Meal Plans & Dining Options
University meal plans ensure every Bucknell student has access to quality, nutritious food. Every student living on campus must purchase one of the meal plans 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 anytime access plans to prepaid accounts that work like debit cards.
Fall 2026 Meal Plan Selection
Meal plan selection for fall 2026 is now open and will be available through Aug. 18 in myHOME.
Meal Plan Information
All meal plan selections are made in myHOME
| Fall 2026 | Spring 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Meal plan selection process ends at midnight | Aug. 18 | Jan. 12 |
| Dining Dollars and Dining+ Dollars are available. Meal plan changes open in myHOME | Aug. 19 | Jan. 13 |
| Meal plans begin | Breakfast Aug. 20 | Dinner Jan. 17 |
| Meal plan changes end at midnight | Sept. 2 | Jan. 27 |
| Meal plan changes are processed and new meal plans are in place | Sept. 3 | Jan. 28 |
| Select your meal plan in myHOME |
Meal Plan Changes
- Tuesday, Aug. 18–Wednesday, Sept. 2:
- Meal plans that are selected or defaulted by Tuesday, Aug. 18, will be in place through Wednesday, Sept. 2.
- Thursday, Sept. 3:
- All changes will be processed on Thursday, Sept. 3.
- New meal plans selected will be in effect beginning on Thursday, Sept. 3.
- After the meal plan selections end, you will be charged for the first two weeks of the meal plan you have selected at the meal plan selection deadline. The cost for your new meal plan will be prorated.
2026–27 Meal Plans
Listed rates are per semester.
Available to First-year Students
First-year students must select one of the following options.
| Meal Plan | Cost | Access | Dining Dollars | Dining+ Dollars | Add'l Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bison Blue | $3,640 | Anytime access | $150 | $150 | 1 meal swap/day 2 guest meals |
| *Bison Orange | $3,490 | Anytime access | $150 | –– | 1 meal swap/day 2 guest meals |
*The Bison Orange option will be assigned by default to first-year students who do not select a different option.
In addition to the $150 in Dining+ Dollars included in the Bison Blue plan, students can add up to $500 in Dining+ Dollars to their plan during selection. The meal plan selection window is the only time during which Dining+ Dollars can be purchased. See below for more information about Dining, Dining+ and Campus Dollars.
Available to Sophomores
Sophomore students must select one of the following options.
| Meal Plan | Cost | Meals a Week | Dining Dollars | Dining+ Dollars | Add'l Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bison Blue | $3,640 | Anytime access | $150 | $150 | 1 meal swap/day 2 guest meals |
| Bison Orange | $3,490 | Anytime access | $150 | –– | 1 meal swap/day 2 guest meals |
| Bison 12+ Meal Plan | $2,970 | 12 | $200 | $250 | 1 meal swap/day 2 guest meals |
| *Bison 12 Meal Plan | $2,820 | 12 | $300 | –– | 1 meal swap/day 2 guest meals |
*The Bison 12 meal plan will be assigned by default to sophomores residing on campus who do not select a different option.
Available to Juniors and Seniors
Junior and senior students must select one of the following options.
| Meal Plan | Cost | Meals a Week | Dining Dollars | Dining+ Dollars | Add'l Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bison Blue | $3,640 | Anytime access | $150 | $150 | 1 meal swap/day 2 guest meals |
| Bison Orange | $3,490 | Anytime access | $150 | –– | 1 meal swap/day 2 guest meals |
| Bison Flex 12+ Meal Plan | $2,970 | 12 | $200 | $250 | 1 meal swap/day 2 guest meals |
| *Bison Flex 12 Meal Plan | $2,820 | 12 | $300 | –– | 1 meal swap/day 2 guest meals |
| Bison 5+ Meal Plan | $1,820 | 5 | $300 | $300 | 1 meal swap/week |
| Bison 5 Meal Plan | $1,670 | 5 | $450 | –– | 1 meal swap/week |
| Bison 3+ Meal Plan | $1,410 | 3 | $300 | $300 | –– |
| Bison 3 Meal Plan | $1,260 | 3 | $450 | –– | –– |
| Bison 2500 | $2,500 | –– | $1,500 | $1,000 | –– |
| Bison 1350 | $1,350 | –– | $1,000 | $350 | –– |
*The Bison 12 meal plan will be assigned by default to sophomores, juniors and seniors residing on campus who do not select a different option for the fall semester. Students may select other meal plans based on the dates listed above and minimum requirements.
Meal Swaps
Meal Swaps offer eligible meal plan holders the flexibility to enjoy meals beyond the dining hall. Included with select meal plans, Meal Swaps allow students to redeem a meal swipe for a combo meal at participating retail dining locations across campus. Whether students are looking for a quick meal between classes or a convenient grab-and-go option, Meal Swaps make it easy to use their meal plan where and when it works best for them.
Available in the Bison, MacDonald Commons, the Library Café and 7th St. Café, Meal Swaps cost one meal swipe. Options for Meal Swaps can be found on the Bison Kitchen website or at the cashier. Meal Swaps do not roll over and are not redeemable for cash.
New for 2026-27, Meal Swaps have been added to more retail locations and and the options have expanded. Additionally the Bison Blue, Bison Orange, and Bison 12 and 5 Meal plans now offer a meal swap per day.
Dining Dollars, Campus Dollars and Dining+ Dollars
In addition to meal swipes and trades, you have several options for purchasing meals (and other needs) on campus and off.
Dining+ 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
Dining+ Dollars Selection
Optional — Does not fulfill meal-plan requirement
After selecting a dining option, Dining+ Dollars can be added as an enhancement; however, some plans already include Dining+ Dollars. Dining+ Dollars are available to all students who have a meal plan who are making a dining option selection. Dining+ Dollars will carry over from the fall to spring semester but will expire at the end of the academic year. Meal plan selection is the only time when Dining+ Dollars are available for purchase.
Purchasing Additional Dining Dollars & Campus Dollars
Additional Dining Dollars and Campus Dollars can be purchased anytime online.
| Where can I spend my … | Swipes/Guest Swipes | Dining Dollars | Dining+ Dollars | Campus Dollars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bostwick Social House* | x | x | x | x |
| All other on-campus dining locations* | x | x | x | |
| Participating off-campus dining locations** | x | x | ||
| Participating off-campus merchants** | x | x | ||
| On-campus vending machines | x | x | ||
| 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 Swipes | Dining Dollars | Dining+ Dollars | Campus 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 three meals per week during the fall and spring semesters.
In order to qualify to receive swipes, a student must meet all of the following criteria:
- The student is an undergraduate
- The student has a meal plan with no more than five swipes per week
- 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 Dining+ Dollars that would otherwise expire at the end of the semester or academic year will be used to support the B-Swipes program. Other swipes are not transferable.