Emergency Assistance Programs

The student emergency assistance program provides a short-term solution for students who are in need of an immediate meal, housing, and other basic needs.  If you or someone you know is experiencing food/housing/financial insecurity, please contact the Office of the Dean of Students. *Please note that in applying for assistance, the Student Care and Support staff may inquire about a student’s financial aid, meal plan, and/or other mechanisms of support to ensure that the student is able to fulfill ongoing needs. 

Student Emergency Fund

Falcon Care Program

Provides a short-term solution for student in need of an immediate meal. This program can provide students with a limited meal card to be used in our dining halls (Social House, Kreischer Sundial and Carillon Place). Students can complete a food assistance application or come to the Office of the Dean of Students to request assistance. 

Grab-N-Go Food Bag Program

This program provides a student facing food insecurity with a bag of groceries to sustain them for 3 days. The bag contains three days’ worth of breakfast, lunch and dinner. Students can complete a food assistance application or come to the Office of the Dean of Students to request assistance.

Basic Needs Assistance Program

We are aware that hardships in life do not stop when one becomes a student. We are also aware that not every student has support and resources to meet their basic needs during times of emergency. As such, we have this program that can provide students with toiletries, clothing vouchers to a local business, laundry cards, menstrual products, and other toiletry items. Please note the items we have for students are based on availability and need. Please call the Office of the Dean of Students 419-372-2843 and schedule a meeting with with a Student Care and Support staff member for assistance.

Ways to support student assistance programs

Give to the Student Emergency Fund

Click on the button above and type in the Student Emergency Fund. Your gift will help with essential needs such as rent, utilities, technology and equipment, travel expenses to return home or even buy food. This aid will greatly help our students who are working hard to navigate emergencies and to stay on track to graduate.

Donate a Swipe

This program provides students experiencing food insecurity with a temporary meal card that has 5 swipes to be used in our dinning halls. Students can donate 3 swipes per week to the Falcon Care Program to help sustain the program. This aid will greatly help our students who are working hard to navigate financial challenges, while striving to meet their academic requirements. If you are interested in recieving a Falcon Care Card please fill out the food assistance form.

Sponsor a Food Drive 

The Grab-N-Go program was founded by the Office of the Dean of Students as there is an apparent need for students facing food insecurity.

First reach out to the Dean of students by contacting us at 419-372-2843 or odos@bgsu.edu. By hosting an event, you can help address food insecurity in our community. In our Food Drive Guide, you will find planning tips, a list of items the program collects, and other tips to make your food drive a success.