Meal plans ensure that you get a regular meal during the week.
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Meal Plans for Students
Studying at TSTC takes a lot of focus and energy to get you prepared for your career. So we want to make sure you get a good meal during the week to keep you refueled.
Campuses that include both student housing and cafeterias offer meal plans for our students. In some instances, you will need to purchase a meal plan while living in student housing.
HARLINGEN
How the TSTC Harlingen Meal Plan Works
TSTC in Harlingen offers a declining balance meal plan, which gives students flexibility in choosing and paying for meals at the TSTC Food Court. Instead of a fixed number of meals or food types, students have a set amount of funds (called a “declining balance”) that they can spend on anything they want within the Cafe. This means you can pick and choose what you want to eat, whether it’s a full meal or just a snack, and pay only for what you select. Students with meal plans must present the card at the time of check out.
How Does the Meal Plan Work?
- Declining Balance: When you sign up for a meal plan, a specific amount of money is added to your TechOne card. Each time you make a purchase at the Food Court, the amount is deducted from your balance.
- No Limits: You’re not limited to a set number of meals per week. You can eat as much or as little as you like, and if you’re still hungry, you can go back for more. If you skip a meal, you don’t lose anything because the plan works like a budget that you can use as needed.
- Cards Must be Present: Students with meal plans must present the card at the time of check out.
- Expiration: The balance on your TechOne card will expire at the end of the semester, so make sure to use it up before the last day of class. Unused meal funds are not refunded or transferred.
Who Needs a Meal Plan?
New students under 21 years old who reside at Oak Tree Apartments, Las Palmas, and Palo Blanco Dorms are required to purchase, at minimum, the MP1 Meal plan for their first two semesters at TSTC.
When Can I Sign Up?
Students may sign up for meal plans during registration in the Student Accounting Office. New students who are required to participate in the meal plan (as explained above) will automatically be signed up for the $781 Meal Plan or may visit Student Accounting to upgrade to another meal plan. Meal Plan 2 is currently $1,441 and Meal Plan 3 is currently $1,980.
Is the Declining Balance the Same as Cash?
No, the declining balance is not actual money—it’s a preloaded amount for your meals. It works like credit you can spend on food during the semester.
How Many Meals Can I Have Each Week?
You can eat as often as you want. The declining balance gives you the freedom to choose how much to eat each week—whether it’s 1 meal or 10 meals a week, it’s up to you.
Can I Use My Meal Plan for Guests?
No. Only the student who owns the meal plan can use the card to pay for meals. You cannot lend your card or buy food for someone else.
What Happens to My Balance at the End of the Semester?
Any remaining balance on your meal plan will not be refunded or rolled over to the next semester. It expires at the end of the term.The rates include a Dining Operations Cost (plus applicable state and local sales tax) for the entire semester. This fee encompasses essential expenses such as utilities, maintenance and repairs, dumpster fees, laundry and uniforms, debt service, overhead costs, small wares, major deferred maintenance, partial renovation funding, marketing and printing, as well as equipment and labor costs (salaries and benefits) necessary to sustain our dining service program.
What If I Lose My Meal Plan Card?
If you lose your card, report it immediately to the Student ID Card Office at the Student Services Center. They will deactivate your lost card and issue you a new one. You are responsible for any charges made on the lost card until it’s deactivated.
What If I Run Out of Funds Before the Semester Ends?
If you run out of money before the semester is over, you have two options:
- Add Tech Bucks: You can add funds to your account by purchasing Tech Bucks through the Student Accounting Office.
- Pay Cash or Credit: You can pay for food with cash or a credit card at the Food Court if your meal plan balance runs out.
This meal plan gives you flexibility and convenience, allowing you to choose what you want to eat without worrying about a set number of meals or serving sizes.
View the Harlingen Café Menu
SWEETWATER
How the TSTC Sweetwater Meal Plan Works
TSTC in Sweetwater offers a declining balance meal plan, which gives students flexibility in choosing and paying for meals at the TSTC Food Court. Instead of a fixed number of meals or food types, students have a set amount of funds (called a “declining balance”) that they can spend on anything they want within the Cafe. This means you can pick and choose what you want to eat, whether it’s a full meal or just a snack, and pay only for what you select. Students with meal plans must present the card at the time of check out.
How Does the Meal Plan Work?
- Declining Balance: When you sign up for a meal plan, a specific amount of money is added to your TechOne card. Each time you make a purchase at the Food Court, the amount is deducted from your balance.
- No Limits: You’re not limited to a set number of meals per week. You can eat as much or as little as you like, and if you’re still hungry, you can go back for more. If you skip a meal, you don’t lose anything because the plan works like a budget that you can use as needed.
- Cards Must be Present: Students with meal plans must present the card at the time of check out.
- Expiration: The balance on your TechOne card will expire at the end of the semester, so make sure to use it up before the last day of class. Unused meal funds are not refunded or transferred.
Who Needs a Meal Plan?
Students who live in WASP, Rolling Plans, Avenger Apartments, Cedar, Mesquite, Oak, or Pecan Lodges are required to buy at least the MP3 Meal Plan (currently $1,980).
When Can I Sign Up?
You can sign up for a meal plan during registration at the Student Accounting Office. If you’re required to have a meal plan (as listed above), you’ll automatically be signed up for the $1,980 plan.
Is the Declining Balance the Same as Cash?
No, the declining balance is not actual money—it’s a preloaded amount for your meals. It works like credit you can spend on food during the semester.
How Many Meals Can I Have Each Week?
You can eat as often as you want. The declining balance gives you the freedom to choose how much to eat each week—whether it’s 1 meal or 10 meals a week, it’s up to you.
Can I Use My Meal Plan for Guests?
No. Only the student who owns the meal plan can use the card to pay for meals. You cannot lend your card or buy food for someone else.
What Happens to My Balance at the End of the Semester?
Any remaining balance on your meal plan will not be refunded or rolled over to the next semester. It expires at the end of the term.The rates include a Dining Operations Cost (plus applicable state and local sales tax) for the entire semester. This fee encompasses essential expenses such as utilities, maintenance and repairs, dumpster fees, laundry and uniforms, debt service, overhead costs, small wares, major deferred maintenance, partial renovation funding, marketing and printing, as well as equipment and labor costs (salaries and benefits) necessary to sustain our dining service program.
What If I Lose My Meal Plan Card?
If you lose your card, report it immediately to the Student ID Card Office at the Student Services Center. They will deactivate your lost card and issue you a new one. You are responsible for any charges made on the lost card until it’s deactivated.
What If I Run Out of Funds Before the Semester Ends?
If you run out of money before the semester is over, you have two options:
- Add Tech Bucks: You can add funds to your account by purchasing Tech Bucks through the Student Accounting Office.
- Pay Cash or Credit: You can pay for food with cash or a credit card at the Food Court if your meal plan balance runs out.
This meal plan gives you flexibility and convenience, allowing you to choose what you want to eat without worrying about a set number of meals or serving sizes.
View the Sweetwater Café Menu
WACO
How TSTC Waco Meal Plan Works
TSTC in Waco offers a declining balance meal plan, which gives students flexibility in choosing and paying for meals at the TSTC Food Court. Instead of a fixed number of meals or food types, students have a set amount of funds (called a “declining balance”) that they can spend on anything they want within the Cafe. This means you can pick and choose what you want to eat, whether it’s a full meal or just a snack, and pay only for what you select. Students with meal plans must present the card at the time of check out.
How Does the Meal Plan Work?
- Declining Balance: When you sign up for a meal plan, a specific amount of money is added to your TechOne card. Each time you make a purchase at the Food Court, the amount is deducted from your balance.
- No Limits: You’re not limited to a set number of meals per week. You can eat as much or as little as you like, and if you’re still hungry, you can go back for more. If you skip a meal, you don’t lose anything because the plan works like a budget that you can use as needed.
- Cards Must be Present: Students with meal plans must present the card at the time of check out.
- Expiration: The balance on your TechOne card will expire at the end of the semester, so make sure to use it up before the last day of class. Unused meal funds are not refunded or transferred.
Who Needs a Meal Plan?
New students under 21 years old who reside at Waco Village Oaks, Red River, and Griffith Hall are required to purchase, at minimum, the MP1 Meal Plan for their first two semesters at TSTC.
When Can I Sign Up?
Students may sign up for meal plans during registration in the Student Accounting Office. New students who are required to participate in the meal plan (as explained above) will automatically be signed up for the $781 Meal Plan or may visit Student Accounting to upgrade to another meal plan. Meal Plan 2 is currently $1,441 and Meal Plan 3 is currently $1,980.
Is the Declining Balance the Same as Cash?
No, the declining balance is not actual money—it’s a preloaded amount for your meals. It works like credit you can spend on food during the semester.
How Many Meals Can I Have Each Week?
You can eat as often as you want. The declining balance gives you the freedom to choose how much to eat each week—whether it’s 1 meal or 10 meals a week, it’s up to you.
Can I Use My Meal Plan for Guests?
No. Only the student who owns the meal plan can use the card to pay for meals. You cannot lend your card or buy food for someone else.
What Happens to My Balance at the End of the Semester?
Any remaining balance on your meal plan will not be refunded or rolled over to the next semester. It expires at the end of the term.The rates include a Dining Operations Cost (plus applicable state and local sales tax) for the entire semester. This fee encompasses essential expenses such as utilities, maintenance and repairs, dumpster fees, laundry and uniforms, debt service, overhead costs, small wares, major deferred maintenance, partial renovation funding, marketing and printing, as well as equipment and labor costs (salaries and benefits) necessary to sustain our dining service program.
What If I Lose My Meal Plan Card?
If you lose your card, report it immediately to the Student ID Card Office at the Student Services Center. They will deactivate your lost card and issue you a new one. You are responsible for any charges made on the lost card until it’s deactivated.
What If I Run Out of Funds Before the Semester Ends?
If you run out of money before the semester is over, you have two options:
- Add Tech Bucks: You can add funds to your account by purchasing Tech Bucks through the Student Accounting Office.
- Pay Cash or Credit: You can pay for food with cash or a credit card at the Food Court if your meal plan balance runs out.
This meal plan gives you flexibility and convenience, allowing you to choose what you want to eat without worrying about a set number of meals or serving sizes.
View the Waco Café Menu
Meal Plans - Waco
Fall 2024
Spring/Summer 2025
Meal Plan 1
$781
$781
Meal Plan 2
$1441
$1441
Meal Plan 3
$1980
$1980
