Meal Plan FAQ

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All of our Residential Dining Halls provide a variety of stations for guests to choose from including but not limited to a Deli, Home Station with comfort foods, International Entrees, Pizza, Grill, Food Allergen Friendly, Vegan and Vegetarian meals as well as unique options such as a Taco Bar, Sushi, Gelato and more. Students, faculty and staff can use their meal swipes (or M&G dollars, cash, credit or debit) to access the dining halls.

Can I take food out of the Residential Dining Hall?

Sun Devil Hospitality To-Go Box program allows customers the opportunity to purchase a $6.00 reusable, environmentally safe, sustainable to-go container. Boxes, are available at the cashier station, and must be returned in exchange for a new box at each visit or a To-Go $6 card. Each To-Go box equals one meal swipe. For your To-Go meal for the existing meal period - you grab your entree, side, dessert, and go on your way!

Rules of the Program:

Food Safety Practices:

For additional to-go options, feel free to use Meal Exchange at any on-campus market.

Do I have to purchase a Dining Plan each semester?

All first year students living on the Tempe, Downtown Phoenix, West and Polytechnic campuses are required by the University to purchase a dining plan each semester. All Barrett Honors College students living in the Barrett Residential Complex are required to purchase a Barrett dining plan each semester. Any Upper-division or Graduate students living in traditional residence halls are required to have a meal plan. If you are an upperclassman living in a university apartment (Adelphi Commons II, Cholla, Vista del Sol, University Towers, Falcon, Mustang, Phantom or Las Casas) you are not required to purchase a plan, although it is strongly recommended.

How do I pay for my meal plan?

Students living on campus will pay for their meal plan through University Housing at the My Housing Portal

Students not living on campus, faculty and staff can purchase a meal plan through this site and pay with a debit or credit card. Easy Pay installment plans are available to students not living on campus as well for the Unlimited, Sparky's Favorite, Gold, Maroon, Barrett Unlimited, Barrett Platinum, Barrett Silver, Barrett Gold and Barrett Maroon meal plans. Purchases can also be made in person at the Tempe campus dining office at the Memorial Union, Office 138 or over the phone at 480-727-3463.

What is a meal swipe and how does it work?

A meal swipe is housed on your ASU ID and used to access the 8 Residential Dining Halls across all four campuses. They are included in all meal plans. If you do not have a meal plan, you may use M&G Dollars, Cash, Credit and/or Debit.

Our 2024-2025 Door Rates:

Weekend Brunch: $12.50

Barrett 2024-2025 Door Rates:

Weekend Brunch: $15.00

Can I carry over any unused meals to the next week or next semester?

No. Plan to use your meals each week or each semester, depending on your plan. We can help you decide on the right plan to fit your schedule and eating habits, ensuring that you get the full value of your plan. Please contact us if you need additional assistance.

What happens if I have M&G or meals left at the end of the semester?

Students who have a residential dining plan purchased through My ASU Housing, your M&G dollars will transfer from the fall to spring semester and over the summer. Any dollars not used by the conclusion of summer session 2025 will be forfeited. All accounts are reset at the conclusion of summer session 2025. This means any M&G that you have associated with your Residential Meal Plan that you purchased through My ASU Housing needs to be spent by the end of Spring 2025 semester or at the very latest August 1, 2025. All dollars in your account after that date will be forfeited.

If you are on a Commuter Express Plan, or have added on additional M&G dollars to your account; your M&G Dollars transfer from semester to semester until you graduate from the university. This includes any M&G that you add during promotional periods!

All M&G Dollars must be spent prior to graduation, any M&G dollars prior to graduation will be forfeited. M&G Dollars may also be forfeited if there is no use on the account for six months or longer.

What is Meal Exchange? Where else can I use my meal swipes besides the residential restaurants?

Meal Exchange allows you to use a Meal Swipe at one of our P.O.D. Markets or retail locations listed below, instead of M&G, card or cash. You exchange a Meal Swipe for a complete meal off of our Meal Exchange menu that you can take and eat on the go. Meal Exchange adds to the value and the convenience of your meal plan!

Look for our expanded Meal Exchange menu at each of these locations:

Tempe: MU P.O.D., P.O.D. Warehouse, Tooker House P.O.D., GLV P.O.D., GLV P.O.D. Deli, Subway @ Hassayampa, TLC at Tooker, Einsteins at Armstrong Hall

Downtown: P.O.D. Market, Flip Kitchen, Gordon Commons Deli, City Café Deli

West Campus: P.O.D. Market, Qdoba

Polytechnic Campus: P.O.D. Market, Subway

What is a Guest Meal?

The Traditional Unlimited and Sparky's Favorite (Weekly 14) plans, as well as the Barrett Unlimited and Platinum (Weekly 14) meal plans have guest meals. Guest meals are allotted per semester, however they are deducted from the overall weekly meal total. On your receipt, you will see the meals allotted for the week plus the semester guest meals. The guest meals are the individual meal plan holder’s meals, but may be used for a guest if desired. If the guest meals are not used, the meal plan holder uses those meals for him/herself as part of their weekly total.

The Unlimited and Barrett Unlimited meal plans have 48 guest meals per semester.

The Sparky's Favorite and Barrett Platinum meal plans have 32 guest meals per semester.

Depending on the dining plan you select, there are options for guest meals. Guest meals allow you to pay for your friend or family member with your meal plan. You can also treat a friend using your M&G Dollars, Cash or Credit/Debit Cards.

How can I check my M&G balance?

The balance is printed on the receipt each time you make a M&G purchase. Check your account with a cashier at any time, e-mail us at sundevildining@asu.edu or check your ASU app.

Can I get a refund on my already purchased meal plan?

All purchases are final. You may not cancel / refund your dining plan purchase unless you officially withdraw from Arizona State University, with University documentation.

If a University Housing student officially withdraws from Arizona State University, refunds will be issued utilizing a prorated amount based on the following criteria: M&G dollars are prorated based on service days. Students are billed for the prorated dollars that are available to them on their M&G card. Meal Charges are prorated based on service days that the plan was available to the student. This is based on a daily charge (total cost of the meal plan divided by number of service days), multiplied by the number of days the plan was available.

If a student that purchases a meal plan from Sun Devil Hospitality officially withdraws from Arizona State University, refunds will be issued based on the following criteria: The current balance of M&G dollars will be refunded. Meal Charges are prorated based on service days that the plan was available to the student. This is based on a daily charge (total cost of the meal plan divided by number of service days), multiplied by the number of days the plan was available.

How do I change my meal plan?

Dining plan changes for University Housing Resident students are accepted up through the first week of the Fall and Spring semesters. If you need to change your dining plan, please submit your change through the MyASU Housing Portal Online

When changes are made, a prorated billing will be applied. *M&G dollars are prorated based on service days. Students are billed for the prorated dollars that are available to them on their M&G card. *Meal Charges are prorated based on service days that the plan was available to the student. This is based on a daily charge (total cost of the meal plan divided by number of service days), multiplied by the number of days the plan was available.


All voluntary Express Pass Meal Plans and additional M&G Dollars purchased from Sun Devil Hospitality (Campus Dining Office or SunDevilHospitality.asu.edu) are final at the time of purchase.

How can I add more M&G or meals to my card?

You can add M&G or meals to your card at any time by visiting SunDevilHospitality.asu.edu. You can also fax 480.727.0008 or mail your order form with payment to: SUN DEVIL HOSPITALITY at ASU, 1290 S. Normal Ave., Memorial Union #138, Tempe, AZ 85287-0801

What are Maroon and Gold Dollars?

Maroon and Gold Dollars (M&G Dollars) are declining balance dollars placed on your ASU ID that work like a debit card to be used at any Sun Devil Hospitality locations across all four campuses. They are dollar for dollar and are tax-free. M&G Dollars are included in majority of meal plans but can be purchased separately starting at $25.

When bought separately or with an Express Dining Pass, they will roll over from semester to semester until graduation.

There's a Bonus Reward Program that gifts you more M&G Dollars based on the amount purchased: $100 - $200 will receive 5%, $201 - $300 will receive 10%, $301 - $400 will receive 15% and $401+ will receive 20%! The Bonus M&G will be automatically placed onto your ASU ID. To purchase, visit the Maroon and Gold Dollars under the Meal Plans tab.

Important Dates for Dining Plans

First day to use the Fall 2024 Semester M&G, Meal Exchange, and Meals inside the Dining Halls

First day of Fall 2024 Semester

Aug. 28, 2024
at 5 p.m.

Last day to accept Fall 2024 Meal Plan Changes for Mandatory Resident Students. No exceptions – no meal plans will be changed after this date.

Fall Break; Limited Open Dining Locations and Hours; Meal Swipes and Meal Exchange not available

Nov. 28-Dec 2, 2024

Thanksgiving Break. Limited Open Dining Locations and Hours; Meal Swipes and Meal Exchange not available

Fall 2024 Semester Classes End

Lunch is the last Meal Served in the Dining Halls; Meal Swipes and Meal Exchange not available during Winter Break

First Day to use the Spring 2025 Semester M&G, Meal Exchange and Meals inside the Dining Halls

First Day of Spring 2024 Semester

Jan. 20, 2025
at 5 p.m.

Last day to accept Spring 2025 Meal Plan Changes for Mandatory Resident Students. No exceptions. No changes accepted after 5 p.m. on this date.

Spring Break; Limited Open Dining Locations and Hours; Meal Swipes and Meal Exchange not available

Spring 2025 Classes End

Last Meal Served in the Dining Halls - Lunch; Meal Swipes and Meal Exchange not available during Summer Break

*Dates Subject to Change