Let all the big dawgs eat

Food Initiative Scholarship

ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP

The Let All the Big Dawgs Eat Food Scholarship Initiative is a need-based scholarship that awards meal plans to University of Georgia students each fall, spring, and summer semesters.

The scholarship initiative is administered by UGA Student Affairs and allows students to participate in the University’s award-winning Dining Services department. Students have the option of eating with their peers in dining halls across campus when they choose, as frequently as they choose, seven days per week.

Funding for this scholarship comes from private donors, the UGA Foundation, and UGA parents and families. 100% of the donations go to students’ meal plan scholarships.

application information

Students who are awarded the Let All the Big Dawgs Eat Food Scholarship receive unlimited access to UGA dining halls through enrollment in either a five-day or seven-day-per-week meal plan. Students may apply for a scholarship that provides the meal plan during the fall and spring semesters together or during the summer semester. Recipients may eat at any of the dining halls on campus.

The scholarship application is currently closed.

Applications for Summer 2026 and 2026-2027 Academic year will open in March 2026.

STUDENT RESOURCES

Need additional financial assistance? We’ve set up a few resources below.

Food resources

The UGA Student Food Pantry is located in the Tate Center, room 146, behind the staircase.

Employment with UGA Dining Services: In addition to being convenient to campus and flexible in working around class schedules, Dining Services provides student employees with a free meal for every shift.

There are several food pantries in the Clarke County area that are open year round. Go to FoodPantries.org’s website to see a list of food banks in the area and more information about each one.

Depending on your student status and work situation, you might qualify for SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps. You can use SNAP to buy groceries at most grocery and convenience stores. The Athens Farmers Market has been doubling SNAP dollars since 2010 ($5 in SNAP dollars becomes $10), making the market often more affordable than grocery store. The Wednesday evening market is conveniently located near North Campus at Creature Comforts, and the Saturday morning market is at Bishop Park.

Other Resources

Dealing with financial challenges? Access one of the support resources within the UGA Well-Being Support Resources.

When it comes to your health and well-being, know that you have the support you need from Well-Being at any time, any place.

Student Care and Outreach is here to help when you experience hardship or unforeseen circumstances.

The UGA Bulldog Basics provides personal hygiene items for students in need. These resource closets are located in various buildings across campus. See their website for more information.

Embark is a UGA project with a mission to assist and support former foster and homeless youth.

TRIO Student Support Services provides services to students who are first-generation, Pell Grant eligible, and/or registered with the Disability Resource Center. They offer advising, tutoring, financial literacy counseling, and free printing, among many other resources.

Please feel free to contact Jan Barham (LATBDE@uga.edu) if you have any questions about the LATBDE Food Scholarship or there is anything we can do to assist you (Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs 706-542-3564).

For information and resources for coping with financial hardship at UGA, please visit the UGA Financial Hardship Resources website.

GIVE TO THE SCHOLARSHIP

Food insecurity can strike students without warning, with a student on the meal plan one semester and unable to afford the cost the next semester. Too many of our students are forced to choose between staying in school or paying for sufficient food to support their nutritional needs. To date, more than 2,700 individuals and corporations have donated to the Let All the Big Dawgs Eat Food Scholarship.

Only $115 will feed one student three meals per day for one week. Your generous donation provides for students in the following ways:

$2,293 = One Semester Scholarship

$4,585 = One Academic Year Scholarship

$6,092 = One Calendar Year Scholarship (including summer semester)

$9,190 = Two Academic Year Scholarships

$12,184 = Two Calendar Year Scholarships

Students who are awarded the scholarship receive unlimited access to UGA dining halls through enrollment in either a five-day or seven-day-per-week meal plan. Students may apply for a scholarship that provides the meal plan during fall and summer semesters together or during summer semester. Recipients may eat at any of the dining halls on campus.

STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

“Receiving the food scholarship has been personally meaningful because it has lifted a burden off my shoulders and provided me with a sense of security. Knowing that I don’t have to worry about where my next meal is coming from has given me peace of mind, allowing me to focus on other aspects of my life, like personal growth. It has also made me feel supported by my community, which motivates me to give back in the future.”

“Instead of working multiple jobs to pay for food, I can really invest in myself at the University of Georgia through multiple organizations and thrive academically. I get to enjoy eating socially with so many friends and also have a really nice space to work on homework. It is even a nice moment just sitting by myself and eating, gives me lots more time to just exist with myself. It has meant everything to me.”

“As a result of the scholarship, having access to the dining hall allows me to maintain a nutritious diet that feeds my stomach and brain. After a long study session, I am able to maintain my energy and motivation by eating foods that help my mind recover. Now, I am able to allocate more time to study and focus on my academic work. As a result, I’ve been able to maintain my 3.92 GPA. This wouldn’t have been possible without the Let All The Big Dawgs Eat scholarship.”

“The Food Scholarship has not only been helpful to me during one of the hardest times of my life, but it has also shown me just how willing the University of Georgia and its donors are. Dealing with my mom’s cancer diagnosis and subsequent death has caused a great bit of strife in my life, but having resources like the Food Scholarship has taken the monetary stress that comes with buying weekly groceries away, and I can now focus on other things that need to get done.”

“Receiving this scholarship helped ease the burden of expenses that my family has incurred since I started college. It has also allowed me to have access to a reliable food meal plan. This allowed me to focus on my studies and keep a balance with school and a healthy lifestyle. It has given me a sense of validation and encouragement to keep pushing forward in my academic journey.”

“I have never felt more connected or a such a sense of belonging and community to a place than this year. I contribute that to the scholarship and how it has allowed me meet new people and enjoy comradery in the dining halls. I was finally able to go to Snelling Dining Hall to “Snellibrate” after a big test with my classmates without having to worry about my finances.”