Frequently Asked Questions

A Meal Plan is a convenient dining package available to all UIC students, faculty, and staff for use at campus dining halls and participating locations. Most Meal Plans include Meal Swipes for entry to our all-you-care-to-eat dining halls, Meal Exchanges for select menu items at retail locations, and Flames Fare, which works like a debit card at our dining spots on campus. Some plans include all three, while other plans only offer Meal Swipes.

Explore your meal plan options here:https://wallet.uic.edu

• All students living in ARC, Courtyard, Commons North, Commons West, Commons South,and JST arerequired to have a Meal Plan for the full academic year. While Meal Plans are billed by the semester, students will be billed again in January for the Spring Semester as part of this yearlong requirement.
• Commuter students, off-campus residents, and students living in MRH, TBH, SSR**, or PSR are****not required to purchase a Meal Plan but may choose to do so by selecting a Blaze Plan at** http://wallet.uic.edu. Blaze Plans offer flexible options for anyone who wants convenient access to campus dining.
• Faculty & Staff are also eligible to purchase a Blaze Plan through the wallet portal http://wallet.uic.edu

When can I start using my Meal Plan?

• You can start using your Meal Plan starting August 21, 2025. The dining plan option you choose is linked directly to your i-card.

• A Meal Swipe refers to the units you use to access meals in the 605 Commons Dining Hall, and JST Cafe. Each Meal Swipe allows you entry into either of our dining halls, where you can enjoy a variety of meal options. If you are on a Meal Swipes per week plan, your number of weekly Meal Swipes will reset every Monday morning. Blaze Plan users can use their number of Meal Swipes until they are exhausted. All Meal Swipes are ready to use through your i-card.
• Please note, Fall 2025 Resident Meal Plans and Fall 2025 Blaze Meal Plans are effective August 21st. Unused Flames Fare with Resident Meal Plans will not roll over to the Spring Semester, unused Meal Swipes will expire December 12th. Blaze Plan users Meal Swipes and Flames Fare roll over to the Spring Semester and are effective through the end of Summer Session II.

Can I use my Meal Plan to feed others?

• All Resident Meal Plans - Ignite Unlimited, Ignite 15, and Ignite 160 - include a set number of Guest****Passes each semester, allowing students to treat friends, family, or visitors to a meal at either 605 Commons Dining Hall or JST Cafe. Guest Passes do not roll over and must be used within the semester.
• Students may choose to donate Guest Passes to support fellow students facing food insecurity.

In addition to using Meal Swipes at dining halls, Meal Plans offering Meal Exchanges allow you to use a select number of Meal Swipes on designated menu items at participating retail locations.

View participating locations here: https://uicdining.sodexomyway.com/en-us/locations/

Yes, the price shown for Resident Meal Plans is for the semester. While Meal Plans are billed by semester, students will be billed again in January for the Spring Semester as part of the yearlong requirement. Visit http://wallet.uic.edu to manage your Meal Plan.

Blaze Plans may be purchased at any time and any unused Meal Swipes and Flames Fare roll over from Fall to Spring Semester. Blaze Plans terminate at the end of Summer Session II.

• These plans are ideal for Faculty, Staff, Commuter Students, and Off-Campus Residents looking for convenient access to campus dining without the commitment of a full semester plan.

You will receive a partial refund. The refund is based on a weekly-prorated schedule and you have until the end of the second week of fall or spring semester to cancel the plan. Visit the wallet portal to manage your meal plan http://wallet.uic.edu.

Yes, you can change your Meal Plan, but it must be done within the first two weeks of the Semester. After this period, you can only upgrade to a higher Meal Plan. Resident Students, Commuters, Faculty & Staff can change their Meal Plan by going to http://wallet.uic.edu. For issues accessing the wallet portal or need to make corrections please contact ID Center 312-413-5940.

Our two dining halls, 605 Commons Dining Hall in SCE, and JST Cafe in James Stukel Towers, are open to all Residents, Commuters, Faculty & Staff, and Off-Campus Residents. You are not limited to the dining hall in your dorm building. For example, if you live in JST, you can also eat at 605 Commons Dining Hall, not just at JST Cafe.

Flames Fare are dining dollars or tax-free money conveniently loaded to your i-card that Students, Faculty & Staff can use at any participating restaurant on campus. Flames Fare balances carry over from Fall to Spring Semester and from Spring to Summer Sessions.

Flames Fare expires at the end of Summer Session II. Any unused Flames Fare will expire at that time. View locations that accept Flames Fare here: http://https://uicdining.sodexomyway.com/en-us/locations/

Yes, food can be taken out of the dining areas with****our reusable container program, Flames Go Green. Our reusable containers are available for use at both dining halls (605 Commons Dining Hall at SCE, and JST Cafe at JST). How it works:

1. Buy a Flames Go Green reusable container for a one-time fee. Available for purchase at the front registers when swiping into 605 Commons Dining Hall (SCE) or JST Cafe.

• $8 for the container
• $11 for the container and cup combo
• Please note your Meal Swipe allows you to choose either a dine-in OR take-out option, not both.

2. Fill & enjoy your meal. Use your Flames Go Green container to take your meal to go from the dining hall. Containers may not be filled and then used for dine-in service.

**3.Return your dirty container. **Be sure to request a Flames Go Green token when returning your container.

• At JST Cafe: Return your used container to the dish return station
• At 605 Commons Dining Hall: Place your container in the Flames Go Green return bin near the front entrance of the 605 Commons Dining Hall.

4. Redeem for a Clean Container. Bring your token to the front register during your next visit to receive a clean container and repeat the cycle!

UIC Dining Services offers a variety of options including Chick-Fil-A, Panda Express, Harold's Chicken, Lotus, Subway, and more! For more dining options, please visit our locations page here: https://uicdining.sodexomyway.com/en-us/locations/ Hours of operation are also listed.

If you lose your i-card, report it immediately to the UIC ID Center at 312-413-5940. You can also visit the ID Center located on the first floor of Student Center East (750 S Halsed St.) They will assist you in deactivating the lost card and issuing a replacement. Your Meal Plan and Flames Fare balance will be transferred to your new card.

Yes, UIC Dining offers a variety of Vegetarian and Vegan options at all dining locations. Our team ensures that these options are clearly labeled and readily available. Vegetarian menu items with a Vegetarian icon contain no meat, fish, poultry, or any meat products such as soup base. Our Vegetarian offerings meet the needs of lacto-ovo Vegetarians and may include eggs and/or dairy products. Vegan offerings contain no meat, fish, eggs, milk, or other animal-derived products such as honey.

You can check your Meal Plan balance online by logging into the UIC Wallet website using your UIC credentials: http://wallet.uic.edu

Any UIC Student, Faculty & Staff, or Guests may purchase meals at any dining location with Flames Fare, and Credit/Debit Card. Please be aware that our dining locations are cashless.

Unlike the Meal Plan, the cost to purchase a meal provides for a one-time individual access to the dining area. You can purchase entry to the dining hall by using Flames Fare, credit card, or debit card.

Dining hall rates (605 Commons Dining Hall (SCE) and JST Cafe (JST)):

• Breakfast - $8.36 / plus tax unless paying with Flames Fare
• Lunch - $12.80/ plus tax unless paying with Flames Fare
• Weekend Brunch - $12.80 / plus tax unless paying with Flames Fare
• Dinner - $14.49 / plus tax unless paying with Flames Fare

Flames Fare are dining dollars or tax-free money conveniently loaded to your i-card that Students, Faculty & Staff can use at any participating retail locations on campus. Flames Fare can be purchased without a Meal Plan in increments from $50 up to $200. To add and check your Flames Fare balance visit http://wallet.uic.edu.

Unused Flames Fare with Resident Meal Plans will roll over to the Spring Semester, unused Meal Swipes will expire December 12th. Blaze Plan users Meal Swipes and Flames Fare roll over to the Spring Semester.

We want to hear from you! Provide us with feedback on your campus dining experiences.You may share your questions and comments by sending an email to dining@uic.edu