Dining Dollars, Bronco Bucks & Meal Swipes

Each option lets you pay easily on campus — but they’re used a little differently. Refer to the FAQ section below for more info.

  • Meal Swipes: Prepaid entries to Centerpointe Dining Commons or approved meal exchanges; each swipe equals one all-you-can-eat meal and doesn’t roll over.
  • Dining Dollars: Food-only funds included with some meal plans, accepted at campus dining venues but expire at the end of spring semester.
  • Bronco Bucks: Reloadable campus currency tied to your Bronco One Card, usable for food, vending, printing, and bookstore purchases, with no expiration while you’re active.
Feature Dining Dollars Bronco Bucks
Included with meal plans? Yes (residential plans) No (add separately)
Food purchases? Yes Yes
Non-food purchases? No Yes (bookstore, printing, vending)
Expiration End of Spring Semester Never (while active)

Commuter Meal Plans (Bronco Pass)

Available to commuter students, faculty, and staff — and optional for residents as an add-on. Save money with prepaid blocks of meals and bonus Bronco Bucks for extra flexibility.

Plan Meals Bronco Bucks Cost Notes
BroncoPass 10 10 $75 $210 Starter option
BroncoPass 20 20 $75 $340 Flexible choice
BroncoPass 30 30 $75 $465 Frequent diners
BroncoPass 50 ⭐ 50 $75 $710 Best Value
Purchase a Plan

Meal Plans for On-Campus Residents

Meal plans are required for students living in the Traditional Halls or Residential Suites. All plans include access to Centerpointe Dining Commons and Dining Dollars.

Eligibility: Suites residents may choose any of the meal plans below, including the Suites Flex Plan (exclusive to Suites residents) and may also add a Commuter Plan. Traditional Hall students must choose one of the standard Traditional Hall plans and may purchase a Commuter Meal Plan as an add-on. Commuting students, faculty, and staff can only purchase a Commuter Meal Plan (BroncoPass).

Plan Meals/Semester Dining Dollars Best For Eligibility Cost
140 Plan 140 $660 Light eaters, weekends off-campus Traditional Halls & Residential Suites Students $2,695
180 Plan 180 $560 Balanced campus dining Traditional Halls & Residential Suites Students $2,695
220 Plan 220 $460 Daily dining at Centerpointe Traditional Halls & Residential Suites Students $2,695
Unlimited Unlimited — Unlimited access to Centerpointe Traditional Halls & Residential Suites Students $2,695
Unlimited Plus Unlimited $250 Unlimited + extra flexibility Traditional Halls & Residential Suites Students $2,895
Suites Flex Plan ⭐ 70 $750 Suite residents who cook but dine on campus occasionally Residential Suites Students Only $1,915

 

Meal Plan FAQs

How do I access my meal plan?

  • Use your Bronco ID card to tap or swipe at dining locations.
  • Forgot your card? Log in to BroncoOneCard.com/ss to use your virtual ID.
  • Morphowave Entry: Enroll at Centerpointe Dining Commons to enter with a wave of your hand. No card, no phone — just you and your next meal!

How do meal swipes work?

  • Use at Centerpointe Dining Commons (All-you-can-eat access).
  • Some plans allow Meal Exchanges at select locations.
  • Meal Swipes are non-transferable (cannot be used for friends).

Can I swipe for my guest?

No, but you can use Dining Dollars to treat a friend.

How do I change my meal plan?

  • If your meal plan isn’t the right fit, you have one week at the start of the semester to make a change.
  • Change requests must be made within the first week of the semester with University Housing Services. Change requests cannot be accommodated after the first week deadline.
  • Meal Swipes are non-transferable (can not be used for friends).

Dining Dollars vs. Bronco Bucks

Dining Dollars and Bronco Bucks are two different payment options available on campus, each serving a unique purpose:

Dining Dollars:
These are included with meal plans and can only be used for food purchases at campus dining locations. They are a great way to ensure that your funds are dedicated to meals. Every Dining Dollar is equivalent to one U.S. dollar. However, Dining Dollars expire at the end of the spring semester, so be sure to use them before then.

Bronco Bucks:
These are more flexible funds that can be loaded onto your Bronco ID card and used for a variety of purchases, including food, bookstore items, vending machines, and printing services. Every Bronco Buck is also equivalent to one U.S. dollar. Unlike Dining Dollars, Bronco Bucks never expire as long as you are an active student or staff member.

Feature Dining Dollars Bronco Bucks
Included with meal plans? Yes No
Can be used for non-food purchases? No Yes (bookstore, printing, vending)
Can be used for food? Yes Yes
Value 1=$1 1=$1
Expiration End of Spring Semester Never (while active student or staff)

For a complete list of acceptable locations, please visit broncobucks.com .

When does my meal plan refresh?

Block Meal Plans (140, 180, 220, Suites Flex):

Meal Swipes reset at the start of each semester (unused Meal Swipes don’t roll over) be sure to use before semester ends.

Dining Dollars:

Refresh at the start of each semester and roll over from fall to spring but unused Dining Dollars expire after the spring semester.

What's new with Meal Exchanges?

You now have more dining options! Swap your Meal Plan Swipes at select locations beyond the dining hall.
Now available at Pony Express CBA, Element Coffee & Tea, and FitBites (except unlimited plans).

Location Exchange Rate
Pony Express CBA 1 swipe = $8 meal credit (2 max)
Element Coffee and Tea 1 swipe = entree + fountain drink
FitBites 1 swipe = entree + fountain drink

How many times can I do a Meal Exchange per day?

Meal Exchange Limits

Day Maximum Exchanges
Monday-Friday 6 per day (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Saturday-Sunday 4 per day (Brunch, Dinner)

What are the time frames for each meal period?

Meal Periods

Meal Weekdays Weekends
Breakfast 6:00 AM – 10:59 AM N/A
Lunch 11:00 AM – 4:59 PM N/A
Brunch N/A 10:00 AM – 4:59 PM
Dinner 5:00 PM – 11:59 PM 5:00 PM – 11:59 PM

Are all the All-Access and Unlimited Plans eligible for the Meal Exchange Program?

No. The All-Access and Unlimited Plans are for Centerpointe use only.

What are my options if my plan doesn't include Meal Exchanges and Centerpointe is closed?

  • Grab & Go: All residents will receive a reuseable Grab & Go to-go container. Plan ahead and use your to-go container to pack a meal from Centerpointe to enjoy later. Only available during business hours.
  • Dining Dollars: Accepted at 25+ campus dining locations.

How can I meet with the Cal Poly Pomona dietitian?

If you have questions about nutrition, meal planning, or dietary restrictions, you can schedule an appointment with the campus dietitian. They can help with food allergies, sports nutrition, and general healthy eating tips. Check the Dining Services website for contact details and office hours.

Contact Information:

  • Brenda Garcia, RDN
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Phone: (909) 869-3196
  • Office: Centerpointe Dining Commons

Where are Bronco Bucks and CPP Gifts Card accepted?

Accepted Location List

Bronco Bucks and CPP Gift Cards are accepted at all the locations listed below.

If you have any questions or need more information about Bronco Bucks/CPP Gift Cards call the Bronco One Card office at  (909) 869-3195.

Campus Center Marketplace

  • Carl’s Jr.
  • Panda Express
  • TaKorean

Centerpointe Dining

Bronco Student Center Food Court

  • The Patio by IBW
  • Subway
  • Saddle’s Cafe
  • Poly Fresh Market
  • Qdoba Mexican Grill

Pony Express Convenience Stores

Innovation Brew Works

Bronco Commons

  • FitBites
  • Vista Market

College Of Business Administration(CBA Building)

  • Element Coffee & Food

Bronco Bookstore

  • In-store purchases(textbooks, computers, clothing, etc.)

Collins College Restaurant at Kellogg Ranch

Farm Store

ASI Box Office (BSC Games Room)

Starbucks (At the University Library)

Additional Cal Poly Campus Locations

  • Computer Labs
  • Help Desk (Print and Copy)
  • Library (Print and Copy)

Off Cal Poly Campus Locations

  • Jinza Teriyaki