Options for First-Year Students Back to Top

Options for First-Year Students

Come Hungry!

Our mission is to serve fresh, healthy, flavorful and sustainable foods that enrich your experience at NC State. Whether sitting down for dinner with friends or grabbing a bite between classes, we have options across campus to make dining a real treat.

 

Flex Plans

Our flex plans are designed for students who want a convenient, affordable campus dining plan to cover most of their meals, beverages and snacks.

First-year students living on campus are required to select one of the following meal plans during the housing registration process.

Flex 500 Plan

$2,800 + tax / semester
  • All-day access to our dining halls
  • 1 dining hall takeout meal per day
  • 500 Dining Dollars
    • 5% discount at restaurants, cafes, markets and vending machines
    • 50¢ off at dining halls*
  • 2 dining hall guest meals per semester

Flex 800 PlanMost Popular

$3,035 + tax / semester
  • All-day access to our dining halls
  • 1 dining hall takeout meal per day
  • 800 Dining Dollars
    • 5% discount at restaurants, cafes, markets and vending machines
    • 50¢ off at dining halls*
  • 3 dining hall guest meals per semester

* Flex plan holders will not use Dining Dollars to access dining halls, but they can treat a friend or family member if they have run out of guest passes.

  • Dining Dollars roll over from the fall semester to the spring semester but expire at the end of the spring semester in May.
  • Wondering when the dining halls are open? Check here.

SIGN UP FOR A MEAL PLAN

 

Other Plans

You are eligible for other plans if you:

  • Live off campus. Check out your options here.
  • Join a qualifying fraternity or sorority. Check out the details here.
  • Require an exemption related to a disability or other special considerations. Learn more here.
  • You are an athlete on a roster. Check out your options here.

Important Points

  • If you are enrolled in a meal plan for the fall semester, you will be auto-enrolled in the same plan for the spring unless you change your plan by the advertised date in the schedule below.
  • Charges are sent to the Cashier’s office.
  • If you have a scholarship or financial aid, these funds can be applied to your plan.
  • Plans are priced per semester, and meal plans are subject to NC sales tax. Because taxes are included upfront, no tax will be charged at the cash register.
  • If you are experiencing food insecurity and are unable to afford a meal plan, you may qualify for a meal plan scholarship. Visit go.ncsu.edu/pack-essentials for assistance.

Important Dates for First-Year Students Living On Campus

Summer and returning students can enroll in a meal plan at any time for a pro-rated amount.
FALL 2025
Fall meal plans active Aug. 12
Last day to change fall meal plan Sept. 1
Last day for fall fraternity/sorority meal plan changes Sept. 22
Last day meal plans are active for fall semester Dec. 12
SPRING 2026
First day to change spring meal plan Oct. 29*
Spring meal plans active Jan. 7
Last day to change spring meal plan Jan. 26
Last day for spring fraternity/sorority meal plan changes Feb. 16
Last day spring meal plans are active May 8

*This date was changed from October 15 to October 29.

Meal Plan FAQ

First-year students living on campus are required to select one of the Flex meal plans (Flex 500 or Flex 800) during the housing registration process.

Dining Dollars are funds included with your meal plan that can be used at participating restaurants, cafés, markets and vending machines on campus. They also give you a 5% discount at these locations and 50¢ off at dining halls when used there.

Yes. Dining Dollars roll over from the fall semester to the spring semester, but they expire at the end of the spring semester in May.

You can request changes or cancellations online by visiting the change or cancel your meal plan page. Be sure to make changes by the posted deadlines listed in the Important Dates section.

Students who require accommodations related to a disability, medical condition or other special considerations can learn more and request support on the meal plan accommodations page.

NC State offers resources and meal plan scholarships for students experiencing food insecurity. Visit go.ncsu.edu/pack-essentials to learn more and apply.