What are Dining Dollars?
Dining dollars are prepaid funds on a student’s ID card. They can be used for food purchases at certain dining locations, including convenience stores, food trucks, and some off-campus restaurants.
What is a Meal Plan?
A meal plan is a prepaid program that gives students access to meals at campus dining locations. Using a Meal Swipe, plans include a set number of meals per week or semester, with the added bonus of additional dining dollars for snacks and other purchases.
Who is required to have a meal plan?
The University of Alabama is committed to providing its students with a comprehensive educational experience. The University has determined that for most students, on-campus dining has numerous educational, social, and dietary benefits. In recognition of the value of the living-learning experience, The University of Alabama requires students living in on-campus housing to participate in the Residential On-Campus Meal Plan during the Fall and Spring semesters.
Where can I use a Meal Swipe? Can a Meal Swipe be used on the Mobile App?
Meal Swipes can be used at either of the university's two dining halls, as well as 5 retail locations on campus. Those retail locations are Mary B's, Julia's Market, the deli at Presidential Terrace, the Blenz at Presidential Terrace, and the upcoming location, Social Bites. A Meal swipe can be used on mobile for all 5 retail locations, just select the meal plan item and proceed to checkout selecting Meal Swipe as your tender.
How much does the Dining Hall Buffet cost?
As of Fall 2025, Resident Dining Hall buffets are priced at:
Breakfast Buffet – 8.93
Lunch Buffet – 14.18
Dinner Buffet – 15.23
What is a VIP Membership?
A VIP Meal Membership gives students the ultimate dining experience at The University of Alabama. It is an add-on students can attach to their meal plan to give them more dinning options across our most popular locations on campus. Each VIP Swipe gives a student a complete meal including an entree, side and beverage.
Students can order a meal plan via myBama.
Note, the All Access plan comes with one VIP Swipe a day, and the Essential plan comes with 25 Swipes to be used accross the semester.
Where can I use a VIP Swipe? Can a VIP Swipe be used on the Mobile App?
VIP Swipes can be used at several of our residential locations including both The Student Center's and Stewart's Corner's Chick-Fil-A, Raising Canes, Julia's Market (Mobile Ordering Only), Presidential Terrace, Panda Express, Mary B’s Market (Mobile Order Only), Choolaah, both The Student Center’s and Alston Hall’s Subway, Dunkin’, and Pizza Hut Express.
To use a VIP Swipe on the Mobile App, select a VIP meal, and proceed to checkout, selecting VIP Swipe as your tender.
What is a Guest Swipe and how do I use it?
Guest swipes are 10 swipes on the All-Access plan that can be used to bring a guest with you into one of our two dining halls. To use it, just tell the cashier that you would like to use a guest swipe for the person with you.
Can I change my meal plan if I join a sorority or fraternity?
At the University of Alabama, students living in on-campus housing are required to participate in the Residential On-Campus Meal Plan. However, for those joining on-campus organizations such as fraternities or sororities with mandatory meal plans offering a minimum of 10 meals per week, there is an alternative option: the Essential Plan. This plan includes 55 Block Meals and 25 Retail Meals per semester, offering flexibility for students who also dine within their organization. Your Organization is responsible for sending for coordinating
How can I upgrade my meal plan?
To upgrade your meal plan, you can email Mealplans@bamadining.com. In your email please include your student I.D., as well as what plan you would like to upgrade to.
When can I start using my meal plan?
Please refer to Bama Dining's Terms and Conditions page to learn when our dining halls are opening each semester.
Why does the Mobile App say I have "unlimited" meal swipes?
When the app says "unlimited", it means how many meal swipes a student is able to use in one day, not how many meal swipes are remaining on the student's account. To see how many meal swipes are left in your account, change your balance usage from "this week" to "this year".
What does sustainability mean to Bama Dining?
At Bama Dining, sustainability means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. It’s about balancing economic, environmental, and social practices to protect and enhance the resources we all depend on. For us, this includes everything from supporting local food systems and composting programs to providing foam-free dining halls and promoting refillable tumblers.