Photo collage of dining staff swiping Wiscard, students smiling in the dining market, and Bucky helping serve food

Resident Dining Plans

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At this time, students’ dining plans are locked in for the fall semester. This plan will be the same for the spring semester unless a student makes an adjustment during the spring change period which opens November 19 and closes December 14. Further communications regarding this spring change period will be sent closer to the date.

"The dining halls had plenty of good vegetarian options! I'm vegetarian but all of my omnivorous friends get the vegan options pretty often because of their macros."

Drew S., Smith Residence Hall

Dining Plan Options

Go10
Meals 10 meals per week
can do up to 2 meal exchanges per week
Guest Meals None
Dining Dollars $100 per semester
Go14
Meals 14 meals per week
can do up to 4 meal exchanges per week
Guest Meals 3 guest meals per semester
Dining Dollars $200 per semester
GoUnlimited
Meals unlimited meals per week
can do up to 6 meal exchanges per week
Guest Meals 3 guest meals per semester
Dining Dollars $450 per semester
  • Meals Per Week – meals that a student is able to use during a calendar week that expire at the end of each week (only redeemable in Housing Dining markets). Can swipe every 30 minutes.
  • Guest Meals – meals a student can use to bring a guest in to dine with them (redeemable only in Housing Dining markets)
  • Dining Dollars – retail dollars that can be used at any campus food location, including any Housing Dining location or Wisconsin Union location (5% discount on all purchases)
  • Meal Exchange – a meal a student can use at Flamingo Runs, The Bean & Creamery, Southeast Café, or Shake Smart for a combo/item or at Babcock Dairy and Wisconsin Union locations for a $5 credit that counts as a meal swipe (only redeemable in these Housing Dining, Babcock, and Union locations). Check out our meal exchange options.

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Dining Plan Rates

wdt_ID Dining Plan 2025-26 Dining Plan Rate / Semester 2025-26 Dining Plan Rate / Academic Year
1 Go10 2,050 4,100
2 Go14 2,300 4,600
3 GoUnlimited 2,900 5,800

For complete details on rates, visit our Billing & Rates page.

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What's on Your Wiscard

You will use your Wiscard, your UW-Madison issued student ID, to manage your weekly meals, meal exchanges, dining dollars, and guest meals (if applicable with your plan). You will do this by swiping your card when prompted by the cashier or with turnstyles. In addition, you can also use your Wiscard to access in-person services and purchase other non-food items on-campus and at other locations on-campus.

Your Wiscard contains three sets of funds that can be used in different ways:

Housing Meals

Can be used for meals at Housing Dining markets:

  • Carson’s
  • Four Lakes
  • Gordon Avenue
  • Liz’s
  • Rheta’s

Includes:

Details:

  • Expire weekly (except guest meals)
  • Can swipe every 30 minutes
  • Best deal for meals
  • Paid for in semesterly Housing bills

*Meal exchanges can be used at Flamingo Run, The Bean & Creamery, Southeast Café, Shake Smart, Babcock Dairy, and Wisconsin Union locations and will count against weekly meal count.

Meal Exchanges

Dining Dollars

Can be used for food at any campus dining location:

Details:

  • Expire at end of academic year
  • 5% discount on food purchases
  • Paid for in semesterly Housing bills

Wiscard Account

Can be used for any purchases at campus locations accepting Wiscard:

  • Food
  • Groceries
  • Laundry
  • Copies
  • Books
  • Apparel
  • Technology
  • Recreation
  • Event tickets

Details:

  • Money carries over throughout time at UW-Madison
  • 5% discount on food purchases
  • Must deposit separately – can add money at any time