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The Donation Calculator helps you plan your point donations throughout the quarter by calculating how many points you need for yourself and how many you can share with others.

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How It Works

The calculator uses three key pieces of information:
  1. Your current balance - Automatically loaded from your account
  2. Average daily spending - How many points you typically spend per day
  3. Days remaining in quarter - Automatically calculated based on UCSC’s academic calendar
Based on these inputs, the calculator determines:
  • Points needed to cover your own food for the rest of the quarter
  • Total points you can safely donate
  • Suggested daily donation amounts

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Meal Pricing

Dining hall meals are charged based on meal period:
  • Breakfast: 12.60 points
  • Lunch: 13.65 points
  • Dinner: 14.70 points
  • Late Night: 13.65 points
  • Breakfast: 12.95 points
  • Lunch: 14.00 points
  • Dinner: 15.05 points
  • Late Night: 14.00 points
  • Breakfast: 14.55 points
  • Lunch: 15.60 points
  • Dinner: 16.65 points
  • Late Night: 15.60 points
Most students use Slug Points. The pricing differences reflect processing fees for different payment methods.

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Donation Strategies

The calculator offers three donation pacing options:

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Evenly Over Quarter

Distribute your donations throughout the remaining days of the quarter. This creates a steady stream of available donation requests. Example: If you can donate 300 points over 30 days, you’d donate ~10 points per day. Donate all your extra points immediately. Best when you want to help someone with an urgent request or consolidate your donations. Example: Donate all 300 points today, then focus on your own spending. Save all donations until the last day of the quarter. Useful if you want to ensure you have buffer points for unexpected spending. Example: Hold your 300 points and donate them on the final day before they reset.

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Projected Balance Chart

The calculator visualizes your point balance over time with two scenarios:
  • Without donating (blue line): Your balance if you only spend on yourself
  • With donating (green line): Your balance after donations based on your chosen pace
Both lines account for your daily spending and show you’ll have enough points to cover your own meals.

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Quarter Information

The calculator displays:
  • Current quarter name (Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer)
  • Quarter start and end dates
  • Days remaining in the quarter
The calculator is only available during active academic quarters. Points reset at the end of each quarter, so plan your donations accordingly.

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Calculation Example

Let’s say:
  • Current balance: 500 points
  • Average daily spending: 15 points (1 lunch per day)
  • Days remaining: 20 days
Calculation:
  1. Points needed for yourself: 15 × 20 = 300 points
  2. Total you can donate: 500 - 300 = 200 points
  3. Daily donation (if spread evenly): 200 ÷ 20 = 10 points/day
This means you can safely create donation requests totaling 200 points while still having enough for your own meals.

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Tips for Accurate Planning

  1. Track your spending for a few days to get an accurate daily average
  2. Include all meal times - breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night
  3. Add a buffer - Consider spending a bit less than your actual average to account for special occasions
  4. Check regularly - Recalculate as the quarter progresses and your spending patterns change

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Between Quarters

When not in an active quarter, the calculator shows upcoming quarter dates so you can plan ahead. Remember that points don’t carry over between quarters.

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