Residential Students: Meal plans are required for all students living on campus. Residential meal plan choices are: All Access Plus, All Access, 14 Punch and 14 Punch. You will select your meal plan when signing your housing contract. If you can’t decide and don’t select a plan, you will automatically default to the All Access plan.

Commuter Students: Although meal plans are not mandatory for students living in off-campus housing, having a meal plan provides, convenience, value, and flexibility.

Visit jmu.edu/dining for more information about meal plans.

Residential Students: Students sign up for their on-campus meal plans during the housing contract process. Grace Street Apartment Residents, Hall Directors, and Residential Advisors are required to have choose an on-campus meal plan when signing their housing contract but can change to any on- or off-campus meal plan. Go to JMU Meal Plan Options and select “Change or cancel Meal Plan.” To avoid a service fee, please change your meal plan selection by July 3, 2026.

Commuter Students: Meal plans can be purchased on our website, or in person at our tabling events, or at Dining HQ on the first floor of D-Hall.

For Residential Students: Students may change their meal plan selection through MyMadison. Once logged in to My Madison, select Student>Student Center>Scroll down to Finance>select On-Campus Meal Plans>Change Meal Plan. 

For Off-Campus Students: Off-campus students can change their meal plan on the JMU Dining website: https://jmu.mydininghub.com/en/meal-plans/meal-plan-options 

Important dates regarding off-campus meal plan changes or cancellations: 

April 20–July 3:  

• Change or cancel meal plan online (no fee) 

July 27–Aug 14:  

• Change meal plan online ($20 fee) 

• Cancel meal plan by phone 540.568.5754 ($100 fee) 

Sept 2–Sept 11:  

• Change meal plan online or in person ($20 fee) 

• Cancel meal plan in person ($100 fee) 
• Refunds on cancelled plans will be prorated 

When upgrading to a more expensive meal plan option, the prorated balance will be charged to your student account. When downsizing to another meal plan, any difference in cost may be put into Dining Dollars Gold or be refunded to your student account. Meal plan changes occur for 2 weeks after the first week of classes.  

Visit or email Dining HQ with questions. 

All meal plans are accessed via the JACard.

Meal Punch or Dining Dollar balances can be checked on your MyMadison account or by asking a cashier at any JMU Dining location.

Meal Punches are included with your meal plan and can be used two ways: 1) as entry into our all-you-care-to-eat dining halls, D-Hall and E-Hall; 2) as a "Duke Deal" complete meal exchange at select retail and national brand locations. 

Dining Dollars is a declining balance account included with your meal plan – similar to a debit card. They can be used at all on-campus dining locations, including national brands, concessions, convenience stores and vending machines. Purchases made with Dining Dollars are exempt from sales tax (12.3%). You can add additional Dining Dollars anytime as Dining Dollars GOLD. Dining Dollars GOLD do not expire, purchases receive a 5% discount, and are exempt from sales tax.

Duke Deals are combo meals that include an entrée, a side, and a drink for a meal punch. Duke Deals are available at most retail dining locations. Look for the Duke Deal logo! 

Meal Plans are purchased on an annual basis and your selected plan will roll over in the Spring semester. There is a window of opportunity to change your meal plan selection before the Spring semester begins. 

Dining Dollars that are included with your meal plan roll over from Fall to Spring but expire at the end of the Spring semester. Dining Dollars GOLD do not expire until you graduate. It is important to remember to utilize the initial Dining Dollars first, then add Dining Dollars GOLD if needed! 

All Access and weekly meal plans come with guest meal punches. Students with block plans can use a meal punch for a guest. All dining locations accept Credi/Debit, Dining Dollars, Dining Dollars GOLD, or Flex.