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
Residential 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 and Morgan Dining Hall
- 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.): $6.71
- During lunch and dinner (from 11:00 a.m. until close): $9.25
In both cases, you would then use Diamond Dollars to cover the cost of any remaining balance.
How often can I use a meal swipe?
You can use one meal swipe every 15 minutes, until the limit of meal swipes included in your meal plan is met. There is no restriction on how often you can use Diamond Dollars to make a purchase.
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.): $6.71
- During lunch and dinner (from 11:00 a.m. until close): $9.25
In both cases, you would then use Diamond Dollars to cover the cost of any remaining balance.
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 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
Fall 2022 Meal Plan Dates
- Meal Plans Begin: Saturday, August 20, 2022 (Dinner)
- Meal Plans End: Wednesday, December 14, 2022 (Dinner)
- Last Day to Change Your Fall Meal Plan: Tuesday, September 6, 2022
Spring 2023 Meal Plan Dates
- Meal Plans Begin: Saturday, January 14, 2023 (Dinner)
- Meal Plans End: Wednesday, May 10, 2023 (Dinner)
- Last Day to Change Your Spring Meal Plan: Monday, January 3, 2023
