Residential On-Campus Meal Plan

The University of Alabama is committed to providing its students with a comprehensive educational experience. The University has determined that for most students, on-campus dining has numerous educational, social, and dietary benefits. In recognition of the value of the living-learning experience, The University of Alabama requires students living in on-campus housing to participate in the Residential On-Campus Meal Plan during the Fall and Spring semesters.

 Benefits of the Residential On-Campus Meal Plan:

  • Meeting New Friends…Dining Halls are great social centers.
  • Convenience…All on-campus dining locations are close to residence halls and academic buildings.
  • Value…Meals in the Residential On-Campus Meal Plan are sold at a discount and cost less than similar off campus restaurants.
  • An Advantage…Studies of college students across the nation consistently show that students who eat and live on campus are more involved, have higher grade point averages and are more likely to graduate than students living at home or off campus.

Residential On-Campus Meal Plan Requirements

All meal plan charges are billed to student financial account. Please note meal plan charges do not include the required $350 Dining Dollars.  Dining Dollars are billed separately on the student financial account. Minimum required plans are outlined below. Any student may upgrade from one qualifying meal plan to another at any time.

  • First Year Students
    • First year students will be automatically assigned the All Access Meal Plan.
      • The All Access Meal Plan provides unlimited meal access for the student in two residential dining halls, and several additional retail locations. Includes 10 guest meals per semester. Plus the All Access Plan also allows up to one VIP meal per day from any location accepting the VIP Meal Membership,
    • First year students who wish to reduce their meal plan requirement may select the Silver 125 Meal Plan.
      • The Silver 125 residential Meal Plan does not provide unlimited access to dining halls but allows students to utilize a block of 125 meals, whenever they wish, each semester.  Includes 10 guest meals per semester.
      • Incoming first year students that choose to reduce their meal plan to the Silver 125 must do so in myBama between their Bama Bound session (when they register for classes) and July 28 at 11:59 p.m. The only exception to this policy is for incoming freshman attending one of the final sessions of Bama Bound (August 11-12). Students attending one of these final sessions may select the Silver 125 plan by emailing mealplans@bamadining.com no later than the second Friday of classes.
    • Out 2 Lunch is a program that encourages students to engage with their faculty members outside of class and over casual conversation, which maximizes the UA community.  Bama Dining has partnered with Student Affairs to give first-year students two meals to use towards taking a faculty member out to lunch with the goal to increase informal interaction and therefore improve their transition to The University of Alabama.
  • Returning Students
    • Returning students living on-campus in traditional and suite-style residence halls will automatically be signed up for the Silver 125 Meal Plan.
      • The Silver 125 residential Meal Plan does not provide unlimited access to dining halls but allows students to utilize a block of 125 meals, whenever they wish, each semester.  Includes 10 guest meals per semester.
    • Students who live in on-campus apartments (Bryce Lawn & Highlands) that have a full kitchen may reduce to the Essential Meal Plan.
      • The Essential Meal Plan provides a block of 55  residential meals and 25 retail meals per semester.  Includes 10 guest meals per semester.
      • These returning students that choose to reduce their meal plan must do so in myBama by Thursday, July 28 by 11:59 p.m. CST.
  • Fraternity and Sorority Community
    • Students who are a part of a Fraternity or Sorority Community that requires another meal plan with 10 or more meals per week may reduce their meal contract to the Essential Plan.

Residential On-Campus Meal Plan Exemption Request

Meal Plan Terms and Conditions

Residential On-Campus Meal Plan Policy