Affordable Food Options for Online College Students
This article lists the top discounts on meal plans for college students. We will cover everything, from meal delivery discounts to grocery delivery deals.
A common misconception about online college students is that they have a more relaxed schedule than on-campus students. While many of them are part-time, they still have much to juggle. Most are balancing work with their studies and completing the same coursework as students on campus.
Like their on-campus peers, online students also face the rising cost of food. According to the Education Data Initiative, a college student’s food expense averages $673 per month. This has created a major problem: students are forced to choose to prioritize eating or paying their tuition. And, to no surprise, many students choose to pay tuition and sacrifice their meals to stay enrolled in school.
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Over 40% of college students report skipping meals or going without food due to financial constraints. This isn’t just a minor inconvenience—it is a serious issue. Food insecurity has a lasting impact on your health and academic performance.
The effects go beyond just hunger and can lead to several serious issues:
- Mental and Emotional Health Struggles. Food insecurity can harm students’ mental, emotional, and social well-being, which in turn can hurt their ability to focus and perform academically.
- Lower Grades. Studies show that food-insecure students are likelier to have lower GPAs (typically between 2.0 and 2.49) than those with enough food, who tend to have higher GPAs (3.5 to 4.0).
- Poor Physical Health. Students with limited access to food often eat fewer fruits and vegetables, and their meals lack essential nutrients. This affects their energy levels, disrupts sleep, and leads to poorer physical health.
- Higher Dropout Rates. Around 8% of food-insecure students at community colleges plan to drop out. Students facing hunger or housing instability are more likely to struggle with their coursework, and one in four students reports dropping at least one class because of these challenges.
But there’s good news! There are several delivery services and meal plans for affordable college students—you just need to know where to look.
Affordable meal plans for college students are a lifesaver, especially for students on a tight budget. These discounts make it easier to enjoy healthy food without spending too much time or money. Plus, with pre-portioned ingredients, you waste less food, which helps stretch your budget even further.
And it’s not just meal kits that can save you time and money; food delivery services also make life easier. When you’re juggling homework, work, and everything else, cooking every meal just isn’t realistic.
Popular Food Delivery Services Offering Student Discounts
Pizza is no longer the only food delivery option. Now, you can get almost any type of food delivered to your door without leaving your home. Services like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub let you order from both chain restaurants and local spots.
With so many apps available, choosing the best one can be tricky. We’ve looked at factors like how easy the apps are to use, the number of restaurants available, delivery fees, and food delivery discounts for students.
DoorDash
If you’re a student, DoorDash is probably one of your go-to apps for ordering food. There are a ton of restaurants and options to choose from, but the best part? You can still save a little extra cash.
Primarily a subscription service, DashPass gives you unlimited free delivery (on orders over a certain amount) and discounts on service fees. As a student, you can get 50% off a DashPass membership by signing up with your student email. So, you’ll get food delivered for a flat fee, which means fewer surprises on your bill.
Uber Eats
Uber Eats knows you’re juggling a lot as a student, so they have discounts tailored just for you. You can find promo codes for Uber Eats on platforms like Student Beans or UNiDAYS. These codes often work for specific restaurants or types of meals so that you might get a discount on certain orders or delivery fees.
When you sign up for Uber One, their membership program, you can snag 15% off your orders. Uber One gives you free delivery and other exclusive savings, too. It’s not always available everywhere, but it’s worth checking if your college area has it.
Grubhub
Grubhub is another solid option for student food delivery services. If you’re a frequent user, there are more ways to save big on this app. Grubhub offers a discounted Grubhub+ membership for students, which comes with some awesome perks.
You’ll get free delivery on orders over $12 and earn 10% back on eligible orders. If you order food frequently, this can add up to some serious savings. Like Uber Eats and DoorDash, Grubhub offers special student deals, especially during holidays or back-to-school seasons.
Postmates
Postmates is a great option if you want more than just food delivered—think groceries, snacks, and even alcohol (where it’s legal!). Luckily, Postmates has a few ways for you to save. Postmates regularly offers student-specific promo codes like other delivery apps through platforms like Student Beans or UNiDAYS.
Postmates’ Postmates Unlimited offers free delivery on orders over $12 and reduced service fees. Students can sign up using their student email and get a 50% membership discount. That means fewer delivery fees and more money for extra snacks!
Seamless
Seamless and Grubhub are basically the same company, but Seamless has its own set of student discounts and promotions. If you’re in an area where Seamless operates, it’s another option for saving while you eat. As a student, you can score a discount on your membership, so you’ll pay less for delivery every time you order. They often run exclusive student deals so that you can save a little extra on your next delivery.
Meal Subscription Plans for College Students
If you’re looking for more long-term solutions to your food budget, cheap meal plans for online learners might be the way to go. Meal kits are perfect for busy online students because they take the guesswork out of what to cook and provide fresh ingredients delivered right to your door. Many of these services offer student discounts or flexible plans that don’t ruin your budget and lifestyle.
HelloFresh
HelloFresh is a highly popular meal kit service in the United States. It offers students everything for easy-to-cook meals, including fresh ingredients and step-by-step recipes.
While HelloFresh doesn’t have a permanent student discount, new customers can often save up to $90 on their first few boxes. You can also expect flexible subscription plans, allowing you to skip weeks or adjust your meal plans to fit your schedules.
EveryPlate
EveryPlate is another great option for students, with prices starting as low as $4.99 per meal. It also frequently offers deals, such as up to $150 off your first few orders.
Blue Apron
Blue Apron is a trailblazer in the meal kit industry, providing first-time customers with $120 off their initial orders. It’s an excellent option for those who enjoy healthy and delicious food at a reduced cost. Their options cater to busy schedules, including 20-minute affordable college meal options for students with limited extra time.
Green Chef
Green Chef is another excellent meal kit service, especially for students looking for healthy and organic meal options. It focuses on providing high-quality, sustainably sourced ingredients and recipes tailored to various dietary preferences. You can find keto, paleo, and vegetarian options.
University Meal Plan Discounts for Online Students
You might be surprised to find that some universities offer affordable meal plans for college students online. Here are the top three colleges known for offering meal plans to their online students:
- University of North Carolina: Off-campus meal plans range from $300 to $790 per semester, helping students save on food while focusing on academics.
- University of Central Florida: Their Create Your Own Meal Plan lets off-campus students enjoy on-campus dining with meal swipes and $800 in Dining Dollars per semester for flexibility and convenience.
- University of Florida: Off-campus meal plans cost $230–$790 per semester and include flex dollars for use at campus cafes and local stores.
To take advantage of discounted food for students through your college:
- Check the university’s website. Many universities have specific pages dedicated to meal plans, and some even offer discounted or flexible options to online students. These might include prepaid meals, dining dollars, or even meal delivery options.
- Contact campus dining services. Contact the dining services department if there are no online student meal programs listed. You may be able to inquire about available discounts or find out if you’re eligible for any campus dining benefits.
Discounted Grocery Delivery for Students
If you prefer to do your own cooking, grocery delivery services can be a budget-friendly alternative to eating out.
Instacart
Instacart is one of the best food delivery deals for students who want to save money. They make grocery delivery easy with stores like Costco, Safeway, and Kroger available.
Try Instacart Express for free delivery on $35+ orders and lower fees—perfect for busy students. Watch out for student discounts around holidays or back-to-school time!
Walmart+
Walmart+ offers free grocery delivery and perks like gas discounts. With its low prices, Walmart is a budget-friendly choice for students who want to save on groceries and delivery.
Amazon Fresh
Amazon Fresh is free with Amazon Prime, where students can get 50% off. It’s a win if you’re already using Prime for shopping or streaming—just add groceries to the mix!
Misfits Market
Misfits Market delivers affordable, “imperfect” produce and more—like meats, fish, and pantry staples. With no membership fees and flexible subscriptions, you just pay a delivery fee starting at $5.50.
Special Promotions and Seasonal Deals
Another great way to save money as an online student is to take advantage of seasonal promotions and limited-time deals. During back-to-school seasons, holidays, or finals week, many food delivery services and meal kits offer special discounts or deals exclusively for students.
For example, services like Grubhub and DoorDash may run limited-time campaigns where students can get free delivery, extra discounts, or reward points for future orders. Make sure to sign up for email newsletters or check deal sites like UNiDAYS or Student Beans to get notified about these offers.
Tips for Maximizing Food Budget as an Online Student
As an online student, you’ll likely need to be strategic to stretch your food budget. Here are some tips for pinning down affordable and healthy meal plans for college students:
- Combine Promo Codes: Many apps allow you to stack promo codes or use multiple discounts on a single order. Look for combinations of student discounts, special promotions, and rewards points.
- Sign up for Loyalty Programs: Many food delivery services and grocery stores offer loyalty programs through which you can earn points on each purchase. You can use these points to get future discounts or rewards.
- Meal Prep: Consider prepping a few meals in advance to avoid ordering takeout every day. Bulk cooking on weekends can help save time and money during the week.
Conclusion: Smart Food Choices for Better Learning
Food is an indispensable part of keeping your energy and focus up, especially during the school year. This is even more true for online students who spend hours in front of a screen.
The good news? There are tons of ways to create healthy meal plans for college students without breaking the bank.
Think student discounts on food delivery apps and affordable meal subscription discounts for college students. With so many deals out there, you can enjoy nutritious meals that power you through your studies and keep you feeling your best. Don’t let food costs stress you out—get creative and make it work for you!