FAQ

Q: Which dining hall can I dine at? Is there a specific dining hall for my dorm?

A: You are not limited to the dining hall in your dorm building. Our two dining halls, 605 Commons Dining Hall in SCE and JST Cafe at James Stukel Towers, are open to all residents, commuters, faculty, and staff. For example, if you live in JST, you can also dine at 605 Commons Dining Hall in SCE, not just at JST Cafe.

Q: How are food allergies/dietary needs handled in the dining halls?

A: Our team is committed to food safety and labels everything served in the dining halls. If you have any specific questions or concerns about allergies or dietary needs please contact dining@uic.edu. For additional resources, visit https://drc.uic.edu/

Q: Can I take food out of the dining halls?

A: Food can be taken out of the dining halls only with our reusable container program, OZZI. Our reusable containers are available for use at both dining halls (605 Commons Dining Hall at SCE, and JST Cafe at JST).

How it works:

Q: What is a meal plan?

A: A meal plan is a UIC Dining package all students, faculty, and staff can use at our dining halls and dining locations across campus. All meal plans include Meal Swipes for dining hall access and may also include Flames Fare for use at our dining locations. Some plans offer both, while other options offer just Meal Swipes. See our meal plan options here for more details.

Q: What is a Meal Swipe/Block Plan?

A: A Meal Swipe/Block Plan refers to the units you use to access meals in the dining halls. Each Meal Swipe allows you entry into any of our dining halls, where you can enjoy a variety of meal options. If you are on a Meal Swipes per week plan, your number of weekly Meal Swipes will reset every Monday morning. Block plan users can use their number of Meal Swipes for the entire academic year.

Q: When can I start using my meal plan?

A: You can start using your meal plan starting Friday, August 23!

Q: How do I buy a meal plan?

A: It’s easy. If you live in one of the residence halls, simply select a dining plan through wallet.uic.edu

Q: Do I have to buy a meal plan?

A: Meal plans are required for residential students living in ARC, Courtyard, Commons North, Commons West, Commons South, and JST. Visit, https://dining.uic.edu/meal-plans/students/ to view our residential meal plan options.

Q: I do not live on campus, can I still buy a meal plan?

A: Yes. If you are commuting and not living in the listed dorms, our block meal plans for commuter / faculty & staff are available for you. To select your meal plan, log on to your wallet center portal at: https:wallet.uic.edu/ 

Q: Is the price shown for meal plans for each semester?

A: The resident meal plan prices shown on dining.uic.edu is for the entire academic year. This total cost will be split evenly across the fall and spring semesters. wallet.uic.edu

Q: What is the last day to apply for a meal plan?

A: Meal plan enrollment is on-going. Meal plans will be pro-rated based on meal plan enrollment date.

Q: What happens to my unused summer session meal swipes?

A: Any unused meal swipes after the summer session II will not roll over and are forfeited.

Q: Can I change my meal plan after selecting one?

A: Yes, you can change your meal plan, but it must be done within the first two weeks of the semester. After this period, you can only upgrade to a higher meal plan. Resident students, commuters, faculty & staff can change their meal plan by contacting dining@uic.edu. For issues accessing the wallet portal or need to make corrections please contact the ID Center 312-413-5940

Q: If I cancel my meal plan before the cancelation deadline, do I receive a full refund or is it a partial refund?

A: You will receive a partial refund. The refund is based on a weekly-prorated schedule and you have until the end of the second week of fall or spring semester to cancel the plan. Visit wallet.uic.edu to manage your meal plan.

Q: How can I check my meal plan balance?

A: You can check your meal plan balance online by logging into wallet.uic.edu using your UIC credentials.

Q: How much does each meal cost in the dining hall if I am not using a meal plan?

A: Unlike the meal plan, the cost to purchase a meal provides for a one-time individual access to either dining hall (605 Commons Dining Hall at SCE and JST Cafe at JST). You can purchase entry to either dining hall by using Flames Fare, debit card, or credit card.

Dining Hall Rates:

Q: When my card is swiped at the register, it does not show I have a meal plan.  Where can I check this?

A: wallet.uic.edu or call 312-413-5940 if you are not able to access your account.

Q: What happens if I don’t use all my allotted meals in one week?

A: The meal resets each week on Monday. If you have swipes left, it doesn’t roll over. Unused weekly meal allocation is forfeited.

Q: What is Flames Fare?

A: Flames Fare are dining dollars or tax-free money conveniently loaded to your i-card that students, faculty, and staff can use at any participating restaurant on campus. Please note that refunds are not available for unused Flames Fare dollars. Flames Fare balances carry over from fall to spring semester and from spring to summer sessions only. View all locations that accept Flames Fare here.

Q: Can I purchase Flames Fare without purchasing a meal plan?

A: Yes. You may purchase in increments from $50 up to $200 through the wallet.uic.edu.

Q: How do I add money to my Flames Fare?

A: Flames Fare can be added online at wallet.uic.edu with a credit card.

Q: How do I check my Flames Fare balance?

A: You may check your Flames Fare balance by logging in at wallet.uic.edu.

Q: Is Flames Fare the same as Dragon Dollars?

A: No, Flames Fare is a different form of payment than Dragon Dollars. Dragon Dollars can be used for copying and printing payments at the library.

Q: When do Flames Fare expire?

A: Flames Fare purchased in the Fall will carry over to Spring Semester. Flames Fare purchased in the Spring will carry over to Summer Semester II. Please note that refunds are not available for unused Flames Fare dollars.

Q: Can I use Flames Fare at the all you care to eat locations?

A: Yes, you can use Flames Fare to purchase entry into our dining halls (605 Commons Dining Hall, SCE and JST Cafe, JST).

Q: What do I do if my Flames Fare transactions are not going through even though I have a balance online?

A: Please specify that you are using “Flames Fare” and not “Dragon Dollars” when making a purchase.  You may also contact ID Center at 312-413-5940 or go to the ID Center at SCE room 124 1st floor. If the magnetic stripe on your icard is faulty.

Q: Can I purchase Flames Fare without buying the meal plan?

A: Yes.  Please purchase through wallet.uic.edu.

Q: What is the Flames Fare Bonus Week?

A: Once per semester, during the last week of October and the first week of March, a Flames Fare Bonus Week occurs. During this time, students, faculty, and staff will receive a 10% bonus on their i-card when purchasing additional Flames Fare. Keep up with UIC Dining on Instagram and dining.uic.edu for official Flames Fare Bonus Week dates.

Q: What should I do if I lose my i-card?

A: If you lose your i-card, report it immediately to the ID Center office at (312) 413-5940 or idcenter@uic.edu. Cards reported lost or stolen are immediately invalidated for your protection. A replacement i-card can be obtained in either of the ID Center offices (Suite 124 Student Center East, 750 S. Halsted St.). Cards reported lost or stolen are immediately invalidated for your protection.

Q: Who can I contact if I have comments?

A: You may share your comments by sending an email to dining@uic.edu.

Q: How can I give feedback on my campus dining experience? 

A: We want to hear from you! Provide us with feedback on your campus dining experiences by sending an e-mail to dining@uic.edu.