2026-27 Meal Plans
Meal plans at Nebraska are convenient, flexible, and designed to fit every taste and schedule. Whether you’re an early riser grabbing breakfast before class or someone who prefers late-night dining, there’s a plan that works for you.
All students living on campus are required to have a meal plan, except those in apartment-style spaces. However, meal plans are available to all UNL students, whether you live on or off campus.
Nebraska offers three meal plan types, with a total of nine meal plans to choose from. Each type combines different amounts of meal swipes and dining dollars to fit your lifestyle, dining habits, and budget.
Peruse this webpage to explore the 2026–27 meal plan offerings, learn how each plan works, and find the one that’s right for you.
Types of Meal Plans
Weekly Meal Plans
There are five weekly plans. These plans provide a set number of meal swipes to use each week, as well as an allotment of dining dollars for the semester. The first number represents meal swipes and the second number represents Dining Dollars.
Unlimited Meal Plans
There is one unlimited plan. This meal plan can only be used at All-You-Care-To-Enjoy (AYCTE) dining facilities, located at Cather, Harper, and the Nebraska East Union.
Unlimited AYCTEBlock Meal Plans
There are three block plans. These plans provide a set number of meal swipes to use throughout the semester, as well as an allotment of dining dollars for the semester. The first number represents meal swipes and the second number represents Dining Dollars. First year students living on campus are not eligible for Block Meal Plans.
Meal Plan Terminology
Meal Swipes
- Every meal plan includes meal swipes as the foundation. Meal swipes are used in All-You-Care-To-Enjoy (AYCTE) Dining Centers, where one swipe is equal to one entry into the dining center. Students with a meal plan scan their NCard to enter the Dining Center, where they can enjoy all they care to eat.
- Meal swipes can be used at: Cather Dining Center, Harper Dining Center, and Nebraska East Union Dining Center
| Type of Meal Plan | Ability to Use Meal Swipes? |
| Weekly Meal Plans | Yes - A weekly allocation of swipes are provided on Sunday. Swipes retire Saturday night and reload on Sunday for the following week. |
| Unlimited Meal Plans | Yes - Unlimited plans provide multiple meal swipes for each meal period offered, allowing the meal plan holder to come and go from AYCTE Dining Centers. |
| Block Meal Plans | Yes - A semesterly allocation of swipes are provided at the start of the term. Swipes retire at the end of the academic year with a valid meal plan for the duration. |
Swipe Equivalency
- To provide enhanced flexibility, meal swipes can also be used outside of All-You-Care-To-Enjoy dining centers at a value of $11.25 per swipe. When you use your meal swipe outside of AYCTE dining centers, you are using swipe equivalency.
- Swipe equivalency can be used at: Mobile-First Dining Center options like Selleck and Abel, Husker Heroes, University-operated Food Trucks, Nebraska Union food court vendors*, and Kiewit Café*.
- Pro Tip: Make the most of your swipe! Swipe equivalency purchases don’t provide change, so try to use the full $11.25 value. If your total is over $11.25, cover the rest with Dining Dollars, another swipe equivalency (if available), NCard charge, credit card, or cash.
| Type of Meal Plan | Ability to Use Swipe Equivalency? |
| Weekly Meal Plans | Yes |
| Unlimited Meal Plans | No |
| Block Meal Plans | Yes |
* - Available after 1PM
Dining Dollars
- Think of Dining Dollars like money on a debit card, a declining balance account where one Dining Dollar = one US dollar. Dining Dollars provide increased utility and allow you to pay for the actual price of an item.
- Dining Dollars can be used for food and beverage purchases at most dining locations and retail operations on campus. See the full list.
- Getting low on Dining Dollars? You can always reload Dining Dollars to your meal plan on the Housing Portal.
- Pro Tip: While Dining Dollars can be used at virtually all dining locations on campus, we recommend using Dining Dollars for snacks and beverages, rather than for full meals. Use your meal swipes for meals – use your Dining Dollars for the extras at Herbie’s Market, Tazza, and Starbucks.
| Type of Meal Plan | Ability to Use Dining Dollars? |
| Weekly Meal Plans | Yes – the amount of Dining Dollars vary by meal plan |
| Unlimited Meal Plans | No – Dining Dollars are not included in Unlimited meal plans |
| Block Meal Plans | Yes – the amount of Dining Dollars vary by meal plan |