Do you have questions? Email us: dining@su.edu

What is a Meal Plan?

A Meal Plan unlocks delicious meals, coffee, snacks, and more, at 6 locations across campus. Your Meal Plan includes Meal Swipes, with select plans including Flex Dollars, conveniently loaded onto your Hornet Card. No need to carry additional cards or cash!

Requirements

Meal plan requirements are based on class standing and residency. Please view the requirements based on residency and class standing. Please note: All first-year RESIDENT students are required to select either the Weekly 19 or Weekly 15 meal plan. The meal plan will be charged to your student account. First-year COMMUTER students can choose from any of our 4 meal plans and can sign up through Etrieve.

Swipes

Meal Swipes*

Meal Swipes give you access to our all-you-care-to-eat Allen Dining Hall. 

*Meal Swipes and Meal Exchange have a swipe restriction of 1 hour. A meal plan holder must wait 1 hour before swiping again.


Dollars

Flex Dollars


Flex Dollars may be used at any Shenandoah University Dining location. Visit our locations page for location information, including dining hall menus and hours of operation.

Hornet Dollars

 

Hornet Dollars are added by a student or Parent and can be used at ALL Flex locations AND the Bookstore!

You can add Hornet Dollars through Transact or by submitting the Hornet Dollars eTrieve form Hornet Dollars – Financial Aid Credit Purchase if using a Financial Aid Credit to purchase or Hornet Dollars – Personal Payment Purchase if using a personal payment to purchase.

Visit our locations page for location information, including dining hall menus and hours of operation.


Exchange

Meal Exchange*

You may also use one of your total Meal Swipes at Brandt Student Center and Buzzin’s Restaurant. These locations have select menu items available for Meal Exchange, typically including an entree, side, and beverage.

*Meal Swipes and Meal Exchange have a swipe restriction of 1 hour. A meal plan holder must wait 1 hour before swiping again.


Meal Plan Benefits

With your meal plan, you receive many benefits and perks, including:

  • Quality food made fresh by our culinary team, with a variety of menu options personalized the way you like
  • Healthy choices available all across campus
  • Special events with themed meals and exclusive offers for meal plan members
  • Casual atmosphere with wifi, TVs, music and lounge-style seating—perfect for studying or hanging out with friends

Managing Your Plan

There are three ways you can check your Flex Dollars balance:

  • On your receipt after a purchase at any dining location 

Key Dates

Key Dates

Fall 2025 

To Sign up for a Residential Meal plan 

  Sign up by June 15th, 2025, those who do not select will be automatically selected for the Weekly 19 Meal Plan.

 

Signing up for a Residential Meal Plan is done during housing selection.

Signing up for a Commuter Meal Plan can be done with the form on our Commuter Meal plan landing page which will redirect you to Etrieve.

 

Back to School Cookout: September 1st, 2025, Welcome Week!

First Day of Classes: September 2nd, 2025

Add/Drop Day Fall 2025: September 9th, 2025

Fall Break: October 18th - October 21st, 2025

Thanksgiving Break: November 26th - November 30th

Fall Term Ends: December 20th 2025