For many Piedmont University students, their morning routine includes stopping by the Market for a cup of coffee or a refresher. This year, more and more students are seeing a surge in prices, leading many to deplete their market money. 

The Market, located in the Student Commons, has always been a popular spot for snacks, Starbucks coffee and grab-and-go refreshments. Students often rely on their meal plan’s declining balance funds to cover daily pick-me-ups. 

“I’m someone who gets a hot chocolate from the market every day, if not every other day,” said junior Damyon Traylor. “I realized this school year the price for my hot chocolate has risen significantly.”

At Piedmont, the concern is that Market money is not extra cash, but a part of every student’s meal plan. These are funds built into tuition and housing costs, so students expect them to cover daily essentials when needed. When prices rise, it creates a budgeting challenge that affects not only coffee drinkers but also students who depend on The Market. 

Traylor says his hot chocolate used to be around $3.50, but now the price has risen to $5.55, leaving him with little money left in his account, like many students.

The Market remains a central part of campus life. Lines still form each morning, and the demand for caffeine isn’t going anywhere. For now, students may accept and deal with the higher prices, but they continue to swipe their cards, hoping their Market balance won’t run dry before the semester ends.