While most first or second-year students opt for an on-campus meal plan to help with the transition to college, even some third and fourth-year students find that meal plans are a convenient, cost-effective way to plan meals while avoiding the hassle and expense of grocery shopping and cooking.
To help students know what to expect from the meal plan offerings at the University of South Florida, here’s a rundown of everything you need to know about dining options at USF.
What are the meal plan options at USF?
The meal plan options at USF offer a mix of options to pay for dining hall meals and meals at one of the many on-campus restaurants.
The most common plans include a mix of unlimited cafeteria-style meals in the dining halls plus a debit amount that can be used toward food purchases at other food retailers.
The mix of offerings can get confusing, especially for new students, so here’s an overview of the terminology found within the meal plans at the University of South Florida:
- Open Access
- Unlimited swipes in the three dining halls on campus.
- One swipe per day at select food retailers on campus.
- Includes a Dining Dollars balance for use at a non-dining hall food retailer.
- Dining Dollars
- Functions like a prepaid debit account with withdrawals for each meal purchase.
- An account can be reloaded anytime, but most plans include a starting balance.
- Block Plans
- Allow for a set number of meals (32 – 175) per semester in the dining hall.
- The flexible option is for students who don’t plan to eat all their campus meals.
- Requires tracking for meal planning throughout the semester.
USF offers a variety of meal plan options allowing students to pay for dining hall meals or meals at one of the many on-campus restaurants.
How much are meal plans at the University of South Florida?
The cost of a meal plan at the University of South Florida ranges from $620 to $2,275 per semester, depending on the number of meals, access level, and Dining Dollars included in the plan.
USF has various options to fit the needs of students living on-campus in the residence halls and commuters or those living off-campus who want to have some of their meals on campus.
Here are the plans available for the 2022-2023 school year and the associated costs and offerings:
- Open Access
- $2,275 per semester
- Unlimited swipes at the dining halls
- $200 Dining Dollars
- Eight guest meal swipes for the semester
- Any 15
- $2,150 per semester
- 15 meals per week
- $300 Dining Dollars
- Bull Block 175
- $1,900 per semester
- 175 meals per semester
- $300 Dining Dollars
- Bull Block 60 (only available for upperclassmen and students who live off-campus)
- $925 per semester
- 60 meals per semester
- $350 Dining Dollars
- Bull Block 32 (only available for upperclassmen and students who live off-campus)
- $620 per semester
- 32 meals per semester
- $300 Dining Dollars
Can you change your meal plan during the semester at USF?
The University of South Florida offers a limited window for students to change their meal plans at the start of the semester.
This period is usually only a week long and covers the first week of classes at the start of the semester.
For example, the change period for Fall 2022 meal plans ran from August 22nd to August 26th. Outside of the change window, students cannot downgrade their meal plan.
The USF Tampa campus has two dining halls, which offer cafeteria-style dining.
Where are the dining halls at the University of South Florida?
Two dining halls at the USF Tampa campus offers cafeteria-style dining.
Those three locations and their location and operating hours are as follows:
The Hub
USF Dogwood Drive, Tampa, FL 33612
- Breakfast:
- Monday – Friday: 7 am – 10:30 am
- Brunch:
- Saturday – Sunday: 10 am – 4:30 pm
- Lunch:
- Monday – Friday: 10:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Dinner:
- Monday – Thursday, Sunday: 4:30 pm – 10 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 4:30 pm – 9 pm
Juniper Dining
12030 USF Beard Drive, Tampa, FL 33620
- Breakfast:
- Monday – Friday: 7 am – 10:30 am
- Brunch:
- Saturday – Sunday: 10 am – 4:30 pm
- Lunch:
- Monday – Friday: 10:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Dinner:
- Monday – Thursday, Sunday: 4:30 pm – 10 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 4:30 pm – 9 pm
Are there restaurants in the USF student center?
There are several restaurants inside the Marshall Student Center (MSC) and in academic buildings throughout campus.
The food court inside the MSC has the following restaurants:
- 813 Eats
- Blenz Bowls
- Moe’s Southwest Grill
- Panda Express
- Papa John’s
- Subway
Elsewhere on-campus, students have access to these restaurants:
- Argos Flip Kitchen
- BurgerFi
- Bay Coffee & Tea
- Cafe Connect
- Juniper Flip Kitchen
- The Corner Market at Juniper
- Chick-fil-A
- Bento Sushi
- Panera Bread
- Starbucks
- Pollo Tropical
- Rocky’s Hideout
What are the closest grocery stores to USF?
There are several grocery stores within walking distance of the University of South Florida campus, including one that’s technically on campus!
The Publix Super Market at USF, located at 4425 E Fletcher Avenue, is located on the northern edge of the USF campus and near many off-campus apartment communities along Fletcher, 42nd, and 46th street, making it a convenient, walkable option for grocery shopping.
Other nearby grocery options include ALDI, Target, and Walmart on the northwest corner of campus at the intersection of Fletcher Ave and Bruce B Downs Blvd and the Winn-Dixie on the southwest corner of campus at Bruce B Downs Blvd and E Fowler Ave.
Find your next home at the University of South Florida
As we look ahead to the end of the fall semester, there’s no better time to secure housing for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year. And for USF students, there’s no better option for an off-campus apartment than Halo 46.
Halo 46 is a student housing community located just blocks from the northern edge of the USF campus at 14500 N 46th Street.
Halo 46 offers fully-furnished two, three, four, and five-bedroom apartments specifically designed for the University of South Florida students.
Halo 46 offers residents a resort-style pool, gaming courtyard, 24-hour fitness center, study rooms, a computer lounge, a pet park, a resident courtyard, and onsite management & maintenance team.
For availability, roommate matching, and pricing information, contact the team at Halo 46 today at (813) 733-0120.
