MEAL PLANS & FAQs
College life can be challenging, but dining should be effortless. That's why all students living on campus are required to participate in a meal plan.
At Lafayette College, dining is integral to the residential college experience and plays an important role in helping students make connections, form communities, and learn from their food and consumption.
As part of the College’s Connected Communities Program, Lafayette Dining Services provides more than nutritious and appetizing food. The College’s residential dining program, spread across seven different cafés and dining halls, provides social gathering places, opportunities to refuel, and out-of-the-classroom experiences where students are taught about “food service for a sustainable future.”
Lafayette Dining Services works to provide students with a variety of appealing, convenient, and healthy dining options for all palates, dietary restrictions, and allergy sensitivities. Lafayette Dining supports small, local farms in order to offer our campus community incredibly fresh food, made from scratch. That means no processed or canned foods, homemade dressing, and sauces, including soups and stocks. Accomplishing this is a mouthful indeed, but the bottom line is that staff strive to cook delicious food that’s good for students, the animals, the workers, the community, and the Earth — because they’re all connected.
All students are required to have at least the minimum qualifying meal plan for their class year. Meal Plans can be increased above the minimum qualifying plan by logging into MyHousing by Adirondack Solutions, Inc. using your Lafayette ID and password. Full descriptions and fees for the Meal Plans can be found on the Finance & Administration website.
For Faculty & Staff, please click here for more information on meal plans and full descriptions.
2026-2027 Meal Plan Options
plan options
Select a meal plan to view more details.
First Year
21 Meal Swipes per week
+ $200 Meal Points per semester
21 meal swipes (all-you-care-to-eat or idealMEAL) per week plus $200 meal points to use for guest meals, retail locations and our market.
Required Plan for all residential First Years and Sophomores, also available to all Junior, Seniors and Commuters.
$3,495 per semester
Sophomore
21 Meal Swipes per week
+ $200 Meal Points per semester
21 meal swipes (all-you-care-to-eat or idealMEAL) per week plus $200 meal points to use for guest meals, retail locations and our market.
Required Plan for all residential First Years and Sophomores, also available to all Junior, Seniors and Commuters.
$3,495 per semester
14 Meal Swipes per week
+ $200 Meal Points per semester
14 meal swipes (all-you-care-to-eat or idealMEAL) per week plus $200 meal points to use for guest meals, retail locations and our market.
Available to all Juniors, Seniors & Commuters. 2025-26 Rising Sophomores may also purchase this plan this year.
$3,095 per semester
Junior
21 Meal Swipes per week
+ $200 Meal Points per semester
21 meal swipes (all-you-care-to-eat or idealMEAL) per week plus $200 meal points to use for guest meals, retail locations and our market.
Required Plan for all residential First Years and Sophomores, also available to all Junior, Seniors and Commuters.
$3,495 per semester
14 Meal Swipes per week
+ $200 Meal Points per semester
14 meal swipes (all-you-care-to-eat or idealMEAL) per week plus $200 meal points to use for guest meals, retail locations and our market.
Available to all Juniors, Seniors & Commuters. 2025-26 Rising Sophomores may also purchase this plan this year.
$3,095 per semester
100 Meal Swipes per semester
+ $400 Meal Points per semester
Students can swipe for 100 meals (all-you-care-to-eat or idealMEAL) per semester, with no restrictions.
Available to all Juniors, Seniors & Commuters.
$1,795 per semester
Juniors: $1,300 Meal Points ($1,300 per semester)
Students are given $1,300 meal points to spend at all dining location on campus. This is great for students who do not have a lot of time to eat in the dining facilities and plan to use points for quick lunches or snacks. This student might only eat one meal a day on campus. This student might also want to cook in their room and purchase groceries from Iggy's Market or Bowman Market. Seniors can also purchase this plan.
Senior
21 Meal Swipes per week
+ $200 Meal Points per semester
21 meal swipes (all-you-care-to-eat or idealMEAL) per week plus $200 meal points to use for guest meals, retail locations and our market.
Required Plan for all residential First Years and Sophomores, also available to all Junior, Seniors and Commuters.
$3,495 per semester
14 Meal Swipes per week
+ $200 Meal Points per semester
14 meal swipes (all-you-care-to-eat or idealMEAL) per week plus $200 meal points to use for guest meals, retail locations and our market.
Available to all Juniors, Seniors & Commuters. 2025-26 Rising Sophomores may also purchase this plan this year.
$3,095 per semester
100 Meal Swipes per semester
+ $400 Meal Points per semester
Students can swipe for 100 meals (all-you-care-to-eat or idealMEAL) per semester, with no restrictions.
Available to all Juniors, Seniors & Commuters.
$1,795 per semester
Seniors: $1,000 Meal Points ($1,000 per semester)
Students are given $1,000 meal points to spend at all dining location on campus. This is great for students who are off-campus for internships or only on campus long enough to grab a snack or lunch a few times a week. This student might also want to cook in their room and purchase groceries from Iggy's Market or Bowman Market.
Commuter
Commuters and students living off-campus are not required to participate in the meal plan, but they do have the option to choose a meal plan. Commuters can choose from any of the meal plans listed above.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQ Section Header
Where can meal swipes be used?
Students can use their meal swipes for an all-you-care-to-eat meal at either Marquis or Upper Farinon dining halls. Swipes can also be used as at many of our retail dining locations for one of the 'Meal Exchange' combo options.
What is Meal Exchange?
Our Meal Exchange program offers students the flexibility of using their meal plan swipes at our retail locations for added convenience and variety. Each location features Meal Exchange combo meals, usually comprised of an entree, side, and beverage.
What if I don't use all my swipes in a week?
Meals are intended to fuel students throughout each week and do not carry forward from week to week or semester to semester.
Can I treat a friend or family member to a meal?
Each student meal plan includes a number of Guest Meals that can be used to bring family or friends into one of our all-you-care-to-eat dining halls. Unused guest meals do not carry over from semester to semester.
What are Pard Dollars?
Pard Dollars, which function like debit dollars loaded to your Lafayette ID card, and are great for snacks, drinks, and retail purchases not covered by a Meal Exchange swipe.
There are two types of Pard Dollars:
Meal Plan Pard Dollars: These are included with your meal plan each semester. Unused meal plan Pard Dollars expire at the end of each semester.
Additional Pard Dollars: You can load additional Pard Dollars to your account at any time throughout the semester to make all those coffee and snack purchases quick and easy. These Pard Dollars will rollover from semester-to-semester and year-to-year until you graduate. These funds are also available during college break periods and over the summer.
Additional Pard Dollars can be added to the account online via the Lafayette eAccounts portal. Students and their benefactors can add Pard Dollars through this service.
What is ReusePass?
ReusePass is a program that lets diners check out and return reusable to-go containers, reducing resource consumption and diverting single-use containers from landfills.
ReusePass makes checking out a reusable container as easy as checking out a library book! Each ReusePass user and container have a unique QR code. When you’re checking out a container, dining operators will scan your ReusePass QR and the container QR code, which starts your rental window. Like library books, all containers have a due date. Use your mobile number to access your ReusePass account, keep track of your containers, see return bin locations, and celebrate your positive planetary impact!
How do I join ReusePass?
1. Sign Up: Go to reusepass.com to create your free account
2. Rent: Use your ReusePass QR to check out reusable containers, the cashier will also need to scan your Lafayette issued ID card.
Tip: add your ReusePass QR code to Apple Wallet or screenshot for easy
access
3. Enjoy: Enjoy your waste-free meal and return your container within 3 days.
Can I join ReusePass if I don't have a U.S. or Canadian phone number?
Yes! You can now sign up for ReusePass through WhatsApp. Sign up here and choose your campus, then click on the flag icon to select the applicable country for your phone number and follow the outlined steps.
Make sure you have a WhatsApp account, the WhatsApp app is up to date, you have agreed to the latest WhatsApp terms of service, and the number in your WhatsApp account matches the number you are using to sign up for the ReusePass program. Email reusepass@topanga.io if you have any questions!
How do I check-out reusable containers?
When in person, You’ll need to request a reusable container from a cashier and you will be asked to show your ReusePass QR code and Lafayette issued ID before you can get your meal to-go.
⭐️ Pro Tip: Add your ReusePass to your mobile wallet so it’s always easy to find!
Where and how do I return a container?
1. Remove any remaining food from your container
2. Place your empty container into the return bin located near the dish carousel or cashier's kiosk at these
participating locations:
Marquis Dining Hall or Upper Farinon Dining Hall
3. That’s it! After you return your container our dining team scans, washes, and
sanitizes your container so it can be used again and again. Your ReusePass
account will update to reflect your return within 24-48 hours.
🌟 Pro Tip: You can see container due dates and find ReusePass return bin locations by navigating to your ReusePass account and clicking on “see return locations” in the top right corner.
How long can I keep my container?
Containers are due back 3 days after check-out, but we recommend returning them as soon as you're done so they can get sanitized and recirculated in the ReusePass ecosystem!
If you forget to return a container by the due date, we'll send you a late text reminding you to return the container ASAP to avoid a failed container rental. Once a container is marked as late, you'll have 48 hours to return it before the rental window closes.
On Campus Residents Plans
Plan A
21 Meal Swipes per week
+ $200 Meal Points per semester
21 meal swipes (all-you-care-to-eat or idealMEAL) per week plus $200 meal points to use for guest meals, retail locations and our market.
Required Plan for all residential First Years and Sophomores, also available to all Junior, Seniors and Commuters.
$3,495 per semester
Plan B
21 Meal Swipes per week
+ $200 Meal Points per semester
21 meal swipes (all-you-care-to-eat or idealMEAL) per week plus $200 meal points to use for guest meals, retail locations and our market.
Required Plan for all residential First Years and Sophomores, also available to all Junior, Seniors and Commuters.
$3,495 per semester
14 Meal Swipes per week
+ $200 Meal Points per semester
14 meal swipes (all-you-care-to-eat or idealMEAL) per week plus $200 meal points to use for guest meals, retail locations and our market.
Available to all Juniors, Seniors & Commuters. 2025-26 Rising Sophomores may also purchase this plan this year.
$3,095 per semester
Commuter Plans
Plan A
21 Meal Swipes per week
+ $200 Meal Points per semester
21 meal swipes (all-you-care-to-eat or idealMEAL) per week plus $200 meal points to use for guest meals, retail locations and our market.
Required Plan for all residential First Years and Sophomores, also available to all Junior, Seniors and Commuters.
$3,495 per semester
Plan B
21 Meal Swipes per week
+ $200 Meal Points per semester
21 meal swipes (all-you-care-to-eat or idealMEAL) per week plus $200 meal points to use for guest meals, retail locations and our market.
Required Plan for all residential First Years and Sophomores, also available to all Junior, Seniors and Commuters.
$3,495 per semester
14 Meal Swipes per week
+ $200 Meal Points per semester
14 meal swipes (all-you-care-to-eat or idealMEAL) per week plus $200 meal points to use for guest meals, retail locations and our market.
Available to all Juniors, Seniors & Commuters. 2025-26 Rising Sophomores may also purchase this plan this year.
$3,095 per semester
Staff Dining Services
Our staff members are an essential part of the Loyola community. Enjoy a variety of dining options, from quick lunches to catered events, designed just for you.