Meal Plan FAQs
Learn more about residential meal plans, flex plans, Eagle Bucks, and adding funds in our frequently asked questions below.
The Mandatory Residential Meal Plan
This Meal Plan operates on a declining balance system, with each student's BC ID serving as the debit card. The mandatory Residential Meal Plan is not subsidized through tuition funds.
The mandatory Residential Meal Plan is required for all students living in residence halls on Upper Campus and Newton Campus, in Walsh Hall, Greycliff, 66 Commonwealth Avenue, Vanderslice Hall, 90 St. Thomas More Drive, and Stayer Hall.
All first-year students and anyone living in a residence hall that doesn't have a full kitchen will be automatically enrolled in the Base Level of the mandatory Residential Meal Plan. Students can opt up to the Premium Plan or opt down to the Light Plan starting in mid-June. The meal plan selection deadline for the fall semester is August 30, 2025. Changes to the meal plan for the spring semester must be made by January 17, 2026. Please note: Meal Plan changes may take up to a week to appear on your billing statement at the start of the fall semester.
When you arrive on campus, obtain your Eagle One Card (BC ID) from the Student Services Office. Your mandatory Residential Meal Plan will be valid upon University registration approval.
Students can choose from three different spending levels based on their dining habits. All students will automatically be enrolled in the Base Plan. While the Base Plan meets many students' needs (approximately $33/day), students will have the option to opt up to the Premium Plan (approximately $37/day) or opt down to the Light Plan (approximately $30/day).
Yes—you may pay for guest meals with your mandatory Residential Meal Plan funds or any of your Eagle One accounts as long as you accompany your guests. Your guests may also pay with credit or debit. Your BC ID card and the accounts on it are for your use only; no one may use another person's ID card, unless accompanied by that person.
You can purchase the Flex Dining Plan instead of the mandatory Residential Meal Plan only if you are not already bound by a Residential Room & Board contract that requires you to participate in the mandatory Residential Meal Plan. First-year students can't replace the mandatory Residential Meal Plan with the Flex Dining Plan.
Go to the Boston College Student Services Office in Lyons Hall as soon as possible. Student Services will issue a new card and reactivate your Meal Plan. Your old card will be deactivated and will no longer work at University restaurants or vending machines.
You remain responsible for card usage prior to deactivation. Falsifying, altering, or misusing your own or anyone else's ID card in any way is strictly prohibited.
Unlike other universities with a fixed number of meals per week, Boston College’s dining program is based on a declining balance system. This means students start the academic year with a starting balance on their BC ID, much like a debit card. Students will only get charged for what they purchase. With a Declining Balance Meal Plan, students have the flexibility of eating what they want and when, with the option of taking food to go when needed.
Designed for different dining habits, students can select from three plan levels: Light, Base, and Premium. The following provides a sample to help you choose and budget your meal plan. This provides an estimated cost for students' meals. Nutrient needs and amount of food differ for each person.
- Light Plan: The Light Plan is designed for students who tend to eat some meals off-campus or in their residence hall. The Light Plan includes $3,116 plus $250 in Dining Bucks (approximately $30 per day). Most students on this plan eat two on-campus meals per day during the week and an occasional meal on the weekends.
- Base Plan: The Base Plan is designed to meet most students’ needs. The Base Plan includes $3,372 per semester plus $300 in Dining Bucks (approximately $33 per day). Most students on this plan eat two on-campus meals a day plus snacks.
- Premium Plan: The Premium Plan is designed for students who tend to eat most of their meals on campus. The Premium Plan includes $3,825 plus $350 in Dining Bucks (approximately $37 per day). Most students on this plan eat two to three on-campus meals a day plus snacks, seven days a week.
Log in to the BC Agora portal.
Click "Meal Plan Selection" under "Account and Personal Info".
Click the dropdown menu next to Fall or Spring terms to view meal plan level options.
Select your plan level based on your dining habits. All students are automatically enrolled in the Base Plan as this meets most students' needs.
Click "Update Meal Plan Selection" to save your changes.
Students can opt up to the Premium Plan or opt down to the Light Plan starting in mid-June. The meal plan selection deadline for the fall semester is August 30, 2025. Changes to the meal plan for the spring semester must be made by January 17, 2026. Meal Plan changes may take up to a week to appear on your billing statement at the start of the fall semester.
Flex Plans & Eagle Bucks
Online through the Agora Portal.
Flex Bucks are accepted at all on-campus locations, including specialty dining locations, concessions, vending machines, and for Grubhub Mobile ordering. Opening an Eagle Bucks account increases your spending flexibility by allowing purchases at BC bookstores, residence hall laundry facilities, and a variety of off-campus retail and service locations.
Residential meal plan money is used at qualifying on-campus dining locations. Depending on the plan level, you will start the semester with $3,116 (Light Plan), $3,372 (Base Plan), or $3,825 (Premium Plan) to use at the main dining locations, pop-up events, and the Farmers Market. Any Meal Plan money remaining after the fall semester will be carried over to the spring semester in the same academic year. At the end of the academic year, any remaining balance will be forfeited.
The Residential Meal Plan also includes Dining Bucks, which provide added flexibility and variety. Depending on the plan level, you will start the semester with $250 Dining Bucks (Light Plan), $300 Dining Bucks (Base Plan), or $350 Dining Bucks (Premium Plan) to use at specialty dining locations, Grubhub mobile ordering, concessions, and vending machines. Any Dining Bucks you have remaining at the end of the academic year will continue to roll over until graduation—at which time you will receive a 100% refund on any balance over $5 (net Bonus Flex Bucks). You may request a refund of your Flex Dining Funds, net of Bonus Flex Bucks, at any time.
Funds
You and your parents can add funds immediately through the Agora Portal. The University accepts e-checks (electronic withdrawal from your checking or savings account), Visa, or MasterCard. You may also charge up to $100 against your student account if your account is paid in full.
Your account always maintains the balance from the last transaction. Regardless of what meals you miss, your money continues to roll over until the end of the academic year.
Any remaining fall semester funds are carried over to spring semester in the same academic year. At the end of the academic year, any remaining balance will be forfeited. Any Flex Bucks you have remaining at the end of the academic year will continue to roll over until graduation—at which time you will receive a 100% refund on any balance over $5 (net Bonus Flex Bucks). Your mandatory Residential Meal Plan will be active until 8 p.m. on Commencement Day.
Bonus Flex Bucks not used by the end of an academic year (May 31) will be forfeited. After bonus flex bucks are depleted or forfeited, your Flex Dining Funds are then used. You may request a refund of your Flex Dining Funds, net of Bonus Flex Bucks, at any time.
Yes, that is an option. The benefit of opting up to the Premium Plan is having more residential meal plan money, which encourages students to dine in our main dining halls and late night at Lyons where the menu is designed for more balanced meals.
You may deposit additional funds into one of our optional Eagle One accounts. Deposits to your Flex Plan can be made at any time during the year through the Agora Portal.
No, your Eagle One Card is not an ATM card. You do not have the ability to withdraw cash from it.