What Are Dining Dollars?
Dining dollars, sometimes called dining dollars, flex dollars, declining balance or campus cash, are prepaid funds on your student ID card or account that you can spend on food at campus locations. They are common at US colleges as part of a meal plan, or as an add-on. Unlike meal swipes, which give entry to a dining hall, dining dollars work like a debit balance.
Where you can use them
- Campus cafes and coffee shops.
- Markets and convenience stores, for groceries and snacks.
- Food courts and restaurants that are run by or partner with the college.
- Vending machines, at some campuses.
- Sometimes at nearby restaurants, through a partner program.
Some funds, often called flex dollars, can also be used at a campus bookstore or for laundry, though rules vary.
How they differ from swipes
| Meal swipe | Dining dollars | |
|---|---|---|
| What it buys | One entry to a dining hall or a meal exchange | Any item at participating outlets |
| Unit | Per visit | Per dollar |
| Best for | Regular meals | Snacks, coffee, extras and late meals |
| Reset | Often weekly or termly | Often termly or yearly |
Budgeting
Divide the balance by the number of weeks in the term to see your weekly allowance. Track spending through the online account, and notice trends early. Many students overspend in the first weeks and run out before the end of term. Others finish the semester with a large unused balance and rush to spend it.
Rules to check
- Expiration date and rollover policy.
- Refunds: most plans do not refund unused dining dollars, though some refund when you leave the college.
- Tax and tips: whether tax is included and whether tips are allowed.
- Sharing: you usually cannot give dining dollars to others, though you may use them to buy for friends.
- Lost cards: how to protect your balance.
Adding funds
You can often top up online. Some colleges give a bonus, such as extra dollars for deposits of a certain size. Compare prices at campus outlets and off campus, because food on campus can be expensive.
Related terms
See meal swipe, dorm, commuter student, sticker price and bursar.
Frequently asked questions
Are dining dollars the same as meal swipes?
No. A meal swipe is one entry to a dining hall. Dining dollars are a dollar balance that you spend at campus food outlets, like a prepaid card.
Do dining dollars expire?
Often at the end of the semester or the academic year, with no refund. Some colleges let balances roll over from fall to spring. Check your plan.
Can I add more dining dollars?
Usually yes, by adding funds to your account online or at the dining office. Some plans offer a bonus for larger deposits.