Your Guide to Basic Needs and Support at NC State College
Each semester, we’re here to help reduce financial stress and connect you with resources for basic needs, including food, clothing, transportation, housing, utilities, technology, childcare, health care, and mental wellness.
You’re never alone at NC State. We’ll work with you to understand your circumstances, identify your needs, and connect you with helpful people and resources on campus and in the community. Think of us as your home base for advocacy and support.
Start your journey toward financial wellness and academic success by exploring these resources and tips. Use your online Resource Guide to find support in your community, bookmark helpful information, or share it with friends.
Contact Us
Resource Navigator
Office of Student Support Services
Fallerius Building
419-755-4730
Connect with us in a way that’s comfortable for you: email, voicemail, in-person visit (we love drop-ins). If you find yourself in a tough spot (or heading toward one), get in touch with our resource-navigator service. It is free to anyone enrolled at NC State.
Money
Tuition, books, lab fees, groceries, rent, utilities: it all adds up. And when money is tight, it can be hard to focus on anything else.
That’s why your financial well-being matters, not just today, but for your future, too. Let’s take it one semester at a time and find ways to make your money go further while building a stronger financial future.
If you are worried about having enough money to cover expenses this semester or next, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Connect with us today. We can help you find resources and practical strategies for managing your money, including Ohio Benefits programs such as Ohio Works First (OWF), part of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
Food
Healthy nutrition for students is vital. With good nutrition, you’ll maintain energy for school, work, and family life. You’ll stay awake and alert, improve creative and critical thinking, and remain healthy. In other words, good food will enhance your academic success.
We can help you access some essentials. We have resources that are free to all enrolled students:
- On-campus market & food pantry
- Weekend food box
- Tips for daily nutrition
- Guidance for Ohio Benefits (e.g., SNAP, TANF)
Stop by the Fallerius building and meet with us. Browse our online Resource Guide for help in your local community.
Housing
You deserve a safe place to stay and sleep whether you live alone, with family, or with friends. The same is true if you own a home, rent, or are periodically unhoused.
A safe, stable, and supportive home and neighborhood are not a luxury. They are a necessity. They are the foundation for physical health and mental health and help support creative and critical thinking.
NC State College does not offer on-campus student housing. However, we will connect you with people in the community who may help with supports and subsidies. Contact us today and browse our online Resource Guide for help in your local community.
If you are in need of household items (e.g., appliances, bedding), the Elizabeth Clark Emergency Fund of Goodwill Industries of Akron, Ohio, addresses urgent needs with gift cards for those who qualify. Residents of Richland, Ashland, Portage, and Summit Counties may apply.
Utilities
Utilities are a basic part of having a safe, stable place to live and study. That includes:
- Electricity
- Heat (natural gas)
- Air conditioning
- Internet
- Mobile phone
- Water
Keeping the lights on, the heat running, and your internet connected can be just as important to your academic success as paying for tuition and books. When bills pile up, the stress can make it harder to focus on school.
Worried about having one or more utilities shut off because you can’t afford the bills? The North Central State College Foundation may offer utility assistance to eligible enrolled students. Community resources may also be available.
Connect with us today or browse our online Resource Guide to find help in your community.
Clothing
Having comfortable, clean, weather-appropriate clothing can help you feel confident and ready for school, work, and everything else on your plate.
We know many NC State students are balancing classes with jobs, family responsibilities, and long commutes. It’s easy to put your own needs on the back burner, but having the right clothes can make a difference.
We can connect eligible students with Goodwill Industries of Akron for clothing vouchers, emergency funds, and career services. Residents of Richland, Ashland, Portage, and Summit Counties may apply for the Elizabeth Clark Emergency Fund.
Connect with us or browse our online Resource Guide for additional help in your community.
Transportation
Getting to class, work, and home safely depends on reliable transportation. If your car needs repair or you’re having trouble getting you to and from class, let us know.
Eligible enrolled students may be able to get help with vehicle repairs and maintenance through the North Central State College Foundation. Community transportation resources may also be available.
Public transportation, taxis, and rideshares are other options. Richland County Transit (RCT) offers free bus rides to currently enrolled students with a valid student ID.
RCT serves:
- Mansfield
- Ontario
- Shelby
- Madison Township (select locations)
Need a safety escort to your car on campus? Call 419-755-4346.
Computer & Internet
These days, a reliable computer and internet connection are essential for college. You need them for everything from registering for classes and managing financial aid to attending class, doing research, completing assignments, and staying in touch with your professors and classmates.
If buying a computer or paying for internet is a challenge, help may be available. Eligible enrolled students may have access to:
- Laptop Loaner Program
- TI-84 Calculator Loaner Program
- Emergency funds through the NC State Foundation
You can also use free Wi-Fi and computer labs on campus. The Bromfield Library and Information Commons (BLIC) has space with computers, Wi-Fi, and places to study.
Local libraries may also offer free computers and Wi-Fi, and some lend mobile hotspots (MiFi) for use at home.
Connect with us or browse the online Resource Guide for technology resources in your community.
Childcare
If you’re a student and a parent or caregiver, you already have a lot on your plate. Reliable, affordable childcare can give you peace of mind and make it easier to focus on your education.
The on-campus Child Development Center (CDC) serves children of NC State College students. It’s also a teaching lab for college students preparing to work with young children and families. The CDC is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, and a Federal Early Head Start grantee. Breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack are provided for children attending the CDC.
Eligible students who live in Richland or Crawford Counties and are enrolled in for-credit courses may also qualify for a Childcare Assistance Stipend.
Need diapers? Ask about the Diaper Pantry, generously supported by Time for a Change Diaper Bank. It’s located in the Student Success Center in the Fallerius Building.
Additional help may be available through community resources and Ohio Benefits, including:
- Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) for parents who work or attend school
- Early Childhood Education (ECE) grants to help families access preschool
Medical Care
Taking care of your health is part of taking care of your education. Your body and mind work together, and staying healthy can help you feel better, stay focused, and keep up with everything you’re juggling.
Take advantage of free exercise facilities and resources on campus, or take a walk along our tree-lined paths. Our Thrive! Wellness site also has tips and resources for taking care of your health.
There are also options for medical care and health insurance. Community clinics across Ohio may offer primary care whether you have Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, or no insurance. Some may also offer medications at little or no cost.
For free or income-based health services in Ashland, Crawford, and Richland Counties, connect with us or browse our online Resource Guide. You can also contact the public health department in your county.
You and your family may qualify for additional help through Ohio Benefits, including Ohio Medicaid and other programs for eligible children, pregnant women, adults, older adults, and people with disabilities. We can help navigate the site and understand our options.
Mental Health & Wellness
A little stress can be a normal part of learning and growing, but when stress becomes constant and overwhelming, it can affect your mental and physical health and make it harder to focus on school.
If you are having a hard time with your mood, substance use, or other challenges, you don’t have to handle it alone. All currently enrolled NC State students who are no longer in high school are eligible for free on-campus counseling.
If you need a quiet space, there are study rooms and several other areas around the campus. You can also explore Thrive! for tips and resources related to mental health, physical health, and overall wellness. And don’t forget to browse our Resource Guide for free or discounted services in your community.
Ohio Benefits can also help you explore Ohio Medicaid and other health-related programs.
