Meal Plans
All first-year students and those living in residence halls without kitchens are required to enroll in the Mandatory Residential Meal Plan. Students can choose from three different spending levels based on their dining habits. All students will automatically be enrolled in the Base Plan and will have the option to opt up to the Premium Plan or opt down to the Light Plan听via the Agora Portal under Meal Plan Selection.听
Note:
The meal plan selection deadline for the fall semester was听September 5, 2026. Changes to the meal plan for the spring semester must be made by January 23, 2027.听
Flex Dining Plans
Designed for students living in apartment-style residences, faculty, and staff.
Understanding Your Meal Plan
Unlike other universities with a fixed number of meals per week, Boston College鈥檚 dining program is based on a declining balance system.
This means you start the academic year with a starting balance on your 51茶馆 ID, much like a debit card. You will only get charged for what you purchase.
With a Declining Balance Meal Plan, you have the flexibility of eating what you want and when, with the option of taking food to go when needed.
You can check your balance online on the Agora Portal or at the register.
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Three Plan Levels: Light, Base, and Premium
Designed for different dining habits, students can select from three plan levels鈥�Light, Base, and Premium. Depending on the plan level, each plan includes Mandatory Residential Meal Plan money to be used at qualifying on-campus dining locations. Each plan level also includes Residential Dining Bucks, which can be used at specialty dining locations, mobile ordering, concessions, and vending machines.
All first-year students and those who live in residence halls without kitchens are automatically enrolled in the Base Mandatory Residential Meal Plan. This plan meets most students鈥� dining needs. The Base Mandatory Residential Meal Plan includes听$3,482 in meal plan funds per semester plus $300 in Residential Dining Bucks (approximately $34 per day, seven days a week).听Meal plan funds can be spent at any of the nine qualifying on-campus dining locations during the same academic year they are purchased in.听
The Base Mandatory Residential Meal Plan also includes $300 per semester in Residential Dining Bucks, which provides added flexibility and variety. These funds can be used at specialty dining locations, through Grubhub mobile ordering, concessions, and at vending machines around campus. Mandatory Meal Plan funds and Residential Dining Bucks roll over from first to second semester.听
Students can opt up to the Premium Plan or opt down to the Light Plan starting in mid-June. The meal plan selection deadline for the fall semester is September 5, 2026. Changes to the meal plan for the spring semester must be made by January 23, 2027.
| Base Mandatory Residential Meal Plan | $3,482 |
|---|---|
| Residential Dining Bucks | $300 |
| Total Semester Value | $3,782 |
2026-2027 Academic Year
听
Mandatory Residential Meal Plan funds are accepted at the following locations:听
- Lower Live at Corcoran Commons
- The Loft at Addie's at Corcoran Commons
- Welch Dining Hall at Lyons
- Stuart Hall on Newton Campus
- Cafe 129 on Brighton Campus
- Carney's at McElroy Commons
- Eagle's Nest at McElroy Commons
- Brookline Campus Dining Hall
- Farmers Market听
- Pop-up Culinary Events
The Premium Mandatory Residential Meal Plan is designed for active students who dine on campus most of the time, including on weekends. The Premium Mandatory Residential Meal Plan includes $3,950 in meal plan funds per semester plus $350 in Residential Dining Bucks (approximately $38 per day, seven days a week).听Meal plan funds can be spent at any of the nine qualifying on-campus dining locations during the same academic year they are purchased in.听
The Premium Mandatory Residential Meal Plan also includes $350 per semester in Residential Dining Bucks, which provides added flexibility and variety. These funds can be used at specialty dining locations, through Grubhub mobile ordering, concessions, and at vending machines around campus. Mandatory Meal Plan funds and Residential Dining Bucks roll over from first to second semester.听
Students can opt up to the Premium Plan or opt down to the Light Plan starting in mid-June. The meal plan selection deadline for the fall semester is September 5, 2026. Changes to the meal plan for the spring semester must be made by January 23, 2027.
| Premium Mandatory Residential Meal Plan | $3,950 |
|---|---|
| Residential Dining Bucks | $350 |
| Total Semester Value | $4,300 |
2026-2027 Academic Year
听
The Light Mandatory Residential Meal Plan is designed for students who tend to eat some meals off-campus or in their residence hall. The Light Mandatory Residential Meal Plan includes $3,217 plus $250 in Residential Dining Bucks (approximately $31 per day).听
Meal plan funds can be spent at any of the nine qualifying on-campus dining locations during the same academic year they are purchased in. Residential Dining Bucks can be used at all dining halls, specialty locations, vending machines, concessions, and for Grubhub mobile ordering. Mandatory Meal Plan funds and Residential Dining Bucks roll over from first to second semester.听
Students can opt up to the Premium Plan or opt down to the Light Plan starting in mid-June. The meal plan selection deadline for the fall semester is September 5, 2026. Changes to the meal plan for the spring semester must be made by January 23, 2027.
| Light Mandatory Residential Meal Plan | $3,217 |
|---|---|
| Residential Dining Bucks | $250 |
| Total Semester Value | $3,467 |
2026-2027 Academic Year
The following provides a sample to help you choose and budget your meal plan. This chart provides an estimated cost for students' meals. Nutrient needs and amount of food differ for each person.
Light Plan
- Two meals/day on campus
- Off-campus some weekends and breaks
- Mostly eat off-campus or in residence halls
$3217 + $250 Dining Bucks (~$31/day)
Base Plan
- Two meals/day, plus occasional snacks
- Off campus most weekends听
- Meets most students' needs
$3482 + $300 Dining Bucks (~$34/day)
Premium Plan
- Two/three meals per day, 7 days/week
- On campus most weekends听
- Designed for active students/hearty eaters
$3950 + $350 Dining Bucks (~$38/day)
| Using Your Residential Meal Plan | Meal Plan | Dining Bucks |
|---|---|---|
Lower Live @ Corocran Commons | X | X |
Addies @ Corocran Commons | X | X |
Lyon's Hall | X | X |
Stuart Hall on Newton Campus | X | X |
Caf茅 129 on Brighton Campus | X | X |
Carney Dining Hall @McElroy Commons | X | X |
Eagle's Nest @ McElroy Commons | X | X |
Brookline Campus Dining Hall | X | X |
The Chocolate Bar @ Demoulas Commons | 听 | X |
Hillside Caf茅 @ Maloney Hall | 听 | X |
The Bean Counter @ Fulton Hall | 听 | X |
Legal Grounds on Newton Campus | 听 | X |
CoRo Caf茅 @ McElroy Commons | 听 | X |
The Market @ Corcoran Commons | 听 | X |
Tully Family Caf茅 @ 245 Beacon | 听 | X |
Pop-Up Culinary Events | X | X |
Farmers Market | X | X |
Grubhub Mobile Ordering | 听 | X |
Vending Machines across campus | 听 | X |
Concessions | 听 | X |
Using Your Meal Plan
Eat what, where, how, and when you want, choosing from an expansive menu selection.
Mandatory Residential Meal Plan funds and Residential Dining Bucks roll over from first to second semester.听
Enjoy extended weekends and hours of operation. Plus, all meals are available for take out.
Treat your friends and family to an award-winning meal at one of our dining halls.
Our meal plans help you learn how to budget your time and money.
Check out these additional resources to learn more about your options.
