Help with Food, Finances, Housing, and Safety

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.

Student 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.

Housing/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.

Connection 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.

Victim 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

Access to Technology

We recognize that access to technology is critical to your success. If you are currently enrolled or planning to enroll for Autumn 2020 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 Lisa Phillips, in Student Affairs, at lphillips30@cscc.edu.

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).

Internet Access

Moving to remote learning only works if you have access to the internet and the learning tools you need for your classes. Whether you don’t currently have internet access or are concerned about paying your internet bill, there are places to turn for help so you're connected and ready to learn!

Eldercare 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.

Unemployment/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!

Mental 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.