Lion
Meal Plans
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LionCash+

Recommended option for off-campus students who like to eat on campus and want the ability to use the plan at participating off-campus restaurants.

  • Flexibility to use at any on-campus dining location, as well as many off-campus business
  • Discounts at select on- and off- campus locations
  • Convenience of cash-free purchasing with the Penn State id+ Card

Commuter Meal Plan

Recommended option for off-campus students who like to eat on campus, but need to charge the plan to the Bursar account (Available for purchase prior to the tuition billing due date).

  • Flexibility to use at any on-campus dining location
  • Discounts at select on-campus dining locations
  • Convenience of cash-free purchasing with the Penn State id+ Card
  • Ability to charge the Bursar account; funds will be activated when the student is in registered status

Campus Meal Plan

Recommended option for off-campus students who eat 14 or more meals per week at the dining commons (Required for students living on campus).

  • Flexibility to use at any on-campus dining location
  • Ultimate value at the all-you-care-to-eat dining commons and residential retail locations
  • Convenience of cash-free purchasing with the Penn State id+ Card
  • Ability to charge the Bursar account; funds will be activated when the student is in registered status

Meal Plan Comparison Chart

  LionCash+ Commuter Meal Plan Campus Meal Plan
Is there a base cost? No No Yes
$1,275 per semester
(2012-2013 rate)
Where are the meal plan costs? Based on amount deposited Level 1: $500
Level 2: $1,000		 Level 1: $1,895/semester
Level 2: $1,980/semester
Level 3: $2,040/semester
Level 4: $2,145/semester
Level 5: $2,225/semester
Level 6: $2,390/semester
(Amount includes base cost)
What are the spendable dining dollars? 100% of amount deposited Level 1: $500
Level 2: $1,000		 Level 1: $620
Level 2: $705
Level 3: $765
Level 4: $870
Level 5: $950
Level 6: $1,115
How many meals will the plan buy in the all-you-care-to-eat (AYCE) dining commons?

*Approximation is based on the average cost of lunch and dinner in the AYCE dining commons.		 $500 deposit:
3 meals/week
$1,000 deposit:
6 meals/week*		 Level 1: 3 meals/week
Level 2: 6 meals/week*		 Level 1: 9 meals/week
Level 2: 10 meals/week
Level 3: 11 meals/week
Level 4: 13 meals/week
Level 5: 14 meals/week
Level 6: 17 meals/week*
How many meals will the plan buy in the retail operations?

*Approximation is based on the average check in the retail operations.		 $500 deposit:
5 meals/week
$1,000 deposit:
10 meals/week*		 Level 1: 5 meals/week
Level 2: 10 meals/week*		 Level 1: 5 meals/week
Level 2: 6 meals/week
Level 3: 7 meals/week
Level 4: 8 meals/week
Level 5: 9 meals/week
Level 6: 10 meals/week*
Where can the meal plan be used? On-campus dining locations
Off-campus businesses
For full listing, visit:
LionCash+ Merchants		 On-campus dining locations On-campus dining locations
Is there a discount on purchases? Yes
  • - 10% discount at the on-campus all-you-care-to-eat dining commons
  • - 10% discount on prepared items at on-campus retail dining locations, except national chains like Burger King, Starbucks, etc.
  • - Discounts at other participating LionCash+ businesses
 Yes
  • - 10% discount at the on-campus all-you-care-to-eat dining commons
  • - 10% discount on prepared items at on-campus retail dining locations, except for national chains like Burger King, Starbucks, etc.
 Yes
  • - 65% discount at the on-campus all-you-care-to-eat dining commons
  • - 65% discount on prepared items at on-campus residential retail dining locations
  • - 10% discount on prepared items at on-campus retail dining locations, except for national chains like Burger King, Starbucks, etc.
Can additional funds be added to the meal plan throughout the semester if needed? Yes No Yes
Do leftover funds carry over? Yes Leftover funds at the end of the fall semester will carry over to the spring; however, leftover funds at the end of the spring semester are forfeited Leftover funds will only carry over at the end of the fall semester if a new meal plan is purchased for the spring semester. Leftover funds at the end of the spring semester are forfeited
Can the meal plan be charged to the Bursar account? No Yes
Funds are not activated for use until the student is in registered status		 Yes
Funds are not activated for use until the student is in registered status
When can the meal plan be purchased? Year Round For Fall 2012:
June 15–July 13 by 5 p.m.
For Spring 2013:
October 1–November 16 by 5 p.m.		 One semester prior
Who is eligible to purchase the plan? Any Penn State student*

*Students who are living on-campus must purchase a Campus Meal Plan with the Housing and Food Services contract; however, LionCash+ may be used in conjunction with the Campus Meal Plan for off-campus spending and for on-campus laundry, vending, and copier usage.		 Enrolled off-campus students and enrolled students living on-campus who are not required by contract to purchase the Campus Meal Plan Students who are living on campus with a Housing and Food Services contract, as well as enrolled off-campus students and enrolled students living on-campus who are not required by contract to purchase the Campus Meal Plan
How do I purchase the plan? www.idonline.psu.edu www.eliving.psu.edu www.eliving.psu.edu
Can the meal plan be cancelled or refunded? Yes
(Upon graduation or withdrawal from the University; or at the end of the spring semester)		 Only students who officially withdraw from the University Only students who officially withdraw from the University

Click here for a pdf version of the comparison chart.