Basic Needs Insecurity
Basic Needs
Are you a UIC student who does not have safe and/or permanent housing, is struggling to pay rent, or does not have consistent access to food? You are not alone. A 2023-24 national survey found that 41% of college students experienced food insecurity, 48% of students experienced housing insecurity, and 14% had experienced homelessness in the past year. The Office of the Dean of Students is committed to assisting students who are navigating these issues.
On this page you will find links to contact the Dean of Student’s Office and other campus support units for assistance, as well as resources (both on- and off- campus) that can provide various services and support.
*Source: The Hope Center 2023-2024 Student Basic Needs Survey Report . Data was collected from 74,350 students from 91 colleges and universities across 16 U.S. States.
Request Assistance Now! Basic Needs Insecurity
Common Immediate Concerns
Additional Resources
We recognize that being a student who is facing housing or food insecurity may be affecting other areas of your life, including your academics, mental health, and employment. Below are additional resources at UIC and in Chicago to help you succeed during this challenging time.
On Campus & Off Campus Resources
- UIC Facilities with showers (note: students should bring their own toiletries):
- Commuter Student Resource Center (245 Student Center East)
- Student Recreational Facilities:
- East Campus (737 S Halsted)
- West Campus (828 S Wolcott)
- Goodwill stores are abundant across the city and surrounding areas and provide used clothing and household items at a significant discount. To find the Goodwill closest to you:https://www.goodwill.org/
- Bridge to Success: their mission is to enhance employment opportunities for at-risk, low-income, no-income men, women, and young adults by providing high-end, contemporary interview clothing, coupled with a personal stylist and coaching, to build self-confidence through appearance, interview preparation and sense of belonging at the workplace. For more information and to shop their store: https://www.thebridgetosuccess.org/
- Cornerstone Community Outreach is an Uptown community organization dedicated to providing shelter individuals and families in need of a home. Part of their mission and outreach is providing a “Free Store” to their specific communities and their neighbors. The “Free Store” is a place where you can “shop” for clothing items and household essentials. For more information: https://www.ccolife.org/services-for-our-neighbors/
- Emergency-Go Bags from the Wellness Center: We understand that circumstances happen and sometimes you need extra help. In severe and unexpected life circumstances such as: fire, domestic violence, loss of housing due to financial hardship, or you have been kicked out by a family member or partner, registered UIC students should contact the Wellness Center.
- 211 Metro Chicago has a list of resources for free clothing, food assistance, and more in the Chicagoland area. For more information: https://211metrochicago.org/search-for-resources/?external_category=CLO
On Campus
- UIC Academic Center for Excellence: ACE provides learning support services to enable all UIC students to accomplish their academic goals by developing critical thinking skills and learning strategies that will enhance their academic success.
- UIC Tutoring: UIC offers a wide variety of tutoring services to help you achieve your academic goals.
- UIC African American Academic Network (AAAN): The African American Academic Network promotes success and high impact engagement for students of African descent through comprehensive advising, developmental programming, student advocacy and structured learning experiences within an inclusive community.
- UIC Latin American Recruitment and Educational Services: LARES was established to assist UIC in the recruitment of Latino students and to provide academic support to increase their chances for success.
- UIC Connection is an online search engine that connects students with social, recreational, and academic organizations and events which match their interests: https://uic.campuslabs.com/engage/
- Centers for Cultural Understanding and Social Change: UIC’s seven cultural centers aim to make UIC a welcoming and inclusive place for all students, faculty and staff. The Centers are committed to student success, intercultural engagement, vibrant scholarship, and dynamic community partnerships.
- African American Cultural Center: https://aacc.uic.edu/
- Arab American Cultural Center: https://arabamcc.uic.edu/
- Asian American Resource and Cultural Center: https://aarcc.uic.edu/
- Disability Cultural Center: https://dcc.uic.edu/
- Gender and Sexuality Center: https://gsc.uic.edu/
- Latino Cultural Center: https://latinocultural.uic.edu/
- Women’s Leadership and Resource Center: https://wlrc.uic.edu/
Resources
- UIC Counseling Center: Counseling Center provides diverse services to help students deal with stress, handle a crisis or trauma, cope with the transition to college, gain strength from gender and cultural identity, or manage serious mental illness and many other issues. Our counselors can help students increase resilience and positive well-being by developing effective coping and problem-solving skills.
- UIC Wellness Center: supports student learning, academic success, and retention by providing wellness services that promote healthy attitudes and behaviors, empower students to make informed choices, and enhance holistic well-being.
Resources
- UIC Career Services: Career Services empowers you to find your fit in the world of work. They offer one-on-one advising, career preparation programs, and events to help connect you with opportunities.
- Handshake, UIC’s one-stop-shop for job searching: https://uic.joinhandshake.com/login
- Schedule a Career Advising Appointment: https://careerservices.uic.edu/about-us/hours/
- Need help building your resume? Check out this resource: Resumes, CVs, and Cover Letters | Career Services | University of Illinois Chicago (uic.edu)
- Need help preparing for an interview? Check out this resource: Interviews | Career Services | University of Illinois Chicago (uic.edu)
- Events, including webinars, job fairs, and resume workshops: https://careerservices.uic.edu/students/upcoming-events/
- Student employment: assists students with finding on- and off-campus employment: https://studentemployment.uic.edu/
On Campus & Off Campus Resources
- UIC Student Legal Services: Student Legal Services (SLS) is available to assist current UIC students in understanding and solving their legal problems. Staff can advise or represent students in variety of legal areas including, but not limited to: landlord/tenant disputes, simple divorces, misdemeanors, expungements, traffic violations, and small claims consumer disputes.
- Request an appointment to review a lease, a job offer, or any other legal document: https://dos.uic.edu/student-legal/
- Youth Futures Mobile Legal Clinic: The Law Project provides legal services to homeless and unaccompanied youth through its Youth Features mobile legal aid clinic. The goal of this clinic is to provide civil legal service to homeless youth through various established outreach sites. For more information: https://sites.google.com/site/lawprojectcch/youth-futures
UIC WiFi & Laptop Loaner Program
Current UIC students in need of a laptop or cellular hotspot, can submit a request for one here: Laptop Hotspot Request Form.
Once their status has been verified, eligible students are able to pick up their laptop and/or hotspot from campus or have it shipped to their residence for as long as inventory remains available.
For more information regarding technologies available to students, please visit: go.uic.edu/technology-tools-students.
State of Illinois Emergency Broadband Assistance
The Covid-19 Pandemic showed the detrimental effects of inequitable access to internet can be for the wellbeing and education of Illinoisans. With so much of everyday life now being conducted through the internet, it is essential for everyone to have equitable access to the internet, regardless of their income level. Illinoisans now have access to affordable internet through the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program. The program utilizes federal COVID-19 relief funding to provide eligible households discounts of up to $50 a month on home internet service, making the service more affordable and accessible for qualifying low-income families. The program also offers a $100 discount towards the purchase of a laptop, computer or tablet from a participating provider.
Housing and Opportunities that are Useful for Students’ Excellence (HOUSE)
The Illinois Public Act 102-0083 requires all institutions of higher education to designate a staff member as the Housing and Opportunities that are Useful for Students’ Excellence (HOUSE) liaison to assist homeless students enrolled in at the institution.
At the University of Illinois Chicago, the individual serving as a HOUSE liaison is shared below. Additionally, resources for housing insecure students can be accessed here.
HOUSE Liaison
Elizabeth Rodriguez
Phone:
Email:
Basic Needs Navigator
The HB 4201 requires all institutions of higher education to designate a staff member to serve in the role of a Basic Needs Navigator to assist students with seeking and applying for institutional, federal, state or local resources to address food and housing insecurity.
At the University of Illinois Chicago, the individual serving as a Basic Needs Navigator is shared below:
Basic Needs Navigator
LaKeisha Robinson
Phone:
Email:
Student Experiences
“This resource helped mentally, physically, and emotionally; I went from being on the probation list to the dean list. I am very appreciative for the stability that this grant offered me. Thank you very much.”
“This semester has been tough, but having found a home in the dorms, I am very grateful for the office of the dean of students. Thank you so much for your assistance and resources! I couldn’t be more thankful for all your help.”