All about GW’s dining plan Details about our partners How to use the plan Meal planning & budgeting Questions

A declining balance plan administered through the GWorld card (GW ID card) Students can purchase prepared meals, groceries, snacks, etc. from more than 90 dining and grocery partners located on, or close to, our Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses There are a variety of cuisines, dining styles and dining partners to meet students’ tastes, preferences, and busy schedules

Variety and freedom of choice Flexibility in meeting individual needs Dietary (nut-free, gluten- free, vegetarian, vegan, kosher, etc.) Supports wellness Options to meet any schedule Easy access and convenience Affordability and value options

1. THEY’RE ON A SNACK KICK 2. THEY’RE DINING ADVENTURERS 3. THEY’RE EATING OUT…A LOT 4. BUT THEY’D PREFER TO COOK 5. AND NO, THEY DON’T THINK POURING CEREAL IS COOKING --YPulse survey - 5 HEALTHY BITES OF MILLENNIAL DINING DATA “ “

DC is ranked 3rd in Zagat’s Top 17 Food Cities of 2015 GW’s partners offer options from the most popular food cuisines

Every type of food is available Farm fresh ingredients to prepared meals Food preference/sensitivity options from dietary to ethnic cuisine

GW has several lounge and dining spaces where students can gather around food Ames Hall Pelham Commons in West Hall District House Shenkman Hall Marvin Center – coming Academic Year 2017!

Access to all dining partner information Dining partner menus, locations, and hours of operation Mobile ordering & payment GPS partner location finder Lost card reporting Account management (deposit funds, review transactions) Dining Website - launch August 2016

Used for your primary meal plan- $3,900 Purchases at food/groceries dining partners only Voluntary account Purchases at dining partner restaurants Purchases at retail partners to cover other expenses such as Books/Supplies- $1, Personal expenses- $1, (est.)

Cost of first-year dining plan: $3,900 Students receive $1,950 Dining Cash per semester Unused Dining Cash rolls over from semester to semester Dining Cash may only be used for dining/grocery purchases Dining Cash is accepted at more than 90 restaurants & grocery stores 1

Second Year dining plan: $2,500 ($1,250 per semester) 234 Third Year dining plan: $2,000 ($1,000 per semester) Fourth Year dining plan: $1,000 ($500 per semester) *Upper Classmen can purchase any high value plan

FOR ALL PLANS: Dining plan minimums are based on the students’ class year as defined by the Housing License Agreement Dining plans are the minimum mandatory dining requirement, students have the option to add additional funds to Dining Cash OR Colonial Cash

Dining Cash is not unlimited – $3,900 for first-year students Breaks down to about $120.00/wk Use of dining cash is as individualized as each student. Students spend dining cash to meet their unique needs

Things to Consider Discuss dining needs in advance of your arrival at GW. Understand habits/preferences like: Are you a traditional 3 meals-a-day diner or a grazer? Do you prefer to cook meals, grab-n- go, dine-in, etc.? Do you have food allergies, dietary restrictions, food preferences, etc.? Based on identified preferences, explore dining options, menus and prices

Affordability & Value are important considerations Take advantage of: Meal deals, promotions, specials & discounts available to students using their GWorld card Buy groceries to supplement meals eaten out, whether for convenience, for example, granola bars, or ingredients for cooking Cooking at home is generally cheaper than dining out Use microfridges and residence hall kitchens for meal prep Take advantage of leftovers Cook with friends and share the costs Join loyalty rewards programs, such as Safeway’s reward points for further discounts (plus the $5 Friday specials!) Seek nutritionist resources to help plan healthy menus

Minimum Dining Plan for first-year students is $3,900 Self-directed spending: Some students will need to add additional funds Variety of cuisines, dining styles and dining partners to fit into a student’s busy schedule More than 90 dining partners located on or close to GW’s campuses Dining Cash administered through the GWorld card

Nancy Haaga Campus Support Services Phone: (202) Web: Gworld Card Office Marvin Center Ground Floor Phone: (202) Web: gworld.gwu.edu, Facebook.com/gworldcard