Montclair Campus
Part-Time (Under 12 Credit) or Graduate Commuter Students: Part time commuter and Graduate students are not automatically enrolled in the Commuter Dining Deposit plan, but if you would like to enroll in a plan, you can choose from the Unlimited or any Block plan, or just add Flex Dollars to your ID Card.
Bloomfield Campus
Bloomfield registered commuter students will not be automatically enrolled in the Commuter Dining Deposit plan.
Part-time or full-time commuter students are not required to have a meal plan but can purchase the Unlimited, 210, 40 or 16 Block plan or just add flex dollars.
Commuter Dining Deposit
Full time undergraduate commuter students will participate in the Commuter Dining Deposit meal plan program.The Commuter Dining Deposit is intended to encourage student belonging and social interaction, promote student health and wellbeing, combat the growing challenge of student food insecurity and provide students with as much convenience and flexibility as possible while on campus.
To ensure the Commuter Dining Deposit enhances student access to nutrition while on campus, participants will also receive a wide array of special low-cost meal offers, extra discounts and loyalty rewards throughout the semester!
- Full Time Commuters: Undergraduate commuter students enrolled in 12 or more credit hours per semester (who are attending at least one class in person on campus) must participate in the Commuter Dining Deposit. The first $50 each semester is non-refundable; any remaining unspent balance is refundable after the conclusion of Spring Term. These dollars can be spent at all dining, convenience store and vending locations on both the Montclair and Bloomfield campuses. Unspent Flex and Flex Bonus dollars will automatically roll over from fall to spring semester. At the end of the academic year (spring term) remaining unspent Flex Bonus Dollars will be refunded. Unspent Flex Dollars at the end of academic year are non-refundable.
Spring 2025
The Spring 2025 Meal Plan Change forms are now open for submissions if you are looking to enroll in a new meal plan, or change your current plan to a new one for the upcoming semester. Please note changes will not take effect until the start of the Spring semester in January.
If you have used all available blocks and/or flex from your Fall 2024 meal plan and are looking to add more, please contact us directly at msudiningser@montclair.edu to discuss options. You can always purchase more Flex with a Credit Card below.
Commuter Dining Deposit FAQ
- Who does the Commuter Dining Deposit apply to?
- Undergraduate students who are enrolled in 12 or more credit hours and are taking at least one class on campus.Full Time Commuter Status
- If your status as a full-time commuter with on-campus classes changes before the end of the 100% add/drop deadline, the Commuter Dining Deposit will automatically be removed from your student account.
- How do I pay for the Commuter Dining Deposit?
- A charge of $250 per semester will be added to your student account. You can use your financial aid refund to pay for the plan under certain conditions — if you are expecting a refund from financial aid and any portion of your aid is from federal dollars (eg Pell Grant, Federal SEOG Grant, Federal Teach Grant, Federal Perkins Loans, Federal Direct Subsidized Loan, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, Federal PLUS Loan, Federal Graduate PLUS Loan), you can use your refund to pay for the Commuter Dining Deposit by completing the Title IV Funds Authorization form and submitting it to the Office of Student Accounts by email at studentaccou@montclair.edu.
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How does this plan help commuter students?
- Promotes student health and well-being
- Contributes to a sense of belonging and social connections, and supports increased satisfaction with the college experience
- Provides immediate access to sustenance as well as additional cost saving opportunities for meals while on campus; University data indicates many commuter students experience food insecurity on a regular basis
- Provides access to a wide array of quick and convenient food options within a few steps of your classes
- Eliminates the need to have cash/credit on hand when you need nourishment or want to hang out with friends with on campus
- How do I access the flex dollars each semester?
- The flex dollars will be automatically loaded on your student ID card and be ready to use starting the first day of classes each semester. The starting balance will decline with each transaction, just like a debit card.
- What if I run out of flex dollars before the end of the semester?
- You can add additional flex dollars in any amount, at any time either online or by going to the Dining Services Office on the first floor of the Student Center.
- How do I pay for the Commuter Dining Deposit?
- A charge, per semester, will be billed to your student account.
- What can I spend these flex dollars on?
- The Commuter Dining Deposit can be used to purchase meals, snacks and drinks at all dining venues on campus, including all-you-care-to-eat at Sam’s and Freeman, all retail dining outlets across campus, vending machines, and convenience store grab and go meals to take home at the end of the day! So long as you have available remaining balance, you can purchase anything you want at any time when campus dining venues are open.
- How much can I spend each week?
- You can spend as much or as little as you want throughout each semester!
- What happens if I don’t spend all my flex dollars?
- The first $50 each semester is non-refundable; any remaining unspent balance is refundable after the conclusion of Spring Term. If there is an unpaid balance on your student account, the credit will be applied against the outstanding balance. If there is no balance due, a refund check will be issued.
- What happens if I want to purchase a larger meal plan as a commuter?
- You are more than welcome to purchase a larger meal plan at your discretion, as an addition to the Commuter Dining Deposit! This would be an additional plan as we are not able to remove the Commuter Dining Deposit from your student account if you continue to meet the full time enrolled undergraduate criteria.