Basic Needs Resources
Basic Needs Resources
The Dean of Students Office wants to ensure that all SIUE students have access to basic needs, including food, housing, healthcare, technology, and transportation. If you or someone you know needs support regarding basic needs, personal concerns, health issues, or student concerns, please submit a Care Report. Our team will then reach out to provide support.
In addition to the resources below, the United Way of Greater St. Louis also provides information regarding community resources.
Childcare
On-Campus Resources
The Early Childhood Center is a fully licensed and accredited childcare program for children ages 2 to 5.
Community Resources*
- Child Care Assistance Program
- Children’s Home & Aid: Child Care Resources & Referral Program
- Early Explorations Inc.
- Kids Club Child Development Center
- YMCA Early Childhood Development Center
- KinderCare Learning Center
- The Goddard School
* Community resources are not affiliated with SIUE. Referrals are not endorsements. This is not a complete list of community organizations.
Employment
On-Campus Resources
The Career Development Center offers assistance in areas including career counseling, assessments, choosing a major, job search, LinkedIn, mentor program, networking strategies, and mock interviews.
The Cougar Career Closet provides students with gently used professional attire. Students can take two complete outfits with accessories during a visit, and students can visit once per month.
The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) is a program that connects undergraduate and recently graduated students with disabilities to federal agencies across the United States for internships or permanent positions.
Community Resources*
* Community resources are not affiliated with SIUE. Referrals are not endorsements. This is not a complete list of community organizations.
Financial Assistance
On-Campus Resources
Financial Aid helps students seeking opportunities for grants, scholarships, loans, student employment, and assistantships.
Details coming soon.
Off-Campus Resources*
Food
On-Campus Resources
Cougar Cupboard is a non-profit food pantry at SIUE, which serves students, faculty, and staff. Participants can shop once a month for food and toiletry items. To sign up, fill out the New Client Form.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families. To get SNAP benefits, you must apply in the state in which you currently live, and you must meet certain requirements, including resource and income limits. College students are not eligible for SNAP benefits unless they work at least 20 hours per week or have a child under the age of six. Once you apply, you should receive a notice telling you whether you are eligible for benefits within 30 days. For assistance applying for SNAP benefits, contact cougarcupboard@siue.edu.
Community Resources*
- Collinsville Food Pantry
- Community Care Center
- Community Hope Center
- Glen-Ed Pantry
- Illinois Emergency Food Program
- Illinois Hunger Coalition
- Illinois Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- Maryville Outreach Center
- Ministries Unlimited Food Pantry
- Louis Area Food Pantry Finder
* Community resources are not affiliated with SIUE. Referrals are not endorsements. This is not a complete list of community organizations.
Healthcare
On-Campus Resources
Counseling Services provides psychotherapy and counseling on a variety of topics to students through professional psychologists and counselors. Counseling is free for all fee-paying students.
SIUE students can access medical services, including physician services, women’s health, allergy injections, tuberculosis skin tests, and HIV testing.
School of Dental Medicine Patient Care Clinic
The Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine offers affordable dental care for students and their families. Emergency care is available as well. Clinics are located at the SIUE Alton, Edwardsville, and East St. Louis Center campuses.
The WE CARE Clinic at the SIUE East St. Louis Higher Education Campus provides primary care for women, children, and men. Appointments are available, or you can walk in for services. The clinic accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and most major insurances. They also have a sliding scale for services.
Off-Campus Resources*
- Alton Memorial Hospital
- Anderson Express Care
- Anderson Hospital
- Call for Help
- Gateway Regional Medical Center
- Gateway Urgent Care
- HSHS Medical Group
- Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Medical Programs
- Medical Assistance Programs
- OSF HealthCare
- Touchette Regional Hospital
* Community resources are not affiliated with SIUE. Referrals are not endorsements. This is not a complete list of community organizations.
Housing and Utilities
On-Campus Resources
If you need access to emergency housing, contact the Dean of Students Office at (618) 650-2020.
University Housing offers students a variety of living accommodations, including first-year housing and family housing. All facilities are fully furnished, air conditioned, and have access to wireless internet, among other amenities.
From property listings to finding a roommate, students who want to live off campus should start here.
Off-Campus Resources*
- Alton Housing Authority
- Biddle House Opportunities Center
- Call for Help Transitional Living Center
- Community Services Block Grant
- Edwardsville Township General & Emergency Assistance
- Gateway 180
- Good Samaritan House
- Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
- Illinois Department of Human Services
- Illinois Housing Development Authority
- Illinois Legal Aid Emergency Rent Assistance
- Madison County Community Development
- Madison County Community Resource Line – (618) 296-5300
- Oasis Women’s Center
- Salvation Army
- Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis
* Community resources are not affiliated with SIUE. Referrals are not endorsements. This is not a complete list of community organizations.
Technology
On-Campus Resources
Students who have assistive technology needs should contact the Office for Accessible Campus Community & Equitable Student Support (ACCESS) to register for accommodations.
Students can check out an iPad or laptop for the semester. To learn more, email help@siue.edu.
Lovejoy Library Equipment Check-Out
The library has digital equipment available for check out, ranging from laptops and digital voice recorders to mini-LED projectors and digital cameras
Off-Campus Resources*
- Apple Education Pricing
- Dell Computer Purchase Program
- Illinois Assistive Technology Program
- Illinois Department of Human Services Assistive Technology-Related Resources
* Community resources are not affiliated with SIUE. Referrals are not endorsements. This is not a complete list of community organizations.
Transportation
On-Campus Resources
SIUE offers free bike rentals for current SIUE students and members of the Student Fitness Center. Bikes are available for rental from after spring break until approximately Thanksgiving break and can be rented for daily use during the Student Fitness Center’s open hours.
SIUE partners with Madison County Transit (MCT) to provide free shuttle service on campus for students. Off-campus shuttles locally and to St. Louis are available, as well, for an additional fee.
Off-Campus Resources*
- Apex Transportation Services
- JewelRide
- Lyft
- MetroLink in St. Louis
- Riverbend Transportation
- Smart Medical Transport
- Uber
* Community resources are not affiliated with SIUE. Referrals are not endorsements. This is not a complete list of community organizations.