Traditional Residence Meal Plans (V1, REV, CMH)

3 pictures including one of the salad bar, one of stir fry being flipped in pan and one of staff member handing a student pizza

As a student living in V1, REV or CMH, you must choose a Residence Meal Plan for each four-month term. You can use your meal plan at all UW Food Services eateries and franchises (e.g., Starbucks, Pizza Pizza, etc.) which makes eating at Waterloo easy to fit in with your busy schedule.

What’s in it for me? Chef sean handing a student a stir fry he just prepared especially for them

You can head down from your room for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a quick snack – the eateries are open for long hours and the food choices are endless! Since the meal plans can be used at any of our 24 UW Food Services location, you are able to eat on campus and on the go!

Meal plans can be used at any of our locations!

Fall 2024 - Spring 2025 Fees

Residence Meal Plan Allowance per term
Meal Plan Name	What do you pay?	Meal Plan Portion	Flex Dollar Portion	Overhead Deduction	Capital Improvement Allotment
Hearty	$3,615	$1,510	$500	$1,510	$95
Average	$3,365	$1,510	$250	$1,510	$95
Lite	$3,115	$1,510	$0	$1,510	$95

Note: Meal plan savings are only applicable during the term which the meal plan was purchased.

WHAT DOES EACH COLUMN MEAN?
Meal Plan Portion: This portion is reserved for meal plans. It is tax-exempt and can only be used in UW Food Services locations. Every time you purchase food using your meal plan, you will get 50% the set price. Flex Dollar Portion: Flex dollars can be used at non-Food Services locations such as the book store, laundry, photocopying and the W Store. They can also be used at various off-campus partner restaurants and stores. If you run out of meal plan dollars, you can convert your flex dollars into meal plan to use on food! Overhead Deduction: The Residence overhead deduction is a critical upfront payment that covers a portion of fixed costs. It is a deposit that is gradually reduced every time you make a purchase at ANY of our 24 Food Services locations through the 50% price reduction received at the till. Capital Improvement: This is a non-refundable amount used for capital expenditures that directly enhance residence dining environments, facilities and equipment. It is deducted from the meal plan cost and cannot be used to make food purchases.
What's the scoop?
Lite - This is a great plan for students who go home on weekends or are light eaters. Average – This plan offers the convenience of eating most meals on campus, with a couple meals a week eaten off campus. Hearty – Choose this Flex Dollar selection if you plan on eating at campus seven days a week. (Or just can’t get enough of our amazing food.)

WHAT DOES EACH COLUMN MEAN?

Meal Plan Portion: This portion is reserved for meal plans. It is tax-exempt and can only be used in UW Food Services locations. Every time you purchase food using your meal plan, you will get 50% the set price.

Flex Dollar Portion: Flex dollars can be used at non-Food Services locations such as the book store, laundry, photocopying and the W Store. They can also be used at various off-campus partner restaurants and stores. If you run out of meal plan dollars, you can convert your flex dollars into meal plan to use on food!

Overhead Deduction: The Residence overhead deduction is a critical upfront payment that covers a portion of fixed costs. It is a deposit that is gradually reduced every time you make a purchase at ANY of our 24 Food Services locations through the 50% price reduction received at the till.

Capital Improvement: This is a non-refundable amount used for capital expenditures that directly enhance residence dining environments, facilities and equipment. It is deducted from the meal plan cost and cannot be used to make food purchases.

What's the scoop?

Lite - This is a great plan for students who go home on weekends or are light eaters.

Average – This plan offers the convenience of eating most meals on campus, with a couple meals a week eaten off campus.

Hearty – Choose this Flex Dollar selection if you plan on eating at campus seven days a week. (Or just can’t get enough of our amazing food.)

Note: Students are automatically registered for the RMPA Lite option. If you would like to change your meal plan, please visit WatCard Frequently Asked Questions for details and deadlines. Flex Dollars are not tax exempt.

Add some Flex Dollars

Have a big appetite? There’s no need to deny your hunger. Flex dollars are used to top up your empty RMPA account before the end of term and for additional on–campus services such as vending, laundry, buying textbooks and even for buying food at participating off–campus restaurants. Transfer money from your Flex Dollars – which can be loaded onto your WatCard any time – to your empty RMPA account. That way you can keep getting that valuable tax exemption.

Check out our FAQ to find answers to common meal plan questions or contact us for more information!

I HAVE A DIETARY RESTRICTION; WILL MY MEAL PLAN PROVIDE ENOUGH OPTIONS?

If you are thinking of living in traditional residence, and have a dietary restriction, please feel free to contact us at foodserv@uwaterloo.ca to learn what options we have available.

Our key message to students coming to Waterloo with food allergies or serious restrictions is to self-identify! If you have a food allergy please contact Food Services before you move in. We will set up a meeting with your residence Chef and our registered dietitian to review available options and make sure you feel comfortable dining at Waterloo.

If you have a serious food allergy or dietary restriction (e.g. celiac disease) , please register through the Accessible Housing process and complete the Housing Disability Verification Form. First-year students must register by June 1 to be a part of the Residence Guarantee application. Waterloo Residences or the University College residences will use this information to find a room assignment that meets your needs.

Please be sure to check off that you are registered with AccessAbility Services when you fill out your Residence Community Ranking Form.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I HAVE MONEY LEFT ON MY WATCARD AT THE END OF TERM?

Any money remaining on your WatCard will automatically carry forward each term for as long as you are a student at UWaterloo.

Your meal plan discount only applies during the term in which you have purchased your meal plan. However, when you purchase a meal plan during a subsequent term, any meal plan money that has carried forward from a previous term will receive your current applicable discount.

Residence meal plan money transfers to your Transfer Meal Plan (MP) account to be spent at a UW Food Services eatery only and does not become Flexible Dollars. Any purchases you make at a UW Food Services location using Flexible Dollars or Transfer MP Dollars is not HST exempt.

The Fine Print

The fine print: Federal and Provincial tax legislation prohibits the use of tax-exempt meal plan funds by individuals who are not qualified to receive these benefits. Only the WatCard holder may purchase meals. WatCard holders purchasing more than one meal at a time will be charged appropriate taxes on the meal with the lower value. All applicable discounts will be applied before taxes. Each transaction the cashier will examine the photo on the WatCard to ensure that the person making the purchase is the WatCard holder. In all cases where the cashier suspects that somebody is using a WatCard other than the cardholder, the cashier must keep the card and prevent its use. The WatCard will be forwarded to the WatCard Office within four hours where it can be picked up by the proper cardholder at that time, or the next business day. Fraudulent use of WatCard funds to purchase food for other people may result in loss of all discount and tax exemption privileges. The security of a WatCard remains the cardholder’s responsibility. WatCards should be treated like a credit or debit card. If a WatCard is lost or stolen the cardholder is responsible for all charges made to that card until the card is reported lost or stolen. A WatCard can be reported lost or stolen at any WatCard cash register on campus, at the WatCard Office, or online at the WatCard homepage. All WatCards are the property of the University of Waterloo.