Meal Plan Info

First- and second-year residential students are required to have a meal plan. We encourage upper-class and commuter students to continue dining with us through the convenience and value of a meal plan!

Meal Plan Features

Meal Swipes
Declining Balance
Guest Meals
Meal Exchange
Downtown Dining Dollars
Meal Swipe

 

Meal swipes give students access into the two all-you-care-to-eat dining halls. Students simply swipe their FLASHcard to enter Eastway Dining or DI Dining and they are good to go! Students with unlimited meal plans may enter without the need to count their meal swipes! Students with Block meal plans will have a set number of swipes per semester. Meal swipes may only be used by the specific meal plan holder.

Declining Balance Dollar Icon

Declining balance are the dollars included with a meal plan. Grab Starbucks, a meal in The HUB or some quick snacks in any campus market! These dollars go directly onto your FLASHcard and can only be used at on-campus dining retail locations. Declining balance dollars roll over from semester to semester, until the student graduates or leaves Kent State University.

Users

 

Guest meals offer flexibility to treat friends or family to a meal in Eastway Dining or DI Dining: Eat-In!  Many of the meal plan options comes with a specific number of guest meals each semester that are loaded directly on your FLASHcard. Guest meals can be used for any additional individuals the meal plan holder would like to use them on.

Meal Exchange Icon

Meal Exchange is a current benefit of the meal plan that gives you the flexibility to use a meal swipe at participating retail locations across campus. Meal Exchange offers an entrée, a side, and a drink per swipe. It’s a perk designed to add variety and convenience, not replace the dining halls. 

You can redeem up to 16 of your meal swipes per week at participating retail locations. There are no restrictions on when or how quickly you can use them. The meal exchange-eligible swipes will reset every Sunday and do not roll over week to week. If your meal plan has a set total of meal swipes, only the amount of meal exchange-eligible swipes you use each week counts towards your total.   Most students find the best way to maximize their meal plan by:

  • Using dining halls as your primary dining option for all-you-care-to-eat meals.
  • Using Meal Exchange for convenience, variety, or busy days on campus.
  • Using declining balance to supplement meals or purchase items not included with Meal Exchange

Together, these options are designed to give you flexibility while maximizing the value of their meal plan. 

PARTICIPATING LOCATIONS:

Meal Exchange menus are available on kiosks at the following locations: Metropolitan Deli at Eastway, Rosie’s Diner & Market, Hippie Chick’n, Homeslice, Grill ’72, and Recharge. Meal Exchange menu at the George T. Simon III Café can be found at the location. 

Downtown Dining Dollars icon

 

Downtown Dining Dollars are loaded onto your FLASHcard with the purchase of an applicable meal plan. These funds can be used at participating restaurants around the city of Kent or on the Grubhub app! Downtown Dining Dollars are non-refundable.

Pro Tips:

  • Meal swipes and guest meals will expire at the end of the semester.
  • Declining balance dollars will rollover from semester to semester until the student leaves Kent State University.
  • Spend your money wisely - Eat on campus and buy groceries on campus with your Meal Plan at any of our on-campus markets.
  • Check your balance often - Meal Plan balances are shown at the bottom of every receipt.
  • You can add money to your Meal Plan anytime during the academic year with a Visa® or Mastercard®.

Compare Plans

 
Meal Swipe

Meal Swipes

Declining Balance Dollar Icon

Declining Balance

Yellow illustration/icon of three people, one in front and two behind on either side of the first

Guest Meals

Meal Exchange Icon

Meal Exchange

Downtown Dining Dollars icon

Downtown Dining Dollars

Yellow illustration/icon of a graduation cap with tassel

Student Availability

Yellow illustration/icon of a flippable calendar

Semester Availability

The Gold Plan

Unlimited

$500

15

Yes

$100

All KSU Students

Fall and Spring Only

The Blue Plan

Unlimited

$100

10

Yes

$0

All KSU Students

Fall and Spring Only

1910 Plan 

175

$400

10

Yes

$0

All KSU Students

Fall and Spring Only

Learn More about the 1910 Plan

Things To Consider

  • How many meals per day do you eat?
  • Do you prefer sit down meals or grab and go options?
  • Are you and early riser or late-night snacker?
  • First year residential students are encouraged to add an unlimited meal swipes plan their first year living in the residence halls.
  • Upper class residential and commuter students - how often do you plan to eat meals on campus? Grab a snack or coffee between classes?
  • Declining Balance can be used at all 21 on-campus dining locations.

Still Have Questions?

Check out our Meal Plan FAQs below for more information. You can also contact University Culinary Services at 330-672-2541 or culinary@kent.edu.

Am I required to purchase a meal plan?

Per University Policy, first-year and sophomore resident students are required to have a meal plan for the entire school year. First- and second-year students living on-campus are able to pick from one of the First-and Second-Year Residential Meal Plan options. Students will select a meal plan through the housing application.

Upper class and commuter students are not required to purchase a meal plan, but are welcome to do so through FlashLine. When you sign up through FlashLine, your Student Account will be charged and a bill will be sent to you at a later date. For any questions about signing up, please email flashcard@kent.edu.

What are the benefits of having a meal plan?

Meal plans are a great way for students to save while dining on campus! The all-you-care-to-eat dining halls and retail locations provide convenience, flexibility and healthy options from early morning to late night. All dining locations provide a space for students to sit and enjoy a snack or meal, as well as options for students on the go.

Can I use my meal plan at off-campus locations?

Meal plans are only able to be used on-campus at the University Culinary Services locations. However, there are a number of off-campus locations that will accept Downtown Dining Dollars and FLASHcash. For more information on these meal plan features, check out Step 1 above.

Learn More about FLASHcard

How does meal exchange work?

You can redeem up to 16 of your meal swipes per week at participating retail locations. There are no restrictions on when or how quickly you can use them. If your meal plan has a set total of meal swipes, only the amount of Meal Exchange-eligible swipes you use each week counts towards your total.  

PARTICIPATING LOCATIONS:

Meal Exchange menus are available on kiosks at the following locations: Metropolitan Deli at Eastway, Rosie’s Diner & Market, Hippie Chick’n, Homeslice, Grill ’72, and Recharge. Meal Exchange menu at the George T. Simon III Café can be found at the location. 

Do my Meal Exchange swipes roll over? Meal Exchange swipes do not roll over week to week. Every Sunday, your balance will be reset to 16 swipes.

Can I use more than one meal exchange swipe in a single transaction? No. Meal Exchange swipes are limited to one swipe per transaction. This helps ensure consistent access for all students and allows locations to manage the Meal Exchange offerings fairly and efficiently.

Can Meal Exchange swipes be shared or used for someone else? No. The perk of Meal Exchange is for individual use only and cannot be shared or used for another person. This helps ensure fairness and consistent access for all meal plan holders. 

What do I get with Meal Exchange? Meal Exchange offers an entrée, a side, and a drink per swipe.

Are Meal Exchange menu items the same every day, or do they change? Meal Exchange menu items vary by location and can change over time. This allows dining locations to offer variety, take advantage of featured items, and respond to student preferences.

Why are some locations excluded from Meal Exchange? Not all locations can participate due to operational, pricing, or menu constraints. Participating locations are selected to ensure Meal Exchange remains a sustainable and valuable benefit while offering students a consistent experience across campus.

Why can’t I get anything I want on the menu with a meal exchange swipe? Meal Exchange offerings are thoughtfully designed to help keep meal plans affordable for everyone. If every menu item were included, overall meal plan costs would need to increase. You can think of Meal Exchange like a combo meal; it’s bundled to give you a satisfying option while keeping things simple and cost-effective.

What if I want something that isn’t part of the Meal Exchange menu? No problem! You’re welcome to use your declining balance or a credit card for any items outside of the Meal Exchange offerings. 

Where will I be able to use my declining balance dollars?

You will be able to use your declining balance at any dining location on campus. That includes locations such as the Markets and The Hub. You are also able to use your declining balance to pay the door rate to enter into the all-you-care-to-eat dining halls: Eastway & DI Dining.

Do downtown dining dollars expire?

Downtown dining dollars expire at the end of each semester on the last day of meal plan. Any remaining balance is non-refundable.

What happens to my meal swipes, guest meals and declining balance dollars at the end of the semester?

At the end of each semester, any unused meal swipes and guest meals will expire.

Any unused declining balance dollars will rollover to the next semester. This unused declining balance dollars continues to rollover from semester to semester until the student graduates or is no longer enrolled at the university, at which time any remaining declining balance dollars will expire and be forfeited back to the university.

How do I lookup my previous swipe usage?

Reach out to flashcard@kent.edu and request a Swipe Usage Report for last semester.

Where can I find my rollover declining balance?

For billing purposes, rollover declining balance dollars are kept separate from declining balance dollars associated with a current meal plan for the semester. Login to find your Rollover Balance and Transaction History.

Can I add money to my meal plan if my declining balance starts to run low?

Yes, you are able to add value to your account at any time. You can add declining balance dollars to your FLASHcard through the FLASHcard website with a Mastercard, Visa or Discover.  You can also purchase another meal plan within the same semester. To sign up for another meal plan, please visit the FLASHcard Office located on the first floor of the Kent Student Center or call 330-672-2273.

How do I sign up for a meal plan?

If you are a First- or Second-Year student, you will select a meal plan through the housing application.

If you are an Upper class or Commuter student, you can purchase a meal plan through your Student Dashboard in FlashLine. You can also contact the FLASHcard Office at 330-672-2273 or by email: flashcard@kent.edu.

If you are a faculty or staff member, you can now sign up for a meal plan using payroll deduction. Sign up in FlashLine, under Additional Employee Resources. Select employee meal plan, fill out the form and you're ready to go! You can also contact the FLASHcard Office at 330-672-2273 or by email: flashcard@kent.edu.

Am I able to change my meal plan after I have selected one?

If you decide to purchase a meal plan and wish to change your selection, you may do so by visiting your Student Dashboard in FlashLine or by contacting the FLASHcard Office. Students are not able to change their meal plan after the 2nd week of the semester.

  1. A cancellation will be approved and a full refund will be processed if a student requests to cancel a meal plan by the Add/Drop period and there has been no usage of any part of the meal plan.
  2. A cancellation will be approved and a full refund will be processed if a student requests to cancel a meal plan after the Add/Drop period, but within 2 business days of the purchase.
Can I change my meal plan from semester to semester?

Yes, students are able to switch meal plans from semester to semester. The meal plan options available to a student will depend on the student's class standing before the start of the school year.

What if I need to cancel or request not to have a meal plan?

If you are required to be on a meal plan and want to request a food contract release, you will need to contact dietitians@kent.edu and complete the dining petition (PDF).

  1. If the request for canceling the meal plan is by the end of the Add/Drop period and there has been no usage of any part of the meal plan, the cancellation will be approved and a full refund processed.
  2. If the request occurs after the add/drop period and within 2 business days of the purchase, the cancellation will be approved and a full refund processed.

If you are an Upper Class or Commuter Student, you can cancel your Meal Plan before the second week of the semester by emailing flashcard@kent.edu.

Pricing & The Golden Guarantee Plan

Kent State University’s Golden Guarantee Plan offers undergraduate students the certainty of room and meal plan charges! 

2026-27 Meal Plan prices will be approved by the Board of Trustees in March. 

View previous years' pricing by cohort. 

For more information on The Golden Guarantee, and for help determining your cohort, contact the Flashcard Office at 330-672-2273 or flashcard@kent.edu.

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