MEAL AND PREPAID PLAN
Southern offers a convenient meal plan for students. There are multiple options to fit your needs. Additions to these plans are available in $100 increments during the semester. Residence hall students are automatically assigned a default amount. Non-residence hall students must select a meal plan in order to use their card on campus.
| Meal Plan Selection | Semester Amount | Max Refund |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze | $1,550 | $50 |
| Silver* | $1,750 | $250 |
| Gold | $1,950 | $450 |
(*Silver is the default plan charged to student's in the Residence Halls)
Frequently Asked Questions:
Meal Plan | Prepaid Plan
What plan should I choose?
Students that reside in Talge, Thatcher, and Thatcher South will automatically be
enrolled in Southern’s Silver meal plan with the option of changing to a Bronze or
Gold plan, representing lower and higher balance options. The meal plan allows students
to purchase food from the Dining Hall, CK2, the Garden, the Kayak, Village Market
Deli, and vending machines on campus. Dorm meal plan purchases are exempt from sales
tax.
If I don’t select a plan, can I still use my ID card in the Dining Hall?
For all non-residence hall students the answer is provided you sign up for a meal
plan. Only students on a meal plan may use their ID card at the eateries on campus.
This includes the Dining Hall, CK2, the Garden, the Kayak, the Village Market Deli,
and vending machines on campus. Without a meal plan you must use cash, debit, or credit
cards for purchases.
When must I select my plan?
You can start a meal plan at any time during the semester. However, switching between
plans can only occur before fall semester and before winter semester—after that date,
meal plans are locked in as selected.
Are my meal plan purchases subject to sales tax?
This depends on your housing situation. Tennessee state law requires all retail purchases
to be subject to state sales tax, with a few exceptions. An exception is granted to
students who reside in an educational institution’s housing and who are on a meal
plan. Therefore, if you reside in Southern-owned housing (residence hall, apartment,
or house) your meal plan purchases will be exempt from Tennessee state sales tax.
Why was I charged for a meal plan, even though I didn’t select a plan?
Students that reside in Talge, Thatcher, or Thatcher South are automatically assigned
to the Silver Plan. Applying the default plan ensures students can use their ID card
to purchase food after arriving on campus. In addition, it allows Southern to bill
a meal plan amount up front to ensure your payment plan reflects the most accurate
balance possible for the semester. To change the default plan amount click on the
activate plan button and make sure to select the option listed there. Ability to
change plans is available through census, (last day to add a class).
Do I need a meal plan for summer sessions or (SmartStart)?
Yes. All summer meal plans for Residence Hall students is $500 for the summer, the
unused portion is fully refundable at the end of the summer.
How do I check the balance on my meal plan?
Log in to My Access >Financial>Campus Card Charges. You can only check the balance
for the current semester.
PREPAID CAMPUS ACCOUNT
What is a Prepaid Campus Account?
A prepaid campus account gives you the convenience of using your ID card at several
locations around campus: the Village Market for groceries, Campus Shop items that
are non-book related, and printing/copying around campus are the main locations. The
amount you select is billed to your Student Account and paid for as you pay your bill.
How is this plan different than the meal plan?
The meal plan value is only usable at the Dining Hall, CK2, the Kayak, the Garden,
and the Village Market Deli, and vending machines. The prepaid account can be used
for Village Market groceries, Campus Shop supplies (non-books), and printing/copying
services around campus.
What if I don’t use the whole amount? Is it refundable?
After the semester is over we will refund any unused portion of the prepaid account.
I selected $150, but decided I don’t want this on my account, can I get a refund now?
The selection on the prepaid account locks in on the last day to add classes each
semester. After that date the only refund will take place after the semester is over.
Do I need a Prepaid Campus Account to purchase books?
No, book purchases are charged to your account as you purchase them through the online
book store, BNC (third party vendor).