Dining Plans and Pricing

2024–25 Student Meal Plans

The deadline to make changes to your meal plan is Sept. 5 at midnight.

Individual meal plan options are determined by class standing and housing status.

First-year students are required to participate in the unlimited meal plan (meal plan 1) for the full academic year. Returning students have other options, based on housing status.

Returning students living in residence halls, Cowles Apartments, and designated co-ops may choose between plans 1 or 2.

All other students who reside in designated theme houses, language houses, Renfrow Hall, or Grinnell House and those who live off-campus may choose between plans 1, 2, or 3.

Meals and dining dollars are non-transferable and reset at the end of each semester.

To submit your dining plan request, log in to the Residence Life and Housing (StarRez) Portal and make your selection.

Meal Plan 1: Unlimited Meals Plus

You have access to unlimited meals served in the Marketplace dining hall. This plan also gives you $100 per semester in dining dollars to spend at The Spencer Grill, Global Café, or Marketplace. You may also have up to five meals per week at The Spencer Grill when the Marketplace is closed. Five guest meals are included. This is the most economical meal plan choice.

Cost: $4,483 per semester.

Meal Plan 2: Any 14 Meals Plus

Select any 14 of the 21 meals served in the Marketplace each week. This plan also gives you $200 per semester in dining dollars to spend at The Spencer Grill, Global Café, or Marketplace. You may also use up to five meals per week at The Spencer Grill when the Marketplace is closed. Five guest meals are included.

Cost: $4,157 per semester.

Meal Plan 3: 100 Meals per Semester

You may select any 100 meals per semester. This plan also gives you $100 per semester in dining dollars to spend at The Spencer Grill, Global Cafe, or Marketplace. You may also use up to five meals per week at The Spencer Grill when the Marketplace is closed. Five guest meals are included.

Cost: $1,851 per semester.

2025–26 Student Meal Plans

Meal Plan 1

Unlimited meals
$200 dining dollars/year ($100/semester)
Five replacement meals/week at The Spencer Grill or Global Café when Marketplace is closed

Five guest meals/semester (10/year)

Required for all first-year resident students and available to all students.

$9,236/year

Meal Plan 2

14 meals/week
$400 dining dollars/year ($200/semester)
Five replacement meals/week at The Spencer Grill or Global Café when Marketplace is closed
Five guest meals/semester (10/year)

Available to second-, third- and fourth-year resident and non-resident students.

Second-, third- and fourth-year students living in residence halls must choose either Plan 1 or 2.

$8,564/year

Meal Plan 3

100 meals/semester (200/year)
$200 dining dollars/year ($100/semester)
Five replacement meals/week at The Spencer Grill or Global Café when Marketplace is closed
Five guest meals/semester (10/year)

Not available to on-campus students.

Mandatory for all Renfrow Hall, theme house, language house, and off-campus students in non-college housing if not choosing Plan 1 or 2.

$3,813/year

Dining Dollars and Guest Meals

You may add dining dollars to any meal plan throughout the semester in increments of $100 or $250. These funds expire at the end of each semester and are non-transferrable.

To add dining dollars to your account, email Meal Plans with your Pioneer One-Card ID number and the amount you would like to add. Your student account will be billed for these funds.

Use the guest passes to feed friends, family, or even your favorite professor.

Meals-2-Go

With Meals-2-Go, grab one of our reusable containers, pick what you want from the Marketplace, and take it with you. Containers are microwave, refrigerator, and dishwasher safe. Just return the empty container when you’re done. For details, see Meals-2-Go on GrinnellShare.

Learn More

Learn more about our Dining Services.