Meal Plans & Dining Options

University dining options ensure every Bucknell student has access to quality, nutritious food. Every student living on campus must purchase one of the meal plans or dining options below each semester. Students who do not make a dining option selection will be automatically assigned a default option based on their class year. Plans range from an Anytime Access plan to prepaid accounts that work like debit cards. 

How to Select Your Dining Option

All students except first-year students should sign up for a University dining option in myHOME. Those who do not select a dining option will be assigned Option 5 or 6 (Dining Dollars only).

Sophomores, juniors and seniors can select a dining option in myHOME until midnight on Thursday, Jan. 16. Please allow up to two days for changes to be processed.

2025–26 Meal Plans

Listed rates are per semester.

Available to First-year Students

First-year students must select one of the following options.

Meal PlanCostAccessDining DollarsPlus DollarsAdd'l Benefits
Bison Blue$3,507Anytime access$150$1503 meal trades/week
2 guest meals
*Bison Orange$3,357Anytime access$150––3 meal trades/week
2 guest meals

*The Bison Orange option will be assigned by default to first-year students who do not select a different option by July 1. You can change your plan in myHome through Aug. 21. 

Available to Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors

Meal PlanCostMeals a WeekDining DollarsPlus DollarsAdd'l Benefits
Bison Blue$3,507Anytime access$150$1503 meal trades/week
2 guest meals
Bison Orange$3,357Anytime access$150––3 meal trades/week
2 guest meals
Bison Flex 12+$2,85012$200$2502 meal trades/week
2 guest meals
*Bison Flex 12$2,70012$150––2 meal trades/week
2 guest meals
Bison Flex 5+$1,7505$300$3001 meal trade/week
Bison Flex 5$1,6005$450––1 meal trade/week
Bison Flex 3+$1,3503$300$300 ––
Bison Flex 3$1,2003$450–– ––
Bison 1100$1,100––$900$200 ––

*The Bison Flex 12 option will be assigned by default to sophomores, juniors and seniors residing on campus who do not select a different option by July 1. You can change your plan in myHome through Aug. 21. 

Key Dates

  • (midnight) Last day to select a dining option

  • Meal plans begin at dinner

Meal Trades

Available in the Bison and Commons Café, Meal Trades allow students with designated meal plans to trade one dining hall meal swipe for a retail meal combo during specified hours. Meal combos include an entrée, side dish, dessert and fountain beverage. Meal combos are predetermined but rotate regularly. Daily Meal Trade options can be found online, in ordering kiosks or at the counter.

  • Hours of availability are 8 to 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. to close
  • Meal Trades do not roll over and are not redeemable for cash
  • A week is defined as Sunday–Saturday

Dining Dollars, Campus Dollars and Plus Dollars

In addition to meal swipes and trades, you have several options for purchasing meals (and other needs) on campus and off. 

Plus Dollars are an add-on purchase to dining plan purchases, and can only be selected when you choose your meal plan. 

Campus Dollars and Dining Dollars may be purchased or refilled at any time. 

See where you can spend Dining, Campus and Plus Dollars

Plus Dollars Selection

Optional — Does not fulfill meal-plan requirement

After selecting a dining option, Plus Dollars can be added as an enhancement; however, some plans already include Plus Dollars. Plus Dollars are available to all students who have a meal plan who are making a dining option selection. Plus Dollars will carry over from the fall to spring semester but will expire at the end of the academic year. 

Purchasing Additional Dining Dollars & Campus Dollars

Additional Dining Dollars and Campus Dollars can be purchased anytime online.


Where can I spend my …Swipes/Guest SwipesDining DollarsPlus DollarsCampus Dollars
Bostwick Social House*xxxx
All other on-campus dining locations* xxx
Participating off-campus dining locations**  xx
Participating off-campus merchants**  xx
On-campus copiers   x

*Cash and credit cards also are accepted at all on-campus dining locations

**See where Campus and Plus Dollars are accepted off campus

 

How to add ...Swipes/Guest SwipesDining DollarsPlus DollarsCampus Dollars
GET app x  
Online   x
Bursar's office   x
During meal plan selection  x 

B-Swipes

The B-Swipes program allows students in need of food assistance to request additional meal swipes for entry into Bostwick Social House. Students with demonstrated need may receive up to three meals per week during the fall and spring semesters.

In order to qualify to receive swipes, a student must meet the following criteria:

  • The student has demonstrated financial need (the student's financial aid award plus their expected family contribution equal less than the comprehensive cost of Bucknell)

    and

  • The student's total financial aid eligibility is less than the comprehensive cost of Bucknell

Unused guest passes, Dining Dollars and Plus Dollars that would otherwise expire at the end of the semester or academic year will automatically be transferred to B-Swipes. Other swipes are not transferable.

Learn more and request swipes (login required)

Have questions about your dining options?

See our FAQ

Policies

Contact Details