What are the operating hours of dining locations?

To view dining location hours of operation, please visit Dining Service's website.

How do I decide which meal plan I need?

Take our quick survey at https://www.uah.edu/chargercard/meal-plans to help you decide the best option for you.

How do I change my meal plan?

Please go to https://www.uah.edu/chargercard/forms and complete the Meal Plan Change Request form.

Where can I use my meal swipes? 

  • Meal swipes are accepted at Charger Café and/or The Den.
  • Students on meal plan #1, #2, #3 and #7 may use one meal swipe/entry per period.
  • Meal Plan #4 and #8 may use as many swipes as they would like per meal period.

Is there a limit to meals at The Den?

With meal plans #1, #2, #3, #4, #7 and #8, up to 3 meal swipes can be used at The Den weekly. Otherwise, feel free to use Charger Bucks, Dining Dollars, or Flex Dollars.

What is the difference between Charger Bucks and Dining Dollars?

Charger Bucks are funds assigned with meal plans #1, #2, #3, or #4, and provide students flexibility to eat at the on-campus retail locations as they would like throughout the semester.

  • The funds are spent dollar-for-dollar at any of the retail dining locations.
  • Charger Bucks expire at the end of each semester.
  • Dining Dollars are a declining balance account that can be used at any of the dining locations on campus to make purchases.
  • The funds are spent dollar-for-dollar at any of the retail dining locations.
  • Dining Dollar balances roll over from Fall to Spring semesters, but expire at the end of each Spring semester.

I have several dietary restrictions, does dining accommodate these requests? 

The Charger Café offers the Simply Services station which provides safe & appetizing food choices for our students with food allergies, gluten intolerance, and those who prefer simple food. 

All foods offered at this station are naturally free of milk, eggs, wheat / gluten, soy, shellfish, peanuts, and tree nuts. 

All the on-campus retail brands offer the same menu as other campus dining locations across the nation.

How can I receive information about changes to the Dining program?  

Please follow us on social media, or visit our website at https://www.uah.edu/dining.

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Why are students required to purchase meal plans?

The rationale for the program was to promote an atmosphere of belonging and participation.  Numerous studies have indicated that most engaged students, those residing on-campus and dining on- campus have experienced substantial social and educational benefits from their on-campus experiences.

Another primary reason for the UA System policy is to assist our 1st year resident students with that are transitioning from High School to college.

We understand many are not transitioning from High School. The meal plan charges are automatically placed onto a student's account based on credit hours enrolled.

More information about our campus meal plan policy is located here.

Can I request an exemption from the meal plan requirement for off-campus full-time students?

Yes, please visit our Forms page to fill out a Meal Plan Requirement Exemption Request.

If your student status has changed to less than 12 hours, you no longer have the requirement. However, you are responsible for notifying the Charger Card office in writing within the two-week deadline or you will have to keep the plan for the semester.

The current exemption reasons are:

  • Older Than Traditional Aged Students (over 25)
  • Married (A copy of your marriage license MUST be submitted)
  • Parental Status (A copy of birth certificate MUST be submitted)
  • Co-op Position / Student Teaching
  • Online Classes Only
  • No longer a full time student or withdraw from UAH
  • Medical Condition (Proper documentation from medical personnel is required)
  • Seeking Second Bachelor's degree / Graduate Student

If you find that you meet one of the exemption requirements, please fill out an exemption request form on our Forms page.

What happens to my meal plan if I withdraw from the University? Do I get a refund?

If you are a Housing resident, please contact the Housing Office to complete the check-out process. For off-campus students, please notify the Charger Card Office that you have withdrawn from all classes and we will refund your unused meal plan.

What happens to any unused Dining Dollars at the end of each semester? 

Your Dining Dollar balance will carry over from Fall to Spring semesters, and expire at end of the Spring semester.

What happens to my Flex dollars at the end of each semester?
Flex dollars do not expire. You can request a flex refund when you graduate or leave UAH.

After 1 year of inactivity, we will deduct $25 Flex every year, until the flex account is zero.

How do I get a Charger Card?

If you have extenuating circumstances and need a Charger Card, please email us at chargercard@uah.edu and we will respond as quickly as possible.

If you are on campus, please stop by and visit us in Charger Union room 131 (next to the Bookstore) anytime between 8:15AM and 5:00PM Monday through Friday.

We can take your photo and print out a Charger Card for you very quickly.

How do I submit my photo online?

  • Read the guidelines and review examples of proper photos.
  • Log into your new Charger Card account on myUAH and look under "Campus Services."
  • Under "Campus Services" click on "Online Photo Submission" link located below the "Charger Card" heading.
  • After clicking the link, you will arrive to your Charger Card student information page. Please click the link there to submit a new photo.
  • Please stop by Charger Union 131 anytime between 8:15AM and 5:00PM Monday through Friday.

If I want to change my meal plan, how do I make this change?

Whether their purchase is required or voluntary, students have the first two weeks of classes to make any changes to their dining options.

Please visit the Forms to fill out a Meal Plan Change Request. Please note, all requests are processed manually.

How do I add money to one of my Charger Card accounts throughout the semester?

There are three ways to deposit funds onto Charger Cards:

  • Flex and Dining Dollar deposits can be made online.
  • Cash deposits can be made through PHIL machines onto Flex or Dining Dollar accounts. These machines are located on the first floor of Salmon Library next to the vending machines, the first floor of Charger Union next to vending and also in the Conference Training Center lobby.
  • Deposits by cash, check, or credit card are accepted by cashiers in the Bursar’s Office (SSB 123) between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. 

Can money be added to my Charger Card account over the phone with a credit card?
Yes. Call 256-824-6226, but expect a 24-hour delay in our placing the amount on your card.

Can I mail payments for deposit to my Charger Card account?

Yes. The money will be added to your account within 24 hours of receiving it in the Cashiers Office. Checks should be made payable to UAH and should include your student ID number (A#) and type of deposit. Please mail:

UAH
Cashier's Office
Student Services Building, Room 123
Huntsville, AL 35899-5050

Unless otherwise instructed, we will apply the deposit to your Flex account.

Can anyone else use my Charger Card?

No, you should never lend your card to anyone.

Can I use my Dining Dollars or Meal Plan in the bookstore?

No, the only accounts you can use are Flex funds and Athletic Book Scholarships.

What should I do if I lose my Charger card?

Please notify the Charger Card office immediately by phone 256-824-2720 or in person in Charger Union room 131.  We will freeze the card and its accounts and access privileges until a replacement card can be made.  A $25.00 replacement fee will be charged to your student account. If after hours and for safety or security issues, contact the Office of Public Safety at 256-824-6596.

What if my card does not work or gets damaged?

Take your card to the Charger Card Office for inspection. Sometimes the magnetic strip's encoding is erased or your card is not programmed correctly. Depending on the circumstances, a $25.00 fee may be charged if replacement is necessary. Please take care of your Charger Card's physical condition, keeping it away from abrasive materials, cell phones and other devices with a magnetic field.

Can I get the current balance of my card account or a copy of my transactions?

Yes. Given proper identification, we can provide your card account information to the Charger Card Office, Charger Union room 131. A cashier at a point-of-sale terminal and cash deposit machines (PHIL machines) can also give account balances. You can also login to my.uah.edu to check your Charger Card account balances (located under "Campus Services").