On Campus Meal Plans
Campus Meal Plans
Campus Meal Plans are required for students in traditional residences
and optional for those living in East & West Residences, East Village Townhouses, or off-campus.
Choosing the Right Meal Plan Size
We offer five plan sizes to match different appetites, schedules, and campus lifestyles. All plans cover both the Fall and Winter semesters, with payments made in two instalments.
Important to Know
Once you select a meal plan, you enter into a contract with the University of Guelph.
Be sure to review all plan details before confirming as both you and Hospitality Services are accountable for the terms.
Which Plan Fits You Best?
Your campus routine and eating habits will help guide your choice. Here’s how each plan generally fits:
| Plan | Best For |
| Minimum | Sufficient for students not on-campus most weekends and those with lighter appetites |
| Light | Suitable for students occasionally on-campus on weekends and those with lighter appetites |
| Full | This is our most popular plan. It is designed for students who are on-campus on alternate weekends & those with average appetites. |
| Plus | Appropriate for students on-campus alternate weekends and those with larger appetites |
| Varsity | Designed for students on-campus most weekends, athletes, and those with larger appetites |
These are general guidelines - your personal eating habits may vary.
2025/2026 Semesterly Meal Plans
Meal Plan Size | Total Cost per year | Basic + Flex = Total Semesterly Cost | Less Capital Fund Component * | Less Fixed Overhead Costs * | Basic Food Dollars | Flex Food Dollars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Minimum | $5,500 | $2,100+ $650 = $2,750 | $150 | $780 | $1,368 | $452 |
Light | $6,100 | $2,100 + $950= $3,050 | $150 | $870 | $1,368 | $662 |
Full | $6,800 | $2,100 + $1300 = $3,400 | $150 | $975 | $1,368 | $907 |
Plus | $7,200 | $2,100 + $1,500 = $3,600 | $150 | $1,035 | $1,368 | $1,047 |
Varsity | $7,600 | $2,100 + $1,700 = $3,800 | $150 | $1,095 | $1,368 | $1,187 |
The price of meal plans includes a $150 capital fund component (per semester) approved by the University of Guelph for improvements to the dining hall and is deducted from your meal plan. A fixed overhead cost of 30% for operating the dining facilities, including heat, hydro, and rent, is also deducted. When you spend your basic food dollars on-campus, you contribute directly to the fixed overhead cost of maintaining our award-winning student eateries. Your food purchases are discounted at the point of sale by twenty-five percent, and these purchases are also tax-exempt (HST).
If you run out of food dollars, you can add money to your meal plan. Please note that a fixed overhead cost will apply to any added funds.
How the Plan is Loaded
- 50% of your food dollars are available at the start of September
- The remaining 50% is added in mid-December
- If you add a Textbook Plan, those dollars are loaded in full in September
How Your Meal Plan Dollars Work
Your Campus Meal Plan includes two types of dollars: BASIC and FLEX.
Each works a little differently and together, they give you flexibility, savings, and convenience across campus (and beyond). Our system automatically knows which to use, so you don’t need to worry about choosing at the register.
You can transfer funds between Flex and Basic plans or vice versa, but only if the balance in the plan you're transferring to is under $100.
Using Your Meal Plan Dollars
If your Basic Dollars balance reaches zero, any purchases made at dining halls will automatically be charged to your Flex Dollars account.
Please note: Flex Dollars do not qualify for any dining discounts
We highly recommend regularly monitoring your Basic Dollars balance. If needed, consider transferring funds from your Flex Dollars to Basic Dollars to benefit from available discounts.
Basic Plan
Used at Hospitality Services dining locations (like dining halls and non-franchise cafés).
Overview:
- 25% discount at on-campus dining locations (including the University Club)
- Tax-free (HST-exempt)
- Tipping allowed at Craft Kitchen & Ale House (up to 15%)
Note: On-campus franchises (e.g., Starbucks, Pizza Pizza, Subway) do not qualify for discounts with BASIC dollars — FLEX will be used at those locations.
Flex Plan
Used when purchases don’t qualify for BASIC, giving you extra flexibility on and off campus.
Overview:
- On-campus vending machines & food trucks
- The Bullring and Brass Taps
- Eastside Café & Grocery (East Residence)
- Convenience grocery items (e.g., frozen foods, snacks, toiletries)
- Off-campus restaurant partners (dine-in & delivery)
- Red Top Taxi service
- Tipping (up to 15%) at off-campus locations and taxis
Note: FLEX purchases are taxable, and alcohol cannot be purchased using meal plan funds.
Your Campus Card
Your U of G Student ID Card is more than just ID — it’s also your meal plan card and your main method of payment on campus.
How it Works
- Your meal plan dollars are automatically linked to your student ID card
- No need to carry cash or separate meal cards
- If you’ve added a Textbook Plan, you can also shop at the University Bookstore using your card
- Without a Textbook Plan, you’ll need debit or credit for bookstore purchases
Ways to Use
- Dining purchases on and off campus
- Accessing your meal plan and textbook plan (if added)
- Library services
- Athletics and wellness facilities
- Residence building access
- Your student bus pass
- Exam Identification
Rules to Know
- You cannot transfer a cash purchase to your meal plan
- You cannot receive a cash refund from your meal plan
- U of G is a cashless campus
- The on-campus meal plan is non-refundable — once funds are added, they cannot be withdrawn as cash.
- Once you select your meal plan size, you can make changes until September 30, 2025. After this date, no further changes will be allowed.
Add a Textbook Plan
Want to keep things simple and manage everything from one card? You can add a Textbook Plan to your Campus Meal Plan and use it at the University Bookstore and Gryph's Locker.
It’s an optional add-on you can choose during setup and it’s all linked to your campus card.