The Rice Swipe Support Program: Dining Access Fund, funded by Housing, Dining, & Hospitality and managed in partnership with Student Success Initiatives (SSI), provides assistance to undergraduate students with demonstrated need who do not currently have a meal plan. This program is intended for those who are facing barriers to accessing regular meals due to financial or personal hardship. Students may receive a block of swipes to use at any dining servery on campus. Swipes are loaded directly onto your student ID and used just like any regular meal plan swipe.
We have made updates to the program after surveying Rice students. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their thoughts on our Rice Meal Swipe Program. Your input has been invaluable in helping us understand the impact of the program and where we can make improvements to better serve and support our community.
Based on your feedback, we are making a few updates to the program logistics and communications for the upcoming semester.
Key Program Updates
- Mid-Semester Distribution: To help students manage their swipe allocations more effectively throughout the term, distribution will now occur in two phases rather than a single upfront allotment. The second distribution will take place mid-semester.
- Allocation Limits: Students may be awarded up to 85 meal swipes per semester, distributed across the two phases.
- This allocation is equivalent to one meal per day, including weekends. For example, if you do not eat at the servery on the weekends, then you would be able eat two meals at the servery twice per week.
- In the spring 2026 semester, the meal swipe program saw a utilization rate of 64.8%. Students who receive swipes in the first distribution and do not use their swipes will not qualify for the second distribution. Students can check their balance online or with a cashier to check on their swipes.
Eligibility Requirements
This program is designed to assist enrolled undergraduate students who encounter challenges in accessing regular meals due to financial or personal difficulties. Generally, any currently enrolled domestic or international undergraduate student without a meal plan is eligible to apply and be considered for this meal assistance program; however, priority is given to students with demonstrated need, as weighted by the tiers of the current Rice Investment Grant. Students must have a complete financial aid package to be eligible. If you receive swipes and later withdraw, please email success@rice.edu to notify us about the change in your status.
Logistics & Timeline
- Initial Application & First Distribution:
- Applications for the first phase of swipes are now open.
- Approved swipes from Phase 1 will be loaded onto your account by September 1. To receive swipes by September 1, you will need to apply by August 30 at 11:59pm.
- Mid-Semester Distribution:
- Students interested in receiving a second distribution (either to fulfill their semester limit or because they did not receive any swipes in the first distribution) will need to apply in the second application window, which will start on September 14.
- Students will need to apply by October 11 to be considered for an October 19 distribution. The application will close for the semester at 11:59pm on October 11.
Timeline
August 30 at 11:59: Application Closes
September 1: First Distribution
September 14: Second application opens
October 11 at 11:59pm: Second application officially closes
October 19: Distribute second disbursement
Additional Resources
In addition to the meal swipe program, students may use the Rice University Pantry; it is open from 8am to 5pm and provides non-perishable staples for groceries.
Rice University has also partnered with the Houston Food Bank and can enroll students in their Food For Change program. This allows students to access local college pantries in the area, including as close as the medical center (UT Health The Cupboard). These pantries offer fresh and frozen food, as they receive distributions from the Houston Food Bank. If you would like to sign up for this program, please email success@rice.edu .
If you have questions about the application process, please reach out to success@rice.edu .