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Helping Students Meet Their Basic Needs

UMatter helps meet students' basic needs by providing resources and referrals for food, housing, and financial insecurity.

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What are Basic Needs?

Each year The Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice conducts a national survey to gather data on students’ basic needs.

The Hope Center defines basic needs as “access to nutritious and sufficient food; safe, secure, and adequate housing – to sleep, to study, to cook, and to shower; healthcare to promote sustained mental and physical well-being; affordable technology and transportation; resources for personal hygiene; and childcare and related needs.”

Food insecurity is the limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe food, or the ability to acquire such food in a socially acceptable manner. The most extreme form is often accompanied by physiological sensations of hunger.

Housing insecurity encompasses a broad set of challenges that prevent someone from having a safe, affordable, and consistent place to live.

Homelessness means that a person does not have a fixed, regular, and adequate place to live. Students facing homelessness may be living with a friend, couch-surfing, sleeping in campus buildings, etc.

Essential Resources for Basic Needs

In need of housing, food, or other assistance? We're here to help guide you in getting the support you need.
Move-in boxes on the sidewalk with people nearby

Emergency Housing Program

The Emergency Housing Program supports students facing housing insecurity or homelessness. UMatter case managers can help students find resources for housing. Interested students can complete the emergency housing application. After hours, please contact UPD at (662) 915-7234, and UMatter will follow up the next business day.

Emergency Housing Application
Grove Grocery shelves with canned goods, one of many offerings

Grove Grocery

Serving as the University’s food pantry, we provide free access to nutritious food, snacks, and hygiene items for students facing food insecurity. Our mission is to ensure that all members of the campus community have the resources they need to thrive.

Explore Grove Grocery
Student writing with a mechanical pencil and textbook

Lyceum Locker

Lyceum Locker is the University’s dedicated school supply closet, offering a wide range of free educational resources to support students throughout their academic journey. Our mission is to eliminate financial barriers and empower students to focus on their studies without worrying about the cost of supplies.

Explore Lyceum Locker

Additional Resources for Basic Needs

Discover additional resources to support basic needs in and around Oxford.

University of Mississippi Office of Financial Aid

  • UM strives to provide their students a high-quality education at an affordable cost. Their staff works diligently to help you achieve your educational goals by administering a variety of financial assistance programs.
  • A financial aid package may consist of a scholarship, grant, loan, part-time job, or a combination of these programs.
  • Select aid sources to explore include the Magnolia Federal Work-Study Program, Ole Miss Opportunity Program, various grant programs, and merit and need-based scholarships.
  • To learn more, visit the Office of Financial Aid or call 800-891-4596.

Government Benefits

These are government programs that may help you pay for food, housing, health care, and other basic living expenses that you need and deserve.

Common programs include SNAP (food stamps) and unemployment insurance. Read below to learn more about these and other programs. See what benefits you may be eligible for.

Unemployment Insurance

  • Unemployment Insurance (UI) is designed to ease the economic burden of unemployment by providing a temporary source of income for individuals who are unemployed through no fault of their own.
  • If you live in Mississippi:
  • If you live somewhere other than Mississippi, learn more here.

TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)

  • The TANF Program provides monthly payments for low-income families with children under age 18. The program is designed to help families achieve self-sufficiency through employment and training.
  • To determine if you may be eligible for TANF.
  • Apply for Mississippi TANF benefits.
  • Apply for TANF in a state other than Mississippi.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

  • The SSI program pays cash benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. SSI benefits also are payable to people 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial limits.
  • Learn more and apply for SSI benefits.

These resources are designed for emergencies only. 

Interfaith Compassion Ministry

LIFT, Inc.

  • Financial assistance with rent and utility payments
  • Must be a resident of Lafayette County
  • Call 662-238-6222

Salvation Army

Doors of Hope

  • Services for families with children
  • Emergency assistance and housing in place
  • Visit their website for additional details and the emergency assistance application
  • Call 662-234-1100 or complete a contact form on their website.

CASE Student Support Fund

  • Modest financial assistance to cover unexpected, short-term, emergency expenses, such as those related to health and safety needs or to court filing fees.
  • Not intended for ongoing expenses like room and board or food and typically cannot cover tuition and fees
  • Learn more about the Office of Confidential Advocacy, Support, and Education's mission to support students facing interpersonal violence and how they can help. 

Emergency housing is available for currently enrolled students who are homeless (e.g., couch surfing, sleeping in a car, etc.). Students enrolled in a future term may also be considered.
  • Up to two weeks of housing available
    • A brief extension may be granted in limited circumstances if space is available
  • Lost cost of $22.80 per night billed to Bursar
    • Can apply for emergency funding to help cover the cost, but funding is not guaranteed

Red Shield Lodge – Tupelo, MS

  • 527 Carnation St., Tupelo, MS 38804
  • Call 662-842-9222
  • Emergency shelter that offers meals and a safe place to sleep

Memphis Union Mission – Memphis, TN

Subsidized Housing, Housing Vouchers, and Public Housing Programs

  • These programs help low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities get into affordable private or government-owned rental housing.
  • Learn more about the programs offered through the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Energy Assistance

  • The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps keep families safe and healthy through initiatives that assist families with energy costs.
  • Determine if you may be eligible for Energy Assistance.
  • Apply for Energy Assistance in Mississippi.
  • Apply for Energy Assistance in another state.

Doors of Hope

  • Door of Hope Transition Ministries helps families through financial crises. They work with families who are currently homeless and with families who are at imminent risk of losing their homes.
  • Offers programs including Transitional Housing, Housing in Place, and a Healthy Lifestyle Program.
  • Determine if you are eligible and to apply.
  • Learn more about Doors of Hope.

UM Law School Housing Clinic

North Mississippi Rural Legal Services

  • Housing-related legal assistance and civil representation for low-income individuals in northern Mississippi
  • Call their Oxford office at 662-234-2918 or visit their website.

Hotty Toddy Tech Pass

  • Eligible UM students can apply to borrow a laptop on a semesterly basis. 
  • It's free, simple, and designed to help you succeed.
  • Fill out this application form to get started.

Career Closet

  • The Career Closet hosted by the Career Center at the University of Mississippi is a program that allows our students to obtain professional attire for career fairs, networking events, internships, interviews, and other career-related occasions.

Free Clothing Vouchers

  • The Salvation Army of Oxford has partnered with UMatter to provide $25 clothing vouchers to use at the local Salvation Army in Oxford on clothes and shoes. If you are in need of a clothing voucher, please contact Abbie Austin (Basic Needs Case Manager).

SNAP

  • The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides food stamps.
  • Check your eligibility, and sign up if eligible. If you would like assistance with SNAP, contact the Abbie Austin (Basic Needs Case Manager).
  • Note: Most college students are not eligible for SNAP. Learn more about exceptions to this rule.

WIC

  • WIC is a special supplemental food program for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women; infants; and children under five years of age. WIC helps you and your baby get healthy foods and healthy advice in the first years of life.
  • To determine if you may be eligible for WIC benefits, take this pre-assessment.
  • To apply for WIC benefits in Mississippi, you must visit a WIC clinic in person. Find a WIC clinic near you.

Grove Grocery

  • Our on-campus food pantry for students and staff os located in Kinard 213. 

Meal Swipe Program

  • A temporary assistance program sponsored by the Grove Grocery, Aramark, and community-donated meals. This is a short term assistance program that can allocate up to 30 meal swipes per semester to students, faculty, and staff in need.
  • Meals received through this program can only be used at Rebel Market and the RC South Dining facility (swipes cannot be used in Student Union or Pavilion Dining).

The Pantry

  • Once-monthly food for four people, Wednesday and Thursday 9–11, located at 711 Molly Barr Rd.
    • Proof of residency needed, subject to income eligibility requirements
      • If possible, please come on Wednesday if you are under 65 and come on Thursdays if you are over 65. However, this is not a hard and fast rule.

Oxford Community Market (OXCM)

  • Weekly farmers market Tuesdays from 3–6:30 pm (April through November) at Old Armory Pavilion, located at the corner of University Ave. and Bramlett Blvd. The market has multiple programs to provide affordable, healthy, locally grown produce and food items to the community.
  • Double Your Dollars: OXCM provides a dollar-for-dollar match (maximum of $10 match), for customers using SNAP benefits at the market to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. To participate in this program, visit the market manager’s table (at the front entrance of the pavilion) to swipe your SNAP card and receive your bonus dollars.
  • WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Vouchers: OXCM accepts WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Vouchers, and led Mississippi in the highest voucher redemption rate last year.
  • OXCM is accessible via the OUT bus line.

Local Little Free Pantry Locations

  • Download Little Free Pantry locations on Apple Maps.

St. Peter's Rise & Shine Community 

  • Breakfast Monday and Thursday 6:45–8:15 am, can eat in or carry out

Dinner and Fellowship for All

  • Wednesdays at St. Peter's 6:30–7:30 pm

Family Fellowship Supper 

  • Wednesday North Oxford Baptist at 5 pm (late August–May)

More Than a Meal

  • Tuesdays at Central Elementary School (409 Washington Ave) at 5 pm (when Oxford School District is in session)

Oxford-University Transit

  • University of Mississippi students and employees ride for free on the OUT buses. Learn more about routes and schedules.

University of Mississippi Health Services

  • University Health Services serves students, faculty, and staff. They are dedicated to meeting the health care needs of our community.
  • Visit their website to learn more.

Oxford Medical Ministries Clinic

  • Oxford Medical Ministries Clinic is a private, nonprofit, community-based organization that provides compassionate, quality healthcare at no charge to low income, uninsured working adults of Lafayette and Yalobusha counties in Mississippi.

ARcare 

  • ARcare is a federally qualified health center offering discounted rates to patients with or without insurance. 
  • Visit them at 1201 Office Park Drive, Suite 102 and view their website to learn more.

Medicaid

  • Medicaid provides health coverage for eligible, low income populations in Mississippi. These include children, low-income families, pregnant women, those needing family planning benefits, the aged, and disabled.
  • Whether or not you are eligible for Medicaid is determined partly by your income. See if you may be eligible for Medicaid in Mississippi.
  • Learn more and apply to Medicaid, visit this link.

Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

  • CHIP offers free or low-cost medical and dental care to uninsured kids up to age 19 whose family income is above Medicaid’s limit but below their state’s CHIP limit.
  • See if you are eligible or apply. 

University of Mississippi Counseling Center

  • The University Counseling Center is currently offering telemental health services to UM students, faculty, and staff! To learn more about this option, please call 662-915-3784 weekdays from 9 am–4 pm or email counslg@olemiss.edu..
  • To learn more visit the Counseling Center.

The University Counseling Center is located on the third floor of Lester Hall. Services include individual counseling and therapy, support groups and crisis intervention. Students may receive 10 free therapy visits per academic year. Employees may receive a free consultation and as many as three additional sessions per academic year at $30 per session (payroll-deducted).

UMatter

  • UMatter serves as the official site for finding resources and information on how to care for yourself and your peers when in distress.
  • To learn more, visit UMatter.

University of Mississippi Psychological Services

  • Our mission is to provide affordable and accessible services to the Mississippi community through low cost, high quality services for people with and without insurance.
  • Open to students and community members.
  • Call 662-915-7385 or visit their website for more information.

Examples of commonly addressed problems include anxiety/panic, academic problems, sexual identity, depression, and parent-child problems. The Psychological Services Center and Department of Psychology offer a variety of services on a sliding pay scale. If payment is an issue, tell your therapist at your first visit and they will make accommodations. 

211

  • 211 is a free, confidential referral and information helpline and website that connects people to the essential health and human services they need, 24/7.
    • You can find information about supplemental food/nutrition programs, shelter and housing options, utilities assistance, emergency information and disaster relief, employment and education opportunities, services for veterans, health care/vaccination/epidemic information, addiction prevention and rehabilitation programs, re-entry programs for ex-offenders, support groups, and a safe/confidential path out of physical and/or emotional domestic abuse
  • To access 211, dial 2-1-1 from Mississippi or dial (866) 472-8265 from anywhere in the country. 

Find Help

  • Find food assistance, help paying bills, and other free or reduced cost programs.
  • Enter your zip code to be connected with resources near you, sorted by category.

 

Abbie Austin

Here to Help

Case manager Abbie Austin specializes in helping students with basic needs. Leading with compassion and a knack for creatively maximizing resources, Abbie is ready to help students in a variety of circumstances.

Abbie Austin

Case Manager