Center for Student Well-Being
Center
Your well-being matters. The UNC Center for Student Well-Being provides tools, programs, and support to help you stay healthy, balanced, and connected.
8am – 5pm Monday – Friday
We’re Here for You
At the Center for Student Well-Being, we’re dedicated to supporting you through both academic and personal challenges. Whether you’re dealing with financial stress, food insecurity, or unexpected emergencies, we’ve got the resources you need to thrive.
On this page, you’ll find helpful sections on:
Basic Needs Assistance
Resources for food, housing, and medical support.
Emergency Funding
How to apply for emergency funds when life throws unexpected challenges your way.
Laptop Borrowing
Need a laptop for school? We offer loans for both short-term and semester-long use.
If you’re not sure where to start or need additional help, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to support you every step of the way!
Get Support from a Resource Navigator
We can help you with:
- Basic needs (housing, food, clothing, transportation)
- Health & wellness (medical care, mental health, health insurance)
- Financial support (emergency funding, budgeting, SNAP, WIC, LEAP)
- Academic resources (course technology, textbooks, class materials)
- Family & caregiving (childcare, adult care)
- Employment & legal support (job loss, legal assistance)
- Off-campus & community resources
How to Get Started
Fill out the Basic Needs Assistance Form. A Resource Navigator will contact you within two business days to help make a plan and connect you with resources.
It’s free to meet with a Navigator! Our goal is to support you so you can stay on track with your classes and life.
For urgent help, please call UNC Police at 970-351-2245 or dial 911.
Emergency Funding
Life Happens. We’re Here to Help.
Sometimes things don’t go as planned. A medical bill arrives. A job is lost. Housing falls through. Food runs low. A car breaks down. A computer needs fixing.
When life takes an unexpected turn, UNC stands with you, even when money is tight.
The Student Emergency Support Fund is here to help undergraduate and graduate students during sudden, serious events—things that no one could have predicted.
Approved students typically receive $750 to help cover unexpected costs.
This fund exists thanks to the generous support of our donors who believe in helping students through tough times.
How do I apply for emergency funding?
How to Apply
To apply for emergency support funds, simply fill out the online application.
You’ll usually need to include supporting documents like:
- Emails
- Screenshots
- Photos
- Invoices or bills
These help explain your emergency and how it’s impacted you.
If you can’t provide documents, don’t worry—you can still apply! Just be clear about:
- The total amount you need
- How you’ll use the funds
In some cases, you may need to meet with a staff member before receiving the funds.
For any questions, feel free to email us at csw@unco.edu.
What Happens Next
The Emergency Support Fund is managed by a committee that meets weekly to review applications. If the funds run out, we will stop accepting new applications. The committee’s decisions are final.
Review timeline: Most applications are reviewed on business days. During the school year, it may take up to one week to receive an initial decision.
What Are the Allowed Uses for Emergency Funding?
Health & Safety
- Medical, dental, or mental health emergencies for you
- Emergency family medical costs or death expenses for those you support
- Safety or health-related needs
- Emergency vet bills (may be limited by federal aid rules)
Basic Needs
- Rent or mortgage
- Food
- Utilities (electricity, gas, water, sewer, phone, internet) tied to an emergency
- Unexpected dependent care costs
- Transportation or commuting costs tied to an emergency
Academic & Personal Essentials
- Replacing books, supplies, or technology due to an emergency
- Textbooks (supported by Friends of the UNC Libraries)
- Unexpected Losses
- Costs from accidents, fire, theft, or natural disasters
- Costs tied to the loss of a loved one
Expenses NOT Usually Covered
While we want to support you in times of need, some expenses aren’t eligible for funding:
- Tuition or fees at other schools
- Student travel or conferences (except for bereavement travel)
- Legal fees (except for safety-related legal fees)
- Non-essential utilities (like streaming services)
- Entertainment or recreation costs
- Personal or non-emergency travel
- Credit card or other personal debt
- Club or organization fees or dues
Need a Laptop?
You can borrow a laptop for a few days or for the whole semester! Here’s how:
- Visit Michener Library or Skinner Music Library to check one out.
- Reserve online and they’ll hold it for you until you pick it up.
How to Reserve
- Fill out the Laptop Reservation Form.
- Once your request is processed, you’ll receive a confirmation email in your UNC inbox.
