<p>I know that as a transfer if you don’t live in the rooms in the Quad, a meal is not required. However, what if I did want to purchase a meal plan? Would I have to pay for it out of pocket? Or can my financial aid cover that cost?</p>
<p>FA can cover the cost if the FA is enough to cover tuition, meal plan and room and board.</p>
<p>There are many, many very inexpensive places to eat around Barnard and Columbia, and I haven’t heard too many good reviews on the meal plan.</p>
<p>katlyn, did you look at the new meal plan requirements? they’re changing them, effective next year, and I think everyone is required to be on a plan. Financial aid should account for it.</p>
<p>Financial aid covers the cost of a full meal plan for all 4 years, but does not obligate you to keep the plan. Being off the plan was one way in which we maximized the benefit of the financial aid award. </p>
<p>On the other hand, financial aid only covers the cost of a double – if you opt to live in a single, then the difference in cost is on you. Since my d. opted to drop the meal plan & live in a single – she still came out ahead. Of course without a meal plan you still have to eat – but if you prepare most meals for yourself, you will come out way ahead, because the meal plan itself is so overpriced.</p>
<p>Barnard recently announced that as of next year, all students are required to be on some sort of meal plan, so it will probably be covered at least in part by FA.</p>
<p>[Dining</a> Services at Barnard](<a href=“http://www.barnard.edu/dining/]Dining”>http://www.barnard.edu/dining/)</p>
<p>The great thing about Financial Aid at Barnard is that they calculate aid as if you’re buying an unlimited meal plan, which nearly no one (but first-years) does. So no matter what, you come out ahead. Next year, everyone will be required to be on a meal plan, but the lowest is only $300/semester as compared to $2600/semester for the unlimited. Pretty sweet deal.</p>
<p>Do you know if I can swipe in guests with an unlimited plan?</p>
<p>yes, you have a certain number of “guest” passes on the unlimited plan - around 5, i think. beyond that a guest would have to pay…although the people who work in the cafeteria are very friendly and sometimes let it slide ;)</p>
<p>If you don’t live in the Quad, another option for the meal plan is to just purchase “points”. You can use these like money anywhere on campus, whether it’s for meals or coffee or whatever.</p>
<p>But yes, starting next year all students living in Barnard housing will be required to purchase some combination of meals and/or points. I think the minimum is $300’s worth per semester.</p>