BYU Meal Plans: A Deep Dive into Your Dining Options
Hey everyone! If you're heading to Brigham Young University, one of the big things you've probably been thinking about is food. Let's be honest, college life is fueled by late-night study snacks & quick meals between classes. BYU's dining system can seem a little complicated at first glance, with all the different plans & options. But don't worry, I've dug into the details to give you the inside scoop on how it all works.
As someone who's spent a LOT of time figuring out the best ways to navigate campus life, I'm here to break down the BYU meal plans for you. We'll look at the different options, who they're best for, & what real students are saying about them.
The Lowdown on BYU's Dining System
First off, let's talk about "Dining Dollars." This is the currency of the BYU meal plan world. Think of it like a debit card just for food on campus. One Dining Dollar is equal to one US dollar. The awesome part? When you use Dining Dollars, your purchases at any BYU Dining Services spot are tax-free. That's a pretty sweet deal that adds up over a semester.
You can use Dining Dollars all over campus, from the big dining halls to the smaller cafes & even vending machines. So, whether you're grabbing a full meal at the Cannon Commons or a quick snack at the Library Café, you're covered.
One of the BEST things about these plans is that for most of them, your leftover Dining Dollars roll over from one semester to the next, as long as you have a current meal plan contract. So, if you don't use them all up in the fall, they'll be waiting for you in the winter. The only exception to this is the EZ Dining plan, which we'll get to later.
Mandatory Plans for On-Campus Residents
If you're living in Helaman Halls, you're required to have a meal plan. It makes sense, since the dorms there don't have kitchens. You have to choose from one of the "Helaman Approved" plans, which are the Dining Plus, Open Door, or 19+ Meal Plan.
Let's break down what each of these offers.
The Dining Plus Plan: The Crowd Favorite
This seems to be the most popular & recommended plan, especially for freshmen in Helaman Halls. Here's how it works: you get a daily allowance of 15 Dining Dollars. For the 2024-2025 academic year, this plan costs $2,645 per semester.
Here's a quick rundown of the highlights:
- Daily Roll-Over: If you don't spend all 15 of your Dining Dollars in one day, the rest rolls over to the next day. This keeps happening until your contract ends.
- BIG Discounts at the Cannon Commons: This is a HUGE perk. With the Dining Plus plan, you get a significant discount at the Cannon Commons, the main cafeteria-style dining hall for Helaman residents. For example, a meal that would normally cost $10-$15 is only $5 for breakfast, lunch, & dinner, & $10 for Sunday dinner.
- Flexibility: You can use your Dining Dollars anywhere on campus, not just at the Cannon Commons. This gives you the freedom to eat at the Cougareat, the Creamery, or any of the other dining locations.
A student on Reddit put it this way: "DINING PLUS!! Everyone who got Open Door regrets it. Dining dollars pile up so fast, so you're never really in shortage, and can eat lunch in the wilk or library for lunch, or get groceries at the creamery to have cereal and yogurt for a fast breakfast in the dorm." This sentiment is echoed by many others, who love the flexibility & the way the dollars can accumulate.
The Open Door Plan: All-You-Can-Eat at the Cannon
The Open Door plan is pretty different. Instead of a daily dollar amount, you get unlimited access to the Cannon Commons. It also comes with a small amount of Dining Dollars ($135-$200 per semester) to use at other locations.
Here's the breakdown:
- Unlimited Cannon Commons: If you think you'll be eating most of your meals at the Cannon Commons & want the freedom to go in as many times as you want, this could be for you.
- Less Flexibility: The big downside is the limited amount of Dining Dollars for other places. Students say that the $135-$200 doesn't go as far as you'd think.
- The "Freshman Hill" Hike: A common complaint is that you're tied to the Cannon Commons, which means a lot of walking up & down the hill from the main campus.
One student on Reddit warned, "If you have Open Door you're stuck constantly hiking up and down freshman hill to get to the CANC, which gets old after a while."
The 19+ Meal Plan: For the Older Crowd
As the name suggests, this plan is designed for students who are 19 or older. It's another Helaman-approved option. While the BYU Dining website lists it as a choice, the detailed information available focuses more on the Dining Plus & Open Door plans. It's likely a plan with a different structure of Dining Dollars, tailored to students who might not be on campus as much as a typical freshman. If you're over 19 & living in Helaman, it's worth contacting the Meal Plan Office to get the specifics.
Plans for Off-Campus & Upperclassmen
What if you're not living in Helaman Halls? You still have some great options.
The True Blue Dining Plan
This plan is great for students living in apartments or off-campus who still want the convenience of eating on campus sometimes. It provides a set amount of Dining Dollars for the semester, & you can choose a plan that fits your budget & eating habits. It's a straightforward way to get the tax-free benefits & not have to carry cash.
The EZ Dining Plan
The EZ Dining plan is the most flexible of all. You can buy Dining Dollars in smaller amounts, & it's not tied to a semester-long contract. This is perfect if you just want to have some funds available for the occasional on-campus meal or snack. The key thing to remember about EZ Dining is that the funds do NOT roll over. You have to use them by the end of your agreement.
A Quick Comparison
| Meal Plan | How it Works | Best For | Cost (2024-2025) |
|---|
| Dining Plus | 15 Dining Dollars per day, daily rollover, big discounts at Cannon Commons | Helaman residents, especially freshmen | $2,645/semester |
| Open Door | Unlimited access to Cannon Commons, small amount of Dining Dollars for other locations | Students who plan to eat almost exclusively at the Cannon Commons | Contact Dining Services for current pricing |
| 19+ Meal Plan | A Helaman-approved option for students 19 & older | Older students in Helaman Halls | Contact Dining Services for current pricing |
| True Blue Dining | A set amount of Dining Dollars for the semester | Off-campus students & upperclassmen | Varies based on the plan you choose |
| EZ Dining | Buy Dining Dollars in flexible amounts, no long-term contract | Students who only eat on campus occasionally | Varies based on how much you buy |
Making the Right Choice for You
So, how do you pick the right plan? Here are a few things to consider:
- Where are you living? If you're in Helaman, your choices are narrowed down for you. But even then, you have to decide between the flexibility of Dining Plus & the all-you-can-eat nature of Open Door.
- What are your eating habits? Are you a three-meals-a-day person, or do you prefer to snack? Do you like to cook for yourself? Your answers to these questions will help you figure out how many Dining Dollars you really need.
- How much time will you spend on campus? If you have a lot of classes back-to-back, having a meal plan can be a lifesaver. You won't have to go all the way home for lunch.
For students living off-campus, finding a good parking spot can be just as important as figuring out your meal situation. It's a real hassle to drive to campus & then spend ages hunting for a place to park. This is where a service like Prked can be a game-changer. It's a pretty cool platform that connects people who have extra driveway or garage space with drivers who need a place to park. You can find affordable & convenient parking near campus, which can save you a ton of time & stress.
What About Storage?
On a related note, if you're moving to Provo from out of state or just need some extra space, finding affordable storage can be a challenge. Dorm rooms & apartments aren't always the most spacious. Prked also offers a solution for this. You can find people in the community who are renting out their empty garages, basements, or attics for storage. It's often way cheaper & more convenient than a traditional storage unit.
The Bottom Line
Choosing a meal plan is a big decision, but hopefully, this breakdown makes it a little easier. The general consensus from students seems to be that the Dining Plus plan offers the best value & flexibility, especially for those living in Helaman Halls. But at the end of the day, the best plan is the one that fits your lifestyle & budget.
I'd recommend talking to current students, thinking about your own habits, & not being afraid to reach out to the BYU Dining Services office with any questions. They're there to help!
Hope this was helpful, & good luck with your decision! Let me know what you think in the comments.
