Meal Plans
Kean meal plans offer affordable and satisfying choices that cater to the diverse tastes and dietary needs of the Kean community. Flexible dining options, both on and off-campus, are designed to fit every campus lifestyle. Our all-you-care-to-eat dining halls provide a terrific value. We offer a range of high-quality, healthy flavors and international cuisine.
Meal Plan Frequently Asked Questions
2025-2026 Meal Plan Options
Unlimited Meal Plans
Geared for the student who wants peace of mind knowing they have unlimited access to meals throughout the semester.
Supplemental Flex Dollars allows for spending money all around campus including retail dining, the convenience store, bookstore and vending as well as participating off-campus eateries.
Weekly Replenishment Plans
Geared for the student who wants to budget meals weekly and does not eat 3 meals a day or returns home for the weekends.
Supplemental Flex Dollars allows for spending money all around campus including retail dining, the convenience store, bookstore and vending as well as participating off-campus eateries. Flex Dollars that are associated with a meal plan purchase are non-refundable and expire at the end of the term.
Block Plans
Geared for the student who is not sure how many meals they will be eating weekly and wants to retain meals when possible (as opposed to a weekly expiration and replenishment)
Cougar dollars can be used at most dining venues including Residence Dining Hall, Miron Student Center Food Court, Smashburgers, Jersey Mike's, Cougar's Den, NTLC Starbucks & the convenience store. Unused Cougar Dollars expire at the end of the term, are nonrefundable and do not roll over to the next term.
Declining Balance Plans
Geared for the student who is able to budget funds and is seeking flexibility to use funds for dining on and off campus and at retail locations.
Supplemental Flex Dollars allows for spending money all around campus including retail dining, the convenience store, bookstore and vending as well as participating off-campus eateries. Flex Dollars that are associated with a meal plan purchase are non-refundable and expire at the end of the term.
Cougar dollars can be used at most dining venues including Residence Dining Hall, Miron Student Center Food Court, Smashburgers, Jersey Mike's, Cougar's Den, Starbucks & the convenience store.
Accepting Locations & Hours of Operation
Eateries On-Campus (Kean Union)
| Eatery | Location | Flex Dollars | Cougar Dollars | Unlimited Meal Plan | Meal Exchange* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auntie Anne's | Miron Student Center (MSC) | Y | Y | No | No |
| Fujisan | MSC Food Court | Y | Y | No | Y |
| Barnes & Noble Café (Starbucks) | Green Lane | Y | No | No | No |
| Cougar Canteen | East Campus & NAAB | Y | No | No | No |
| Cougar's Den | Miron Student Center (MSC) | Y | Y | No | Y |
| Keanu's Kitchen | New Upper Residence Hall | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Jersey Mike's | MSC Food Court | Y | Y | No | Y |
| Outtakes Convenient Store | Miron Student Center (MSC) | Y | Y | No | No |
| Knead Pizza | MSC Food Court | Y | Y | No | Y |
| Smashburger | Miron Student Center (MSC) | Y | Y | No | Y |
| Tu Taco | MSC Food Court | Y | Y | No | Y |
| Starbucks | Nancy Thompson Library | Y | Y | No | No |
| Ursino Steakhouse | STEM | Y | No | No | No |
| Vending Machines | All | Y | No | No | No |
*Meal exchange is the ability for one to use a meal swipe from their plan at a retail location on campus’. All meal plans allow for meal exchange EXCEPT the unlimited plan and Declining balance plans.
Eateries On-Campus (Kean Ocean)
| Eatery | Location | Flex Dollars | Cougar Dollars | Meal Exchange | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Meal Plan | |||||
| Bubbakoos Burritos | 1 College Dr. | Y | No | No | No |
Eateries Off-Campus (Kean Union)
| Eatery | Location | Flex Dollars | Cougar Dollars | Meal Plans | Hours of Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applebee's | 1721 Morris Ave., Union | Y | No | No | Hours |
| Bubbakoos Burritos | 1350 Galloping Hill Rd Unit 6, Union | Y | No | No | Hours |
| Cold Stone Creamery | Shoppes at Vermella | Y | No | No | Hours |
| Flamin Feathers | 996 Stuyvesant Avenue, Union | Y | No | No | Hours |
| H&S Soul Food | 1700 Stuyvesant Ave., Union | Y | No | No | Hours |
| Habit Burger Grill | Shoppes at Vermella | Y | No | No | Hours |
| Johnny Napkins | 1424 Morris Ave, Union | Y | No | No | Hours |
| KB's BBQ Steakhouse | 1077 Stuyvesant Ave., Union | Y | No | No | Hours |
| Mark Twain Diner | 1601 Morris Ave., Union | Y | No | No | Hours |
| Mighty Quinn's BBQ | Shoppes at Vermella | Y | No | No | Hours |
| &Pizza | Shoppes at Vermella | Y | No | No | Hours |
| Suspenders Restaurant & Pub | 1131 Magie Avenue, Union | Y | No | No | Hours |
| Tropicana Diner | 545 Morris Ave, Elizabeth | Y | No | No | Hours |
| The Juice House | 1181 Morris Avenue, Union | Y | No | No | Hours |
| Vinci’s Pizzeria | 895 Magie Ave, Union | Y | No | No | Hours |
Bookstores & Retail
| Venue | Location | Flex Dollars | Cougar Dollars | Hours of Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnes & Noble Campus Bookstore | Green Lane | Y | No | Hours |
| CVS Pharmacy | Shoppes at Vermella | Y | No | Hours |
| OCC Barnes & Noble Bookstore | Ocean County College | Y | No | Hours |
Meal Plan Policies
Meal Plan Cancellation Policy
Students who have purchased a meal plan and withdraw from Kean University or terminate their housing contract may cancel their meal plan. The meal plan credit will be based on the date of cancellation and number of meals/Cougar Dollars/Flex Dollars used at the time of cancellation. This cancellation request must be received within the semester the meal plan was purchased. Prior to the beginning of the academic semester a student who cancels their housing or withdraws from the University will receive a 100 percent reversal of the meal plan charge. Once the meal plan is valid and can be utilized in dining services, a student who cancels his or her housing or withdraws from the University will receive a credit calculated on a percentage basis (equivalent to the Residence Life cancellation policy), or the student will receive a credit based on the number of meals/Cougar Dollars/Flex Dollars used, whichever is higher. Refunds will be issued only after any balance due on the student account has been satisfied.
Meal Plan Exemption
Students may request to receive exemption from the meal plan for a specific documented medical condition. Please contact the Office of Accessibility Services, Kean University, 1000 Morris Avenue, DN-122, Union, NJ 07083.
Meal Plan Frequently Asked Questions
Meals included in the Unlimited Plan may only be used at Keanu's Kitchen.
What are Cougar Dollars?
Cougar Dollars work like cash with the convenience of being accessible from your Kean ID card. Cougar Dollars are accepted at all on-campus managed dining locations.
What are Flex Dollars?
Flex Dollars can be used at all Gourmet Dining on-campus eateries as well as participating off campus vendors **see Kean website for most current list**.
How will a student know the balance remaining on his or her Meal Plan?
A student may check his or her balance using their GET app or at any of our retail location registers.
Meal plans are flexible by allowing you the opportunity to 'exchange your meal swipes for an equivalent meal in most of our retail locations across campus.
Do you have dietary restrictions? Are you Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten Free or have an Allergy?
We have a campus dietitian who can help you navigate dining on campus! To set an appointment, contact: scollina@gourmetdiningllc.com