Begins August 2020
A student will never go hungry with a UC Merced meal plan.
Each of our meal plans provide unlimited entries into the on-campus, all-you-care-to-eat Pavilion Dining Center, which offers rotating menus of healthy, nutritious meals at a variety of dining stations throughout the day.
CAT Dollars, a debit system included with each unlimited plan, also give residents the flexibility to explore the campus’ other delicious dining options: grab-and-go choices at the Lantern Café, hearty staples in the Summits Marketplace and tasty meals from area food trucks and the Yablokoff-Wallace Dining Center.
Our campus strives to make sure no member of our community experiences food insecurity. Unlimited plans allow residents to stop at the all-you-care-to-eat Pavilion up to 16 hours a day, seven days a week, with no cap on the number of daily trips. Grab a bite to eat between classes or eat a full meal with friends, every entry into the Pavilion is included with every meal plan.
Located in the heart of one of the most fertile agricultural regions in the world, our chefs strive to provide customers with locally sourced, sustainable meals whenever possible. We’re also happy to work with residents to accommodate any special dietary requests. Please contact Student Accessibility Services for health-related medical needs and allergen considerations. Please contact dinging@ucmerced.edu for religious prohibitions or other nutritional requirements.
Students living on campus are required to purchase a meal plan. Exemptions are granted only under extraordinary circumstances. Click here to learn more about the dining contract appeals process.
Academic Year Pricing
Meal Plan |
Plan Price |
Included CAT Dollars |
Meals |
Guest Passes |
Unlimited Blue |
$4,600 |
$300 |
Unlimited |
6 |
Unlimited Silver |
$4,900 |
$600 |
Unlimited |
6 |
Unlimited Gold |
$5,100 |
$800 |
Unlimited |
6 |
Unlimited Platinum |
$5,300 |
$1000 |
Unlimited |
6 |
Unlimited Premier |
$5,500 |
$1,200 |
Unlimited |
6 |
Per Semester Pricing
Meal Plan |
Plan Price |
Included CAT Dollars |
Meals |
Guest Passes |
Unlimited Blue |
$2,300 |
$150 |
Unlimited |
3 |
Unlimited Silver |
$2,450 |
$300 |
Unlimited |
3 |
Unlimited Gold |
$2,550 |
$400 |
Unlimited |
3 |
Unlimited Platinum |
$2,650 |
$500 |
Unlimited |
3 |
Unlimited Premier |
$2,750 |
$600 |
Unlimited |
3 |
If you have any questions or concerns related to your dining experience, please contact us at dining@ucmerced.edu or reach out to Executive Chef Mitch Vanagten at mvanagten@ucmerced.edu and request an appointment.
CAT Dollars
CAT Dollars can be purchased and added to a CatCard at any time. One CAT Dollar is equivalent to $1 U.S. dollar. For more information about depositing CAT Dollars into an account, please visit the CatCard website.
In addition to eateries around campus, CAT Dollars can also be used at the Campus Store for supplies, to print documents on campus, to operate laundry machines and for some other campus expenses.
CAT Dollars cannot be used to pay your student bill.
CAT Dollars |
Details:
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Locations that accept CAT dollars:
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Cat Dollars cannot be used to pay your student bill. |
2020-2021 Academic Year Disbursements:
The cost of the meal plan selected will be included with housing fees. The selected meal plan will become available on the student account based on the schedule below:
Fall 2020 Semester
Available August 2020
CAT Dollars do not expire until the user separates from UC Merced.
Spring 2021 Semester
Available January 2021
CAT Dollars do not expire until the user separates from UC Merced.
Guest Passes
Each meal plan comes with three guest passes per semester that allow someone without a meal plan to eat at the Pavilion Dining Center. Guest passes expire annually.
Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions section for more information, or reach out to us at dining@ucmerced.edu with any questions or concerns.