Meal Plan 101
What is a Meal Plan?
A meal plan unlocks delicious meals, coffee, snacks, and more at Temple Culinary Services locations across main campus. Each meal plan includes meal swipes and Diamond Dollars (except for the Unlimited meal plan). There is also no need to carry additional cards or cash, as one’s meal plan comes conveniently preloaded onto one’s OWLcard or mobile wallet.
- Weekly meal plans provide a weekly allowance of meal swipes, resetting every Sunday at 12:01 a.m.
- Block meal plans provide a bundle of meal swipes, which expire at the end of the semester
Meal Plan Options
Who is required to purchase a meal plan?
- New students (first-year and transfer) with housing contracts on main campus are required to purchase a weekly meal plan with a minimum of 10 meals per week. If no meal plan is chosen, the Weekly 12 will be assigned by default for both the fall and spring semesters.
- Returning and off-campus students are not required to purchase a meal plan but are encouraged to do so as a means of enriching their campus experience. Although we created the Weekly 5 and block meal plans with these groups in mind, any meal plan offered would be the perfect complement to the commuter experience.
What meal plan options are available?
Visit the Dining Plans section of our website for pricing and additional information regarding each meal plan.
How do I choose a meal plan?
Personal eating habits, class schedule, and leisure activities should all be considered when choosing a meal plan. If you are accustomed to eating three full meals a day, or prefer to eat small meals throughout the day, our Unlimited plan may be for you. If you tend to skip breakfast, eating only two meals a day, a meal plan with less meal swipes will be a better choice.
How do I purchase a meal plan?
To purchase a meal plan, log into MyHousing through the TUportal. All meal plans must be paid for via tuition billing.
Meal Swipes
What is a meal swipe?
Meal swipes are meals included in your meal plan, which can be used two ways:
- to enjoy all-you-care-to-eat dining at Esposito Dining Center
- as meal equivalency, a credit toward the purchase of à la carte food items at select retail locations (excluding coffee and convenience outlets)
How much is a meal swipe worth when used as meal equivalency?
When used as meal equivalency, the value of a meal varies by meal period:
- During breakfast (from open until 10:59 a.m.): $7.05
- During lunch and dinner (from 11:00 a.m. until close): $9.75
In both cases, you would then use Diamond Dollars, credit, or cash to cover the cost of any remaining balance.
How often can I use a meal swipe?
You can use your meal swipes as often as you’d like, in both all-you-care-to-eat and retail locations (excluding coffee and convenience outlets), until the limit included in your meal plan is met.
When does my weekly meal swipe balance reset? How can I check my balance?
Your weekly meal swipe balance resets each Sunday at 12:01 a.m.. You can verify your balance on the TUportal (via the Diamond Dollars link), TUmobile app, or Transact eAccounts app.
Am I allowed to treat friends or family to a meal using my meal plan?
Although your meal swipes are just for you, you’re welcome to treat friends and family to a meal using Diamond Dollars.
Meal Equivalency
How much is a meal swipe worth when used as meal equivalency?
When used as meal equivalency, the value of a meal varies by meal period:
- During breakfast (from open until 10:59 a.m.): $7.05
- During lunch and dinner (from 11:00 a.m. until close): $9.75
In both cases, you would then use Diamond Dollars, credit, or cash to cover the cost of any remaining balance.
Diamond Dollars
What are Diamond Dollars?
Diamond Dollars are funds included in select meal plans (excluding the Unlimited meal plan), which eliminate the need to carry cash, checks, or credit cards. They make it easy for Temple students to make purchases at Temple Culinary Services locations, across campus, and at select campus partners. They spend dollar-for-ollar, just like a debit card, and the funds remain available as long as you are affiliated with the University and in good standing.
For a more information on Diamond Dollars, visit the Dining Dollar FAQ on Temple's Gateway to Finance. Those with additional questions are encouraged to reach out to ddollars@temple.edu.
Meal Plan Benefits
- Quality food made fresh daily by our talented chefs and served by our friendly team
- Customizable menu options, so you can enjoy food the way you like it
- Convenient hours and locations across campus with a dining option always close by
- Meal equivalencies to use as often as you'd like to enjoy brands like Panera Bread®, Wing Stop®, Chick-fil-A®, Saladworks® and Panda Express®
- Healthy choices and plant-based foods
- Sustainable menu options and earth-friendly practices
- Special events with exciting themed menus
- Special dietary accommodations under the guidance of our on-site dietitian
- True Balance, our allergen friendly station at Esposito Dining Center
Managing Your Plan
There are three ways you can check your Meal Plan balance
- On the TUMobile app under Meal Plan Balance
- Ask any cashier to check your balance for you at a register
Diamond Dollars balance running low? No problem - add more Diamond Dollars now.
Key Dates
- 8/22: Welcome Week Begins (First Meal at Breakfast – Meal Plans Begin at 8a)
- 8/26: Welcome Week Ends (Last Meal at Lunch – Meal Plans End at 2p)
- 8/26: Meal Plans Begin (First Meal at Dinner – Meal Plans Begin at 5p)
- 9/12: Meal Plan Changes Deadline
- 11/18: Fall Break Begins (Last Meal at Lunch – Meal Plans End at 5p)
- 11/26: Fall Break Ends (First Meal at Dinner – Meal Plans Begin at 5p)
- 12/20: Winter Break Begins (Last Meal at Lunch – Meal Plans End at 5p)
Spring 2024 Meal Plan Dates
- 01/13: Meal Plans Begin (First Meal at Dinner – Meal Plans Begin at 5p)
- 01/22: Meal Plan Changes Deadline
- 03/02: Spring Break Begins (Last Meal at Lunch – Meal Plans End at 5p)
- 03/10: Spring Break Ends (First Meal at Dinner – Meal Plans Begin at 5p)
- 05/08: Summer Break Begins (Last Meal at Lunch – Meal Plans End at 5p)
