Notre Dame University Student Food Discounts Explained

The University of Notre Dame offers financial aid to meet 100% of every student's demonstrated financial need. This includes covering the cost of attendance and what a student's family can reasonably contribute. The average cost of attendance for the 2024-2025 academic year is $82,925, which includes tuition and fees, room and meals, and other expenses. The University offers various meal plans for on-campus and off-campus students, and students can also work part-time in Campus Dining to receive a free meal during their shift. So, do students pay less for food at Notre Dame University? The answer may vary depending on individual financial circumstances and the specific meal plan chosen.

Meal plans for on-campus undergrads

The University of Notre Dame offers six meal plans for on-campus undergrads, all of which can be used in the North and South Dining Halls. The plans are as follows:

Block 250

This is the default meal plan that all students are placed on. It offers 250 entries into the dining halls and $500 in Flex Points for the semester.

Block 250 Upgrade

This plan costs an additional $319 per semester and includes $360 in Flex Points, $360 in Domer Dollars, and up to 250 swipes.

Block 230

The Block 230 plan costs $234 per semester and includes $500 in Flex Points and up to 230 swipes.

Block 180

At a cost of $218 per semester, this plan includes $1,000 in Flex Points and up to 180 swipes.

Block 150

For $1,710 per semester, this plan does not include any Flex Points but allows up to 150 swipes.

All On-Campus Undergraduate meal plans include five guest meals per semester, which cannot be used during special meals. Flex Points can be used at select on-campus retail dining locations and roll over from the fall to spring semester, but expire at the end of the academic year.

Off-campus meal plans

The meal plans are semester-based and can be cancelled for a refund within 24 hours of purchase, provided that no part of the plan has been used. Graduate students can choose to make monthly payments for their meal plans. Both Domer Dollars and Flex Point balances can be checked online, and any queries about the meal plans can be directed to Campus Dining.

For off-campus students, the meal plans offer a convenient way to access dining services and manage their spending on food. The ability to roll over Flex Points to the next semester provides some flexibility for students, although any unused points above $25 will be refunded upon separation from the university.

Cost of attendance

The cost of attendance at the University of Notre Dame is high, with tuition and fees for the 2024-2025 academic year totalling $65,025. This is significantly more expensive than the national average cost of tuition, which is $47,999. However, the university is committed to making its education accessible and affordable for families at all income levels. It is one of only 60 schools in the nation that meet 100% of a family's demonstrated financial need, and it does so without considering a student's financial situation during the admissions process.

The total cost of attendance at the University of Notre Dame is $83,271, which includes tuition, fees, food, housing, books, supplies, and transportation. The net price, after aid and scholarship funds are discounted, is $29,081 for the average student receiving need-based aid. The university offers grants and scholarships that do not need to be paid back, and 70% of undergraduates receive some form of financial aid. The average need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students is $55,045, and 53% of first-year students received this type of financial aid in the fall of 2022.

Room and meals are estimated to cost $17,900 for the 2024-2025 academic year, with an additional $3,200 estimated for books, personal expenses, and transportation. The University of Notre Dame offers meal plans for both on-campus and off-campus students, with the option to purchase blocks of meals and Flex Points to be used at select on-campus dining locations. For graduate students, there is also the option to make monthly payments for meal plans.

For students who are unable to commit to a full-time enrollment status, defined as less than 12 credit hours per semester, there is the option to enrol part-time. However, this can have consequences for scholarship eligibility, and students may have to begin paying back loans. Students enrolled less than half-time are not eligible for federal loans and may have to start repaying existing ones.

Financial aid

The University of Notre Dame offers financial aid to meet 100% of every student's demonstrated financial need without loans. This means that students receive grants and scholarships in financial aid offers that do not need to be paid back. The university is one of fewer than 60 schools in the nation that meet 100% of a family's demonstrated financial need. The average need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students at the University of Notre Dame was $55,045, and 53% of first-year students received need-based financial aid in fall 2022.

The total cost of attendance at the University of Notre Dame for the 2024-2025 academic year is $82,925, including tuition and fees ($65,025), room and meals ($17,900), and an estimated cost for books, personal expenses, and transportation ($3,200). The university offers financial aid to families of various income levels, considering factors such as household size, the number of family members in college, assets, and special circumstances when offering financial aid.

The University of Notre Dame also offers meal plans for off-campus undergraduate and graduate students, providing a block of board meals to be used in North or South Dining Hall and some Flex Points for select on-campus retail dining locations. Students can also purchase Domer Dollars, which are accepted at on-campus and off-campus food establishments. For students enrolled on a less than full-time basis, they are eligible to purchase meal plans and flex points at their discretion.

The University of Notre Dame provides various employment opportunities within Campus Dining, offering competitive wages, flexible hours, and a free meal during shifts. Students can work in dining halls, restaurants, and various Campus Dining departments, gaining new skill sets and experiences.

Student employment

The University of Notre Dame offers a range of student employment opportunities, particularly within its Campus Dining operations. Campus Dining offers a fun, fast-paced, and high-energy environment with flexible schedules and a free meal during shifts. The University is committed to attracting and developing talented and passionate individuals who want to be part of the Notre Dame community and influence future generations.

Campus Dining has a variety of locations, allowing students to gain new skill sets and experiences. They offer on-call, part-time, and full-time positions in dining halls and restaurants across campus. Students can work in the North and South Dining Halls, the Huddle Food Court, Express operations, and University Catering. Campus Dining provides competitive wages, incentives, flexible hours, advancement opportunities, and a great working atmosphere. They also pay differential increases for positions with early morning or late-night shifts.

For students interested in a career in culinary innovation, Campus Dining is a great choice. It strives to be the nation's premier college dining program, offering opportunities to work with diverse chefs and learn something new every day.

In addition to Campus Dining, the University of Notre Dame also offers work-study programs and campus jobs to help students earn money while studying. These positions can be related to a student's major and interests, providing valuable experience and helping to lessen the burden of student loans.

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