Clarifying Statement Regarding Barnard Meal Plans for 2026 - 2027
Barnard's meal plans are designed to ensure that students have access to healthy and abundant food that fits their budget and lifestyle. We will continue working with students throughout the academic year to ensure that our meal plan offerings evolve to best-fit students' needs.
Dining Services
For information about dining locations, hours, etc, please visit Barnard Dining Services.
Meal Plan Change Form & Deadlines
Students are enrolled in default Barnard meal plans each semester based on their class year or residential status. They may switch to a different Barnard meal plan (as permitted by the Meal Plan requirements below) via the Meal Plan Change Form through the deadlines below:
- Fall Semester -- August 31, 2026
- Spring Semester -- January 11, 2027
Meal plans cannot be adjusted after the dates above. Students who wish to change from the default enrolled plan must submit the Meal Plan Change Form each semester.
The Platinum, Flex 150, and Flex 125 meal plans each provide access to at least 1 meal per day. For students who intend to select other meal plans, we strongly encourage you to carefully consider your meal needs for the semester ahead, taking into account all aspects of your budget and capacity to source and secure food outside of on-campus dining. We expect students to plan proactively and realistically to meet their unique and individual needs. While the College provides advising for students struggling with food insecurity through Access Barnard, funding for meal swipes through the Supplemental Academic Support Application (SASA) is extremely limited and not a solution for those who have elected into lower meal plans. SASA requests for meal swipes may not be considered prior to December 1, 2026, for the Fall 2026 semester and April 19, 2027, for the Spring 2027 semester.
Meal Plan Requirements
- First-Year students living in campus housing are required to enroll in the Platinum Plan (regardless of which residence hall they are assigned to).
- Upperclass students living in floors 2-8 of the Quad are enrolled by default in the Platinum Meal Plan and required to enroll, at minimum, in the Flex 150 Plan.
- Students in the Visiting International Student Program (VISP) are enrolled by default in the Platinum Plan. Based on the specifics of the exchange program with their university, they may be able to switch to a less comprehensive meal plan.
- All other residential students are enrolled by default in the Flex 125 Plan but may switch to a different Barnard meal plan via the Meal Plan Change Form (see above for deadlines and more information).
- Non-residential students (including non-residential First-Years) are enrolled by default in the Flex 125 Plan but may switch to a different Barnard meal plan via the Meal Plan Change Form (see above for deadlines and more information).
Adding Additional Meals & Points
Students can add meals swipes anytime throughout the year in increments of 5, 10, or 20. Students can also add points in increments of $25 at BC Dining Services or add a full meal plan at the Bursar's Office.
Columbia Students
Columbia students must complete a meal contract (see Forms & Links) each term. Additionally, Columbia students are required to submit full payment with their dining contracts. If paying by check, complete the CU Dining Contract, and mail the payment to Barnard Bursar, 3009 Broadway, New York, NY 10027-6598. Otherwise, complete the CU Dining Contract and remit your payment online through the CU Payment Portal.
Meals Plans FAQ
Yes, all enrolled full-time students not participating in an approved study abroad program must be enrolled in a Barnard meal plan.
Please see Meal Plan Requirements above for the requirements based on class year and/or residential status.
- Log into https://ssol.columbia.edu (you will need to use your UNI and Columbia password to log in)
- Click “Cardholder Transaction” under Columbia Card to view your meal plan usage.
- f you experience an account lockout, please email your name and UNI ID to dining@barnard.edu.
Note: meal plan balances are only available during the semester (not available before the semester begins).
Residential upperclass students living outside floors 2-8 of the Quad and non-residential students are enrolled by default in the Flex 125 plan.
Students may choose a different meal plan by following the instructions / deadlines above (see Meal Plan Change Form & Deadlines).
Any unused meals are forfeited at the end of each semester.
Barnard students can swipe in guests for meals up to the total value of the meal plan.
In addition, Barnard students can add meals throughout the year in increments of 5 and 10, and 20 and points in increments of $25 as needed through Chartwells.
Barnard students may use their meal plan swipes at the locations listed under the next section (What dining locations may Barnard students use?).
Meal Plan Points are included with meal plans. These points are "dollars" that are part of your meal plan and can be used like cash at any dining location at Barnard (points cannot to be used on the Columbia campus as part of the meal exchange).
You may use these points to purchase à la carte meals and snacks. Barnard's Meal Plan Points carry over from the Fall semester to the Spring semester if you remain enrolled in a Barnard meal plan in the Spring. However, Meal Plan Points remaining in your account at the end of the academic year are forfeited.
Students are able to use their Barnard meal plans at the locations listed below:
- Hewitt Dining Hall (entrance in lower level of Barnard Hall) -- meal swipes & points
- Diana Center Cafe (Diana 2nd floor) -- meal swipes and points
- Liz's Place (Diana lobby) -- points only
- Bubble Tea and Sushi Spot (Milstein lobby) -- points only
Students may also use meal swipes (but not points) at the following locations on the Columbia campus as part of the BC/CU Meal Exchange:
- John Jay
- Ferris-Booth
- JJ’s Place
- Faculty House
Yes. Barnard students can use their meal swipes for guests in Barnard dining facilities. The only limit to the number of swipes a student can use for a guest is the total amount of meals in a student’s particular plan.
The amount of financial aid we provide is matched to a student’s financial need.
- The financial aid budget for residential first-year students and upperclass students living in floors 2-8 of the Quad who receive aid includes a direct allocation for the Platinum Plan.
- All other residential and non-residential students' financial aid packages include an allocation to cover the Flex 125 Plan.
If a student enrolls into a lower meal plan, the funds intended to cover the higher plan are not lost; they will be applied to other outstanding charges on the student’s bill.
If students have any questions regarding their financial aid award, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@barnard.edu.
We welcome student input and make every effort to incorporate suggestions from students into our dining plans.
Stay tuned for more information at the beginning of the school year. In the meantime, if you have any questions, suggestions, or comments on the dining plans, please reach out to dining@barnard.edu.