Commuter Meal Plans
Commuter Meal Plans are voluntary and will be available for purchase beginning August 1, 2026, in myTCU. Check back over the summer for plan details.
Residential Meal Plans
Returning residential students will be automatically enrolled in the Purple Meal Plan with their Housing Assignment. The Housing Portal for meal plan changes will be open from April 1 to May 1, 2026, and again from August 1 to August 28, 2026, for residential students eligible to select a different plan. Detailed plan information available April 1.
Meal Plan Options
| Plan Name | Plan Highlights | Price per Semester |
| Purple | Unlimited Meal Swipes into Dining Halls,
Dining Dollars for use at campus retail locations
& guest swipes | $3,358.00 |
| Silver | 7 Meal Swipe per week into Dining Halls,
Dining Dollars for use at campus retail locations
& guest swipes | $2,946.00 |
Residential Meal Plan Eligibility
*Residential student years are defined by the number of semesters the student has lived on-campus, regardless of academic credit hours. TCU Housing & Residence Life can confirm your residential year.
- First-year students are automatically enrolled in the required Purple Meal Plan.
- Second-year students are required to have a residential meal plan and are automatically enrolled in the Purple meal plan. A second-year student with an apartment-style room assignment is eligible for the Silver meal plan, which can be selected in the Housing Portal during the selection windows.
- Third-year and fourth-year students assigned to a typical residence hall room are required to have a residential meal plan. These residents are automatically enrolled in the Purple meal plan and are eligible for the Silver meal plan, which can be selected in the Housing Portal during the selection windows.
- Third-year and fourth-year students assigned to an apartment-style room or the Greek Village are not required to have a meal plan. These residents are automatically enrolled in the Purple meal plan, and are eligible for the Silver, or opt out of a meal plan, which can be selected in the Housing Portal during the selection windows.
Meal plans cannot be changed outside the selection windows, and refunds are not given for unused meal plan swipes, exchange swipes, or dining dollars.
Spring Meal Plan Selection
Students with current meal plans will automatically be assigned the same meal plan for Spring 2027.
Eligible students may select/change their Spring Meal Plan from November 2nd to January 22nd. The form in the Housing Portal will close at 5:00 pm.
| Plan | Housing Days | Plan Includes | 2026 Final |
| May Session | May 11-29
19 Days | 15 Meal Swipes per week
(45 total)
$150 Dining Dollars | $587.00 |
| June Session | May 31-July2
33 Days | 15 Meal Swipes per week
(75 total)
$250 Dining Dollars | $1,020.00 |
| July Session | July 5-31
27 Days | 15 Meal Swipes per week
(60 total)
$200 Dining Dollars | $865.00 |
| 1 Week | | 15 Meal Swipes per week
$50 Dining Dollars | $216.00 |
| Commuter Block | | 25 Meal Swipes for the whole summer
$300 Dining Dollars | $575.00 |
TCU employees can enjoy the delicious food in the dining halls by paying at the door or by purchasing a meal plan. Door rates for the 2025-26 academic year: Breakfast $12, Lunch $14, Dinner $16.
For a discounted price, current employees and retirees may purchase an Employee Meal Plan. Swipe or scan your TCU ID to enter one of our Dining Halls and enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner. The plan is purchased using payroll deduction and is non-refundable and non-transferable. Employee meal swipes currently do not expire until separation from employment with the university.
| Plan Options | Price |
| 25 - Swipes | $315.00 |
| 50 - Swipes | $525.00 |
Employee Meal Plan Purchase
Login to your myTCU portal, select My Employee Center, then the Employee Meal Plan tile, and purchase your selected meal plan. Once you purchase your meal plan, your TCU ID will be loaded with your meal plan, and your paycheck will be automatically deducted the price of your plan split over the next 3 months.
Departmental Meal Cards
Departmental Meal Cards are available for TCU business purposes centered around students, such as student programming and/or events, training or a staff member treating students to a meal. Departmental Meal Cards are not to be used for personal employee meal swipes. Departments can request a block of Meal Swipes, and/or Dining Dollars to be paid by departmental transfer. Complete the request form linked below and allow 48 business hours for processing.
Department Meal Cards
Managing your meal plan can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! By understanding the ins and outs of your campus dining options and meal swipe policies, you can enjoy delicious meals, stay on budget, and make decisions that match your schedule and appetite.
Meal Plans are bundled options to provide students the opportunity to explore all TCU Dining has to offer. These plans are purchased each semester through the Housing Portal for residential students, through myTCU for commuter students, and are charged to your TCU Student Account. After purchase, meal plans are loaded onto the student’s TCU ID and are ready to use! Download the GET App to track your meal plan.
Here’s an easy-to-follow guide to help you break down your meal plan and maximize its value.
Meal Plan Breakdown
