Upperclassmen receiving financial aid see no increase to food budget for first time in 18 years

For the first time in 18 years, the University has not raised the food allowance for upperclassmen on financial aid this year, raising concerns among lower-income students on how to cover eating club fees. All other undergraduate expenses billed by the University have grown uniformly by 4.5 percent.

The dining budget for upperclassmen is calculated with the cost of eating clubs in mind, said University spokesperson Ahmad Rizvi in a statement to The Daily Princetonian. Since 2007, the University has offered an increased dining budget for juniors and seniors on aid to allow them to more easily afford eating club costs without taking out a loan. Each year since then, excluding the pandemic, the University has increased its dining allowance as eating club costs have risen. This year, however, the University held the budget constant.

Last year, the average cost for eating club memberships (including membership and social fees) was about $10,555. This year, it has increased to roughly $11,200, which is $680 more than the University’s dining budget of $10,520. 

In a written comment to The Daily Princetonian, Rizvi stated that the food allowance for upperclassmen remained unchanged because it is based on “the estimated average allowable eating club costs,” which the University evaluated as not having increased this academic year. 

University spokesperson Michael Hotchkiss stated that eating club food costs have not increased. “Allowable costs are those related to the cost of food and food administration,” he wrote. “Social and other fees assessed by the clubs are not allowable and therefore not included in this calculation.” The food costs category of the U.S. Consumer Price Index increased by 3 percent compared to a year earlier in July 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

For students with high or full aid from the University, the upperclass dining budget can be “refunded” as cash, which can in turn be used to pay for eating club dues, campus meal plans, or other dining arrangements.

Hap Cooper ’82, President of the Graduate Interclub Council (GICC), wrote to the ‘Prince’ that the widening gap between the costs of clubs and the University grants is posing a challenge for the clubs. 

Cooper noted that financial assistance provided by the clubs to help cover the costs of membership dues will continue, but may no longer cover the entire gap. He added that clubs are experiencing an increase in these requests as the number of aid-qualifying students grows, placing additional strain on their finances. 

In a June 2023 memo, the University requested clubs to stop awarding aid that would exceed the difference between their costs and the University’s grant. Citing the expanded 2023 financial aid program, the undergraduate financial aid office noted that offering club aid for costs already covered in the University’s board allowance is “well-intended” but “may be problematic from a compliance perspective.”

Princeton says that it has maintained that framework in 2026. Rizvi wrote that “the University cannot authorize students to receive club-based aid for costs that have already been factored into the student’s cost of attendance.”

The Interclub Council did not respond to multiple requests for comment regarding this year’s food allowance budget.

In an interview with the ‘Prince,’ a member of Tower Club who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press by Tower said that although the dining budget covers their membership dues, more University aid would have made it easier for them to purchase meals when necessary. They explained that joining an eating club was a difficult decision for them, as they would have had more leftover money for other expenses had they chosen a University meal plan. 

A member of Ivy Club, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized by Ivy to speak to the press, noted they were not aware of the dining budget remaining stagnant, but had observed the increased cost of club membership. As an international student, they explained that aid over the cost of tuition is taxed at a rate of 14 percent. They stated that the lack of an increase in the dining budget would only make it harder for them to stay in the club.

“The University will continue to evaluate eating club costs annually to ensure that the junior/senior food allowance is in line with allowable food costs,” Rizvi wrote.

Eating club leadership have also articulated a commitment to keeping the eating club experience and its privileges attainable and equitable for all. Cooper shared a similar commitment to equitable and attainable access to eating clubs. “We cannot allow the Princeton experience to be divided into First Class and Coach,” he said. 

He added that Princeton and leaders on “The Street” are aware of and seek to address continued issues of access regarding eating club entry.

However, many students feel these intentions are not translating into action, especially in light of the increased cost of meal plans and food.

Clubs, “even sign-ins,” said Tyler Scarborough ’29, who identified as low-income, are “getting more popular. They’re getting more pricey. The University isn’t keeping up with that.”

Quadrangle Club member Joseph Sherrod ’28 stated that “there already was a really big issue with accessibility.” “These new changes are just piling onto the issue … there already were obstacles in place when it comes to interacting with Bicker clubs,” he added.

Regardless, a majority of upperclassmen are members of eating clubs, making membership a cornerstone of campus identity at Princeton. Students receiving financial aid who decide not to join an eating club will also be affected by the lack of an increase to the dining budget, as their purchasing power is eroded by a 4.5 percent increase in the cost of campus meal plans and general inflation in food costs.

For Scarborough, “the eating clubs are part of that somewhat elitist history. If we aren’t actively correcting against it, it could further isolate our lower-income students from feeling like they truly belong and can find community at Princeton.”

Grace Meyerle is a News contributor for the ‘Prince’ and a member of the Class of 2030.

Rajbir Toor is a News contributor for the ‘Prince’ and a member of the Class of 2030.

Joann Kim is a News contributor for the ‘Prince’ and a member of the Class of 2030.

Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.