Flex
Flex is a dollar-for-dollar declining balance account that Columbia students, faculty and staff can add funds to as they wish. Flex allows you to use your Columbia University ID to pay for goods and services at all 10 Dining locations as well as a number of other on and off-campus merchants.
Participating Merchants
View the list of participating merchants accepting Flex below and don't forget to use Flex for your food order delivery via Grubhub!
Frequently Asked Questions
All enrolled students, faculty, and staff of Columbia University.
At all on-campus Dining locations, including John Jay Dining Hall, Ferris Booth Commons, JJ's Place, Faculty House, Chef Mike's Sub Shop, Chef Don's Pizza Pi, as well as the University bookstore, and campus vending machines. Flex can also be used for purchases at many off-campus locations*, with more to come.
Click here to see how Flex can be used on Grubhub to order food for delivery.
Please note that alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and gift cards cannot be purchased through Flex.
*The participating merchants are not monitored for the quality of service by Columbia. The list of participating merchants is provided as a convenience.
A typical transaction takes 30 to 45 seconds to complete. We have heard from you that this is longer than you had hoped, so we are exploring ways to expedite the process.
If you experience an issue using your Flex at an off-campus vendor, please submit this form.
Your Flex account rolls over from year to year, but expires upon graduation.
No, taxes will be applied to all purchases.
Students will automatically have the Flex account on their ID cards when they arrive at Columbia. Columbia students may add money onto their accounts through SSOL.
Your Flex account can be accessed through SSOL. Once logged in, navigate to Columbia card, then cardholder transactions, and then select Flex account balance.
The Columbia Evening Shuttle (powered by Via) provides transportation within a set coverage area according to the schedule on the Transportation website. Follow the instructions to download the Evening Shuttle app and start booking free evening rides.
Learn more about our plans and sign-up below today.
- Click here <link to first yr plan link> if you are a first-year student at Columbia College or SEAS.
- Click here <link to upperlcass plan link> if you are an Upperclass student at Columbia College or SEAS, a General Studies student, or a graduate student.
Keep up to date on the Dining Plan Change Period <link to the change plan link> at the start of each semester. Visit our calendar for specific dates or submit your change through our Dining Plan Selection site.
In order to improve this program, we need feedback from you. If you would like to report an issue using your Flex at an off-campus vendor, please submit this form. If you have a question about the program or would like to send us a comments or suggestion, please email us at [email protected].