Meal Plan Waiver
Purpose
This policy establishes the guidelines and procedures for students requesting a waiver from the University Meal Plan program. The Meal Plan Waiver Policy covers Meal Plans for all students required to purchase a meal plan.
If you are unsure about your required meal plan, please visit the dining services web page.
Meal Plan Waiver Request Forms will be accepted as outlined below:
Fall Semester: The form will open July 5th and is due the first Friday of September at 4:00pm EST (If your circumstances have changed after these deadlines, please email mpwaiver@louisville.edu with an explanation of your request for a waiver).
Spring Semester: The form will open November 24th and is due the third Friday of January at 4:00pm EST (If your circumstances have changed after these deadlines, please email mpwaiver@louisville.edu with an explanation of your request for a waiver).
- Meal Plan Waiver Request Forms received after 4:00pm EST on the final submission date will automatically be denied.
- All correspondence related to the Meal Plan Waiver Request Form will be communicated through the student's louisville.edu email account.
- The student is responsible for paying all charges related to their meal plan including any and all late fees incurred, while a waiver is still in progress.
- The Meal Plan Waiver Request Form is not available after the deadline. When the form is not live, you will receive an error message stating "Insufficient Privileges."
Submit Meal Plan Waiver Request Form Here
COMPLETE A MEAL PLAN WAIVER REQUEST FORM
Meal Plan Waiver Documentation
The examples provided below are not guarantees of approvals and are not the only circumstances for which a student may apply for a meal plan waiver. Failure to include required documents with Meal Plan Request Form could result in a delay and/or denial of request.
Please review and read all information. Incomplete documentation will not be reviewed.
CRITERIA |
DEFINITION |
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS/ACTIONS |
---|---|---|
Housing Change or Cancellation |
Students who have changed their housing address (either switched halls or moved off campus) |
A meal plan waiver is not required - Students will be contacted through their university email address regarding what options are available at the time they move out of the hall. If not, please email the Cardinal Card Office for more information |
Change in Student Enrollment Status |
Students who have transferred, withdrawn, including students not returning for the Spring semester. |
A meal plan waiver is not required - Adjustments will be automatically made to your account after the drop/add date, less any usage. If not, please email the Cardinal Card Office for more information |
Student Not Returning to Campus |
Students who have withdrawn and will not be returning the following semester |
A meal plan waiver is not required - Adjustments will be automatically made to your account after the drop/add date, less any usage. Please note: After mid-term break all flex points remaining from the Fall semester on the student's account will roll to the Spring semester and will not be refunded. If not, please email the Cardinal Card Office for more information |
Dependent Care Student may request a meal plan reduction to the apartment flex plan if he/she continues to live in on-campus housing. No further reductions will be made unless approved through the appeal process. |
Responsible for full time care of young or elder dependents. |
Birth records, tax records, SNAP documentation and/or dependency records (Documents valid for one (1) academic year). |
Dietary – Allergy+ Student may request a meal plan reduction to the apartment flex plan if he/she continues to live in on-campus housing. No further reductions will be made unless approved through the appeal process. |
Students with dietary restrictions |
|
Dietary – Medical |
Student with medical restrictions due to current health conditions |
Supporting documentation from the physician should be on letterhead, typed, dated, signed, and include the following information: A current statement of the diagnosis and date of onset
|
Dietary – Religious+ Student may request a meal plan reduction to the apartment flex plan if he/she continues to live in on-campus housing. No further reductions will be made unless approved through the appeal process. |
Student with dietary restrictions due to religious beliefs Student may request a meal plan reduction to the apartment flex plan if he/she continues to live in on-campus housing. No further reductions will be made unless approved through the appeal process. |
|
Educational “Co-op” Requirement Programs Student may request a meal plan reduction to the apartment flex plan if he/she continues to live in on-campus housing during their Co-op. No further reductions will be made unless approved through the appeal process. |
Students participating in University supported programs such as National Student Exchange, Co-op or Student Teaching programs |
|
Financial Hardships (Documents valid for one (1) academic year) Student may request a meal plan reduction to the apartment flex plan if he/she continues to live in on-campus housing. No further reductions will be made unless approved through the appeal process. |
Life altering experiences such as job loss, medical expenses, natural disasters, death or other income reducing experiences. |
|
Military-Connected Students |
Currently serving members of the U.S. Armed Forces (Active-Duty, Coast Guard, Reserve and National Guard) students using Department of Veterans affairs (VA) Education benefits, veterans not using VA Education benefits, and ROTC cadets (Prior Service and Green to Gold only). *All students living on campus must have either a traditional or apartment meal plan. ** VA Education Benefits, including the Chapter 33-Post 9/11® G.I. Bill, do not cover this cost. |
To obtain a wavier, complete the waiver application and attach the following applicable documents.
Waiver is valid for one (1) academic year. You must request a new waiver each academic year. |
Metropolitan College May request a meal plan reduction to the apartment flex plan if he/she continues to live in on-campus housing during their employment. No further reductions will be made unless approved through the appeal process. |
Students participating in Metropolitan College/UPS program working at the UPS overnight air operation (3rd Shift, Next Day Air) |
|
Work Related Student may request a meal plan reduction to the apartment flex plan if he/she continues to live in on-campus housing during their Co-op. No further reductions will be made unless approved through the appeal process. |
Students working full time with no break in between classes |
|
+ Dietary Criteria - For all meal plan waiver submissions where the reason is dietary, either religious or allergies, the student is required to have a consultation with the Campus Registered Dietitian. Upon submission, a copy of the meal plan waiver request will be automatically sent to the Campus Dietitian. It is the responsibility of the student to contact the Campus Dietitian to schedule a consultation prior to the Meal Plan waiver submission deadline.
*Documents can be found on ULINK or other University websites.
Students may submit a waiver request with documentation for unique circumstances not noted above. The unique circumstances must demonstrate that the required meal plan creates an undue burden and cannot be utilized. Failure to include documents with Meal Plan Request Form could result in a denial of request.
Note: Due to student privacy, all paper records are destroyed within sixty (60) days of approval or denial of the request. The University is not responsible for your documentation; please make a copy for your records.
Students are encouraged to voluntarily reduce their meal plan to the lowest possible plan within their tier immediately after submitted a meal plan waiver request. If a waiver is denied, the opportunity to reduce the meal plan may not be available.
All waivers are subject to committee approval. Questions regarding this process should be directed to mpwaiver@louisville.edu.
Waiver Submission Procedures
Students requesting a waiver must complete the Meal Plan Waiver Request Form and submit the required applicable documentation.
Meal Plan Waiver Requests and supporting documentation can also be submitted via:
Email:
mpwaiver@louisville.edu
Delivered in person:
Cardinal Card Office
Houchens Bldg. LL05
Louisville, KY 40292
Meal Plan Waiver Review Committee/Review Process
The Meal Plan Waiver Review Committee (“Committee”) is made up of student representatives and University leadership as defined below.
- Committee Chair - Vice President, Student Government Association Services
- (2) Student Representatives Not Living on Campus (appointed by Committee Chair, with at least one that is not serving in an appointed or elected position of the Student Government Association)
- (2) Student Representatives Living on Campus (appointed by the Committee Chair)
- Student President from Resident Student Association
- (1) Representative from the Dean of Students Office
- (1) Representative from Business Services
- (1) Representative from the Financial Aid Office
All committee members shall be voting members. There must be at least five (5) members in attendance and at least three (3) of the five (5) attending committee members must be students in order for a decision to be made. Decisions are made by simple majority vote.
The Committee will review pending waivers weekly as needed. The committee will review each request and determine if the student’s circumstance prohibits them from using the meal plan, or if the meal plan creates an undue hardship for the student. Committee review does not guarantee approval. Upon approval, a credit corresponding to the unused portion of the meal plan will post to the student’s tuition account.
2022-23 Meal Plan Rates
- Residence Hall w/o Kitchen - $2,155/semester
- Residence Hall w/ Kitchen - $1,502/semester
- Commuters (taking at least 6 hours on Belknap) - $300/semester
All students (undergraduate, graduate, post doc, etc.), living in campus housing are required to participate in a mandatory meal plan. The standard meal plan and optional meal plans are determined by where you reside. All students living in Traditional housing will be enrolled in the standard Traditional meal plan; all students living in on-campus apartments will be enrolled in the standard Apartment meal plan. All incoming Freshman and Transfer commuter students, enrolled in at least six credit hours on Belknap campus, will be automatically enrolled in the standard Commuter Flex meal plan. All full-time undergraduate commuter students enrolled prior to Fall 2022, taking at least twelve credit hours with at least nine credit hours on Belknap Campus, will automatically be enrolled in the standard Commuter Flex meal plan. More information on meal plans.