Meal Plan Structure (Beginning Fall 2026)

Beginning in Fall 2026, all Residential and Commuter Meal Plans will move to a full declining balance structure.

With this structure, students will pay the listed price for items at any SIUE Dining Services location, including Union Station and Chimega Mart. Each purchase is deducted directly from the student’s available meal plan balance at checkout.

This standard, student-friendly structure is designed to be more transparent and makes food budgeting easier throughout the semester. Students can view their current meal plan balance on every dining receipt.

How Declining Balance Meal Plans Work

Declining balance meal plans function like a prepaid account:

• The full value of the selected meal plan is loaded onto the student’s SIUE Cougar Card at the beginning of the semester.
• The Cougar Card is used like a debit card at all SIUE Dining Services locations.
• Each purchase deducts the exact cost of the items from the meal plan balance.

Tax Savings for Residential Students

Residential meal plans will continue to be tax-free, saving residents 7.6% in sales tax on every dining purchase.

Adding Meal Plan Dollars

Students will be able to add additional Meal Plan Dollars to their meal plan at any point during the semester through the GET App.

Rollover & Expiration

Residential and Commuter meal plans operate on a use-it-or-lose-it basis:

• Any remaining balance at the end of the fall semester will roll over to spring.
• All unused meal plan funds will expire at the end of the spring semester.

Cougar Basic: The Cougar Basic plan is a plan that provides approximately two light meals per day. Consider supplementing your meal plan with additional Cougar Bucks to cover additional meals, snacks, and specialty beverages. It is recommended for upperclass students or students who spend time off campus, go home for the weekends, or who might have some access to kitchens. 

Cougar Plus: This plan provides an average of two meals per day with some extra money for snacks and drinks. It is recommended for third-year students and beyond, or light eaters.

Cougar Legacy: The Cougar Experience plan will provide approximately 3 meals per day plus some extra money for snacks. This meal plan is recommended for Freshmen and Sophomore students or students who participate heavily in on-campus activities, clubs and organizations, or athletics.

Cougar Lite and Cougar Club plans are only available for students living on campus in housing communities that do NOT mandate a meal plan. These meal plans are perfect for students who simply want the benefit and convenience of tax-free dining while on campus.

All the above Meal Plans are non-taxable, which means sales tax is not charged on food purchases.

Cougar Advantage Commuter Plans

All current, enrolled and financially clear SIUE students have the option to select a Commuter Meal Plan.

The selected meal plan will be loaded onto the SIUE Cougar Card at the beginning of the semester and the Cougar Card is used like a debit card at campus dining locations.

When you purchase a commuter meal plan:

• The full value of the selected meal plan is loaded onto the student’s SIUE Cougar Card at the beginning of the semester.
• The Cougar Card is used like a debit card at all SIUE Dining Services locations.
• Each purchase deducts the exact cost of the items from the meal plan balance.

Cougar Bucks

Cougar Bucks are optional for all students and can be used for vending, printing, dining, and at the Cougar Store. Once the money is on your Cougar Card, you get a 5% discount where accepted. See a full list of places you can use your Cougar Card on campus and off-campus. Funds are added to this account online through:

• The GET phone app · In person with the Cougar Bucks Deposit Form at the Office of the Bursar, Rendleman Hall, Room 1101.

Unspent money can be refunded upon separation from the University with the submittal of a completed Request for Refund form. See Request for Refund for details.

Cougar Bucks