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Housing insecure and homeless students

To provide assistance to Augustana students at risk of housing insecurity or who are experiencing homelessness and in accordance with the Higher Education Housing & Opportunities Act (IL Public Act 102-0083), Augustana College has a designated person to assist students.

If you are at risk or are experiencing homelessness, contact:

Chris Beyer
Director of Residential Life
Andreen Hall, west wing, first floor
309-794-2686
chrisbeyer@augustana.edu


Resources:

Augustana Cares (on-campus resources)

Campus employment

All degree-seeking students enrolled at Augustana College at least half-time (4 credits) may apply to work on campus. Learn more about student employment. 

Financial

Changes in housing status may change the amount of financial aid you qualify for. Contact Financial Aid to discuss this.

Emergency Fund: Contact Pastor Melinda Pupillo for more information.

Food

The Augustana College Campus Cupboard provides non-perishable food items and hygiene products to the student body. All Augustana students are welcome to take items from the cupboard.

The Cupboard is open in the basement of Bahls Leadership Center, 3-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday during the fall and spring semesters.

Housing

If you need on-campus housing during breaks due to housing insecurity/homelessness, or access to on-campus housing because you have lost access to off-campus housing, contact:

Chris Beyer
Director of Residential Life
Andreen Hall, west wing, first floor
309-794-2686
chrisbeyer@augustana.edu

Medical/mental health and insurance

Augustana Convenient Care, powered by Genesis Health System, is a clinic open on campus in Baldur House, 3410 9 1/2 Ave., behind the Gerber Center and next to Casa Latina.

Student counseling services offer mental health options that will fit your lifestyle.

Visit the health insurance page to learn the minimum coverage requirements for students.

Community resources (off-campus resources)

Financial

Illinois Student Assistance Commission

Project NOW: Assistance with utilities

Project NOW: Rent and security deposit assistance

Project NOW provides funds to pay for rent and deposits to help prevent people from becoming homeless. These funds may be accessed to keep someone in their current housing or obtain new housing. Participants attend a Tenant’s Rights and Responsibilities Class to increase their knowledge of the rights and responsibilities of being a tenant.

Food

Project NOW: Food assistance referral services

Project NOW will assist clients in need of food by providing vouchers to local food pantries, as well as refer clients to no-cost or low-cost food distribution sites. Project NOW can also help with completing an application for SNAP benefits.

SNAP benefits

SNAP is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that used to be called food stamps. SNAP helps low-income people buy the food they need for good nutritional health. College students may qualify for SNAP and be able to obtain an Illinois Link card. Each month, the amount of your SNAP benefits will be added to your Link card account, and you can use it like a debit card to pay for food at most grocery stores.

Housing

Project NOW: Housing assistance

Project NOW can assist with rent, locating affordable housing and locating temporary housing.

Health care insurance

Medicaid: Health care

College students may qualify for Medicaid to assist with health care. If you need health care right away, call 1-800-843-6154 (TTY: 1-800-447-6404) and apply over the phone. For most people who qualify, coverage is backdated, so it starts on the first day of the month you apply.