Greetings, Warhawks!

At some point during your time at UW-Whitewater, you’ve probably asked yourself:
“What’s the difference between Purple Points and Dining Dollars?”

You might hear a mix of answers from friends and classmates, but we’re here to give you the facts, straight from The HawkCard Office: your go-to resource for everything related to Dining Dollars, Purple Points, and Meal Plans.

Let’s start with Dining Dollars:

If you’ve ever had a required meal plan, you’ve already had Dining Dollars on your HawkCard.

Dining Dollars are added to your card at the start of each semester in amounts of $50 or $100, depending on your weekly meal plan. If you’re on the Full Dining Dollar Plan, you’ll receive $935 to use throughout the semester.

So, what exactly are Dining Dollars?

Think of them as campus cash-with perks. Dining Dollars give you a 15% discount at dining halls and a 10% discount at all other campus dining locations. They’re available with any meal plan, whether you choose a Weekly Meal Plan or a Flex Plan.
Just a heads-up: Dining Dollars expire at the end of the academic year, so be sure to use them up!

So how are they different from Purple Points?

Great question!

Purple Points are available to all students, regardless of whether you have a meal plan. They’re more flexible than Dining Dollars and roll over from year to year until you graduate or leave UWW.

Purple Points can be used at:

  • The UWW Bookstore

  • Campus vending machines

  • The Health Center

  • Campus dining locations

  • Even to purchase Dining Dollars at the HawkCard Office

Plus, many off-campus locations near campus accept Purple Points too!
You can find a full list of participating merchants here:
Off-Campus Purple Points Locations

Which one’s better?

Honestly, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

Both Dining Dollars and Purple Points are convenient, dollar-for-dollar accounts accessed right from your HawkCard. If you’re eating off campus a lot (hello, Topper’s and Subway), Purple Points might be the way to go. Still unsure? Try both!

Have questions? We’re happy to help.
Stop by the HawkCard Office in UC Room 250, Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Or check out our website: uww.edu/uc/hawkcard