How to Get the Most Out of Your College Meal Plan

Nearly every college student has a student meal plan that allows them to eat three meals or another specified number of meals per day. Most meal plans allow students to eat at any cafeteria on campus and most cafeterias feature all-you-can-eat meals, usually buffet style. Additionally, schools generally make you pay for your meals ahead of time and let you swipe your ID at the front of the cafeteria. But if you're skipping meals numerous times a week or not getting your fill, you may be throwing money away. So the next time you go to the cafeteria, check out these tips on how to get the most out of your college meal plan.

Choose Your Meal Plan Wisely

Colleges offer different types of meal plans. Some examples include 21 meals a week, 2 meals per day, or one meal a day (for students who live off campus and only want to eat lunch). Since sometimes meal plans cost differently, you really should consider which one is right for you. Do your normally skip a meal a day? Are you always hungry? Or do you prefer to buy your own groceries and cook? Whatever your preference is, make sure you take that into account when choosing your meal plan. If you choose a 21-meal plan and only eat two meals a day, you're throwing away money. Or if you normally eat three meals a day and get the 2-meals-a-day plan, you may find yourself purchasing meals at the cafeteria for almost double what it'd cost on a meal plan.

Ask for a Reimbursement

While my school doesn't offer a meal plan reimbursement system, many schools do. The way these programs usually work is that you get money back for the meals you don't eat. It could be the cost you originally paid or it could be less. Regardless, you may want to look into this if you're unsure of your school's cafeteria meal policies. Try browsing your school website or talking to one of the staff members in the cafeteria.

Get it to Go

If you don't have time to get your meal, one option college and university cafeterias offer is to get meals to go. They usually have recyclable meal containers and cups that you can fill up with food and be on your way. My school offers this as an option for students who want to get a meal and eat it in their room, the library, in class, or anywhere else. While it's a convenient option if you're on the run, it's also a great option for eating a meal later. I often get a meal to go and put it in my fridge only to heat it up later for later in the day. If your school offers this to-go option, use it and don't skip out on your meals!

Avoid Hidden Costs

Cafeterias usually offer an all-you-can-eat meal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But you should be aware of hidden costs. Any pre-packaged food will most likely cost you money and not be included in your meal plan. Also, a good option for buying packaged food, such a chips, soda, cookies, etc, is to put cash on your ID. This will help you better plan your snacks or additional food items at the cafeteria and you can often get your money back or have it roll over each semester if you don't use it.