By: Ben Addison
College is enough of a struggle between classes, homework, projects, work and much more. So, when your basic needs aren’t being met, like having a home over your head or food in your stomach, college can become near impossible. For these students, UNO provides an array of different programs to help these students get their assistance.
All of these programs are outlined on this UNOmaha.edu landing page. Assistant Vice Chancellor and Student Affairs Director, Cathy Pettid, wanted to specifically point out certain programs.
UNO offers “…housing support fund, MavRIDE program, shelter/transition housing information, the Maverick Food Pantry and free/confidential Counseling & Psychological Services. This is not an exhaustive list but a good start,” Pettid said.
The MavRIDE program offers free rides on the Metro Bus System to current faculty, staff and students. These passes can be used at any time on any Metro Bus. While the Maverick Food Pantry offers food and personal hygiene products to UNO faculty, staff members, and currently enrolled students.
The free/confidential Counseling & Psychological Services are limited to short-term counseling and can connect those that need it to long-term support outside of the college.
Pettid thanked private donors for helping fund support for housing support on the Dodge campus. She also mentioned in true emergency situations UNO has the capacity to provide free, 72-hour emergency stays. As for who can get the housing support Pettid had this to say.
“There must be unexpected or exceptional circumstances confirmed by a neutral party employed by UNO. Students seeking housing support must be currently enrolled and plan to have continuous enrollment while staying on campus.”
Pettid also went on to say that preference is given to students in good academic standing with a minimum of a 2.0/4.0 GPA. She also noted that first-year students without an established GPA have been awarded.
If you meet any of these requirements and would like to apply for any of them, you can contact Pettid at cpettid@unomaha.edu and she will send an application and/or work directly with the student.
For housing support UNO typically will award two to three people per semester while they consistently offer the 72-hour emergency free stay.
