Overview
Penn State offers a flexible dining system that combines traditional meal plans with a Dining Dollar budget. For the Fall 2022 semester, the university updated its pricing structure to better reflect the cost of food, inflation, and student usage patterns. This page breaks down the four primary mealplan options, explains how the Dining Dollar budget works, and provides guidance for making the most of your money.
MealPlan Options (Fall 2022)
The following plans are available to all undergraduate students living oncampus. Graduate students and faculty can also purchase these plans for use in campus facilities.
| Plan Name | Meals per Week | Semester Cost (202223) | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal Plan 100 | 100 meals | $2,800 | Students who eat most meals on campus (1314 meals/week) |
| Meal Plan 80 | 80 meals | $2,380 | Students who eat on campus 34 days a week |
| Meal Plan 60 | 60 meals | $1,960 | Students who eat on campus 23 days a week |
| Meal Plan 40 | 40 meals | $1,560 | Students who primarily eat offcampus but need occasional meals |
*One meal equals one entre at any campus dining location (e.g., Shaws, The Commons, Kahiki). Side items, drinks, and desserts are not counted toward the meal total.
Dining Dollar Budget
In addition to the meal count, each student receives a prepaid Dining Dollar balance that can be used at any Penn State dining outlet, including coffee shops, snack bars, and convenience stores. The 202223 budget is $500 per semester for all students on a meal plan; graduate students who purchase a flex plan receive $300.
How It Works
- Balances are loaded automatically to your university ID card at the start of the semester.
- Purchases are deducted in real time; you can view the remaining balance online or at any dining location.
- Unused Dining Dollars do not roll over to the next semester, but they can be refunded at a processing fee of $5 per request.
Cost Comparison: Meal Plan vs. PayAsYouGo
Students frequently wonder whether a meal plan truly saves money. Below is a simplified example based on average usage patterns.
| Scenario | Meals per Week | Average Cost per Meal (oncampus) | Total Semester Cost (Meals) | Dining Dollar Spend | Overall Total | Saving vs. PayAsYouGo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meal Plan 80 + $500 Dining Dollar | 4 | $9.20 (average) | $2,380 | $500 | $2,880 | $770 less |
| PayAsYouGo (no plan) | 4 | $9.20 | $730 (estimated 73 meals $10) | $2,920 | ||
| Meal Plan 40 + $500 Dining Dollar | 2 | $9.20 | $1,560 | $500 | $2,060 | $860 less |
The numbers show that even a lowmeal plan paired with Dining Dollars can be cheaper than paying for every meal individually, especially when you factor in the convenience of not having to carry cash.
Practical Tips for Maximizing Your Meal Plan & Dining Dollars
- Track Your Meals. Use the Penn State mobile app to see how many meals you have left. Setting a reminder to check each week helps avoid meal waste.
- Plan Around HighCost Items. Treat coffee, bottled water, and desserts as Dining Dollar purchases. Avoid using your meal credits for cheap side salads if you can get them cheaper from a vending machine.
- Share Meals. If you have meals left at the end of the semester, consider swapping with a friend whose plan is about to run out. Transfers are free through the online portal.
- Take Advantage of Early Bird Specials. Many dining halls offer reducedprice breakfasts before 9am. Using a meal credit during this window can stretch your plan further.
- Combine With Campus Events. Several student organizations host free meals or discounted food at events. Those meals do not count against your plan, letting you save your allotted meals for regular days.
- Watch the Expiration. Meals do not expire until the end of the academic year, but Dining Dollars must be spent by the semesters last day. Prioritize using them in the final weeks to avoid losing value.
