What is a Meal Plan?

A Meal Plan unlocks delicious meals, coffee, snacks, and more, at 18 locations across campus. Your Meal Plan includes Meal Swipes and Bearkat Bucks, conveniently loaded onto your Bearkat OneCard. No need to carry additional cards or cash!

Swipes

Meal Swipes

Meal Swipes give you access to any of our all-you-care-to-eat dining halls, including Old Main Market and General’s Market.

Dollars

Bearkat Bucks

Bearkat Bucks may be used at any Sam Houston State Dining location. Visit our location page for information, including dining hall menus and hours of operation.

Exchange

Cash Equivalency 

Available to students who are on the All-Access Plan. Allows students to use a meal swipe valued at $7 at all retail locations (excluding the P.O.D.’s, Starbucks and Wild Blue Sushi) during dinner hours Monday - Friday, 5pm-closed, 5 meals a week. Any total above $7 can be paid in Bearkat Bucks, cash or credit. Any amount under $7 will not be refunded. Cannot be spilt between transactions. 

Locations include Chick-fil-A, Freebirds, Panda Express, Sammy’s Shakes, Sammy’s Scoops, The Brisket Burger Co., and Tenders and Fries.


Meal Plan Benefits

With your meal plan, you receive many benefits and perks, including:

  • Quality food made fresh by our culinary team, with a variety of menu options personalized the way you like
  • Healthy choices available all across campus
  • Special events with themed meals and exclusive offers for meal plan members
  • Casual atmosphere with wifi, TVs, music and lounge-style seating—perfect for studying or hanging out with friends.
  • To-go meals: simply request a to-go box when you swipe in at any of our dining halls – learn more about our to-go meals!

Managing Your Plan

There are three ways you can check your Meal Swipes and Bearkat Bucks balance:

  • On MySam Portal
  • On your receipt after a purchase at any dining location
  • Bearkat Bucks running low? No problem! Click to add more Bearkat Bucks.

Key Dates

Key Dates
Fall 2024:
  • August 16 - Fall Meal Plans begin
  • August 30 – Last Day to change Fall meal plan
  • November 4 - First Day to sign up for your Spring Meal Plan 

Spring 2025:

  • January 10 - Spring Meal Plans begin
  • January 17 – Last Day to change Spring meal plan