Meal Plans | Dining Services

Students eat gelato in the Abel Dining Center

First-year Student Meal Plans

Dining Service meal plans are flexible by design. All students have access to the Herbie 25 Add-on.

The Big Red 18/200 has 18 weekly meal plan swipes that can be used at any dining center; at any Herbie's Market as a meal exchange; or at the Selleck Food Court and Husker Heroes as a meal exchange via the Transact mobile ordering app. Students can use their NCard, or the mobile app if applicable, to scan up to a total of two (2) times per meal period.

This meal plan also has $100 for the semester in Dining Dollars which can be used at any dining center, Husker Heroes, or Herbie's Market, as well as specified Nebraska Union food vendors via the Transact mobile ordering app.

Eligibility	Meals Included	Guests, Limits & Lockouts	Dining Dollars & Unused Meal Swipes	Plan Price
First-year students living on campus. Returning students. Students living off campus. Students living in a sorority or fraternity.	18 meals per week $100 Dining Dollars for the semester	Up to two (2) meal plan swipes allowed per meal period. Only one (1) swipe can be used in a Herbie's Market per meal period in the form of a meal exchange. Students who use their 18 weekly meal plan swipes are prevented from eating elsewhere until their swipes reload on Sunday morning.	Dining Dollars expire at the end of the spring semester. No refunds. Unused weekly scans do not carry over from week to week. No refunds.	$2,386.80 for Spring 2023

The Platinum 14/600 has 14 weekly meal plan swipes that can be used at any dining center; at any Herbie's Market as a meal exchange; or at the Selleck Food Court and Husker Heroes as a meal exchange via the Transact mobile ordering app. Students can use their NCard, or the mobile app if applicable, to scan up to a total of two (2) times per meal period.

This meal plan also has $300 for the semester in Dining Dollars which can be used at any dining center, Husker Heroes, or Herbie's Market, as well as specified Nebraska Union foodvendors via the Transact mobile ordering app.

Eligibility	Meals Included	Guests, Limits & Lockouts	Dining Dollars & Unused Meal Swipes	Plan Price
First-year students living on campus. Returning students. Students living off campus. Students living in a sorority or fraternity.	14 meals per week $300 Dining Dollars for the semester	Up to two (2) meal plan swipes allowed per meal period. Only one (1) swipe can be used in a Herbie's Market per meal period in the form of a meal exchange. Students who use their 14 weekly meal plan swipes are prevented from eating elsewhere until their swipes reload on Sunday morning.	Dining Dollars expire at the end of the spring semester. No refunds. Unused weekly scans do not carry over from week to week. No refunds.	$2,386.80 for Spring 2023

The Diamond 12/1000 has 12 weekly meal plan that can be used at any dining center; at any Herbie's Market as a meal exchange; or at the Selleck Food Court and Husker Heroes as a meal exchange via the Transact mobile ordering app. Students can use their NCard, or the mobile app if applicable, to scan up to a total of two (2) times per meal period.

This meal plan also has $500 for the semester in Dining Dollars which can be used at any dining center, Husker Heroes, or Herbie's Market, as well as specified Nebraska Union food vendors via the Transact mobile ordering app.

Eligibility	Meals Included	Guests, Limits & Lockouts	Dining Dollars & Unused Meal Swipes	Plan Price
First-year students living on campus. Returning students. Students living off campus. Students living in a sorority or fraternity.	12 meals per week $500 Dining Dollars for the semester	Up to two (2) meal plan swipes allowed per meal period. Only one (1) swipe can be used in a Herbie's Market per meal period in the form of a meal exchange. Students who use their 12 weekly meal plan swipes are prevented from eating elsewhere until their swipes reload on Sunday morning.	Dining Dollars expire at the end of the spring semester. No refunds. Unused weekly scans do not carry over from week to week. No refunds.	$2,386.80 for Spring 2023

The Sapphire 10/1400 has 10 weekly meal plan swipes that can be used at any dining center; at any Herbie's Market as a meal exchange; or at the Selleck Food Court and Husker Heroes as a meal exchange via the Transact mobile ordering app. Students can use their NCard, or the mobile app if applicable, to scan up to a total of two (2) times per meal period.

This meal plan also has $700 for the semester in Dining Dollars which can be used at any dining center, Husker Heroes, or Herbie's Market, as well as specified Nebraska Union food vendors via the Transact mobile ordering app.

Eligibility	Meals Included	Guests, Limits & Lockouts	Dining Dollars & Unused Meal Swipes	Plan Price
First-year students living on campus. Returning students. Students living off campus. Students living in a sorority or fraternity.	10 meals per week $700 Dining Dollars for the semester	Up to two (2) meal plan swipes allowed per meal period. Only one (1) swipe can be used in a Herbie's Market per meal period in the form of a meal exchange. Students who use their 10 weekly meal plan swipes are prevented from eating elsewhere until their swipes reload on Sunday morning.	Dining Dollars expire at the end of the spring semester. No refunds. Unused weekly scans do not carry over from week to week. No refunds.	$2,386.80 for Spring 2023

Returning Student Meal Plans

Returning students can also select any first-year student meal plan. All students have access to the Herbie 25 Add-on.

The Gold 250/1200 plan features 125 meals for the semester which can be used at any dining center; at any Herbie's Market as a meal exchange; or at the Selleck Food Court and Husker Heroes as a meal exchange via the Transact mobile ordering app. Students can use their NCard, or the mobile app if applicable, to scan up to a total of five (5) times per meal period and can use their meal plan swipes in any combination at any dining center, Husker Heroes, or Herbie's Market location.

This meal plan also has $600 for the semester in Dining Dollars which can be used at any dining center, Husker Heroes, or Herbie's Market, as well as specified Nebraska Union food vendors via the Transact mobile ordering app.

Eligibility	Meals Included	Guests, Limits & Lockouts	Dining Dollars & Unused Meal Swipes	Plan Price
Returning students. Students living off campus. Students living in a sorority or fraternity.	125 meals for the semester $600 Dining Dollars for the semester	Up to five (5) meal plan swipes allowed per meal period. Only one (1) swipe can be used in a Herbie's Market per meal period in the form of a meal exchange. Students who use their five (5) meal plan swipes are prevented from eating elsewhere during the same meal period.	Dining Dollars and unused meal swipes expire at the end of the spring semester. No refunds.	$1,820.50 for Spring 2023

The Silver 150/1000 plan features 75 meals for the semester which can be used at any dining center; at any Herbie's Market as a meal exchange; or at the Selleck Food Court and Husker Heroes as a meal exchange via the Transact mobile ordering app. Students can use their NCard, or the mobile app if applicable, to scan up to a total of five (5) times per meal period and can use their meal plan swipes in any combination at any dining center, Husker Heroes, or Herbie's Market location.

Eligibility	Meals Included	Guests, Limits & Lockouts	Dining Dollars & Unused Meal Swipes	Plan Price
Returning students. Students living off campus. Students living in a sorority or fraternity.	75 meals for the semester $500 Dining Dollars for the semester	Up to five (5) meal plan swipes allowed per meal period. Only one (1) swipe can be used in a Herbie's Market per meal period in the form of a meal exchange. Students who use their five (5) meal plan swipes are prevented from eating elsewhere during the same meal period.	Dining Dollars and unused meal swipes expire at the end of the spring semester. No refunds.	$1,300.50 for Spring 2023

The Bronze 100/550 plan features 50 meals for the semester which can be used at any dining center; at any Herbie's Market as a meal exchange; or at the Selleck Food Court and Husker Heroes as a meal exchange via the Transact mobile ordering app. Students can use their NCard, or the mobile app if applicable, to scan up to a total of five (5) times per meal period and can use their meal plan swipes in any combination at any dining center, Husker Heroes, or Herbie's Market location.

This meal plan also has $275 for the semester in Dining Dollars which can be used at any dining center, Husker Heroes, or Herbie's Market, as well as specified Nebraska Union food vendors via the Transact mobile ordering app.

Eligibility	Meals Included	Guests, Limits & Lockouts	Dining Dollars & Unused Meal Swipes	Plan Price
Returning students. Students living off campus. Students living in a sorority or fraternity.	50 meals for the semester $275 Dining Dollars for the semester	Up to five (5) meal plan swipes allowed per meal period. Only one (1) swipe can be used in a Herbie's Market per meal period in the form of a meal exchange. Students who use their five (5) meal plan swipes are prevented from eating elsewhere during the same meal period.	Dining Dollars and unused meal swipes expire at the end of the spring semester. No refunds.	$785.50 for Spring 2023

Herbie 25 Add-on packs can be purchased by any student with a meal plan.

Herbie 25 Add-on packs can be purchased by any student who has purchased a Big Red 18/200, Platinum 14/600, Diamond 12/1000, Sapphire 10/1400, Gold 250/1200, Silver 150/1000 or Bronze 100/550 meal plan.

Eligibility	Meals Included	Guests, Limits & Lockouts	Dining Dollars & Unused Meal Swipes	Plan Price
Any student with a meal plan. Any student living with University Housing.	25 meal plan swipes	Multiple packs can be purchased. Students who use their five (5) meal plan swipes are prevented from eating elsewhere during the same meal period.	Unused meal swipes expire at the end of the spring semester. No refunds.	$270.00

Meal Plan FAQs

Important dates for Fall 2022/Spring 2023 meal plans.
August 15, 2022 Fall 2022 meal plans begin. December 17, 2022 thru January 17, 2023 No meal swipes can be used for the Big Red 18/200, Platinum 14/600, Diamond 12/1000, and Sapphire 10/1400 meal plans. This is due to the fact that there is limited service during this time and these meal plans are not charged for those dates. Students are still able to use their Dining Dollars during this timeframe. January 18, 2023 Spring 2023 meal plans begin. May 20, 2023 All academic year meal plans end at 2 p.m.
Am I eligible for a meal plan?
Students must be enrolled in at least one (1) credit hour to be eligible for a meal plan.
Can I purchase a meal plan if I don't live on campus?
Yes, you are able to purchase a meal-only plan via the Housing portal on MyRED. A $100.00 contract processing fee will be assessed.
Where can you use meal plan swipes?
Meal plan swipes can be used in any dining center. In addition, you can use a meal plan swipe in Husker Heroes or Herbie's Market in the form of a meal exchange. Meal plan swipes cannot be used at any Nebraska Union food vendor.
What is a meal exchange and what is its value?
A meal exchange is a meal plan swipe used somewhere other than the dining center. Meal exchanges have a $9 value and are accepted at Husker Heroes and Herbie's Markets.
What are Dining Dollars and how do they work?
Dining Dollars are an addition to meal plans that give students the flexibility to purchase food items. Students present their NCard at the Market register, and the total of the food items purchased counts toward your Dining Dollars.
What’s the difference between Dining Dollars and meal plan swipes?
Dining Dollars can be used in any Herbie’s Market on campus. Swipes are used in the dining centers and count toward your meals per week balance.
Where can you use Dining Dollars?
Dining Dollars are accepted in any of the Herbie’s Markets on campus (Cather, Abel, Knoll, Village and East Campus) as well as any dining center or Husker Heroes location. You can also use your Dining Dollars at any Nebraska Union food vendor (excluding Imperial Palace) via the mobile ordering app. Nebraska Union food vendors include Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, Steak 'n Shake, Subway and Valentino's.
Can I reload my Dining Dollars?
$100 Dining Dollar reload blocks can be added to any meal plan and can be purchased be any student living with University Housing. Multiple Dining Dollars reload blocks can be purchased. Reload Dining Dollars in the Housing Portal in MyRed.
Can I change my meal plan?
Students have until the sixth day of class (census day) of each semester to change their semester meal plan. For example, if classes begin on a Monday for the semester, students would have until the following Monday (sixth day of class) to change their meal plan. After this date, students will be unable to make changes to their current semester meal plan. First-year students will only be able to view and select options for which they are eligible.
Is there a cost associated with changing my meal plan?
Big Red 18/200, Platinum 14/600, Diamond 12/1000 and Sapphire 10/1400 plans bill swipes by a nightly rate + semester dining dollars. These plans are “pro-rated” meaning you will pay the daily rate + Dining Dollars used for the number of days you have the plan. Gold 250/1200, Silver 150/1000 and Bronze 100/550 plans are “block” plans, this means you are paying for a set number (block) of meals and a set number (block) of Dining Dollars. Block plans are not pro-rated, you are charged the whole cost of the plan at the time you purchase the plan. Occasionally, and depending on prior plan usage, moving from a pro-rated plan to a block plan may cost more than the original plan.
Can I cancel my meal plan?
Meal plans are required unless the student is residing off campus or in an apartment-style unit in Courtyards, Village or Massengale. All first-year students are required to have a meal plan. Students will be assessed a $150.00 cancellation fee once the meal plan has begun.
Do meals reset? If yes, when?
Big Red 18/200, Platinum 14/600, Diamond 12/1000 and Sapphire 10/1400 meal plans Meals reset each Sunday. Meals do not carry over from week to week. Gold 250/1200, Silver 150/1000 and Bronze 100/550 meal plans Meals will carry over to the spring semester but must be used by the end of the contract. No refund will be given in the last 30 days of the contract.
Do Dining Dollars reset? If yes, when?
The Dining Dollars balance is for the semester. Unused Dining Dollars carry over from the fall semester to spring semester but must be used by the end of the contract. No refund will be given in the last 30 days of the contract.
If I leave school at the end of the fall semester, do I get a refund?
Students leaving at the end of the fall semester will not be refunded for meals or Dining Dollars if within the last 30 days of the fall semester.
What are the meal periods?
Meal periods are as follows: Breakfast 6:45–10:30 a.m. Lunch 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Dinner 4:30–8:30 p.m. Late Night 8:30–11 p.m. NOTE: Meal periods do not directly correlate to when all dining service locations are open. View hours of service for various dining locations on the Dining Hours & Locations webpage.

Compare Plans

Looking to compare plans at a glance? Take a look at the chart below which highlights some of the major differences between our meal plan options.

Spring 2023 Meal Plan Information
	Big Red 18/200	Platinum 14/600	Diamond 12/1000	Sapphire 10/1400	Gold 250/1200	Silver 150/1000	Bronze 100/550	Herbie 25 Add-on
All first-year students living on campus
All returning students
All students living off campus
Any student living in a sorority or fraternity
Meals break down	18 meals per week	14 meals per week	12 meals per week	10 meals per week	125 meals for the semester	75 meals for the semester	50 meals for the semester	25 meals per pack
Meals break down	18 meals per week	14 meals per week	12 meals per week	10 meals per week	Expire end of spring semester. No refunds.
Dining Dollars	$100 for the semester	$300 for the semester	$500 for the semester	$700 for the semester	$600 for the semester	$500 for the semester	$275 for the semester
Dining Dollars	Expire end of spring semester. No refunds.
Dining Dollars Reload	$100 Dining Dollar reload blocks can be added to any meal plan. Multiple Dining Dollar reload blocks can be purchased.
Guests, Limits & Lockouts	Up to two (2) meal plan swipes per meal period.				Up to five (5) meal plan swipes per meal period.
	Swipes can be used in any combination at any dining center, Husker Heroes, or Herbie's Market location.
	Students who use their allotted weekly meal plan swipes can use their Dining Dollars until their swipes reload on Sunday morning.				Students who use their five (5) meal plan swipes are prevented from eating elsewhere during the same meal period unless they use their Dining Dollars.			Multiple packs can be purchased.
Price for Spring 2023	$2,386.80	$2,386.80	$2,386.80	$2,386.80	$1,820.50	$1,300.50	$785.50	$270.00