Help with Food, Finances, Housing, and Safety
CState Cares
Academic success can be out of reach for students facing issues such as food insecurity, unreliable childcare, unaffordable healthcare, transportation concerns, or other hardships. CState Cares is our umbrella for the wraparound human services at Columbus State. Our mission is to improve academic outcomes by moving students to financial stability and economic mobility.
Student Emergency Relief Grants
Deadline extended to March 10
Columbus State knows students can experience a variety of unexpected / emergency situations impacting their financial stability which may also jeopardize their enrollment and academic success. This is especially true during the pandemic. For federal aid/Title IV eligible students who are enrolled spring semester 2021, and are otherwise qualified, Columbus State will have access to funding through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act that is part of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. These funds can assist eligible students with expenses related to the disruption of campus operations as a result of the COVID-19/coronavirus, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, transportation, health care, and childcare. Assistance for unexpected expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic will be provided in accordance with college policy and guidance from the U.S. Department of Education (related to CARES Act). This guidance also stipulates that international, DACA, and undocumented students are not eligible for CARES Act funds.
Completing this application does not guarantee you will receive funding. Eligibility and award amounts are based upon an individual review of each application in accordance with guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Education. Once you have completed an application, you should receive a response within 7 to 10 days.
The application will close on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, or earlier, if funds are exhausted. Funds are limited and students can only submit one application per term.
Questions can be directed to emergencyfund@cscc.edu.
SNAP Benefits Expansion to College Students
A 2021 federal COVID-19 relief measure has temporarily expanded SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits to college students enrolled at least half-time, who either:
- Have an expected family contribution, or EFC, of zero on their FAFSA, OR,
- Are eligible for Federal Work Study employment. Current Columbus State FWS employment is not required.
The College will be offering and promoting informational sessions to support sign-up. Sessions that were offered though March 9 are full.
Frequently Asked Questions
Columbus State is proactively reaching out to Spring 2021 students who are now potentially SNAP eligible based on the expanded criteria, and will flag potential eligibility to students enrolled in the 2021-2022 academic year. Temporary SNAP eligibility expansion will continue throughout the pandemic.
You may still be able to enroll in SNAP even if your eligibility for Columbus State Federal Work Study employment is not recorded in our data. If you do not receive potential eligibility communication and documentation from us via your Columbus State email, and you are enrolled at least half-time, you can reach out to finaid@cscc.edu to learn more about your status with the College.
Furthermore – you do not have to meet the temporary expansion standards to potentially access SNAP. Learn more about how you may be eligible based on your household and income.
You can start online by accessing the State of Ohio’s Benefits portal and creating a user account if you do not already have one to initiate the application process. The state’s training video may assist you with understanding the online application process.
You can also apply by phone, as well as receive further information and support, through your county Job and Family Services office.
In addition to verification of your status with Columbus State, you will need to provide documentation about yourself and your household. You can find a useful list of this information and documentation from the Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services.
Mid-Ohio Market at Columbus State
The Mid-Ohio Market is a resource for Columbus State Community College students and community members with a qualifying need to access free, fresh, and shelf-stable food on a regular basis. During the COVID-19 crisis, the Market is open for curbside service. Visit facebook.com/momatcstate for hours.
Additional Food AssistanceStudent Advocacy
Team members in Student Advocacy focus on helping students achieve education goals, navigate the college environment, build academic success skills, and troubleshoot issues that impact academic success. For assistance during the COVID-19 crisis, email studentadvocacy@cscc.edu or visit the link below.
Student AdvocacyHousing/Rent Assistance
Having a secure place to live is central to overall wellbeing. Columbus State works closley with local organizations to assist our students who are experiencing housing insecurity. Options include assistance with housing deposits, rent payments, utility bills, and even placement into long-term housing for qualified students.
Housing/RentConnection to Community Resources
We’ve built relationships across Central Ohio to ensure Columbus State students have access to community resources to help with housing, food, transportation, childcare, healthcare, counseling, and more. We understand that academic success is only possible when your holistic needs are cared for first.
Community ResourcesVictim Advocacy
Columbus State Victim Advocates provide support and resource information to victims of traumatic crime, regardless of when or where the crime occurred. This includes gender-based violence, intimate partner violence/domestic violence, stalking or harassment, human trafficking, or any crime that impacts a survivor's ability to work/attend school successfully
Victim AdvocacyAccess to Technology
We recognize that access to technology is critical to your success. If you are currently enrolled or planning to enroll for Spring 2021 and you don’t have the technology you need to learn online, we can help. Columbus State has a supply of personal computers and mobile hot spots for WiFi access available for loan to eligible students.
If you are interested in borrowing a personal computer from Columbus State, please complete the Personal Computer Loan Agreement. If you are also interested in borrowing a device that can be used as a mobile hot spot from Columbus State, please also complete this hot spot borrowing agreement.
For more information, please contact the IT Support Center at helpdesk@cscc.edu | 614-287-5050.
Please note: Tech loans are on a first-come, first-served basis. Students must be enrolled for the semester for which they are borrowing.
Utilities
Relief from overwhelming utility bills during the pandemic is just a phone call away. Many utility companies have plan in place to help, including Columbia Gas and AEP. In addition, The CARES Act is providing one-time relief for qualifying Ohioans in cooperation with the Ohio Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).
UtilitiesEldercare and Childcare
We know the importance of assuring that your loved ones are well taken care of in order to fulfill work and school commitments. We’ll connect you to resources to help find reliable care while childcare and eldercare centers are closed.
Eldercare and ChildcareUnemployment/Job Searching
There are many new benefits and procedures to help displaced workers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With new legislation in place, securing benefits is quicker and easier than ever.
The crisis has also caused a need for workers in many essential businesses. If you’re looking for a job, employers are looking for you!
Unemployment/Job SearchingMental Health/Crisis
During this time of social isolation and uncertainty, it’s more important than ever to check on one another and understand how to help in times of crisis. Columbus State’s Hope and Help suicide prevention app can be downloaded for free through app stores on Apple and Android phones. The app provides links to mental health providers, as well as critical information on how to help a friend or loved one in need.
For assistance with any mental health questions or issues and connection to community providers, visit our Counseling Services webpage.
Counseling Services