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Meal Plans 2024-25

Two students laughing over a meal in Wiley Dining Court.

Eating on-campus is easy with any Purdue Dining & Culinary meal plan, with a variety of options to fit each student’s unique schedule and budget. We offer opportunities to use meal swipes or Dining Dollars, depending on location. Once you have a meal plan, your student ID works like a debit card. Tap your mobile ID and the meal swipe or Dining Dollars are automatically deducted from your account.

Meal swipes are the number of meals you can use each week based on your selected meal plan. Meal swipes can be used at the following locations:

Dining Dollars work like a debit card. Each time you purchase a meal, the total is subtracted from the balance in your account. Dining Dollars can be used at the following locations:

At a Glance

Meal plans have been simplified for the 2024-25 academic year, with more options to choose from. Whether you are always on the go, looking for more Dining Dollars to enjoy retail options or want to eat in a dining court for every meal, we have six options to choose from. With a variety of rates, options are available to fit your budget.

  • Unlimited

    All you care to eat
    (Access every 30 minutes)

    • $250 Dining Dollars per Semester
    • 8 On-the-Go!, Quick Bite or dining court carry-out swipes per Week
  • 14-Track

    Ideal for students who eat two meals per day.

    • 14 Meals per Week
    • $425 Dining Dollars per Semester
  • 10-Track

    The plan with the greatest flexibility.

    • 10 Meals per Week
    • $550 Dining Dollars per Semester
  • 7-Track

    Ideal for students who like to eat on and off campus.

    • 7 Meals per Week
    • $300 Dining Dollars per Semester
  • 80-Block

    For URBA residents and commuters.

    • 80 Meals per Semester
    • $250 Dining Dollars per Semester
  • 50-Block

    For URBA residents and commuters.

    • 50 Meals per Semester
    • $250 Dining Dollars per Semester

Plan Details

Read more about each of our plans to discover which meal plan is the best fit for your lifestyle and budget.

This is for the student who likes to eat three full meals per day, has a preference to eat each meal in the dining courts, doesn't want to track weekly swipes used and wants the flexibility to join friends whenever and wherever they choose. It is a great option for a first-year student who is navigating their first time away from home and wants security and simplicity.

A group of young men walking together and laughing.

The Unlimited Meal Plan affords students the most value, as it has the lowest cost per meal. With this plan, students can:

  • Use meal swipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at residential dining courts any day of the week.
  • Swipe into a dining court for an all-you-care-to-eat meal at any time.
  • Use up to 8 meal swipes per week at On-the-GO!, Quick Bite or dining court carry-out meals.

Spend $250 Dining Dollars per semester at Purdue Food Co. locations across campus, Chick-fil-A, or in the dining courts.

This is a great dining plan for out-of-state students who are likely to stay on campus most weekends and want the flexibility to eat a meal or two over the weekend. This is also a great plan for first-year students as it gives them the security of eating up to twice a day in an all-you-care-to-eat dining court while providing Dining Dollars to explore the many retail dining options available.

Two students wearing Purdue hoodies walking and talking.

The 14-Track Meal Plan is ideal for students who eat two meals per day. With this plan, students can:

  • Use 14 meal swipes per week at five residential dining courts, four On-the-GO! locations, four Quick Bite locations and dining court carry-out meals.

Spend $425 Dining Dollars per semester at Purdue Food Co. locations across campus, Chick-fil-A, or in the dining courts.

Designed for the student who is always on the go and will eat most of their meals in the dining courts but wants the flexibility of Dining Dollars for the option and ease of eating at retail establishments in the core of campus.

A group of young women walking together and laughing.

The 10-Track Meal Plan offers the greatest flexibility to choose among dining court and retail locations at your convenience, with the highest amount of Dining Dollars in any of our plans. With this plan, students can:

  • Use 10 meal swipes per week at five residential dining courts, four On-the-GO! locations, four Quick Bite locations and dining court carry-out meals.

Spend $550 Dining Dollars per semester at Purdue Food Co. locations across campus, Chick-fil-A, or in the dining courts.

This dining plan appeals to students who may only eat one or two meals per day. This is often the plan that upperclassmen and URBA residents choose as it provides on-campus options along with the flexibility to cook at home.

Two women sitting together and laughing around an outdoor table.

The 7-Track Meal Plan is ideal for students who like to eat on and off campus. With this plan, students can:

  • Use 7 meal swipes per week, which can be used at five residential dining courts, four On-the-GO! locations, four Quick Bite locations and dining court carry-out meals.

Spend $300 Dining Dollars per semester at Purdue Food Co. locations across campus, Chick-fil-A, or in the dining courts.

The 80-Block Meal Plan is available for residents in University Residences Boiler Apartments (URBA) and a limited number of commuter students who previously lived in University Residences. With this plan, students can:

  • Use 80 meal swipes per semester at five residential dining courts, four On-the-GO! locations, four Quick Bite locations and dining court carry-out meals.
  • This averages out to around 5 meal swipes per week.
  • Note that unused meal swipes expire at the end of each semester.

Spend $250 Dining Dollars per semester at Purdue Food Co. locations across campus, Chick-fil-A, or in the dining courts.

The 50-Block Meal Plan is available for residents in University Residences Boiler Apartments (URBA) and a limited number of commuter students who previously lived in University Residences. With this plan, students can:

  • Use 50 meal swipes per semester at five residential dining courts, four On-the-GO! locations, four Quick Bite locations and dining court carry-out meals.
  • This averages out to around 3 meal swipes per week.
  • Note that unused meal swipes expire at the end of each semester.

Spend $250 Dining Dollars per semester at Purdue Food Co. locations across campus, Chick-fil-A, or in the dining courts.

Compare Your Options

See a side-by-side comparison of our meal plan features below.

Comparison of meal plan options
Unlimited 14-Track 10-Track 7-Track 80-Block 50-Block
Meals/week Access every
30 minutes
14 10 7 - -
On-the-Go!, Quick Bite, dining court carry-out/week 8 Combined Combined Combined Combined Combined
Dining court carry-out per period (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) 1 1 1 1 1 1
Meals/semester - - - - 80 50
Dining Dollars/academic Year $500 $850 $1,100 $600 $500 $500
Available to all residential students Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
UR Boiler Apartment and Aspire residents Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Available to a limited number of commuter students who have previously lived in University Residences No No No No Yes Yes
Price/academic year $5,695 $5,343 $4,728 $3,338 $2,366 $1,700

FAQs

Have questions? See our FAQs below or contact mealplans@purdue.edu if you have additional questions.

What plan should I use?

You should choose the dining plan that best matches how you prefer to eat. For example, if you like two to three main meals a day with some snacking in between, our Unlimited plan offers the best value.

What is included in the meal plans?

  • The Unlimited Plan affords students the most value, as it has the lowest cost per meal. This is for the student who likes to eat three full meals per day, prefers to eat each meal in the dining court, doesn’t want to track weekly swipes used, and wants the flexibility to eat whenever and wherever they choose. It is an excellent option for a first-year student navigating their first time away from home and enjoying the security and simplicity that the Unlimited offers. Suppose you don’t have enough time to eat in a dining court. You also can take eight swipes per week for any On-the-Go, Quick Bite, or dining court carry out meal. This plan offers $500 Dining Dollars per year to spend at Purdue Food Co. locations across campus, Chick-fil-A, or in the Dining Courts.
  • The 14-Track Meal Plan includes 14 meals per week in any residential dining location, which includes five all-you-care-to-eat dining courts, 4 On-the-Go locations, 4 Quick Bite locations, and a Dining Court Carry-out meal. This is a great dining plan for Out-of-State students likely to be around most weekends who want to have the flexibility to eat a meal or two over the weekend. It is also an excellent plan for first-year students as it gives them the security of eating twice a day each week in any residential dining location but also provides a large amount of Dining Dollars so that they can explore the many options in retail. This plan offers $850 Dining Dollars per year to spend at Purdue Food Co. locations across campus, Chick-fil-A, or in the dining courts.
  • The 10-Track Meal Plan includes ten meals per week in any residential dining location, which includes five all-you-care-to-eat dining courts, 4 On-the-Go locations, 4 Quick Bite locations, and a dining court carry-out meal. It is designed for the student who is always on the go, will eat most meals in residential dining locations, but wants the flexibility of Dining Dollars as they spend a significant time in the core of campus and want the option and ease of eating in retail. This plan provides $1100 Dining Dollars per year to spend at Purdue Food Co. locations across  campus, Chick-fil-A, or in the dining courts.
  • The 7-Track Meal Plan includes seven meals per week in any residential dining location, which includes five all-you-care-to-eat dining courts, 4 On-the-Go areas, 4 Quick Bite locations, and dining court carry-out meals. This dining plan appeals to students who may only eat one to two meals daily and offers $600 Dining Dollars per year to spend at Purdue Food Co. locations across campus, Chick-fil-A, or in the dining courts. This plan is often the plan that upper-classmen and URBA residents choose as it allows options and the flexibility to cook at home.

The meal plans run Monday through Sunday each week of the semester. All meal plans reset Sunday night for the following week and unused meals will be forfeited.

The following plans are available for residents in University Residences Boiler Apartments (URBA) including Aspire and a limited number of commuter students who have previously lived in University Residences.

  • The 80 Block meal plan includes 80 meals per semester and can be used in any residential dining location, which include five all-you-care-to-eat dining courts, 4 On-the-Go locations, 4 Quick Bite locations, and dining court carry-out meals. This plan also offers $250 Dining Dollars per semester to spend at Purdue Food Co. locations across campus, Chick-fil-A, or in the dining courts. This plan is available for residents in University Residence Boiler Apartments including Aspire and a limited number of commuter students who have previously lived in University Residences.
  • The 50 Block meal plan includes 50 meals per semester and can be used in any residential dining location, which includes five all-you-care-to-eat dining courts, 4 On-the-Go locations, 4 Quick Bite locations, and dining court carry-out meals. This plan also offers $250 Dining Dollars per semester to spend at Purdue Food Co. locations across campus, Chick-fil-A, or in the dining courts. This plan is available for residents in University Residence Boiler Apartments including Aspire and a limited number of commuter students who have previously lived in University Residences.

Dining Dollars for all meal plans are distributed by semester, half in the fall and half in the spring. Unused Dining Dollars will carry over from fall to spring semester and will expire when the meal contract ends after finals week in May.

Any unused block meals at the end of each semester will be forfeited.

What locations accept the 80/50 Block Plan?

Meal swipes may be used in any of the residential dining locations, which include five dining courts, four On-the-GO! locations and four Quick Bite locations. The daily limit is five meal swipes (meals) per day.

What is the meal swipe limit per day for the 14/10/7 Track and 80/50 Block Plans?

The daily limit is five meal swipes (meals) per day.

Can I change my mind?

For the 2024-25 Academic Year, you may change your meal plan during the following dates. Please log into the Housing Portal to make any changes.

  • The portal to make meal plan changes for Fall 2024 will open mid-July
  • The fall deadline is Friday, August 30, 2024, at 11:59 pm. EST

The Fine Print

Residents of Hawkins Hall and Hilltop Apartments may choose to purchase a Purdue Dining & Culinary meal plan. Residents of these locations who select a meal plan may not change to a room-only option during the term of this contract. All University Residence Apartments, except for Hilltop Apartments, must select a meal plan. During Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, Spring Break, and other stated University vacations, no residential meal service will be provided.

Changes to meal plans may be made to your account through the housing portal during designated dates.

Will retail locations accept meal swipes?

No. Dining Dollar values have been increased in each meal plan and are accepted at any dining court, Purdue Food Co., or Chick-fil-A location on campus.

What are Dining Dollars?

Dining Dollars are yours to use at any dining court, Purdue Food Co. or Chick-fil-A location on campus. They are included in every meal plan to give you additional flexibility to eat what and where you want. Dining Dollars for all meal plans are distributed by semester, half in the fall and half in the spring. Unused Dining Dollars will carry over from fall to spring semester and will expire when the meal contract ends after finals week in May.

How does my meal plan work?

Eating on-campus is easy with any Purdue Dining & Culinary Meal Plans. We have five all-you-care-to-eat dining courts, 4 On-the-Go locations, and 4 Quick Bite locations. Once you have a meal plan, your student I.D. works like a debit card. Swipe your card, tap your phone, and the meal swipe or dining dollars are automatically deducted from your meal plan account. Our meal plans have two components: Meal Swipe and Dining Dollars.

  • Meal Swipe: The number of swipes you have available each week is based on your selected meal plan. Meal swipes can be used in any of the five dining courts: Hillenbrand dining court, Earhart dining court, Windsor dining court, Wiley dining court, and Ford dining court, 4 On-the-Go locations: Earhart On-the-Go, Windsor On-the-Go, Ford On-the-Go, and Lawson On-the-Go, and 4 Quick Bite locations: 1 Bowl and Sushi Boss @ Meredith Hall, Pete's Za @ Tarkington Hall and The Burrow @ Cary Quad. The cashier will deduct one meal from your plan upon entering these locations. You can also take your Meal to Go from our five dining courts, informing the cashier when you enter the dining court. Unused meal swipes will expire each Sunday and the meal plans will reset for the following week.
  • Dining Dollars: This feature is accepted at all five dining courts, Chick-fil-A, and Purdue Food Co. locations. Dining Dollars work like a debit card; each time you purchase, the total is deducted from the balance in your account.

What happens if I find a transaction error in my account?

To view your dining transactions, including Meal Swipe and Dining Dollars balances, visit eAccounts. If you find an error on a transaction, please send an email to mealplans@purdue.edu within two days so we can investigate the issue and make any corrections needed. When sending your email, please be sure to include the following information:

  • Student’s name and university e-mail address.
  • Description of the transaction in question and explain as clearly as possible the discrepancy.
  • Transaction type (Meal Swipe or Dining Dollars) including the amount.

How does dine-in versus carry-out in the dining courts work?

Dine-in:

  • Enjoy all-you-care-to-eat while inside the dining court.
  • Only one piece of handheld fruit is allowed to be carried out. You may not leave the dining court with any additional food.
  • If you would like to eat in the dining court and then get carry-out, you must exit the dining court, return to the end of the line, and re-enter to use another meal swipe to get a carry-out box.

Carry-out:

  • Students are allowed 1 carry-out per meal period (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
  • Unlimited meal plan holders are  limited to 8 OTG!, Quick Bite, or dining court carry-out  swipes per week.
  • Students must notify the door checker that they are getting carry-out instead of dining in before they tap or swipe their PUID.
  • Carry-out containers and to-go cups will be provided by the dining court.
  • Carry-out container lids must be securely closed. No overloading of containers will be allowed.
  • In addition to your carry-out container, you may carry out:
    • 1 hot or cold beverage in a cup. (Please do not place other items inside beverage cup.)
    • 1 whole piece of fruit or hand-held dessert.
  • You may not dine in or sit in the dining court with a carry-out container.
  • Violators will be reported and will face disciplinary action.

How do I store my take-out food safely?

You want to avoid allowing your food to stay between 40°F and 140°F degrees which is commonly referred to as the Temperature Danger Zone. Keeping food out of the danger zone will ensure it’s safe to eat by limiting the growth of bacteria. This range - between 40 °F and 140 °F - is where bacteria is the happiest and most comfortable, and where it can grow rapidly.

Four hours is the maximum time that ready-to-eat foods can stay in the temperature danger zone. After the 4 hour limit, foods must be thrown away.

Ways to avoid the Danger Zone:

  • Get what you need and eat what you get.
  • Eat your take-out food within two hours if you are not keeping it in a warmer or a refrigerator.
  • Keep in mind that it is easier to keep cold food cold than to cool food off. Just because you put food into a refrigerator doesn’t mean it immediately out of the Danger Zone, especially in a hall room fridge. The time that your food takes to cool down counts towards the 2 hour limit.
  • Consider visiting an OTG! Location. We cooled it down for you giving you more flexibility.
  • Sites like the USDA have additional information on food safety guidelines. The more you know the better!

What if my card doesn't work?

Email mealplans@purdue.edu for help. If after hours, you will be contacted the next business day.

For issues with Mobile ID, contact ID Card Operations at purdueidcardoffice@purdue.edu.

Will Purdue be able to meet my special dietary needs?

We offer a wide variety of items in our dining courts to accommodate special dietary needs. Please visit the Food Allergies information page or the Vegan, Vegetarian, and Halal information page for specific details about managing these diets.

Students are able to request a dietary accommodation if they do not feel they can successfully self-navigate in the dining courts. Students can begin this process by contacting the Disability Resource Center and disclosing their dietary needs and concerns.

Please contact our registered dietitian by emailing allergicboiler@purdue.edu if you have questions about dining on campus with a special diet.

What forms of payment do the dining courts accept and how much does a meal cost for a guest?

The dining courts accept Dining Dollars, Boiler Express, Visa, MasterCard and American Express. For information on pricing for guests, please visit our Guest Meal Prices webpage.

Are there opportunities for employment?

We are always looking for students who would like to work in a fun, fast-paced environment. We offer flexible schedules and convenient locations. As an added bonus, you receive a free meal with each shift you work. You can contact any dining court directly or follow this link to fill out an application online.

What commuter meal plans are available to students who do not live in University Residences?

Purdue Dining & Culinary

These plans are available to commuter students who have previously lived in University Residences. Any unused block meals at the end of each semester will be forfeited.

  • 80 Block/$250 Dining Dollars per semester (limited number of plans available)
  • 50 Block/$250 Dining Dollars per semester (limited number of plans available)

Commuter Meal Plans will be available for purchase through the housing portal starting August 19, 2024.  

Retail Dining Membership

With over 25 retail dining locations on campus, a Retail Dining Membership is a great way to get the most out of campus-wide dining. A membership offers the convenience of paying with your Purdue ID card and can be used at any Purdue Food Co. campus retail location. To become a member today, visit the  Purdue Food Co. website.

BoilerExpress

BoilerExpress can be used to purchase meals in residential dining locations or participating retail operations. Students can deposit money into their accounts in convenient amounts and use it to buy meals and snacks when and where their schedules permit. To open an account, visit purdue.edu/card.

The Fine Print for Fall Semester 2024

Residents of Hawkins Hall and Hilltop Apartments may choose to purchase a Purdue Dining & Culinary meal plan. Residents of these locations who select a meal plan may not change to a room-only option during the term of this contract. All University Residence Apartments, except for Hilltop Apartments, must select a meal plan. During Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, Spring Break, and other stated University vacations, no residential meal service will be provided.

Changes to meal plans may be made to your account through the housing portal during designated dates.

Please note that meal plan prices are per academic year.