Meal Plan Terms and Conditions

Requirements

Meal Plan participants must be actively enrolled in at least one course at the University of Houston.

All charges for Meal Plans or Cougar Dining Dollars Plans will be applied to the student’s myUH account and will be subject to the same payment deadlines and penalties as other University charges.

Meal Plan participants are divided into two categories:

Mandatory Participants: Residential students living in Cougar Village I, Cougar Village II, Cougar Place, Moody Towers, and The Quad (excluding The Quad Townhouses) are contractually obligated per their Residential Services Agreement to maintain a Residential Meal Plan. Mandatory participants are required to have a meal plan for each semester of the academic year. Meal plans selected in the fall semester will automatically carry over to the spring semester.

Voluntary Participants: All other students, including those living in UH Apartments (Bayou Oaks, Cambridge Oaks, Cullen Oaks, The Quad Townhouses, and University Lofts), may voluntarily select from any available meal plan.

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Meal Plans and Cougar Dining Dollars

All unlimited meal plans include access to the residential Dining Commons (Cougar Woods and Moody Dining Commons), an allotment of Cougar Dining Dollars, meal exchange options at select UH Dining retail locations, and Cougar Carryout (to-go) meals. All meal plans are subject to a limit of one meal swipe every 30 minutes. A complete list of participating dining locations is available on the UH Dining website.

All meal plans and associated Cougar Dining Dollars balances are valid only for the semester in which they are purchased and will expire after one year of inactivity. The specific amount of Cougar Dining Dollars included varies by meal plan selection.

24/7 Unlimited Platinum Meal Plan

The 24/7 Unlimited Platinum Meal Plan provides unlimited entry into the Residential Dining Commons, along with one meal exchange and one to-go meal per day, 30 guest meal swipes, and $500 Cougar Dining Dollars. The plan is available Monday through Sunday. 

24/7 Unlimited Gold Meal Plan

The 24/7 Unlimited Gold Meal Plan provides unlimited entry into the Residential Dining Commons, along with one meal exchange and one to-go meal per day, 15 guest meal swipes, and $300 Cougar Dining Dollars.  The plan is accessible Monday through Sunday. 

24/7 Unlimited Silver Meal Plan

The 24/7 Silver Meal Plan provides unlimited entry into the Residential Dining Commons, along with three meal exchanges and three to-go meals per week, 5 guest meals, and $150 Cougar Dining Dollars. The plan is accessible Monday through Sunday. 

24/5 Unlimited Bronze Meal Plan

The 24/5 Bronze Meal Plan provides unlimited entry into the Residential Dining Commons Monday through Friday and includes one meal exchange and one to go meal per week, and $150 Cougar Dining Dollars.  This plan is available to freshman (commuter-only), sophomore, junior, senior, and graduate students. It is not available to residential freshmen students living in Cougar Village I, Cougar Village II, Cougar Place, Moody Towers, or The Quad (excluding The Quad Townhouses).

Voluntary Participants - Commuter and Voluntary Meal Plan Options:

Cougar Dining Dollars Plans:

Cougar Dining Dollars Meal Plans are available in denominations of $250, $500, $1,200, and $1,650 and may be used at any UH Dining Services location. Additional participating locations may include select third-party vendors.

Cougar Dining Dollars may not be used to purchase alcohol or tobacco products and are non-refundable (see Section C for additional restrictions).

The following students are eligible to purchase Cougar Dining Dollars plans:

All non-residential students and students residing in Bayou Oaks, Cambridge Oaks, Cullen Oaks, The Quad Townhouses, and University Lofts may select any Cougar Dining Dollars plan offered.

Block 100 Meal Plan:

The Block 100 Meal Plan provides 100 meal swipes for use at the Residential Dining Commons and includes an allotment of $275 Cougar Dining Dollars. This plan is available to commuter students, faculty, and staff. 

This plan is not available to residential students residing in Cougar Village I, Cougar Village II, Cougar Place, Moody Towers, or The Quad. Meals may be used throughout the semester and expire at the end of the term.  

Meal exchanges and Cougar carry-out are not included with the Block meal plans. Unused meal swipes do not carry forward beyond the semester in which the plan is active.

Block 50 Meal Plan:

The Block 50 Meal Plan provides 50 meal swipes for use at the Residential Dining Commons and includes an allotment of $150 Cougar Dining Dollars. This plan is available to commuter students, faculty, and staff. 

This plan is not available to residential students residing in Cougar Village I, Cougar Village II, Cougar Place, Moody Towers, or The Quad. Meals may be used throughout the semester and expire at the end of the term.  

Meal exchanges and Cougar carry-out are not included with the Block meal plans. Unused meal swipes do not carry forward beyond the semester in which the plan is active.

Block Meal Plans are non-refundable.

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Meal Plan and Cougar Dining Dollars Restrictions

Cougar Cash has been rebranded as Cougar Dining Dollars to better reflect its intended use. This change does not impact the functionality, usage, or account balances.

Holders of 24/7 and 24/5 meal plans are not permitted to share meal swipes with other students or guests. 

Guest passes allow unlimited meal plan holders to redeem meal plan swipes for guests. Each guest pass is valid for one meal per guest. The number of guest passes varies based on the selected meal plan. Meal plan holders must accompany their guests to Moody Dining or Cougar Woods Dining Commons and present their Cougar Card at the time of redemption. 

Cougar Dining Dollars Restrictions:

• • • Cougar Dining Dollars balances will be forfeited after one year of inactivity.
    • Cougar Dining Dollars may not be used to purchase any tobacco products or alcoholic beverages.
    • Cougar Dining Dollars balances are non-refundable.
    • Cougar Dining Dollars balances will roll over from semester to semester while the account remains active.

Meal Plan and Cougar Dining Dollars funds may not be transferred between accounts.

Meal Plan and Cougar Dining Dollar accounts are separate from ShastaBUCKS (formerly known as Flex). ShastaBUCKS is managed by the Cougar Card Office.

Meal Plans and Cougar Dining Dollars are non-refundable unless approved through the Meal Plan Petition process. Any approved refund will be credited to the student’s myUH account and applied to any outstanding balance. Refunds will not be issued in cash. 

Misuse of Meal Plans or Cougar Dining Dollars may result in account suspension and/or disciplinary action. 

Cougar Dining Dollars and Meal Plans are accessible through your Cougar Card. Do not share your Cougar Card or QR code. Visit Cougar Card Care for more information on how to use your Cougar Card. 

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Cougar Carry-Out Program (To-Go)

Students enrolled in an unlimited meal plan have access to the Cougar Carry Out program. This program allows students to visit either Moody Dining Commons or Cougar Woods Dining Commons and take their meal to go instead of dining inside the facility.

Cougar Carry Out is designed to provide added convenience and flexibility for students with busy schedules. Each unlimited meal plan includes a designated number of to-go meals per week, as outlined in Section B – Meal Plans and Cougar Dining Dollars.

To-go meals are limited to one per transaction and must be used during dining hall operating hours. Unused to-go meals do not roll over from week to week. The University and dining services reserve the right to modify or discontinue the Cougar Carry Out program at any time.

Eligible Locations
Cougar Carry Out meals may only be used at Moody Dining Commons and Cougar Woods Dining Commons. To-go meals are not valid at any retail dining locations or campus food outlets outside of these dining halls.

Container Requirements
To maintain food safety and operational standards, outside containers are not permitted. All to-go meals must be placed in approved single-use (disposable) containers provided at the dining location at the time of service.

Disposable containers are intended for immediate use and may not be reused for future entry or refills. Failure to follow container guidelines or misuse of the Cougar Carry Out program may result in loss of program privileges.

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Faculty and Staff Meal Plans

Eligibility

Faculty and staff of the University of Houston are eligible to voluntarily participate in faculty and staff meal plans. 

Available Options

Faculty and staff may purchase the following meal plans:

1. 1. • Block 50 Meal Plan
      • Block 100 Meal Plan
      • Cougar Dining Dollars (choose the deduction amount)

Each block meal plan provides a set number of meals for use at the Residential Dining Commons and includes an allotment of Cougar Dining Dollars. Reference Section B – Meal Plans and Cougar Dining Dollars for more information. 

Enrollment

Enrollment in faculty and staff meal plans is limited to designated enrollment periods. Faculty and staff must select their desired meal plan within the established enrollment window.

Enrollment outside of the designated period is not permitted.

Payment Method

Faculty and staff meal plans are funded through payroll deduction or via credit card purchase in Cougar Card Connect > AccessUH 

Payroll deductions:

• • • Are established for the full semester,
    • Are fixed and cannot be modified after the enrollment period closes.

Enrollment:

• • • Login to AccessUH > P.A.S.S.
    • Select Voluntary Payroll Deductions 
    • Choose either Block 50, Block 100, or Cougar Cash 

Credit Card Payment:

• • • Login to AccessUH > Cougar Card Connect
    • Select Manage Your Meal Plan 
    • Choose from the available plans (Block 50 and Block 100).
    • Credit card purchases are processed through the system.

Employees paid on either a bi-weekly or monthly schedule who enroll in a Faculty/Staff Meal Plan will have the applicable payroll deduction reflected on the first pay period each month.

Plan Use and Expiration

Faculty and staff meal plans are valid only for the semester in which they are purchased.

Meals:

• • • May be used throughout the semester
    • Expire at the end of the term
    • Do not carry forward to future semesters

Cancellation

Faculty and staff meal plans may not be canceled after the enrollment period has ended.

To request cancellation prior to the start of the semester, faculty and staff must contact Auxiliary Services at auxiliaryservices@uh.edu.

Mid-semester cancellations are not permitted.

Separation from the University

If a faculty or staff member separates from employment with the University:

• • • Meal plan access will be deactivated
    • Remaining meal balances will be forfeited

Remaining Cougar Dining Dollars balances may be eligible for refund only in cases of employment separation and must be reviewed by Auxiliary Services.

Refunds

Block meal plans are non-refundable.

Cougar Dining Dollars refunds may only be considered in cases of separation from the University and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

All approved refunds will be processed through the appropriate University system.

Restrictions

All restrictions outlined in Section C of this document apply to faculty and staff meal plans, including but not limited to:

1. 1. • Non-transferability of meals and funds
      • Prohibited sharing of meal access
      • Misuse of accounts

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Direct Debit and Credit Cougar Dining Dollars Purchase

Students, Staff, and Faculty may purchase Cougar Dining Dollars or make replenishment purchases to an existing Cougar Dining Dollars Meal balance in any dollar amount using a debit or credit card through Cougar Card Connect.

Cougar Dining Dollars purchased through Cougar Card Connect are not considered an official Meal Plan as defined in Section B and does not satisfy the mandatory meal plan requirement for residential students.

Cougar Dining Dollars are non-refundable. Inquiries and requests regarding Cougar Dining Dollars purchased via Cougar Card Connect are subject to review at the discretion of Auxiliary Services.

Refund requests must be submitted to auxiliaryservices@uh.edu  within five (5) business days of the purchase date. Requests submitted after five (5) business days are not eligible for a refund.

Cougar Dining Dollars replenishment purchases applied to an existing account are non-refundable.

Required Documentation for Refund Requests:

• • • Email receipt received at the time of purchase.
    • Bank statement showing that funds have been deducted. (Charges must be “posted”, not “pending.)
    • PeopleSoft ID number.
    • A brief explanation of the request.

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Cancellations

Cancellations will not be granted on the basis of special dietary restrictions alone. The dining program offers diverse menu options to accommodate most diets. Reference Dietary and Allergen Restrictions.

Pre-move in cancellations will receive a full refund. Meal plan cancellations are not automatic once a student cancels a residential agreement.  Students must cancel their meal plan in AccessUH or requesting cancellation in writing by contacting  auxiliaryservices@uh.edu.

Residential students who cancel their Residential Services Agreement on or before the Official Reporting Day (ORD) will be charged for Meal Plan and Cougar Dining Dollars usage. A prorated daily rate charge may apply.

• • • Charges may be based on actual usage and/or prorated rates as determined by Auxiliary Services.
    • Failure to cancel the meal plan or notify Auxiliary Services of pending housing changes through the Meal Plan Petition process by the Official Reporting Day (ORD) will result in the full charges remaining on the student’s myUH account.

Students who withdraw from the University must provide official documentation and submit a Meal Plan Petition in accordance with the process outlined below.

Students who are approved for a meal plan cancellation after the Official Reporting Day (ORD) of the current semester will be required to pay a $250 late cancellation fee.

Meal Plan Refunds for prior semesters are not permitted.

Students who received the Fall 2026 discounted meal plan promotion are not eligible to cancel the Fall 2026 meal plan. 

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Meal Plan Petitions - Process and Guidelines

Allowed Meal Plan Changes

Residential students of Cougar Village I, Cougar Village II, Cougar Place, Moody Towers, and The Quad (excluding The Quad Townhouses) may submit one request to change to an eligible meal plan by the Official Reporting Day (ORD, 12th class day).

The student will be responsible for any accrued usage from your original meal plan. Daily rates may apply. 

Residential students may not cancel their meal plan or select a plan for which they are not eligible unless approved through the Meal Plan Petition process.

Commuter students and residents of Bayou Oaks, Cullen Oaks, The Quad Townhouses, and University Lofts may submit one request to change to their Meal Plan or Cougar Dining Dollars Plan by the Official Reporting Day (ORD). Eligibility restrictions may apply.

Meal Plan Petition Process

Students requesting changes to their meal plan and students who are requesting a waiver of the meal plan requirement due to financial hardship or pending housing changes must submit a Meal Plan Petition. Students requesting modification or exemption from the mandatory meal plan due to religious concerns should provide a brief letter from an authoritative figure (priest, imam, rabbi, etc.) within the student’s place of worship.

Submitting an email or informal request is not the same as filing a formal petition, and it will not be considered by the committee as a waiver request. Approval is not guaranteed for meal plan petitions and the requestor may still be required to have a meal plan.

Petitions filed during the fall semester are valid for one full academic year (Fall and Spring term). Petitions filed during spring semester are valid only for that term. Any approvals or accommodations granted are specific to the academic year and are issued as a one-time exception per student. 

All petitions will be reviewed by a committee comprised of University staff and UH Dining Services staff.

Students will be notified of their petition status within 15 business days of submission Additional documentation may be requested during the review process. 

Approved petitions are valid for the academic year in which they are granted.

Petition approvals are considered a one-time exception per student. Students who receive an approved petition may be required to maintain a meal plan in future academic years if residing in mandatory housing facilities. 

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Medical Accommodations 

Students who are requesting a meal plan waiver or accommodation due to medical conditions or special dietary restrictions must register with the Justin Dart, Jr. Student Accessibility Center.

Students with allergens and special dietary restrictions are required to submit documentation to verify eligibility. UH Dining Services will make every attempt to reasonably accommodate campus diners. Documentation must indicate a substantially limited ability to eat in the on-campus dining commons. Diagnosis, limitations, and severity, along with other specific information, should be documented according to the guidelines below.

Students requesting medical accommodation are required to meet with the UH Dining Services Registered Dietitian as part of the Meal Plan Petition process.

During this process:

• • • Foods routinely consumed and avoided will be reviewed
    • Symptoms and dietary limitations will be discussed
    • The evaluation will remain confidential

The Justin Dart, Jr. Student Accessibility Center, UH Dining Services Registered Dietitian, Executive Chef, and Dining Services management team may collaborate to determine the extent to which accommodations can be provided.

If a student misses a scheduled appointment with the Registered Dietitian, the student must reschedule prior to a final determination. Failure to attend a scheduled meeting without prior notification may result in denial of the petition.

View the Medical Accommodations for Dietary Restrictions workflow.

*Students submitting medical accommodations should not complete the meal plan petition process. These students should register with the Justin Dart, Jr. Student Accessibility Center.

Final Review

Upon receipt of all required documentation, the Justin Dart Center will work with UH Dining and Auxiliary Services to confirm the accommodation for the requestor, if applicable. The student will receive an eligibility letter from the Justin Dart Center confirming any approved accommodations. 

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For more information regarding meal plans, contact Auxiliary Services at (832) 842-9053.

These Terms and Conditions are subject to change without notice.

Updated: July 2026

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