Optional Expenses

Dining Dollars: You can add money to your U Card (like a debit card) that can be spent on food at certain places on-campus. Purchasing enough Dining Dollars can grant bonuses, but Dining Dollars that are still unused by the end of spring go away. They are non-refundable.

Gopher GOLD: Similar to Dining Dollars, you can add money to your U Card that can be spent all over campus. There are often discounts/promotions at different locations on campus when you use Gopher GOLD. Gopher GOLD is the only way to pay for printing at libraries and computer labs on campus.

• Gopher GOLD and Dining Dollars accounts both live on the U Card, but there are some distinct differences.  See Gopher GOLD vs. Dining Dollars for an overview of the differences. 

Meal Plans: PSEO students may purchase a meal plan using their student account. PSEO students who are interested would purchase the "Voluntary" Meal Plan.

Dining Hall Building Access (Bailey, Middlebrook, Pioneer, Sanford, or 17th Ave Dining Halls)

• If you have a meal plan: Automatic access to these residential buildings with your U Card.

• If you have Dining Dollars: Need to check-in at the front desk of the residential buildings before eating there.

Restaurants around Dinkytown: You can also choose to eat at one of the many restaurants around campus at a range of prices. See this Eater article for some favorites. 

Bringing your own food? Limited refrigerator space is sometimes available in the Commuter Connections student group's lounge space in Coffman Memorial Union 204, along with microwaves. You can find additional microwaves across campus by using this Campus Microwave Map! 

Lockers are available for rent on the East Bank and West Bank.

See the Parking & Transportation page in this handbook for more information about entering the contract parking lottery. 

Visit the Library's website for information about printing and photocopying services available on campus.

PSEO students do not pay a Student Services Fee, so if you want "rec center" access you will have to purchase a membership.

Students must be at least 16 years old.

If you are enrolled in a PE course, you do not need to purchase a rec center membership to participate in class. You will automatically have a note on your account that will allow you to swipe your U Card to enter the building for your class. Even if the course isn't in the rec center, you can use the showers before or after your class.

If purchasing a rec center membership during the summer, make sure to tell the staff that you're on the PSEO student list, so they know you are eligible to purchase a membership. 

If you would like to use a gym locker, you have two options:

1. Purchase a membership to the rec center, then purchase a semester-length locker rental

2. Purchase a daily locker rental. Go downstairs to the equipment room each day you need a locker (the service desk is located through the locker rooms, to the right), and present your U Card.

The fees for study abroad and experiential learning options are not credit-based, but rather calculated as a package that includes tuition and books, room and board, transportation, and other miscellaneous items. As such, the PSEO program cannot cover these costs. 

Furthermore, the tuition for all semester classes are bundled together such that students who wish to pay out of pocket for this experience cannot take any other PSEO classes in that semester.

Students must be 18 years of age by the time they go abroad. If you are considering coming to the University as an undergraduate and want to explore your Study Abroad options, contact the Learning Abroad Center.

See the Parking & Transportation page in this handbook for more information about public transit options.