USC New Student Orientation
USC Hospitality is delighted to offer you options in alignment with our ‘Food Philosophy’ and goal to provide craveable, socially responsible cuisine for the Trojan Family. From traditional dining halls to a mix of restaurants, cafes and convenience stores, our program is designed to meet the unique needs and tastes of our student body.
Meal plans are assigned based on class standing. Students whose residential location does not require a meal plan may choose to participate in any plan on an optional basis. All freshmen living in university housing will be assigned the Cardinal Meal Plan. All sophomores, juniors, and seniors living in USC Housing Apartments will be assigned the Apartment Meal Plan when they confirm a USC Housing contract. Residents may elect to upgrade their meal plan. All plan changes must be submitted by September 3, 2024 for Fall 2024 and by January 23, 2025 for Spring 2025.
In the “Full Meal Plan” category, our Cardinal Meal Plan offer unlimited Residential Meal Swipes that may be used in all three Residential Dining venues. The Cardinal Plan provides 2 Campus Center Meal Swipes per week, which may be used at select Ronald Tutor Campus Center retail dining venues. These swipes do not roll over week to week and reset every Sunday. An upgrade to the Trojan Plan offers 60 Residential Meal Swipes along with a pre-established bank of dining dollars that can be used at Hospitality venues throughout the University Park and Health Sciences Campus.
Dining Dollars as part of a meal plan or sold as a block can be used at USC Hospitality venues throughout both campuses.
| Cardinal Plan | Trojan Plan | Apartment Plan | Community 25 Plan | Community 50 Plan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Meal Swipes | UNLIMITED | 60 | 40 | 25 | 50 |
| Dining Dollars Declining Balance | N/A | $3,385 | $150 | $50 | $100 |
| Campus Center Meal Swipes | 2 Per Week | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Renew During Semester | NOT NECESSARY | NOT NECESSARY | YES | YES | YES |
| Available During Summer | NO | NO | NO | YES | YES |
| Price Per Semester | $3,830 | $4,385 | $835 | $450 | $865 |
| Guest Meals | 7 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Required | YES | YES | NO | NO | |
| Freshman with a USC Housing contract and sophomores, juniors, and seniors living in USC Housing Residence Halls and Suites | Sophomores, juniors, and seniors living in USC Housing Apartments | Available to all USC students who are not required to have a meal plan | Available to all USC students who are not required to have a meal plan |
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| Any USC student may purchase a Dining Dollar Block of $250 or $500 Dining Dollars at a 10% discount at any time during the semester. Dining Dollar Blocks reset on the last day of the semester. |
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Students will be automatically enrolled in the default meal plan through the USC Housing online contracting process. Following this, anyone who would like to upgrade to another meal plan may do so online via the USCard Services website, mycard.usc.edu. If a meal plan is upgraded during the Fall Semester, that upgrade will apply to the Spring Semester as well, unless otherwise notified.
All meal plan changes must be submitted by September 3, 2024 for Fall 2024 and by January 23, 2025 for Spring 2025. Changes not made by these dates will result in assignment of the default meal plan for the remainder of the semester. All required meal plans reset at the end of each semester. Remaining funds cannot be refunded, transferred or sold. Cardinal, Trojan, Apartment Plans, and Dining Dollar Blocks reset in the last meal plan day of each semester, and are not refundable or transferable.
Students assigned the Apartment Meal Plan may purchase an additional Apartment Plan AFTER their original plan has been depleted. Unused Meal Swipes & Dining Dollars do not roll over from semester to semester.
The Community Meal Plans are available to all USC Students who are NOT required to have a meal plan. These plans may be renewed at any time during the academic school year; however, they will reset at the end of the Spring Semester. Community Plans are the only meal plans available during Summer Semester and reset at the end of that semester. Dining Dollar Blocks are available to any USC student and do not roll over from semester to semester.
Students with special dietary needs should meet with the USC Hospitality Registered Dietitian to discuss the dining options available to help meet special dietarv needs successfully. “Ask the Dietitian” at hospitality.usc.edu.