Meal Plans

Fuel your day, your way

Your meal plan is one of the easiest parts of campus life — grab what you want, when you want it. Every meal plan at Gustavus is à la carte, so what you put on your tray is what you pay for, and your funds work across the Market Place, Courtyard Café and The STEAMery. However you like to eat, there's a plan that fits.

Who needs a meal plan

Living in one of these residence halls means you'll have a meal plan: Norelius, North, Gibbs, Sorensen, Uhler, Rundstrom, Southwest Hall Suites, Sohre, Pittman, Carlson International Center and Prairie View.

Which plan fits you?

Option 1 — $5,406
For lighter eaters, or if you're often away from campus on weekends and won't eat here daily.

Option 2 — $5,806
For students on campus most days who don't eat three meals a day, and may be away some weekends.

Option 3 — $6,206
For students on campus daily — a good fit if you're an athlete or need a higher caloric intake.

Option 4 — $6,606
An extension of Option 3 for students on campus daily who want to budget for a higher annual amount. Also a fit for athletes or higher caloric needs.

Apartment/Commuter Options

Option 5a — Defined Plan, $2,550
For students living off-campus or in on-campus apartments or houses. Billed in two installments of $1,275 per semester, plus a 5 percent administrative fee. Funds don't transfer between semesters, and unused funds aren't refundable.

Option 5b — Create-Your-Own Plan, $50+
For students living off-campus or in on-campus apartments or houses. Build a plan in $50 increments, plus a 5 percent administrative fee. Fall funds carry into Spring, but not into the next academic year.

Select Your Meal Plan

How your meal account works

Each month, your student meal account is credited with a set amount to spend, based on the number of service days that month. You can carry up to $35 forward month to month, and if you go over your monthly allocation, it simply draws from the next month's balance.

Each plan is billed in two installments alongside tuition and housing and includes a $400 per semester fee for facilities, staff and administrative support.

Living off-campus or in an apartment?

You're not required to have a meal plan — but many students in this situation choose one of the off-campus options above (5a or 5b) anyway, and there's a good reason why. Those plans work as declining balance accounts, and declining balance funds aren't subject to Minnesota's 7.875 percent state sales tax. So even with the 5 percent overhead built in, you come out ahead versus paying cash, credit, debit or check at the Market Place, Courtyard Café, The STEAMery or Gustavus Buffet, where sales tax applies.

You can add funds by charging your student account or paying with cash, credit, debit or check at the Dining Service Office or Student Accounts Office. Your balance stays available all year — there's no monthly rollover to worry about — but funds aren't refundable, so plan to use them by the end of the academic year. Questions? The Dining Service Office can help.

Can I waive the meal plan requirement?

Because dining is built into the residential experience, the meal plan generally can't be waived, including for:

Financial hardship (reach out to the Student Accounts Office if you have financial concerns)
Class, sport, travel, work or volunteer schedules
Personal diet preferences, including vegetarian, vegan or organic
Use of commercial nutrition or weight-loss products
Religious reasons

In rare cases, an exception can be made for a documented medical necessity. Learn more about requesting a dietary accommodation.

Changing your plan

You can increase your meal plan option anytime at the Student Accounts Office. To decrease your plan for spring (say, Option 2 down to Option 1), stop by the Student Accounts Office by December 4, 2026.

Coverage dates and refunds

Your plan is active August 27, 2026 – May 2, 2027. If a declining balance account runs short, those transactions get charged to your student account monthly. If you leave the College before the end of a semester, you may be eligible for a 35 percent refund, pro-rated to your last date of attendance.

Monthly Meal Plan Spending Allocation

Want to see exactly how much you'll have to spend each month? View the monthly breakdown for every meal plan option.

Meal Plan Monthly Spending