A Penn State student uses her id card to pay for a purchase at a coffee shop

Meal Plan Comparison

LionCash+

Recommended option for off-campus students who like to eat on campus and want the ability to use the plan at participating off-campus restaurants.

Flexibility to use at any on-campus dining location, as well as many off-campus businesses
Discounts at select on- and off-campus locations
Convenience of cash-free purchasing with the Penn State id+ Card

Commuter Meal Plan

Recommended option for off-campus students who like to eat on campus, but need to charge the plan to the Bursar account (available for purchase before September 30 for fall and before February 28 for spring).

Flexibility to use at any on-campus dining location
Discounts at select on-campus dining locations
Convenience of cash-free purchasing with the Penn State id+ Card
Ability to charge the Bursar account; funds will be activated when the student is in registered status

Campus Meal Plan

Recommended option for off-campus students who eat 14 or more meals each week at the dining commons; required for students living on campus.

Flexibility to use at any on-campus dining location
Ultimate value at the all-you-care-to-eat dining commons and residential retail locations
Convenience of cash-free purchasing with the Penn State id+ Card
Ability to charge the Bursar account; funds will be activated when the student is in registered status

Meal Plan Comparison Chart: 2017-2018

Question	LionCash+	Commuter Meal Plan	Campus Meal Plan**
Is there a base cost?	No	No	Yes $1,370 per semester (2017-2018 rate)
Where are the meal plan costs?	Based on amount deposited	Level 1: $500 Level 2: $1,000	Level 1: $1,985/semester Level 2: $2,305/semester Level 3: $2,550/semester (Amount includes base cost)
What are the spendable dining dollars?	100% of amount deposited	Level 1: $500 Level 2: $1,000	Level 1: $615 Level 2: $935 Level 3: $1,180
How many prepared meals will the plan buy in the dining center? *Approximation is based on the average cost of lunch and dinner.	$500 deposit: 3 meals/week $1,000 deposit: 6 meals/week*	Level 1: 3 meals/week Level 2: 6 meals/week*	Level 1: 9 meals/week Level 2: 13 meals/week Level 3: 16 meals/week*
Where can the meal plan be used?	On-campus dining locations Off-campus businesses	On-campus dining locations	On-campus dining locations
Is there a discount on purchases?	Yes 10% discount at the on-campus all-you-care-to-eat dining commons 10% discount on prepared items at on-campus retail dining locations. Discounts at other participating LionCash+ businesses	Yes 10% discount at the on-campus all-you-care-to-eat dining commons 10% discount on prepared items at on-campus retail dining locations.	Yes 65% discount at the on-campus all-you-care-to-eat dining commons 65% discount on prepared items at on-campus residential retail dining locations 10% discount on prepared items at on-campus retail dining locations.
Can additional funds be added to the meal plan throughout the semester if needed?	Yes	No	Yes
Do leftover funds carry over?	Yes	Leftover funds at the end of the fall semester will carry over to the spring; however, leftover funds at the end of the spring semester are forfeited	Leftover funds will only carry over at the end of the fall semester if a new meal plan is purchased for the spring semester. Leftover funds at the end of the spring semester are forfeited
Can the meal plan be charged to the Bursar account?	No	Yes Funds are not activated for use until the student is in registered status	Yes Funds are not activated for use until the student is in registered status
When can the meal plan be purchased?	Year Round	Until September 30 for fall; until February 28 for spring	One semester prior
Who is eligible to purchase the plan?	Any Penn State student* *Students who are living on-campus must purchase a Campus Meal Plan with the Housing and Food Services contract; however, LionCash+ may be used in conjunction with the Campus Meal Plan for off-campus spending and for on-campus laundry, vending, and copier usage.	Enrolled off-campus students	Students who are living on campus with a Housing and Food Services contract, as well as enrolled off-campus students and enrolled students living on-campus who are not required by contract to purchase the Campus Meal Plan
How do I purchase the plan?	www.idonline.psu.edu	www.eliving.psu.edu	www.eliving.psu.edu
Can the meal plan be cancelled or refunded?	Yes (Upon graduation or withdrawal from the University; or at the end of the spring semester)	Only students who officially withdraw from the University	Only students who officially withdraw from the University

**Three levels will be available for the 2017-2018 Campus Meal Plan; comparison table will be updated when rates are approved by the Board of Trustees in spring 2017.