How do UNW Meal Plans work?
Our meal plans are different than typical college meal plans. They are entirely "a la carte", declining balance plans. With this type of system, it gives a lot of flexibility in how they use their plan.
Food items in all of our locations are priced individually. Students go into any of our three locations, choose their items, and take the items to the cashier. The cashier will total their items and swipe the student’s ID card to access their dining funds. That total comes off their balance, just like a debit card. Students can track their balance by asking the cashier or accessing their account online. Students are also able to use their dining funds at our food vending machines on campus.
While this type of system gives students flexibility, it also requires planning. Much like planning a grocery budget when you get out of school, in order to make the most of your meal plan, you need to plan how you will make the best use of your plan. How you spend it is up to you!
I’m planning on living on-campus. How much does my meal plan cost?
A first year residential student will have a plan that is $1650 in dining funds for the semester. Most students are on campus about 90 days during a semester. That gives them right around $18-$18.50/day to spend. For most students that will buy about two meals, and may several snacks during the week.
Another way to think about it is that a semester is 16 weeks. That gives you about $103 per week to spend. If you want 10 meals per week, you can spend $10.30 per meal. If you want $12 meals, you can spend just over $8.50 per meal.
A transfer residential student is assigned a plan with $1200 in dining funds per semester. A typical student is on campus approximately 90 days during the semester. That would give the student approximately $13 - $13.50 per day to spend, which is one small meal and one larger meal for most students.
Or, if you consider that a semester is 16 weeks, that would give the student $75 per week to spend. That could be 8 - 9 meals at about $8.50 per meal.
I’m going to be a commuter. How much does my meal plan cost?
A first-year commuter student is assigned a plan with $285 in dining funds for the semester. The semester is 16 weeks. That gives them about $17-$18 to spend each week, which is a couple of meals for most students.
A transfer commuter student is assigned a plan with $260 in dining funds for the semester. The semester is 16 weeks. That gives them about $16.25 to spend each week, which is a couple of meals for most students.
An on campus PSEO commuter student is not assigned a meal plan, but will be sent separate instructions on how to purchase dining funds.”
Is there a meal plan option for PSEO students?
PSEO students are not required to purchase a meal plan. However, depending on how often you will be on-campus, you may benefit from a plan.
A starter plan for PSEO students is $125/semester, which includes $100 in dining funds and a $25 dining fee. When you are on a plan, you receive a 20% discount off the cash prices and do not have to pay sales tax. Additional funds can be added during the semester without paying any additional fee.
If you wish to purchase a plan, please email dlbock@unwsp.edu from your UNW student email, with "PSEO Meal Plan" as the subject line. Please include your student ID in the email. You will receive an email that your account has been activated within two business days, and the charges will post to your Student Account. As a reminder, you can add funds in increments of $100 at any time during the semester, using the GET FUNDS program.
