A simple comparison of Liberty vs. Independence meal plan
Independence vs. Liberty
Use the following calculation to help you decide the best matching meal plan combo.
For the student who values community and convenience: unlimited dining hall access to fuel up and connect, plus retail dollars for coffee and snacks anywhere on campus.
First-year students living on campus are required to select an Independence Plan.¹ Sophomores living without a full kitchen in their living space are required to select an Independence Plan.
If no option is selected, the default is Independence 100.
Unlimited Swipes
$100-$500 Dining Dollars
2 Meal Exchange Daily
For the student living a hybrid campus life: essential swipes for your busy days, plus flexible dining dollars for variety and choice on late nights and weekends.
14 Swipes Weekly
$635 Dining Dollars
2 Meal Exhange Daily
For the student living a hybrid campus life: essential swipes for your busy days, plus flexible dining dollars for variety and choice on late nights and weekends.
9 Swipes Weekly
$1,440 Dining Dollars
2 Meal Exchange Daily
¹ Residential meal plan requirements are based on earned credit hours and whether a student lives with or without a full kitchen. Students with < 30 earned credit hours are required to have an Independence Meal Plan, with or without a full kitchen. Students without a full kitchen who have 30–59 earned credit hours are required to have an Independence Meal Plan, and those with 60 or more earned credit hours may choose an Independence or Liberty Plan. Students living with a full kitchen who have 30 or more earned credit hours may choose an Independence, Liberty, Patriot, or Dining Dollar Plan. If a required plan is not selected, students will be enrolled in Independence 100 by default. Students who become eligible to change their plan may contact the Mason Card Office ([email protected]).
² Disclaimer: This calculation is based on an average student’s consumption of 3 meals per day over the course of the 15-week til the end of the semester. Individual eating habits and preferences may vary.
How to Use Your
Your Independence or Liberty plan comes with meal swipes that can be used at diverse all-you-care-to-eat dining halls.
All meal plans include a specific dollar amount of dining dollars for you to grab afternoon snacks, late-night bites, and on-the-go breakfast at on-campus retail restaurants, convenience stores, dining halls, The Eaterie, and with Starship deliveries.
Your Independence or Liberty meal plan includes 2 daily meal swipes for takeout at The Eaterie. Look for the dedicated swipe-eligible items at each station. It’s an easy way to use your swipes instead of dining dollars or cash.
More than just a meal plan, you are also simplifying your daily routine with less stress around food and more time on things that are important to you.
Free On-Campus Dietitian Services
24/7 Dining Hall Access
Special Social and Dining Events
A Built-In Community
30+ Dining Options
Local-Sourced Ingredients
Freshly-Made Meals Daily
Use Dining Dollars for Starship Pickup or Delivery
Wait, there's more
George Mason University has become the first Spokin Verified College, setting a new standard for food allergy and celiac safety in higher education campus dining. We are also ranked #1 in Spokin’s Top 100 Food Allergy-Friendly Colleges!
Unused dining dollars will automatically roll over from fall to spring.
Last day of using dining dollars: May 16, 2026
Save 10% sales tax when use dining dollars at retail restaurants ordering your favorite meals and snacks, including Starship pickup and deliveries!
Tap your Mason Mobile ID or plastic Mason ID card to use your meal swipes and dining dollars.
Get easy access to nutrition info. Track calories, protein, and more to make smarter, balanced choices built into your meal plan online or through the DineOnCampus app.
Can I use a meal swipe at any campus dining location?
Not exactly. Meal swipes (for both Independence and Liberty plans) are primarily for our all-you-care-to-eat dining halls. Our retail locations (such as Starbucks, Blaze Pizza, Panera, or Ace Sushi) typically accept Dining Dollars or credit/debit cards.
You can also use up to 2 meal swipes at The Eaterie daily to grab quick bites and takeouts from a variety of food stations, including a Kosher-certified kitchen.
What are the $100+ Dining Dollars used for?
All Independence meal plans start with $100 in Dining Dollars, which can be used at our retail locations, such as Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, Dunkin’, etc. You can also use them to deliver on Starship.
Dining Dollars $100 is the default selection for Independence plans and will be assigned if no amount is specified. Dining Dollars options are $100, $200, $350, and $500.
Using Dining Dollars at campus retail locations is a great way to save 10% on sales tax.
With an Unlimited plan, can I literally swipe in 10 times a day?
Technically, yes, there’s no daily limit. However, our dining halls are designed for full meals. To ensure all students have a great experience, we use a re-swipe time interval (15-20 minutes). This means you can swipe for a meal, grab a forgotten item, or come back for a later meal, but not for immediate, continuous re-entry.
If I have the Liberty 14 or Liberty 9 plan, what happens to my unused weekly swipes?
They do not roll over. Your weekly swipes reset every Monday. This is designed to help you build a routine. Any unused swipes from that week are forfeited, so we encourage you to use them. Your Dining Dollars, however, carry forward from fall to spring semester (but expire at the end of the academic year).
What are the benefits of dining dollars? Where can they be used?
All meal plans have a set amount of dining dollars, and users can add additional dining dollars during the semester. Dining dollars are tax-exempt, so you save 10% by spending with them versus a credit or debit card. They can be used at any dining hall or on-campus retail dining location, including Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, The Halal Guys, Chipotle, Dunkin’, Blaze Pizza, and more!
Is there a menu available online for what is being served on that day?
Yes! Visit the Mason Dining website to see the menus for the upcoming days with information including:
What if I have dietary restrictions or allergies?
Our dining halls are equipped to handle this! We clearly label all our food and have dedicated stations: “Delicious Without” for the top 9 allergens or gluten-friendly foods, and “AG Zone” for items that are certified gluten-free or made without gluten-containing ingredients. We strongly encourage you to meet with our campus dietitian during your first few weeks. They can give you a personal tour and show you how to navigate the halls safely and deliciously.
What is the price for the dining halls without the meal plans?
The dining hall at-door price is listed below:
Breakfast – $11.00
Lunch – $12.50
Dinner – $13.50
With a meal plan, you can save up to 20% per meal cost, depending on the meal plan options.
Can I change my meal plan after the semester starts?
Yes! We have a meal plan change period during the first two weeks of each semester. If you find the Independence plan is too much or the Liberty Plan isn’t enough, you can easily switch to a different tier and pay for the cost difference between the plans. After that period, changes are limited to meal plan upgrades or additional dining dollars.
When is the meal plan payment due?
For currently enrolled students, meal plans are available for purchase and can be used immediately during the semester. Meal plans are billed to the student account and can be viewed through the Student Account Portal. Payments can be made in the student account portal within two to three business days.
Incoming students will receive the meal plan billing in July (starting in fall) or in January (starting in spring) and can be viewed through the Student Account Portal. Payments can be made in the student account portal within two to three business days.
Payment plans are available in up to 4 monthly installments, with a $30 setup fee and no interest.
Can I use my meal swipe to treat a friend?
Yes! With both plans, you can use a swipe to bring a guest into the dining hall. On a Liberty plan, this would simply use one of your weekly allotted swipes. On an Independence plan, you can use your guest swipes after your own meal.
What if I'm worried about affording a meal plan?
We understand that budgeting for college can be a challenge. To make things easier, the university offers a convenient payment plan that allows you to spread the cost of your meal plan over the semester.
Payment plans are available in up to 4 monthly installments, with a $30 setup fee and no interest.