By Elana Sadok
Going to college is expensive and doesn’t leave much room for other needs in your budget. It’s a good thing that there are many established resources on campus here to help. The main resources that will be covered in this blog post is the Dean of Students Office (DOSO) and Single Stop Resources. DOSO is the central office to visit if you are concerned about where your next meal will come from or how to pay a big unexpected expense. DOSO does not help with tuition or UMass fees. If you are concerned about your tuition bill, visit the Bursar and/or Financial Aid office.
DOSO offers short term loans and microgrants. Short term loans are available for students experiencing temporary financial emergencies, hardship, or unforeseen personal and family emergencies. You must apply for the loan and meet with a DOSO staff member in order to ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements and are able to pay back the loan in 30 days. UMassFive also offers short term personal loans for those in financial crisis. In addition, microgrants are available for students experiencing the same hardships, except they do not have to be paid back. Refer to the table below to learn more about the differences between the two.
In the table, you will also find more information about Student Care Supply Closets and Food Security on campus. There are 5 Supply Closets on campus offering free household items. You can find them in Whitmore, Wilder Hall, Bartlett, Crampton Hall, and Dickinson hall. UMass Dining has partnered with DOSO to provide emergency supplemental meals through Spire and a meal plan scholarship fund. There are WIC and SNAP benefits available for students and non-students alike.
DOSO also created this website as a starting point for assistance with food, shelter, utilities and internet, healthcare and more.
DOSO Resources
| Short term loan application | Microgrant application | Student Care Supply Closets | Food Security |
| Must be paid back within established due date | Do not need to be paid back | Free toiletries and household items for any student in need | Amherst Survival Center – for many resources, but mostly food |
| Cannot be applied to outstanding bursar bills or previous DOSO emergency loan | Cannot be paid towards tuition | Baby care products for student parents | UMass Dining – Emergency Supplemental Meals (3 days of meals)- Meal plan scholarship fund |
| Max loan amount for undergraduates: $500Max loan amount for graduates: $1000 | Maximum amount is $500 | Partnered with Project Period to provide free menstrual products around campus | – WIC, SNAP, other governmental benefits |
| Must be enrolled in classes | International students are eligible to apply | Student Food Pantry |
Single-Stop Resources
Another great central resource online is the Single Stop Resources for anything you may need. On the website you will find resources for housing, food, legal advice, employment, and more. The most relevant page is the single stop for students who need money. There you will find campus resources such as Financial Aid and Smart About Money, and also banking services, emergency relief, and tax prep help, to name a few.
If you are looking for a source of income to keep up with the flow of expenses, check out “I Need Employment.” There you will find the UMass Student Job Board, career prep, and more. Moreover, all schools have their own Career Office, make sure to check out the one that you are in.
One last thing to be aware of is the housing information. If you are looking for off campus housing, make sure to speak with Off Campus Student Life to check out your options. If you or someone you know is at risk of homelessness, check in with DOSO as soon as possible. Here you can find shelters in the area. The Family Outreach of Amherst is also here to help.