Meal Plans

First year students (for the first two semesters living on campus)

• Meal plans are required
• Plans include a set number of meals per week + Flex
• Designed to ensure consistent access to meals throughout the semester
• You’ll automatically be enrolled if you don’t select a plan.

2026 - 2027 Options

All First year students must choose either 19/100 or 14/700

$3,437-19 Meal Swipes/100 Flex

• Provides 19 meals per week, 304 meals a semester. A meal is an all at once credit of $8.00 for food purchased in almost any campus restaurant.
• 100 Flex Dining Credits for use at any of our dining units. (ideal usage of Flex Dining Credits per week is $6.25)

$3,437-14 Meal/700 Flex

• Provides 14 meals per week, 224 meals a semester. A meal is an all-at-once credit of $8.00 for food purchased in almost any campus restaurant.
• 700 Flex Dining Credits for use at any of our dining units. (Ideal usage of Flex Dining Credits per week is $43.75)

The options below are for:

• Returning students (who have lived on campus for two semesters)
• Returning students or transfer students who have fulfilled their residency requirement, meaning they have lived on campus a total of 4 semesters.
• Returning students who commute, live off campus, or who have met the Residency Requirement AND live in a townhouse or Lehman Apartment.

2026 - 2027 Options

$3,437-19 Meal Swipes/100 Flex

• Provides 19 meals per week, 304 meals a semester. A meal is an all at once credit of $8.00 for food purchased in most any campus restaurant.
• 100 Flex Dining Credits for use at any of our dining units. (ideal usage of Flex Dining Credits per week is $6.25)

$3,437-14 Meal/700 Flex

• Provides 14 meals per week, 224 meals a semester. A meal is an all-at-once credit of $8.00 for food purchased in most any campus restaurants.
• 700 Flex Dining Credits for use at any of our dining units. (Ideal usage of Flex Dining Credits per week is $43.75)

$3,098-9 Meal/1,000 Flex

• Provides 144 meals a semester. A meal is an all at once credit of $8.00 for food purchased in almost any campus restaurant.
• 1,000 Flex Dining Credits for use at any of our dining units. (Ideal usage of Flex Dining Credits per week is $62.50)

• Flexible plans designed for students who live off campus
• If living on campus, you must have met the residency requirement AND live in a Townhouse or Lehman Apartment.
• Choose from Flex-only or combo plans (meals + Flex)
• Add funds anytime if needed

2026 - 2027 Options

$1,500 – 1500 Flex/Free Reusable to-go Container

• 1500 Flex for use at any of our dining units. Ideal usage of Flex spending per week is $93.75.

$1,000 - 1000 Flex/Free Reusable to-go Container

• 1000 Flex for use in any of our dining units. Ideal usage of Flex spending per week is $62.50.

$750- 75 Block/100 Flex/Free Reusable to-go Container

• This plan offers 75 meal swipes per semester. A meal is one entry at Bear Cave (for an all-you-care-to-eat meal) or an all-at-once credit of $8.00 for food purchased in almost any campus restaurant.

• 100 Flex for use at any of our dining units. Ideal usage of Flex spending per week is $6.25.

$500 Flex/Free Reusable to-go Container

• 500 Flex for use at any of our dining units. Ideal usage of Flex spending per week is $31.25.

$300 Flex/Free Reusable to-go Container

• 300 Flex for use at any of our dining units. Ideal usage of Flex spending per week is $18.75. 

• Fall Meal plans begin with lunch on Thursday 8/27/26 and ends after breakfast on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2026
• Spring Meal plans begin with lunch on Friday 1/17/27 and ends after dinner on Saturday, May 15, 2027
• Changes to Meal Plans must be made within seven days of the start of classes on BearPAWS.

Meal plan selection is subject to review and audit by the Campus Card office and is based on room assignments and completion of the residency requirement. Students who are determined to be in contradiction with these terms will be assigned to the 14Meal/700Flex.

Meal Swipes

• Your meal plan provides the security of knowing that your basic dining needs are covered for the entire semester.
• Meal swipes are allocated per week (or semester) depending on the plan chosen.
• Meal swipes have an $8.00 (non-cash) value at other locations. Meal swipes are accepted at all dining locations: Becky’s Place, SUDC/Bear Cave, and PAC Café. Meal swipes are not accepted at Starbucks or concessions.
• Meal swipes must be used in the week they are issued; they do not roll over and reset every Sunday at 2 a.m. You may use as many meal swipes each day as you wish.
• Meal swipes are prorated when PACES operations are not open for the full week. These weeks include opening, closing, Thanksgiving and Spring Break.

Flex Dining Credits (Available on all plans)

• FLEX credits have the purchasing power equivalent to one dollar, but they have no cash value.
• FLEX can be used at any dining unit, Starbucks, and concessions.
• FLEX can only be used towards purchases of goods from PACES Dining Services.
• FLEX provides maximum purchasing flexibility: FLEX credits can be used at any time during the semester.
• FLEX does not roll over to the next semester, they must be used in the semester they were issued. Unused FLEX credits are nonrefundable.

Here are some Tips for Managing your Meal Plan:

• Plan Ahead: You can use your Meal swipes at any time and as many meals as you want at one time.
• Meal swipes must be used within the week in which they are allocated: it generally makes the most sense to use them first, for their full value.
• Get the Best Value: Go to The Bear Cave for your meals, our all-you-care-to-eat location in SUDC, for one swipe.
• Spend Your Flex: You've paid for them as part of your plan. Don't save them all for the end of the semester and then waste them on things you don't really need or be forced to forfeit them.
• Check Your Balances: You can check your balance at any register or check your balances online. Refer to the Ideal Flex Balance Chart (PDF) at any dining register to make sure you are on track for the semester.
• Prorated Meals: Most colleges build in and charge you for meals that they think you won't use (aka missed meal factor). PACES wants you to get what you paid for, so we take into account the short weeks (opening weeks, Thanksgiving, Spring break week.)

• Meal Plans are a contract between you and PACES and are regulated by NYS law.
• You must present your Campus Card to the cashier to use your meal plan.
• Meal Plans have features: Meal Swipes, Flex (purchasing power equal to one dollar, but no cash value), and a Mobile App.
• Meal Plans are non-transferable, are for the sole use of the student to whom the account is issued and for food in PACES Dining Service locations.
• All students who live on campus are required to have a residential meal plan, except students who have met their residency requirement AND live in Lehman apartments or Townhouse. *Meal plan selection is subject to review and audit by the Campus Card office. Students who are determined to be in contradiction with these terms will be defaulted to the 14Meal.
• Changes to Meal Plans must be made within seven days of the first day of classes on BearPAWS.
• No refunds can be issued unless a student officially withdraws from the College. (Any refunds will be prorated and service charges may apply).
• Plan balances do not "rollover" from one semester to another. At the end of the semester, all plan balances are forfeited. Check your plan balances and usage history online.
• At the end of the fall semester, students will automatically be re-assigned their current meal plan option for the spring semester unless they select a different one on BearPaws.
• You can make changes to your plan within seven days of the first day of classes on BearPAWS.
• If you believe that you have special circumstances that necessitate a modification or release from your meal plan contract, you may submit a Meal Plan Petition (PDF).
• PACES can accommodate many individual diets and most medically necessary food requirements are available (gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian.) We do recognize, however, that there may be extenuating circumstances under which relief from the meal plan regulations may be appropriate. If you have a special medical condition that necessitates a modification or release from your meal plan contract, you may submit a Meal Plan Petition (PDF).