Are you thinking about UTM, but haven't made up your mind yet?
We'd like to share a few things about our meal plans, and how they work here at UTM -
- Are you thinking about living in residence?
- What is the difference between a Student Meal Plan & a Campus Value Plan?
- How simple are the meal plans?
- How do I know which Student Meal Plan to select?
- Where can I use my meal plan?
- Can I change my mind once I have selected a meal plan?
- What happens if I do not use all of the meal plan funds?
- How does a Student Meal Plan work?
- What if I have questions about my meal plan after I select one?
1. Are you thinking about living in residence?
YES:
We have lots of meal plan options for you, so you may select the best one to suit your lifestyle.
NO:
We have an option that will simply save you 5% anywhere on campus - from drinks, tea / coffee, snacks, & full meals, you simply sign up, and save. Easy peasy.
2. What is the difference between our meal plans?
Student Meal Plans
Pre-determined plans with set dollar amounts.
They are bigger plans and meant primarily for those living in residence, though you are able to purchase one even if you are not living in residence.
They include both “Basic” and “Flex” dollars, which are spent differently on different items. You save up to 13% when you spend your “Basic” dollars and 5% when you spend “Flex” dollars.
If you would like to learn more about “Basic” and “Flex” dollars at this time, please visit our Basic vs Flex Dollar webpage.
Campus Value Plans
An amount that you choose.
There is no set balance in these plans – you decide what you would like in the account, so it is a great option for budgeting. These meal plans are a great option for those not living in residence. You save 5% on most purchase on campus, with our off-campus partners, and with vending machines. This is a very popular option for those not in residence, as well as for staff & faculty at UTM.
When you first open a Campus Value Plan account the minimum deposit is $80, and subsequent deposits are a minimum of $20.
3. How simple are the meal plans?
REALLY SIMPLE.
- Acts just like a debit account
- You start with a certain amount of money, and each time you use your meal plan to purchase something, the transaction amount subtracts from your account
- You start with a certain amount of money, and each time you use your meal plan to purchase something, the transaction amount subtracts from your account
- Budget beginner-friendly
- Not very experienced with budgeting? Not to worry. We provide budgeting templates to help you ensure that you are using your meal plan funds at a rate that will ensure you do not have money left over at the end of the academic year. No overspending here!
- No cash, just card
- All you need to do is tap your Student Card (known as your TCard), and the the total will be subtracted from your meal plan account
- All you need to do is tap your Student Card (known as your TCard), and the the total will be subtracted from your meal plan account
- Flexible
- If you don't use all of your meal plan funds, you are able to carry some of the funds forward to your next academic year. It is important that you understand what your minimum spend is, and that you monitor your account balance, so that you are not over the limit. Learn more about the minimum spend here.
4. How do I know which Student Meal Plan to select?
Each Student Meal Plan has a different monetary value to best fit your lifestyle.
As a guide, consider the below:
- If you will be on campus through the week and on weekends - you may want a larger plan
- If you plan to leave campus on the weekends - you may want a smaller plan
- If you have a large appetite - you may want a larger plan
- If you have a smaller appetite - you may want a smaller plan
5. Where can I use my meal plan?
On campus:
You can use your meal plans everywhere on campus, including the vending machines (and we have some cool & unique vending machines)
Off campus:
You can use your meal plans with our off-campus partners as well
6. Can I change my mind once I have selected a meal plan?
Yes.
Be sure to refer to the Important Dates & Deadlines page to ensure you work within the correct dates.
7. What happens if I do not use all of the meal plan funds?
Student Meal Plan
You will be able to carry over some of your funds to the next academic year. There are restrictions as to how much, and that is because you are encouraged to use your meal plan funds that year. You can learn more on our Carry Over webpage.
Campus Value Plan
You are able to carry all of your funds to the next academic year.
8. How does a Student Meal Plan work?
Our meal plans are “Declining Balance” meal plans
- You start with a total amount of money in your account, and as you spend it, it declines from your account (similar to a debit account)
- It does not matter if you only eat two meals a day, or if you eat five meals a day, because it only removes money from your account when you purchase food
- Your purchase is paid for using your meal plan funds, and the purchase total is subtracted from your meal plan balance
- You do not lose money for not eating breakfast; you only spend money when you purchase food
- You can buy food anywhere on campus, and at our off-campus partners
- See where you can eat on campus
- See our off campus partners
- Student Meal Plans also “include” up to a 13% savings on all “Basic” purchases (save the tax)
9. What if I have questions about my meal plan after I select one?
Not to worry! We have a dedicated team that is here to support you. Simply call or email us and we will help you with any questions you may have.
mealplan.utm@utoronto.ca
(905) 569-4795
You may also visit our Meal Plan website to find more answers.
