Students in higher education are increasingly struggling to meet basic needs. To provide assistance, College of DuPage has designated a Benefits Navigator to assist students in determining eligibility for and connecting them to public benefit programs and campus-wide and community resources.

If you are a student in need of assistance, or a faculty or staff member working with a student in need contact:

Melissa Jankauski
Program Manager - Special Student Resources
Student Services
(630) 942-2631
jankauskim@cod.edu

Resources for Students in Need

Assistance with basic needs can relieve financial stress and provide students with the tools and resources they need for student success. Below is a list of local internal and external resources for students.

In addition to the Benefits Navigator the College has a Homeless Navigator whose focus is on assisting students who are at risk of or are experiencing homelessness, and an Undocumented Navigator to assist students and families who are undocumented or mixed documented status.

For a more comprehensive list of additional community resources, visit 211dupage.gov or call 211 to speak a 211 DuPage representative.

Emergency Resources

• College of DuPage Student Emergency Funding: Immediate financial support for current College of DuPage students with urgent and emergency situations that put their continued education at risk.
• Hope’s Front Door: Immediate Assistance Program helps for urgent needs for food and transportation.

Employment Resources

• College of DuPage Career Services: Assists students and community members with the job search and internship process.
• Student Employment at College of DuPage: On campus job opportunities for students.
• workNet DuPage Career Center: Provides job search services and occupational training grants for qualifying individuals.

Food and Clothing Resources

• College of DuPage Fuel Pantry: On campus food pantry for students, faculty, and staff facing food insecurity.
• Peoples Resource Center: Food Pantry and Clothing Closet for DuPage County residents in need.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Assists low income individuals and families with access to food.

Healthcare Resources

• Access DuPage: Connects low income and uninsured DuPage County residents to low cost health services.
• Medicaid: Federal program that provides free medical coverage for individuals and families.
• TimelyCare: TimelyCare offers 24/7 access to virtual care, self-care, and well-being tools.

Housing and Utilities Resources

• ComEd Payment Assistance Program: Payment assistance options for ComEd customers
• College of DuPage Homeless and At-Risk Students: In an effort to provide assistance to students experiencing homelessness and in accordance with IL Public Act 102-0083, College of DuPage has designated a liaison to assist enrolled COD homeless students.
• LIHEAP: Provides low income households large one-time payment or reduced monthly payments of gas and electric bill.

Income Support Resources

• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): Cash assistance for low-income families and pregnant women to help pay for food, shelter, utilities, and non-medical expenses.

Technology Resources

• College of DuPage Career and Technical Education (CTE) Laptop Loan: Loaner laptops available for current College of DuPage student enrolled in a CTE degree or Certificate program.
• Library Laptop and Wi-Fi Hotspot Loan: Loaner laptops, Wi-Fi hotpots, and webcams available for current College of DuPage students.

Transportation Resources

• College of DuPage Career and Technical Education (CTE) Transportation Support: Provides gas cards for current College of DuPage student enrolled in a CTE degree or Certificate program.
• RTA Ride Fair Program: Provides free rides for seniors and individuals with a disability on fixed route transit for CTE, Metra, and Pace Buses or trains