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Meal Plans 101

Having a meal plan means more than just convenience - it's your key to enjoying craveable meals across campus. With chef-inspired menus, local ingredients, and sustainable practices, your dining experience is as dynamic as campus life.

What is a Meal Plan?

A Meal Plan unlocks delicious meals, coffee, snacks, and more, at 18 locations across campus. Your Meal Plan includes Meal Swipes and Bearkat Bucks, conveniently loaded onto your Bearkat OneCard. No need to carry additional cards or cash!

Your Meal Plan Access

  • Meal Swipes

    Meal Swipes give you access to any of our all-you-care-to-eat dining halls, including Old Main Market and General’s Market.

  • Bearkat Bucks

    Dining Dollars are prepaid funds that can be used at any campus dining location to conveniently purchase food, snacks, and beverages. 

  • Cash Equivalency

    Meal Exchange lets you trade a Meal Swipe for select menu items at participating campus retail locations, giving you more flexibility on the go.

Key Dates

Don't Miss These Dates

Mark your calendar! Each semester, important dates like the start of meal plan usage, when to make changes, and deadlines for billing and sign-ups keeps your plan running smoothly.

 

Fall 2025:

 
August 19:  Fall Meal Plans Begin

 

August 29:  Last Day to change Fall Meal Plan

 

November 5:  First Day to sign up for your Spring Meal Plan

 

Spring 2026:

 

January 9:  Spring Meal Plans begin

 

January 16:  Last Day to change Spring Meal Plan

Dine With Confidence!

Go to your MySam Portal to check your Meal Swipes and Bearkat Bucks Balance

Hungry For More Info?

Find the perfect meal plan, explore flexible options, or get oriented with your campus dining experience.

  • Find Your Fit

    Use our recommendation tool to find the perfect meal plan that matches your campus needs.

    Find Your Perfect Plan

  • Meal Plan Options

    Choose from a variety of meal plans designed to provide flexibility and convenience for everyone. 

    Browse Meal Plans

  • Meal Plan Orientation

    Explore your campus dining experience with a guide to dining halls, featured locations, and more.

    Get Started

Meal Plan FAQs

Have questions about your Meal Plan? Our FAQs are here to help you learn everything you need to manage your plan and make the most of campus dining. From how to get started to maximizing your benefits, you’ll find the answers you need right here.