University of Waterloo Meal Plan Terms and Conditions
Effective Date: September 1, 2026.
THIS IS A LEGALLY BINDING DOCUMENT BETWEEN YOU AND THE UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO. PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT CAREFULLY. THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS ARE REVIEWED ON A REGULAR BASIS AND MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.
This document outlines the terms and conditions governing the use, purchase and administration of all University of Waterloo (the “University”) meal plans (“Meal Plans”). By selecting or being assigned a Meal Plan, you as a student (“Student”) agree to abide by these terms and conditions (“Terms and Conditions”). University Meal Plans are not associated with meal plans offered by the affiliated and federated institutions of the University (i.e., the university colleges).
1. DEFINITIONS
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Traditional Residence: Means residences where students are required to purchase a Traditional Meal Plan as specified by campus housing contract.
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Meal Plan: Means any campus food plan offered by UW Food Services. The available Meal Plans are Traditional Meal Plans and Advantage Meal Plans.
2. MEAL PLAN STRUCTURE
2.1 Meal Plan Funds, Overhead, and the Administrative Fee
Each Meal Plan is associated with a particular dollar amount. Students in Traditional Residences must purchase a Traditional Meal Plan, although different Traditional Meal Plans are available with different dollar amounts. Students not in Traditional Residences are entitled, but not obligated, to purchase an Advantage Meal Plan. Different Advantage Meal Plans are available, also with different dollar amounts.
An Administrative Fee is deducted from each Meal Plan at the start of the academic term to cover administrative, technological, and infrastructure costs required to operate the Meal Plan program. This Fee is not a food credit and is non-refundable.
The funds remaining after the Administrative Fee and any included Flex Dollars are deducted are equally split between Meal Plan Funds and the Overhead Portion. The Overhead Portion is meant to cover fixed costs associated with operating the Meal Plan program. Meal Plan Funds and the Overhead Portion have no cash value and are not transferrable.
Each time a meal purchase is made, 50% of the purchase cost is deducted from the Meal Plan Funds, and the remaining 50% is deducted from the Overhead Portion. Purchases made using Meal Plan Funds and the Overhead Portion qualify for an HST exemption.
2.2 Flex Dollars
Flex Dollars may be included with, or optionally purchased in addition to, a Meal Plan. Flex Dollars can be used anywhere that accepts WatCard as a form of payment, including but not limited to Campus Housing laundry facilities, on-campus vending machines, W Print, W Store, participating on and off-campus partner restaurants, and at UW Food Services dining locations.
Flex Dollars are subject to Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) as they do not qualify for HST exemption.
Additional Flex Dollars can be added at any time, and in any amount, through the WatCard Office.
3. MEAL PLAN TERMS & CONDITIONS
3.1 Participation in Meal Plans
Students assigned to a Traditional Residence are required to purchase a Traditional Meal Plan for each academic term they are resident in a Traditional Residence. If a Student does not select a Meal Plan, the Traditional “B” Plan will be assigned by default. If an Advantage Meal Plan is selected and the Student is subsequently placed in a Traditional Residence, the plan will be converted to a Traditional Plan. This is required regardless of the time in the academic year the change is made.
Advantage Meal Plans are optional and available to all University of Waterloo students, except those living in Traditional Residences.
3.2 Use and Restrictions
Meal Plans, including both Traditional and Advantage Meal Plans, are intended for personal use only and are tax-exempt in accordance with Canada Revenue Agency guidelines. Sharing or misuse of a Meal Plan constitutes fraudulent use. Fraudulent use of Meal Plans or Meal Plan Funds, including unauthorized transfers or theft of food, may result in fines and disciplinary action, up to and including student discipline under University of Waterloo Policy 71.
Enrollment in, activation of, or use of, a Traditional or Advantage Meal Plan, constitutes acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.
3.3 Carry-Forward and Price Reduction
Unused Meal Plan Funds associated with a Traditional or Advantage Plan will carry forward while the Student remains enrolled at the University, subject to the following. Where a Student enrolls in a subsequent Meal Plan within the same academic year, any carried-forward Meal Plan Funds will retain their applicable tax-exempt status and Meal Plan price-reduction benefits. Where a Student does not enroll in another Meal Plan within the same academic year, or where the academic year has ended, any carried-forward Meal Plan Funds will no longer be tax-exempt and will not include Meal Plan price-reduction benefits.
The Overhead Portion does not carry forward.
Flex Plan dollars carry forward, as long as a Student remains enrolled at the University.
4. REFUND POLICY
Refunds are only considered in cases of withdrawal from the University and must be requested via the WatCard Office.
Refunds are not automatic and are subject to verification of the student’s withdrawal. After verification of withdrawal, the refunds are issued as follows:
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Meal Plan Portion: Any unused Meal Plan Funds are refundable.
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Overhead Portion: Any unused Overhead Portion is refundable on a pro-rated basis.
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Administrative Fee: Non-refundable.
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Flex Dollars: Any unused Meal Plan Flex Dollars are refundable.
5. ACCESS TO STUDENT INFORMATION AND PRIVACY POLICY
The University is subject to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for its collection, sharing and storage of personal information. Learn more about how the University uses, collects, and protects student information here: https://uwaterloo.ca/privacy/notice-collection-disclosure
6. CHANGES TO TERMS AND CONDITIONS
These Terms and Conditions, and other University policies and procedures, may be changed, modified or revoked from time to time by the University of Waterloo, in its sole and absolute discretion, without advance notice to you in order to respond to evolving circumstances, including, without limitation, changes resulting from government guidance and responses, public health directives, and to University policies and procedures. You agree to comply with all further amendments. Please note our typical array of amenities and services may be temporarily adjusted due to health and safety directives.
7. MISCELLANEOUS:
7.1 The University assumes no responsibility for failure to perform any terms or conditions of these Terms and Conditions due to fire, explosion, water, Acts of God, civil disobedience or disturbance, strikes, lockouts, or other labour interruptions, pandemic or epidemic, vandalism, war, riot, sabotage, failure of public utility services, governmental rules, or any other courses which are beyond the reasonable control of the University (“Emergency”). If the University cannot open and/or must close for any such Emergency, the University will use reasonable efforts to ensure that students are notified in advance and the University will use reasonable efforts to mitigate against the effects of the Emergency. The University is not liable for any loss in these Emergencies.
7.2 These Terms and Conditions represent the complete agreement between you and the University regarding your Meal Plan, and supersedes any prior contracts or understandings, whether oral or written.