Information and Assistance
Information
The information below is all about the resources the City of Chicago and the University of Illinois Chicago offers.
The page includes links to reliable, up-to-date health information resources for individuals and employers, as well as emergency financial assistance programs, information about applying for unemployment, food, and rental assistance benefits, legal aid services, local mutual aid programs, and more. The Center for Healthy Work also maintains a list of other Local Resources. The Dean of Students website also lists several resources for assistance.
Financial
FINANCIAL
The Department of History Emergency Fund, graciously funded by the David Stahl and Karol Weigelt Endowed Scholarship Fund, provides small (less than $150), one-time emergency funds to History majors at UIC. Awards are given on a first-come, first-served basis. To apply, students should submit a request for funding to the Undergraduate Advisory Committee, courtesy of the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
UIC Graduate College Emergency Grants – Eligible graduate students who experience an acute and unexpected short-term hardship may apply for an emergency grant of up to $500.
UIC U & I Care Emergency Fund – Provides temporary, short-term financial assistance to currently enrolled students who cannot meet essential expenses due to a temporary or unexpected hardship. This emergency funding program is designed to offer financial assistance to students in the form of one-time awards (typically not exceeding $500).
All Chicago Emergency Financial Assistance – Provides critical financial assistance to people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness or another serious emergency by providing payments on a person’s behalf for things like rent, utilities, or transportation. All Chicago also published a College Student Resource Guide that contains information about housing, food, and financial resources available to students in Chicago (some of which may still apply to graduate students).
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Finish-Line Fund – Provides small grants to undergraduates in their final semester who encounter a sudden economic setback that could keep them from graduating. Contact your advisor for more information.
Health
UIC Counseling Center – Provides diverse services to help students deal with stress, handle a crisis or trauma, gain strength from gender and cultural identity, or manage serious mental illness and many other issues. Though the physical center is closed, students may still call the Counseling Center at 312-996-3490 during current business hours (9:00 am-5:00 pm) to schedule an appointment or to contact a counselor. If calling after hours, press 2 to be connected to a crisis counselor. For now, all consultations and appointments will be conducted via WebEx rather than in person.
CampusCare – If you (and your family) have health insurance through UIC’s CampusCare, please review this page for information on current procedures and benefits.
UIC Wellness Center – Services include homelessness assistance, a pop-up pantry, and a free wellness supplies program (as available).
Food
UIC Pop-Up Pantry – Provides food for registered UIC students in need. As of 3/20/20, the pantry will run at the Wellness Center (Student Center East, suite 238) every Tuesday and Wednesday from 2:00 to 4:00 pm until further notice. Bring your i-Card and your own shopping bags.
UI Care Meals can provide up to five free meals at dining halls.
Greater Chicago Food Depository Pantry Locator – Use this search to find a food pantry near you. The GCFD recommends that you always call ahead to ensure that a pantry is open and to inquire about their policies and intake procedures
Legal Assistance
UIC Student Legal Services – Full-service law office providing legal solutions for currently enrolled students. SLS offers advice and representation on various legal matters, including landlord-tenant and employment issues.
Legal Aid Chicago – Legal Aid Chicago provides free civil legal services to people living in poverty in Cook County. All clients must be registered by telephone and screened for eligibility through their Client Screening Unit at 312-341-1070
Housing
Chicago Dept. of Family and Support Services Rental Assistance: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fss/provdrs/serv/svcs/how_to_find_rentalassistanceinchicago.html
Rent and rent arrears payment is available for individuals and families that are in immediate risk of eviction.
Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County (CEDA): http://www.cedaorg.net/covid-19/
Though many of CEDA’s services are currently suspended, they are still offering comprehensive housing counseling services providing information, education, and advice to homebuyers, homeowners, renters, and the homeless.
Metropolitan Tenants Organization: https://www.tenants-rights.org/category/latest-news/
A nonprofit that educates renters and advocates for affordable, accessible housing. They have a list of resources for tenants impacted by the novel coronavirus and an emergency hotline at (773) 292-4988.
Housing Action Illinois COVID-19 Resources: https://housingactionil.org/what-we-do/public-education-organizing/covid-19-information-resources/
A statewide coalition of more than 160 housing counseling agencies, homeless service providers, developers, and policymakers. Page updated daily with new information and housing assistance programs.
U&I Care Fund (Dean of Students)
https://dos.uic.edu/student-assistance/uicare/u-i-care-fund/ . These are small grants of $500 max to cover emergency expenses.
Graduate College Emergency Funds (Graduate College)
https://grad.uic.edu/funding-awards/graduate-college-fellowships/emergency-grants/ These are also grants of $500 max to cover emergency expenses.