Arcadia University provides a range of meal plans for resident and commuter students.
2025-26 Meal Plans
Any Student who resides in a traditional residence hall (Castle, Kistler, Thomas, Dilworth, Heinz, and Knight Halls) are required to have a meal plan and may choose from the following plans*:
- 19 Meal Dining Plan: 19 all-you-care-to-eat meals per week ($3,430 per semester)
- 14 Meal Dining Plan: 14 all-you-care-to-eat meals per week plus $75 in Points ($3,085 per semester )
- 10 Meal Dining Plan: 10 all-you-care-to-eat meals per week plus $50 in Points ($2,830 per semester)
- 5 Meal Dining Plan: 5 all-you-care-to-eat meals per week plus $250 in Points ($1,925 per semester)
- 80 Block Meal Plan: 80 all-you-care-to-eat meals per semester plus $250 in Points ($1,825 per semester)
*First-year students must choose either the 19-Meal Dining Plan or the 14-Meal Dining Plan for the Fall 2024 semester. You can opt to change your Meal Plan in the Spring 2026 semester.
Any student who wishes to change or add a meal plan should email housing@arcadia.edu.
Meal Plans can be added to or increased at any time throughout the semester. Requests for cancellations or reductions in meal plans must be made prior to the end of the first two weeks of the respective semester.
Please Note: Meal plans and points do not rollover from the previous semester. Any points remaining at the end of any semester will be lost if they are not used.
Points
Our experience shows that students tend to spend $225 each semester on coffee and snacks during non-meal times. Meal plans come with Points, so you can avoid worrying about having extra cash on hand. Points add greater flexibility and choices and are ideal for coffee on-the-go, late night snacks, and off-hours meals. Points work just like cash at all of our on-campus locations, helping to increase convenience and satisfaction. PLEASE NOTE: Points do not rollover from the previous semester. Any points remaining at the end of any semester will be lost if they are not used.
Castle Cash
Castle Cash can be used in the same manner as Points and can be added to your ID card at any time in any amount through the GET app. Castle Cash is accepted at all four dining operations, and the balance is yours to withdraw at any time.
Meal Exchange
Available in The Chat and the Global Cafe, meal exchange provides students the opportunity to trade one Dining Hall meal swipe for a retail meal combo of up to three meals per day. Your combo consists of an entrée, side and beverage.
Food Allergies/Sensitivities
If you have an allergy, food sensitivity, or need special medical accommodations, contact a member of our management team, email ma4041@metzcorp.com, or stop by the Dining Hall office. Our general manager or executive chef will review menus with you to find options. Prepared foods and menu signage are also labeled to easily identify potential allergens, including gluten.
Meal Plan FAQs
How many meals a day can I use?
Depending upon your meal plan, you can use up to four meals a day, one each meal period. A meal period consists of one meal in The Chat for Breakfast 7:30–10:30 a.m Monday through Friday; one in the Dining Hall or The Chat for lunch 11 a.m.–4 p.m Monday through Friday; one meal in the Dining Hall or The Chat for Dinner 4–7 p.m. Monday through Friday and one meal in The Chat from 7–10 p.m. Monday through Sunday PLUS one meal in the Dining Hall for Brunch 10:30 a.m–2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; The Chat for Dinner 4–7 p.m. Metz offers new meal combos for meal exchange in The Chat.
Do I have points with my meal plan?
All meal plans have points except the 19 meal plan. The 14 meals a week plan comes with 75 points. The 10 meals a week plan comes with 50 points. The 80 block plan and 5 meal plan each comes with 250 points. These points can be used to purchase a guest meal in the Dining Hall or to use for purchases in The Chat or Easton Hall Café. Additional points can be purchased at the Dining Services Office in the Dining Hall.
Should I purchase additional points?
Students tend to spend $225 each semester on coffee and snacks. Upgrade any meal plan by adding points to avoid worrying about having cash on hand. These optional funds—which work like cash at all of our on-campus locations—add flexibility and choices for off-hours meals. Points can be purchased throughout the semester in any dollar increment. Stop by the Dining Services office, call 215-572-2096, or email ma4041@metzcorp.com.
Can I bring a guest with me to the Dining Hall?
Yes, you may bring a guest to the Dining Hall. You can purchase a meal for your guest using meal plan points, cash, credit, or debit.
Meal tickets can also be ordered through Dining Services in any denomination. Tickets will be printed with your department name, budget number, and numbered individually for tracking. Stop by the Dining Services office, call 215-572-2096, or email ma4041@metzcorp.com to order tickets.
Am I allowed to take out meals?
Through Metz’s ReNew program, you can take out meals in eco-friendly containers that can be purchased at the Dining Hall for $5. If you choose to use a container to take your meal out of the Dining Hall, you must exit the Dining Hall once you have filled your container. Used containers can be brought back to the Dining Hall for cleaning and sanitizing. If you leave a container to be cleaned, you'll receive a clean container to use for your meal or a token to pick up a clean container at the next meal period.
The ReNew program aligns with Metz’s pledge to be environmental stewards of our resources. In addition to ReNew using eco-friendly containers for takeout, the Metz sustainability brochure includes more information about their support of green initiatives.
Can I really eat as much as I want in the Dining Hall?
The Dining Hall is an all-you-care-to-eat location. You may return to any of the stations for more food during a meal period as many times as you want for refills, as long as you’re eating your meal in the Dining Hall. This does not apply to the ReNew takeout option.
