Dining Meal Plans

The meal plan is a combination of goods and services that Dining Services provides for students.

Basic Outline of Meal Plan

Annual board charge: $6,000 per year ($3,000 per semester)

Amount placed on student’s accounts each semester: 1,000 points total

Points split between 2 accounts:

• Meal Plan Account: 900 pts
  • Can be used in Student Dining Room & Piasa Pub
  • Receives 33% discount in Student Dining Room on non-packaged, eligible items
  • Purchases not taxed
• Plus Account: 100 pts
  • Can be used in College Store and can supplement Meal Plan Account in Student Dining Room and Piasa Pub (used in Student Dining Room and Piasa Pub after Meal Plan Account exhausted)
  • Receives 33% discount in Student Dining Room on non-packaged, eligible items
  • All purchases taxed

All new students for their first semester are automatically enrolled in the basic plan. After the first semester, new students are able to sign up for different plans for future semesters.

All unused points roll over from fall to spring semester.

Remaining points at the end of spring semester do not roll over and are not refundable. The points on the meal plan are there to be used. There is no residual cash value to unused points.

Students may add to their meal plan account at any time through Principia Marketplace.

Detailed Description of Meal Plan

The annual boarding cost at Principia College is $6,000, or $3,000 per semester. Two-thirds of this amount is used to cover the overhead of Student Dining Room operations and provides the services covered by the meal plan. One-third or 1,000 points is placed on the meal card (referred to as a PrinCard). The PrinCard accesses two accounts, the Meal Plan Account and Plus Account. The meal plan has a declining balance with à la carte pricing.

The meal plan for all boarding students has 1,000 points (900 pts on the Meal Plan Account and 100 pts on the Plus Account) per semester, which is sufficient for most students' food expenses in the Student Dining Room for one semester. Some students need more points than this allotment and there are multiple ways to increase the points on the meal plan before each semester and then during the semester.

The Meal Plan Account can be used in the Student Dining Room or Piasa Pub. It begins fall semester with a balance of 900 pts, 1,000 pts, 1,200 pts, or 1,400 pts, depending on the meal plan chosen. An additional 900 pts, 1,000 pts, 1,200 pts, or 1,400 pts is added for spring semester as well. Unused points roll over from fall semester to spring semester. Remaining points at the end of spring semester do not roll over and are not refundable. The points on the meal plan are there to be used. Again, in the meal plan, there is no residual cash value to unused points.

The Traditional Meal Plan Budgeting Guide provides a list of daily point balances for the Meal Plan Account for the entire semester if the same amount is spent each day to utilize the entire allotment. This is meant as a guide to help students track their usage.

If a student runs out of points on his or her card, meals may be purchased via cash, credit card, debit card, or the Plus Account. The advantage of using the Plus Account is a 33% student discount on the cash price on all non-packaged items in the Student Dining Room for all students on the meal plan. All forms of payment other than the Meal Plan Account are taxed. All purchases made with the Plus Account are subject to tax.

The Plus Account can be used in the College Store, Piasa Pub, or Student Dining Room. For all new students, 100 pts are placed on the Plus Account at the beginning of fall semester. Points roll over from fall semester to spring semester. At the beginning of spring semester, 100 pts are automatically put on the Plus Account, unless the student chose to increase the Plus Account level to 200 pts, 300 pts, or 400 pts during the meal plan sign-up process.

Additional points can also be added to the Plus Account as needed during the semester with a service charge of 3%. Points remaining at the end of spring semester that were not part of the original Plus Account balance selected before each semester will first be credited to any outstanding PrinBill charges. Then any remaining balance will be refunded via direct deposit. 

The opportunity to select the Meal Plan and Plus Account balance for each semester occurs as follows:

• fall semester: meal plan sign-up process occurs at the end of spring semester, right before finals
• spring semester: meal plan sign-ups occur in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving break

The Quick Comparison of Account Features is available to compare the Meal Plan and Plus Accounts.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I use my meal Plan?

The meal plan consists of two accounts, the Meal Plan Account and Plus Account. The Meal Plan Account can be used in either the Student Dining Room or Piasa Pub. The Plus Account can be used in the College Store, Piasa Pub, and Student Dining Room.

What is the difference between the two accounts?

The Meal Plan Account is for meals and can only be used in the Student Dining Room and Piasa Pub. The Meal Plan Account receives the student discount for non-packaged items and is not taxed. The Plus Account can be used at any of the Dining Services venues: College Store, Piasa Pub, and Student Dining Room. The account is subject to tax, receives the student discount in the Student Dining Room only, and can have points added to it during the semester. The Plus Account is flexible and can be used to purchase toiletries, school supplies, a snack from the College Store, a quick bite to eat from the Piasa Pub, and if the need arises, meals at the Student Dining Room.

What is the Student Dining Room?

The Student Dining Room is your best value for your Meal Plan because pricing is at a food cost level for students on the meal plan. The Student Dining Room serves mostly made-from-scratch items and the more popular prepared items. During each semester, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served seven days a week.

What is the Piasa Pub?

The Piasa Pub is a fast casual eatery serving subs, pizza, salads, sandwiches, ice cream, and assorted beverages prepared by students. 

What is the College Store?

The College Store sells a wide variety of items from school supplies to chips, frozen entrées to toiletries, and Principia insignia apparel to drinks. 

Can I treat a friend or family with my Meal Plan?

The Meal Plan is there for you to use and purchase what you want, including purchases for guests, but you must be present at the time of any purchase with your PrinCard. Please take into consideration that the Meal Plan is designed to provide meals for one person for the school term, so budget your account appropriately.

What do I do when I run low on points on my Meal Plan account?

When the points on your Meal Plan Account are depleted, you can use the points on your Plus Account. Additional points can be added to your Plus Account at any time, but there is a 3% fee and a minimum addition of $50. Points left over at the end of spring semester that were not part of the original Plus Account will be credited to any outstanding PrinBill charges, and then the remaining balance will be refunded via direct deposit. 

How do I add points to my Plus account?

Points can be added through Principia Marketplace. This is the simplest and preferred method for adding points to the Plus Account. Points can also be added at the Student Dining registers by speaking to a manager on duty. Points can be added with a 3% fee and minimum $50 dollars added (i.e. $50 added on the account costs $51.50; $100 added on the account costs $103).

How can I save money on my Meal Plan?

The biggest way to save money on your plan is to initially select the right plan for you. Making the right choice in the beginning can save you more than 10% of the cost of purchasing additional points during the term by eliminating the add-on fee and taxes.

If I lose my PrinCard and need to get a new one, what do I do? 

You should go to Campus Security to get a new PrinCard. If Campus Security is closed, you should come to Dining Services and inform the manager on duty that you need to get a new PrinCard. You will be issued a temporary voucher that will allow you to temporarily purchase meals. The voucher will then need to be taken to Campus Security so they can make your new PrinCard.