations of your meal plan.  If you are requesting a refund from a location that sells alcohol, please ensure that you submit an itemized receipt.  Always leave enough funds in your meal plan account to cover your reimbursement request. 

If you can’t make it to a “regular” meal due to illness, you may request a Sick Meal Pass from you residence hall’s front desk. The form, along with your Red ID Card, must be taken to The Garden at Cuicacalli, University Towers Kitchen (UTK) or the Aztec Market in front of Chapultepec Hall. You may assign someone to pick up your meal with the pass only.  Red ID's are required to be confiscated any time anyone other than the card holder attempts to use it.  This is for the protection of the card holder and their funds.  Red ID's are not transferrable and Sick Meal Passes are the only exception to this rule.

A Meal Plan is placed on hold for late housing payments. When this happens, pay for your meals with cash, debit, or credit and keep your receipts. After your meal plan is removed from hold, bring your receipts (in order by date) to the SDSU Dining Office or email them to sdsudining@sdsu.edu , no more than 2 weeks after your hold is lifted for a refund.  Remember to leave adequate funds in your meal plan to cover your reimbursement amount and to include RED ID and name in all correspondence. The receipts must be from locations where meal plans are accepted and within the stipulations of your meal plan.  If you are requesting a refund from a location that sells alcohol, please ensure that you submit an itemized receipt.  Be advised that reimbursement requests are limited to one per hold period.

While network interruptions are unexpected and rare, they can occur.  When this happens, pay for your meals with cash, ONE card, debit, or credit and keep your receipts. Bring your receipts to the SDSU Dining Office or email them to sdsudining@sdsu.edu , no more than 2 weeks after the receipt date for a refund.  Remember to leave adequate funds in your meal plan to cover your reimbursement amount and to include RED ID and name in all correspondence. The receipts must be from locations where meal plans are accepted and within the stipulations of your meal plan.  If you are requesting a refund from a location that sells alcohol, please ensure that you submit an itemized receipt. 

No, as a public university, all of our eateries accept credit, debit or cash.  Participating meal plan locations also accept the GET ONE card, also linked to the RED ID.  The GET ONE is a university program that is accepted at meal plan locations.  This account can also be utilized for laundry in the residence halls, the campus bookstore, the library and is a convenient way to supplement for meals while on campus.  This university program can be accessed at https://get.cbord.com/sdsu/full/login.php 

Yes, there are two commuter meal plan options available for purchase at the SDSU Dining office in EDUCATION 112.  Commuter plans are optional, as they are not required in order to eat at our facilities.  Commuter meal plans must be purchased each semester during the academic year and cannot be changed or refunded.  More information, including pricing and purchase instructions, can be found on our Commuter Meal Plan page found under our Meal Plans tab.