FAQ

Q: Which dining option is right for me?

A: A variety of options is available in order to best serve the campus community. To figure out the right plan for you, start by thinking about your eating habits. Are you a “jetsetter” who grabs a bagel in the morning and a salad for dinner? Or do you need three square meals a day to function properly? We have options perfect for either type of eater, and for everyone in between.

Q: Can I take food out of dining areas?

A: Yes, food can be taken out of the dining areas, with the exception of the dining halls which are located in the 605 Commons (SCE) and JST Café (JST). Students are allowed to take one piece of fruit with them from the dining halls.

Q: What additional dining options are available?

A: UIC Dining Services offers options including Chick-fil-A, Panda Express, Dunkin’ Donuts, Subway, Freshii, and more! For more dining options, see locations and hours tab.

Q: Where can I eat on campus? And when?

A: For a complete list of campus dining locations and hours, please see the Locations tab.

Q: What can you do to accommodate my special dietary needs?

A: Let us know what you need and we will work toward a solution. You can find information for a variety of special diets, as well as nutrition and health information, online at Balanced U. You can also contact dining@uic.edu for additional information and personal consultation.

A number of wellness resources are available on the Wellness & Sustainability page.

Q: What is a meal plan?

A: A “meal plan” is a UIC dining package which allows you to eat a certain number of days each week or a number of meals. See the Meal Plan tab for details.

Q: How much are meal plans?

A: See the Meal Plan tab for details.

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 when you sign your Housing Contract. Off-campus students may sign at the ID Center located in the Student Services Building.

Q: I don’t live in the campus residence halls. Can I still purchase a meal plan?

A: Meal plans are available to all UIC students, faculty, and staff.

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: When can I start using my meal plan?

A: You can start using the meal plan starting on breakfast of the Thursday before the semester starts.

Q: Can I change my meal plan?

A: Students that reside in Residence Halls that do not have a required Meal Plan or those that are off-campus may cancel or change their meal plan selection before the semester starts and during the first two (2) weeks of the Fall and during the first two (2) weeks of Spring semester. After these periods have ended, no further cancellations or changes may be made. Students that reside on campus can add, terminate, or modify their Meal Plan by visiting the Campus Housing office. Residents can also log on and change their meal plan by going to http://housing.uic.edu/services/

Students that reside off campus can make change by completing a Meal Plan change form available at the ID Center in SSB (Student Services Building) only.

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 2^nd week of the Fall or Spring semester to cancel the plan.

Q: I live on campus, how do I confirm that the meal plan I chose is the correct one charged to my account?

A: Contact Campus Housing at housing@uic.edu or call 312-355-6300

Q: Do I have to buy a meal plan?

A: Students living in traditional residence halls (CMS, CMN, CTY, CMW, JST) are required to purchase a meal plan. Any UIC student, faculty or staff member can purchase a meal plan if they would like.

Q: Can one purchase meals outside of meal plans?

Any UIC Student, Staff, Faculty member or guests may purchase a meal at any dining location with Flames Fare, Dragon Dollar$, credit card, or cash. Flames fare only available with a meal plan.

Q: How do I access my meal plan?

A: The dining plan option you choose is linked directly to your i-card.

Q: How much does each meal cost if I am not using a meal plan for payment?

A: Unlike the meal plan, the cost to purchase a meal provides for a one-time individual access to the dining area. Meals can be purchased by using cash, Flames Fare, Dragon Dollar$, or credit/debit.
Meal costs are:

meal options

(Applicable sales tax will be charged.)

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

A: Contact Campus Housing at housing@uic.edu or call 312-355-6300

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: Can I use my Meal Plan to feed others?

A: No, but you can always use Flames Fare, Dragon Dollar$, cash, or credit and debit cards to purchase a meal for a guest. Meal plan swipes are non-transferable.

Q: What is Flames Fare?

A: Flames Fare is a dining bonus purchasing system loaded to your i-card that can be used in specific dining locations only. Flames Fare is sold to students, faculty, and staff in packages with bonus Flames Fare automatically loaded to your i-card. Flames Fare Transactions are always sales tax free. Refunds are not available for unused Flames Fare dollars. Flames Fare balances carry over from fall to spring semester and from spring semester to summer sessions only. Flames Fare can be used at: Behavioral Sciences Building (BSB): Au Bon Pain, Morgan Street Station Convenience Store, Daley Library, (LIB): The Daley Grind, James Stukel Towers (JST): JST Café, Library of Health Sciences (LHS): Leaf and Bean Café, Outpatient Care Center (OCC): Au Bon Pain, Student Center East (SCE): Chick-fil-A, Panda Express, 605 Commons, Halsted Street Convenience Store, and Student Center West (SCW): Marketplace, Freshii.

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

A: Yes. You may purchase in increments from $50 up to $200. You will receive a bonus of $5, per $50.00 under the following chart:

Flames fare

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

A: Flames Fare can be added online at www.dragoncenter.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 www.dragoncenter.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 do not expire at the end of the semester and are similar to regular forms of payment such as cash or credit. Dragon Dollars can be used for more than food payment such as payment for books at the UIC Bookstore or copying and printing payments at the library.

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

A: Yes. James Stukel Towers (JST) Café and Student Center East (SCE) 605 Commons

Q: Can I use my Flames Fare as a meal by meal purchase at All You Care to Eat place?

A: Flames Fare is different from the meal plan. Flames Fare is an exact amount that is debited according to the cost of each meal.

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 Student Services Building, 1200 W. Harrison St. 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 www.dragoncenter.uic.edu

Q: Can I buy food with Dragon Dollar$?

A: Yes. Dragon Dollar$ are accepted at all Campus Dining locations (except Wood Street Station, Au Bon Pain at the Outpatient Care Center).

Q: How can I purchase Dragon Dollar$? 

A: Dragon Dollar$ can be added to your i-card by depositing funds similar to a banking account at the ID Center located in the Student Services Building or online at www.dragoncenter.uic.edu with a credit card. Please see the Dragon Dollar$ website for details.

Q: What happens if I run out of Dragon Dollar$? 

A: You may add Dragon Dollar$ at any time. See the Dragon Dollar$ website for details.

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 1790 Student Services Building, 1200 W. Harrison St. or Room 242 Student Center West, 828 S. Wolcott Ave.). 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.