Janice Lozano
Meal plans are a convenient option for students who don't want to cook, but they can be expensive. Some universities require first-year students to purchase a meal plan, but this is not always the case for graduate students. Graduate students at the University of Pennsylvania, for example, are not required to purchase a meal plan but are encouraged to do so. New York University, on the other hand, requires all first-year students living in NYU housing to participate in the NYU Dining meal plan program. Meal plans are not tax-deductible, and expenses such as transportation, insurance, and room and board are not considered deductible education expenses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meal plan cost | Anywhere from $876 to $8,272 per semester among the 10 universities we examined |
| Unused meals | Each school’s dining plan policy differs. For example, unused meals at the University of California, Irvine, can’t be rolled over to the next quarter, but flex dollars can be rolled over as long as they’re spent by the end of the spring quarter |
| Hours and flexibility | College meal plans offer a communal experience for students in the dining hall. However, on-campus dining halls, restaurants, and snack shops post business hours so you know your options |
| Living situation | Living off-campus can mean you have access to cheaper meal plans, but not always. For example, at the University of Arkansas, the most expensive plan for on-campus students is $2,185 a semester, while the most expensive dining plan for off-campus students is $848 a semester |
| Mandatory meal plan | If you’re a first-year student, your school may require you to purchase a meal plan. For example, Temple University requires new students to have a minimum plan of 10 meals a week |
| Getting out of a mandatory meal plan | Schools that enforce a mandatory college meal plan may require a valid reason and documentation before approving an exemption from the dining plan. For example, if you provide a doctor’s note stating that you have special dietary needs that the dining hall can’t accommodate, you may be exempted |
| Tax-deductible | No, college meal plan costs are not tax-deductible |
What You'll Learn
Meal plan costs
Meal plans are a convenient way for graduate students to ensure they have access to nutritious meals while on campus. The cost of meal plans varies depending on the university and the specific plan chosen. Here are some examples of meal plan costs for graduate students:
Stanford University
Stanford University offers graduate student meal plans in blocks for the academic year 2024-2025. The plans include options such as the Apartment Meal Plan, which provides 5 meals per week plus additional meal plan dollars. There are also standard dining hall meal plans, such as the 19 Meal Plan, which includes 5 guest meals per quarter and costs $1,355 to $2,145 per semester. The 15 Meal Plan includes 300 Meal Plan Dollars and 5 guest meals per quarter, while the 12 Meal Plan includes 575 Meal Plan Dollars and 5 guest meals per quarter. The cost of these plans is determined by the number of days in the service period and billed on a quarterly basis.
New York University (NYU)
NYU requires all first-year students living in NYU housing to participate in a meal plan program. The default plan for incoming first-year students is the 225 Flex meal plan, but students can choose a lower or higher plan. NYU's meal plans have three components: Meal Allowance, Meal Exchange, and Dining Dollars. Meal Allowance refers to the number of meals that can be used in traditional dining locations, while Meal Exchange allows students to exchange a meal swipe for a combo meal at retail food courts. Dining Dollars (DDs) are accepted at all NYU Dining locations and are equivalent to one US dollar. While meal plans are mandatory for on-campus first-year students, they are optional for those living off-campus.
Baylor University
Baylor University offers a range of meal plan options, including All Access and Block plans. The All Access 7 days per week plan with $300 Dining Dollars is mandatory for freshmen and members of specific residential colleges. The All Access plan is also available with $150 Dining Dollars, while the Block plans range from 40 to 170 meals plus Dining Dollars. Dining Dollars can be purchased separately and added to the student's Baylor ID card. Prices for meal plans include 8.25% sales tax, and any unused Dining Dollars at the end of the Spring term are automatically refunded.
Texas State University
At Texas State University, residential students are required to purchase an on-campus meal plan. For the 2021-2022 school year, prices started at $1,355 and went up to $2,145 per semester. The most expensive option includes unlimited meal swipes and $500 in dining dollars, which can be used outside the dining halls.
Syracuse University
Syracuse University in New York offers unlimited meal plans that range between $4,135 and $4,335 per semester, which is almost twice as high as the cost of similar plans at Texas State University.
Overall, the cost of meal plans for graduate students can vary significantly depending on the university and the specific plan chosen. It is important for students to consider their own needs, budgets, and dietary restrictions when selecting a meal plan.
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Meal plan flexibility
Meal plans are a convenient option for graduate students, offering flexibility, value, and peace of mind. While some universities require first-year students to enrol in a meal plan, others make it completely optional. Meal plans typically offer a range of dining options on and off-campus, allowing students to choose according to their preferences and schedules.
Boston University, for example, offers a range of dining plans with various benefits. The "All-Access" option allows unlimited visits to BU dining halls, while the "Open-Access" plans offer unlimited visits to campus dining halls and additional dining points that can be used on the GrubHub Campus app or at City Convenience stores. These plans offer greater flexibility, allowing students to choose where and when they eat without worrying about how many meals they have left.
New York University's dining plan works similarly to a debit card, with a student ID that can be swiped at various dining locations. NYU's meal plan includes a meal allowance for traditional dining locations, a meal exchange feature for retail food courts, and dining dollars accepted at all NYU dining locations.
Columbia University also offers flexible dining plans with meals per week or per term. Their plans include guest meals and dining dollars that can be used like cash at any of their dining locations or specific merchants on and off-campus.
California Lutheran University's meal plans are designed to offer value and flexibility, with multiple options to suit different needs. They also offer rollover meals from semester to semester, providing added convenience for students.
Overall, meal plans offer graduate students a flexible and valuable option for dining on campus. With a range of choices and added benefits, students can find a plan that suits their schedules and preferences, ensuring they have access to nutritious meals during their busy academic lives.
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Meal plan exemptions
Meal plans are a convenient option for students who want to save time and money on meals, but they are not mandatory for all students. Exemptions from mandatory meal plans are typically considered on a case-by-case basis and vary across universities. Here are some common scenarios where exemptions may be granted:
Dietary Restrictions or Special Needs
If a student has a medical condition, dietary restrictions, or special needs that the dining hall cannot accommodate, they may be exempt from the mandatory meal plan. For instance, if a student requires kosher, halal, or vegan meals and the university cannot provide them, an exemption may be granted. In such cases, students usually need to provide official documentation, such as a doctor's note, to support their request.
Off-Campus Housing
Students living off-campus are generally not required to purchase a meal plan. However, they may still have the option to select a meal plan if they wish to eat on campus occasionally. Off-campus meal plans may be cheaper than those for on-campus students, but this can vary depending on the university.
Upper-Level Students
At some universities, meal plans are mandatory only for first-year students or undergraduates. Upper-level students, such as graduate students, are typically not required to have a meal plan but are encouraged to enrol in one if they wish. These upper-level students often have more flexibility in choosing their dining options.
Financial Considerations
While not always considered an exemption, the financial burden of meal plans can be a factor in a student's decision to opt out. With many students taking out loans to fund their education, adding dining plan costs to an already tight budget can be challenging. In such cases, students may choose to cook their own meals or explore more affordable dining options.
Other Exemptions
In rare cases, universities may consider other extenuating circumstances for exemptions. These could include religious, scheduling, or economic reasons. However, it is important to note that each university has its own policies, and exemptions beyond dietary or medical needs are not always granted. Students with concerns or questions about their specific situation should contact their university's dining services or the relevant administrative department.
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Meal plan billing
Meal plans are a convenient option for graduate students who want to save time and money on food. They are also a great way to build a sense of community and camaraderie with peers.
Billing and Costs
The billing and cost structure of meal plans vary across universities. At the University of Pennsylvania, for example, meal plans are priced and contracted annually and billed per semester. The university offers a range of plans with different numbers of swipes and dining dollars, with the most basic plan starting at $700 per semester. New York University's meal plans, on the other hand, are billed on a daily pro-rated basis, with charges beginning on the activation date. The university requires all first-year students living in NYU housing to participate in the meal plan program, with a minimum of a 175 Flex plan, which defaults to a 225 Flex meal plan. The total annual cost of a meal plan at Johnson & Wales University is approximately $3,474, or about $8.50 per meal.
Payment Methods
Payment methods for meal plans also differ across universities. At New York University, the student ID card works like a debit card, with meal swipes or dining dollars deducted from the student's account automatically. At the University of Pennsylvania, the meal plan is encoded on the University ID (PennCard), and swipes or dining dollars are deducted when presented to the cashier at dining locations.
Rollover Meals and Refunds
The rollover of unused meals and refunds also vary by university. At New York University, any unused meals expire at the end of each semester, while unused fall dining dollars can be carried over to the spring semester but will expire at the end of that semester. At the University of California, Irvine, block meals cannot be rolled over to the next quarter, but flex dollars can be rolled over if spent by the end of the spring quarter. The University of Pennsylvania has a similar policy, with dining dollars carrying over from the fall to the spring semester but expiring on Commencement Day. Refunds for unused swipes are generally not offered, and students are encouraged to change their dining plan if they find they are not using enough of their allotted meals.
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Dining halls vs. off-campus dining
Dining halls and off-campus dining each have their own advantages and disadvantages, and the best choice for each student will depend on their individual circumstances and preferences.
Dining Halls
Dining halls are a central part of the college experience, with many students and staff eating on campus each day. They are often all-you-can-eat buffets, offering a variety of food options to cater to different dietary needs and preferences. Most dining halls have a set of common staples available every day, such as cereal, granola, and salad bars, as well as cook-to-order stations and specialty dishes that rotate regularly.
The main advantage of dining halls is convenience. With a meal plan, students have easy access to food on campus, without having to worry about cooking or preparing meals. This is especially beneficial for students living in freshman dorms, which typically lack kitchen facilities. Dining halls also provide a social setting, allowing students to connect and interact with their peers.
However, dining hall food can become repetitive, and finding variety can be challenging, especially for those with dietary restrictions. The quality of the food can also vary, and busy periods may result in long lines and shortages of certain items.
Off-Campus Dining
For students living off-campus, particularly those with access to a kitchen, cooking their own meals may be a more appealing option. This allows them to have greater control over their diet, accommodating specific dietary needs and preferences. It can also be more cost-effective, as meal plans can be expensive.
However, off-campus dining requires more time and effort, as students need to plan, shop for, and prepare their own meals. This can be challenging for students with busy schedules, and the social aspect of dining with peers may be lost. Additionally, students living off-campus may still opt for a meal plan if they wish to dine on campus with friends or take advantage of the convenience of ready-made meals.
Both dining halls and off-campus dining have their pros and cons. Dining halls offer convenience and a social setting but may lack variety and have busy periods. Off-campus dining provides greater control and potential cost savings but requires more time and effort. Ultimately, the decision comes down to each student's individual needs and preferences, and many will likely find a balance between the two options.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the university. Some colleges include the meal plan cost in room-and-board charges, while others require students to pay for them separately.
No, but some universities require all first-year students living in university housing to participate in a meal plan program.
It depends on the university. Some universities do not offer reimbursement for unused meals, while others allow students to donate unused meals through specific programs.
Yes, but the process and requirements vary by university. For example, at NYU, meal plan changes and cancellations must be submitted via a specific website within a certain deadline.
