Frequently asked questions

Participation in the food services program is required of all students living in university residence halls and Cutler Apartment Complex.

Meal plans are purchased on a semester basis. The selected meal plan for fall will be automatically applied to the student’s account for the spring semester; unless UAF Dining has been notified of the changes in writing.

Fees for your meal plan are due on or before the fee payment deadline (September 6, 2024 for fall; January 24, 2025 for spring). Payments should be made electronically via UAOnline or directly with the Office of the Bursar located in Signers' Hall.

For meal plans added after the fee payment deadline, please make payment within five (5) business days from your request.

Commuter students may purchase any of the meal plans offered by using the Electronic Application service.

Blocks are loaded onto your PolarExpress card for use. Simply swipe your card to redeem a block for set meals or to exchange blocks for up to a $10.00 equivalency at UAF campus dining locations. No cash back will be given on the block equivalency.  

Blocks reset on the first day of the month.  Unused block meals are non-refundable and expire when the plan resets.

Please note: Your PolarExpress card is REQUIRED to access your block dinners. No exceptions. If your PolarExpress card is lost or stolen, immediately notify the PolarExpress Office in Signers' Hall at 907-474-7384 to have them disable use on that card. Funds used will not be reimbursed.

Your PolarExpressCcard will be used similar to a debit card, swiping it for each meal purchase. The amount of the transaction will be deducted from the remaining Munch Money balance on your account. You may view your current Munch Money balance on the bottom of each purchase receipt.

Please note: Your PolarExpress card is REQUIRED to access your Munch Money. No exceptions. If your PolarExpress card is lost or stolen, immediately notify the PolarExpress Office in Signers' Hall at 907-474-7384 to have them disable use on that card. Funds used will not be reimbursed.

You may check the balance of your blocks and Munch Money via eAccounts website.

In addition, if you use Munch Money to make a purchase your account balance is listed on the bottom of the receipt.

Adding to your meal plan is easy. Simply complete the electronic Add on Munch Money  form indicating the Add-On you prefer. We will add the charge to your UA account and you pay either though UAOnline or directly with the Office of the Bursar within five (5) business days of your request.

Blocks reset on the first day of the month. Unused block meals are non-refundable and expire when the plan resets.  Fall 2024 blocks will expire on December  14, 2024.  Spring 2025 blocks will expire on May 3, 2025.

Up to $250 of Munch Money remaining on accounts at the end of the Fall semester will roll into the Spring meal plan. All unused Munch Money is non-refundable and expires after the last day of the Spring semester (May 5, 2025).

Refunds are calculated based on monthly block and Munch Money access used and refund period of request.  No changes/cancellations after the 50% refund deadline.  All meal plan fees to be reimbursed for changes or cancellations may be used to pay for other obligations owed by the student to the University. Any portion not applied as provided herein will be refunded to the student by the Office of the Bursar.

Please see the refund schedule for change/cancellation deadlines.

You may switch your meal plan between semesters by submitting a Change/Cancellation Form to UAF Dining

Services before the 100% prorated refund deadline (September 13, 2024 for the fall; January 31, 2025 for the spring).

No changes will be granted after the 100% prorated deadline.