The consummate pauper's food. I ate it (and practically nothing else) for nearly two years straight. Mix it up a little...add green onions, egg, scraps of meat, teriyaki sauce...it can be good if you put a little love into it.

This classic American comfort food is cheap and filling...that's about all one can say about it. I mean, the cheese is powdered, and the inside of the box contains as much cardboard dust as pasta. Chili-n-Mac is my favorite alternative.

You can't go wrong with five dollar pizza. Buy two, have a few slices, save the rest for your next several meals! Like Top Ramen, adding a few cheap veggies and hot sauce can make the mediocre, spectacular!

Groan! Another corporate plug you say? Not really, but the only people who are in a position to bitch, probably can afford to eat elsewhere. You can feed a family of seven with ten dollars...I know I have.

Everybody loves to bash Taco Bell fare, but based on the number of establishments throughout the U.S., the chain clearly enjoys a closet following. Their meals are cheap and always a welcome alternative to burgers and pizza.

As frozen meals go, these aren't too bad. I prefer the Salisbury steak, they're quick to cook, they cook evenly, and they taste better than most Hungry Man meals I've had. Do yourself a favor and buy in bulk...they're cheaper than dirt (but may contain trace amounts of it).

Another classic American comfort food. We had 'em as kids...they contain all the basic ingredients a healthy student needs, now you're only concern is chunky or smooth peanut butter and whether you want to cut off those crusts or not.

Hot Dogs are made from...well, God knows what. But they're cheap, full of protein, and may be eaten raw or cooked (for those of you late risers who need a food fix as you bolt across campus to make it to class on time).