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Dining Plans

At the George Washington University, our meal plans give our students access to our dining partner network consisting of more than 105+ food and grocery locations, easily accessible on campus or closeby in the surrounding neighborhoods.

With options ranging from table service to delivery and dining partners ranging from food trucks to regional cuisines and grocery stores, you’ll have easy access to food that meets your tastes and needs. Designed to accommodate the busiest of schedules, you can eat when and where it's the most convenient. One size does not fit all when it comes to food preferences. Our open plan offers variety and freedom of choice to meet student's dietary preferences, including vegan, vegetarian, nut-free, kosher, Halal, gluten-free options and more.

Our students can take advantage of Meal Deals, promotions and specials available at select GWorld dining partner locations. GW's dining plan can also be used to purchase groceries and snacks so you can cook and prepare meals for yourself or with friends.

Dining Plan Requirements

2021-22 Dining Plan Assignments

Undergraduate students living in GW residence halls will be assigned a Dining Plan based upon the availability of a kitchen in a student's housing assignment.  All undergraduate students living in GW residence halls are required to participate in the Dining Plan.  

2021-22 Academic Year Dining Cash Plan Rates: 

  • Residents Without a Kitchen: $5,038 Dining Cash ($2,519 per semester) 
  • Residents With a Kitchen: $3,234 ($1,617 per semester) 
  • Pelham Plan: $5,200 ($2,600 per semester), includes 8 meal swipes per week at Mount Vernon Campus Pelham Commons or meal exchanges at Higher Grounds cafe and $1,620 in Declining Balance per semester.

2020-21 Academic Year Dining Cash Plan Rates:

  • Residents Without a Kitchen: $4,891 Dining Cash ($2,445.50 per semester) 
  • Residents With a Kitchen: $3,140 ($1,570 per semester)

GW Dining Plan values represent average amount of Dining Cash needed by students for the academic year. Dining funds roll over from semester-to-semester and year-to-year.  

Students are encouraged to select the higher rate meal plan if they are concerned that they will not have enough dining cash or if they would prefer to dine more outside of their room during the year. Dining Plan changes must be made by the student on line through Housing E-Services within the first 2 weeks of the semester.

Commuter students and student's not living in GW residence halls still have the option of enrolling in a dining plan. Students can add funds at their discretion via the GET App. Students can also enroll in a formal dining plan (one listed above) by visiting the GWorld Office. 

Dining plan funds are known as Dining Cash, and Dining Cash can be used at over 105+ grocery stores, restaurants, fast-casual locations and food trucks. Any unused funds roll over from semester to semester and year to year. Having a remaining balance does not decrease the amount of the Dining plan that will be deposited next semester.  Additional funds can also be added at any time through the GET App or by visiting the GWorld Office. 

Meal Planning    Deals & Discounts   GW Dining Fact Sheet (pdf)

 

Managing Your Dining Plan 

The GW Dining plan is a declining-balance account. Purchases are made with a swipe of your GWorld Card using Dining Cash. Colonial Cash is a voluntary option and is accepted at all dining locations as well as at partner retail stores, vending machines, laundry machines and more. You can either manage your account online or through the dining-dedicated GET app, which can also be used to find dining locations, check account balances and add Dining or Colonial Cash funds. In addition, of the GW Mobile App under the Dining tab, you can see the budget breakdown of your Dining Cash. The app automatically suggests a daily and weekly spending allowance based on Dining Cash remaining.  

Dining Cash is used as the primary funds for a meal plan. For example, the first-year dining program adds $2,300 per semester in Dining Cash to a student’s account at the start of the fall and spring semesters. Read below for more details.

  • Requirement: Dining Cash plans are required (per the GW Undergraduate Housing License Agreement) for all undergraduate resident students and are the primary funds for GW’s dining plan. Dining plans are billed to the Student Account each semester along with housing and tuition charges. 
  • Plan Levels: Dining Plans are assigned based on whether or not the student lives in a residence with or without a kitchen. Students may purchase a dining plan of higher value, but they can not purchase a less expensive plan. All dining plan changes must be made in person at the GWorld Office within the first 2 weeks of each semester.
  • Deposits: Dining Cash plans are deposited in full at the start of fall and spring semester. Dining Cash is a declining balance account that will count down based on each purchase made. Additional deposits can be made any time during the year. 
  • Permitted Purchases: Dining Cash can be used to purchase food at over 105 Dining partners. These partner locations include restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores, vending machines and Mount Vernon on campus dining venues. 
  • Restricted Purchases: Dining Cash cannot be used to make purchases at non-dining GWorld merchants such as the GW Bookstore, the Colonial Health Center, and salons. Students can add Colonial Cash to make purchases at these GWorld service and retail merchants. Colonial Cash and Dining Cash may not be used to purchase alcohol, tobacco, or gift cards. GWorld funds can not be used to pay your Student Account (tuition bill).
  • Printing & Laundry Purchases: Dining Cash may be used for campus printing and residence hall laundry facility purchases when a student does not have Colonial Cash available.
  • Remaining Balances: Any unused funds left over at the end of term roll over from semester to semester and year to year. Having a remaining balance does not decrease the amount of the Dining plan that will be deposited next semester. 
  • Refunds: Dining Cash is non-refundable and non-transferrable. Per the GW Undergraduate Housing License Agreement, students waive the right to a refund for any unused GWorld funds while they are a student at GW. Students who withdraw from their housing assignments within the first 4 weeks of the semester (check the GW Undergraduate Housing License Agreement for specific dates) may be eligible for a prorated housing refund and a refund of unused Dining Cash. Any refund amount will not exceed the Dining Cash Plan assigned for the given semester. Students are not eligible for refunds of GWorld monies left over from previous semesters under any circumstances. 
  • Expiration: Colonial Cash and Dining Cash will not expire unless your account remains inactive (no deposits or charges) for a consecutive 36 month period.
  • Online Account Management: Via GET, an online system and mobile app, students can log on to check their balance, view their transactions, make deposits, make mobile orders from select GWorld merchants, and report their lost card.
  • Savings Opportunities: Students can use Dining Cash to take advantage of meal deals, promotions, specials and discounts available through their dining plans at GWorld locations.
  • Social Media: Follow @GWDining on Twitter, follow @GWDining on Instagram and like us GW Dining on Facebook to stay up to date on Dining partners and specials.

  • Colonial Cash is a voluntary account that can be used in addition to Dining Cash.  
  • It can be used at all GWorld merchant locations, including dining and grocery partners as well as with on-campus and off-campus retail partners, like the campus bookstore, or for services like parking, laundry and printing

Please visit our complete FAQ page to see all the most frequently asked questions about dining at George Washington University.