Frequently Asked 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, 3 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, 3 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, 3 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, 3 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, 3 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 three 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 July 26, 2024 at noon
• 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. Room-only selection must be made by August 15th, 2024 at 11:59 pm EST. 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 every meal plan and are accepted at any dining court, Purdue Food Co., or Chick-fil-A location on campus. If you are interested in dining at Purdue Food Co. and Chick-fil-A locations on campus more often, Purdue Food Co. offers retail dining memberships . Please note that these memberships must be purchased separately from your meal plan.

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 3 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 3 Quick Bite locations: 1 Bowl and Sushi Boss @ Meredith Hall, and Pete's Za @ Tarkington Hall. 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.  Meal swipes will be added to student accounts in 2 business days.  

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.

What  meal plans are available to students in Indianapolis?

Meal plans will be required for students residing in North Hall and available to all Purdue in Indianapolis students. Students with a meal plan can eat at Tower Dining or one of the Chartwells-managed locations across campus using meal swipes loaded onto their affiliate Crimson Card. Click here to view all meal plans provided by IUI dining for Purdue students in Indianapolis.

Explore the dining options available with your meal plan at  dineoncampus.com/iui.

Do I have to live in University Residences housing options to have a meal plan?

Any student located in Indianapolis can sign up for a meal plan, even if they do not live in University Residences housing options. IUI dining offers meal plans to students who do not live on campus. View available elective meal plans for purchase.