First-Year and Sophomore Resident Students: Weekly Meal Plans

First-year and sophomore resident students are required to choose one of the weekly plans listed below.

*Note: The Plan 18 meal plan will appear on the student's LORA account and tuition bill as 18 meals/week.

Upperclass Resident Students: Meal Plans and Wolf Buck Only Plans*

Junior, Senior, and Graduate resident students may choose any of the meal plans listed below or any weekly plan listed in the section above.

Sophomore students living in apartment-style spaces with an in-suite kitchen, or in Founders Hall are eligible to purchase a block plan in addition to any of the weekly plans.

*Wolf Buck Only Plans will renew at the beginning of each semester, similar to a block or weekly plan.

Off Campus Students

Off-Campus students may choose any of the meal plans listed above or, minimally, the 300 wolf buck plan listed in the section below

*Wolf Buck Only Plans will renew at the beginning of each semester, similar to a block or weekly plan. 

Summer Resident Students: Wolf Buck Only Plan

Campus Dining Contract Terms & Conditions

1. DEFINITIONS- 1) A meal is defined as the "all-you-care-to-eat" periods for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunches. Wolf Bucks are defined as the declining balance debit balance associated with each plan. 2) Weekly plans are defined as the 12 or 18 meals per week + Wolf Bucks, a combo plan of 5 meals per week + 75 flex meals + Wolf Bucks, 9 meals per week + 75 flex meals + Wolf Bucks and 5 meals per week + Wolf Bucks. 3) Block plans are defined as 50 meals per semester plans. 4) Taken together, the all-you-care-to-eat meals and Wolf Bucks constitute a meal plan. 5) The meal plan contract is for one (1) academic year, or two (2) total semesters of dining plan enrollment. Dining charges are assessed on a per-semester basis. 6) Weekly meal plans begin on Monday morning and end on Sunday night.

1. MEALS- 1) Meals must be used in the Orleans Room and must be consumed during the regular breakfast, lunch, dinner, or brunch dining periods using a weekly or block meal plan. 2) For weekly plans, only one (1) is allowed per guest per meal period. 3) For block plans or guest meals, up to the maximum number of available meals may be used during any given meal period. 4) On weekly plans, all unused meals expire at the end of each week. On block plans, unused meals expire at the close of each semester.
2. WOLF BUCKS- 1) Wolf Bucks may be used at any meal period for food purchases in any Loyola Dining Services location; Wolf Bucks are not accepted for any alcohol or tobacco purchases. 2) Wolf Bucks account balances will carry over from fall to spring semester. Unused Wolf Bucks balances as the last day of spring semester finals will be forfeited. 3) Students may add additional Wolf Bucks in increments of $100 at any time.
3. REQUIRED PARTICIPATION AND CANCELLATION- 1) All students are required to carry a meal plan. First- and second-year students must carry any weekly plan; Juniors, Seniors, and Graduate/Law students must carry at least a  Wolf Bucks Only plan; all commuter students must carry at least a $300Wolf Bucks Only plan; Transfer students are subject to dining requirements according to their class standing. 2) Participants may upgrade their level of participation at any time throughout the semester. The Student's tuition account will be updated to reflect the new meal plan price. 3) Students may downgrade their level of participation only during the Meal Plan Change Period, starting July 1 through the first two (2) weeks of each semester. 4) Cancellation of the meal plan will only be granted upon withdrawal from the University or upon approved separation from the residence halls.
4. SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS- Loyola Dining Services shall supply for any medically required special diet when prescribed and approved in writing by a physician. Medical accommodations for meal plans must be submitted and approved by the Director of Accessible Education. If the cost of the special diet exceeds normal meal cost, the participant shall pay the difference. Required participants whose religious affiliation requires kosher or halal meals may select any meal plan option provided the religious exemption is approved by the Directors of Residential Life and Loyola Dining Services. Official documentation must be provided from a religious leader upon request.
5. BILLING, MEAL PLAN ADJUSTMENTS, AND REFUNDS- 1) Meal plans are billed by semester and are charged to the Student's tuition account. The length of all contracts is for the entire academic year unless terminated by an approved cancellation. 2) Without notification of meal plan adjustment, Loyola Dining Services assumes the same level of participation from fall to spring semesters. 3) Meal plan adjustments must be requested online within the approved change period. 4) No credit or refunds will be provided for missed meals. 5) For approved cancellations, refunds will follow the housing refund schedule provided herein. Adjustments will be made to the students tuition account.
6. Loyola Identification CARD- 1) Meal plans are encoded on the student's Loyola Identification Card. The Loyola Identification card is required for all non-cash meal transactions. There will be no exceptions. 2) Loyola Identification cards are non-transferrable. Attempts by non- meal plan holding students to use a plan participant's Loyola Identification card may result in University disciplinary action. 3) Students who abuse or inappropriately use their Loyola Identification card may be subject to disciplinary action by the University. 4) A lost Loyola Identification card should be reported immediately to the Parking Services office, or after hours to the Loyola University Police Department (LUPD).

Additional Contract Terms & Conditions

FORCE MAJEURE- In the event the premises are rendered unsuitable for the conduct of activities or events by reason of Force Majeure, Loyola University New Orleans may terminate this agreement by written notice following such casualty and Loyola University New Orleans shall not be responsible for any damages sustained by user but user shall be entitled to a prorated return of any sum paid or any other acceptable arrangement mutually agreed to by the parties. Force Majeure shall mean fire, earthquake, flood, act of God, strikes or other labor disturbances, riots or civil commotion, litigation, terrorism, war or other acts of any foreign nation, power of government or government agency or authority, or any other cause like or unlike any cause above-mentioned which is beyond the control or authority of Loyola University New Orleans.

I recognize this contract, when signed and approved, to be binding for the academic year, both Fall and Spring semesters, except as otherwise expressly provided in this contract and incorporated regulations

Wolf Bucks are a declining balance account that can be added to your university-issued ID card. Wolf Bucks may be used at dining locations at both Loyola University. Wolf Bucks may only be used on food purchases at approved campus dining locations.

Wolf Bucks offer parents peace of mind to know that those funds will be used by the student only for dining purposes. Wolf Bucks also are tax-benefited, so the student pays less tax at dining locations.

Wolf Bucks come with every meal plan, and additional Wolf Bucks may be purchased any time by submitting a request. Wolf Bucks may be purchased separately in $100 increments and will be added to the student’s Loyola ID Card. The bill will be applied directly to the student’s tuition account. 

Wolf Bucks account balances will carry over between semesters (i.e. fall to spring) but expire after the spring semester ends. Money remaining on the Wolf Bucks account after the last day of each academic year will be forfeited to Loyola.

Add Wolf Bucks

Express Cash can be uploaded onto the student's university issued ID card and may be used at any food or retail location on Loyola’s campus, including the Bookstore, Starbucks, and certain vending machines, in addition to campus dining locations

To utilize this function, the student or parent must deposit money with the Bursar’s Office and the appropriate amount will be credited to the student’s university issued ID card.

Contact the Bursar’s Office to add Express Cash.

Students can change their meal plans during the first two weeks of the semester. The form can be completed using the Change My Meal Plan Form. 

Flex meal swipes are not dedicated to a week and can be used freely throughout the semester at Loyola and Tulane's dining locations. Flex meals will expire at the end of the semester.  

Meal swipes and Wolf Bucks can be used at Starbucks, the Convenience Store in the Danna Center, as well as Loyola and Tulane retail dining locations and dining halls.

The university requires students to have a meal plan to ensure that all students are well-supported and equipped for success. Consistent access to nutritious meals is essential for maintaining energy, focus, and overall well-being, especially when balancing the demands of academic and extracurricular commitments.

In addition to providing regular, healthy meals, the meal plan offers opportunities for students to engage with peers, fostering connections and a sense of community within the dining halls. This shared experience enhances campus life and contributes to your overall adjustment and success.

Therefore, opting out of the meal plan is not permitted, as it is a key part of supporting both students' health and their ability to thrive academically and socially.

That said, we understand that in rare and extraordinary circumstances, an exception may be necessary. While the university offers an appeal process, it is important to note that appeals are granted only under exceptional conditions, and approval is rare. The appeal process allows you to present your specific needs, but the committee weighs each request carefully against institutional policies and precedents. Appeals should be considered a last resort, and approval is not guaranteed.

Meal Plan Appeals Process

There are two types of appeals for the meal plan:

1. Financial or Inability To Use Appeals 
2. Accommodation-Based Appeals

Financial or Inability of Use Appeals

If you are appealing based on financial hardship or inability to use your appeal will be handled by the Residential Life Office and reviewed by the Financial Appeals Committee, which is chaired by the Associate Director for Residence Education.

Qualifications for a Personal Preference Appeal may include:

• Financial Hardship: You must demonstrate an inability to afford the meal plan due to low income, unexpected financial burdens, or other extenuating circumstances. Documentation may include:
  • Proof of income
  • Expense reports showing significant financial commitments (e.g., medical bills, family obligations)
  • A letter thoroughly explaining your financial situation
• Inability To Use Meal Plan: You have consistently shown that you cannot use the meal plan due to unique circumstances (e.g., working off-campus during meal times or following a strict diet not related to medical/religious needs).

To submit a financial or inability to use appeal:

• Email your appeal to mealplan@loyno.edu.

• Your appeal must include appropriate and substantial supporting documentation to substantiate your claim. Appeals submitted without documentation may not receive full consideration.

• Once all documentation is received, the Financial Appeals Committee will review your appeal and respond within 10 business days. 

• Once a decision has been communicated, it is considered final.

Accommodation-Based Appeals

Medical and religious accommodations follow separate approval processes:

Medical Accommodations:

If you need a meal plan accommodation due to a medical condition, your appeal will be referred to the Office of Accessible Education. Per the meal plan contract, Loyola Dining Services will provide for any medically required special diet when prescribed and approved in writing by a physician. To submit a medical accommodation:

• You must provide written documentation from a physician outlining the required diet.
• Approval must be granted by the Director of Accessible Education.
• If the cost of the special diet exceeds normal meal costs, you will be responsible for paying the difference.

Religious Accommodations:

If your religious beliefs require kosher or halal meals, you may request a meal plan exemption or modification. Religious exemptions are reviewed and approved by both the Director of Residential Life and Loyola Dining Services.
You must provide official documentation from a religious leader, upon request, to support your appeal.