Focus on what matters—study, work, relax, or self-care—while enjoying quick campus meals and extra savings.¹
No Grocery Shopping. No Meal Prepping. No Cleaning Dirty Dishes.
$210+Dining Dollars
15
Dining Dollars
Choice of $100, $200, $350, $500
Best for Eating
1-2x Weekly
$310+Dining Dollars
25
Dining Dollars
Choice of $100, $200, $350, $500
Best for Eating
1-2x Weekly
$580+Dining Dollars
55
Dining Dollars
Choice of $100, $200, $350, $500
Best for Eating
3-4x Weekly
$845+Dining Dollars
85
Dining Dollars
Choice of $100, $200, $350, $500
Best for Eating
5x Weekly
Starting at $350
Freedom
Dining Dollars
Choice of $350, $500, $750, $1000, $1500, $2000
Best for Students
Flexible Eaters with Variety
$3145
9 or 14
Dining Dollars
$1440 or $635
Best for Students
Enjoy AYCE or Retail Options
Starting at $3145
Unlimited
Dining Dollars
Choice of $100, $200, $350, $500
Best for Students
Eat Most Meals on Campus
Fall 2026 & Spring 2027
Without a Meal Plan, you pay the following rates at the dining hall:
Take a short quiz to find the best matching options just for you!
¹ Off-campus students can choose from all meal plans, including Independence, Liberty, Dining Dollar, and Patriot plans. Most students go with Patriot plans for the extra savings.
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.
Patriot plans come with meal swipes that can be used at diverse all-you-care-to-eat dining halls and The Eaterie.
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, and The Eaterie.
Use dining dollars and meal swipes for takeout at The Eaterie. Look for swipe-eligible items at each station. Enjoy flexible, on-the-go dining with global flavors and quality ingredients.
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
Special Social and Dining Events
Local-Sourced Ingredients
30+ Dining Options
Grab N' Go Options
A Built-In Community
Freshly-Made Meals Daily
24/7 Dining Hall Access
Wait, There's More
Unused dining dollars will automatically roll over from fall to spring.
Last day of using dining dollars: May 15, 2027
Save 10% sales tax when use dining dollars at retail restaurants ordering your favorite meals and snacks or eating at the dining halls!
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.
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 in the top 5 in Spokin’s Top 100 Food Allergy-Friendly Colleges!
Can I use a meal swipe at any campus dining location?
Not exactly. Meal swipes 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 meal plans come with Dining Dollars, which can be used at our retail locations, such as Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, Dunkin’, etc.
Dining Dollars $100 is the default selection for Independence and Patriot 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 Independence 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 dollar-for-dollar, tax-free, so you save 10% when you spend with them instead of 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 – $12.00
Lunch – $13.50
Dinner – $15.00
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! Independence plans include 3 guest swipes to bring a guest into the dining hall. For all other meal plan users, this would simply use one of your meal swipes or pay with your dining dollars.
When you use Dining Dollars at dining halls, you automatically save $2 off the regular door price and avoid the 10% sales tax, helping your money go further with every visit.
What if I'm worried about affording a meal plan?
We understand that budgeting for college can be a challenge. To help students and families manage dining expenses, we encourage the following steps: