Housing and Dining Services is inviting students to apply for the Early Bird Contract, which requires them to apply early to receive dining dollars and housing cost benefits.

On and off campus students, Greek members, Pemberton Presidential Scholarship winners, and members of Gateway or Achieving Collegiate Excellence are eligible for the Early Bird Contract.

Mark Hudson, director of Housing and Dining, said this is the first year Pemberton scholarship winners are included in the Early Bird Contract offer.

He said Pemberton scholarship recipients already receive free room and board while they live on campus, but they are now eligible for the extra dining dollars.

He said the incentive this year is also to help Greek members obtain new members while receiving benefits from Housing and Dining.

“We are trying to assist Greek Court with sign ups, “ Hudson said. “Members get the benefit of extra dining dollars and the organization gets the benefit of extra members.”

Students who sign their housing contracts before Oct. 31 will receive $200 in free dining dollars for Fall 2015.

Those who sign the contract between Nov. 1 and Dec. 19 will receive $100 in free dining dollars for Fall 2015.

Participants for both time frames will be entered into a drawing to win free room and board for the 2015-2016 academic year.

Hudson said an average of 400 students benefited last year from the Early Bird Contract.

“I hope we get 600 or more to sign up this year,” Hudson said.

Students interested in participating in the Early Bird Contract must submit an online 2015-2016 room and board contract and pay the $250 housing down payment during the offered dates.

Debby Hernandez can be reached at 581-2812 or dhernandez5@eiu.edu