College can be expensive, and students looking for ways to cut corners receive advice like renting textbooks rather than buying them. With the high cost of school meal plans — we found that plans average about $5,600 per year — many experts recommend skipping the school meal plan and preparing meals yourself to save money. But, that advice isn’t always realistic or feasible.
Besides the fact that college students rarely have access to full kitchens, so food preparation can be challenging, there is also the fact that most colleges require first-year, on-campus students to purchase a meal plan when they enroll.
To find out just how expensive college meal plans are — and how often they’re required — we researched current pricing and requirements at 150 colleges and universities.
How College Meal Plans Work
For college students, meal plans can be convenient. Rather than worrying about grocery shopping and preparing your own meals, you can visit the dining hall or food station, swipe your card, and get a hot meal.
College campuses have expanded their food offerings. Besides traditional cafeteria-style options, many campuses have upgraded their options to include chain restaurants like Panera and Starbucks.
With their meal plan cards, students can get everything from pancakes to pasta dishes — or even meals on the go.
How Much Do School Meal Plans Cost?
Meal plans can be expensive. Colleges and universities typically have several options or tiers to choose from.
We researched meal plans from 150 colleges and universities in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. We found that plans ranged in cost from $3,000 to $11,000 per academic year. Over the course of four years, that means students would spend anywhere from $12,000 to $44,000 for meals.
We focused on the lowest-cost required plans; on average, these plans averaged about $5,600. But, public universities tended to be cheaper. On average, meal plans at public colleges cost $5,118 per year. By contrast, private school meal plans averaged $6,120.
Who Has to Purchase a Meal Plan?
While students may receive well-meaning advice on skipping meal plans to save money, that’s rarely an option. Most schools require first-year students (and often other years as well) to purchase a meal plan meeting specific requirements, such as a meal plan that covers 15 meals per week.
Of the 150 schools we looked at, 147 required first-year students to purchase meal plans. The three schools that did not — the University of Florida, the University of Georgia, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — were all public schools.
How to Pay for College Meal Plans
With the steep cost of college meal plans, you may need help covering the expense. As a college student, there are three ways to pay for a meal plan beyond your savings:
Apply for Financial Aid
College meal plans are included in a school’s total cost of attendance, the estimated annual cost of attending the school. Schools and financial aid administrators use the cost of attendance to determine your financial aid package.
As a result, you can use different forms of financial aid, including grants, scholarships, work-study programs, federal student loans, and private student loans, to pay for your meal plan.
Ask About Meal Plan Assistance
If you are facing financial difficulties or cannot afford the school-required meal plans, some institutions have special meal plan assistance programs. For example:
- At the University of Georgia, low-income students may qualify for the Food Scholarship Initiative. It provides meal plans to eligible students for the semester.
- The University of Iowa operates the Hawkeye Meal Share program. Students dealing with short-term financial needs can qualify for seven to 14 meal swipes.
- North Carolina State University’s Pack Meal Scholarship provides full or partial meal plan scholarships to first-year students.
If the cost of the required meal plan is more than you can afford, contact the school’s financial aid department dining services to see if similar programs are available.
Inquire About Waivers or Exceptions
Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for a waiver or exemption from the school’s meal plan requirement. At some schools, waivers may be granted in the following scenarios:
- You have a medical condition: If you have a medical condition, such as Celiac’s disease, that makes eating food prepared in a general kitchen unsafe, you may qualify for a waiver or other accommodations.
- You have religious-based food restrictions: Students who have special dietary needs based on religion — for example, those who follow a Halal or Kosher diet — may be eligible for a waiver.
- You meet certain income requirements: If you have a financial hardship and are unable to afford the school plan, you may be eligible for an exemption. Typically, you’d have to meet with the school financial aid department and show proof of exhausting financial aid options.
If you fall into one of these categories, contact the dining services department to find out what the process is to submit a waiver request and what documentation you may need to provide.
Covering the Cost of College
With the high cost of tuition, textbooks, and dorm rooms, meal plans can be an unexpected and significant expense. If you’re a first-year student and plan on living on campus, you can expect your school to require you to purchase a meal plan, so it’s important to budget accordingly.
If you need help with the expense, talk to your financial aid department to ensure you apply for all of the financial aid you’re eligible for, and consider private loans if you need help covering the remaining cost.
