If you are facing housing, food, and other basic needs insecurities, the Basic Needs Navigator can connect you to campus and community resources.
This support lets you focus on your well-being and academic goals without the stress of basic needs concerns.
Through partnerships with community, state, and federal programs, the navigator provides referrals, resource navigation, and guidance.
You can receive assistance with:
- Exploring child care options and referrals
- Navigating financial assistance programs
- Accessing food resources, including the Cougar Food Pantry
- Identifying housing resources
- Finding affordable or free technology and internet access
- Exploring transportation options
- Connecting to on-campus and community programs for extra support
- Applying for state and federal programs, such as SNAP
Connect with the Basic Needs Navigator
Students can refer themselves, or faculty and staff can refer students to Carmen Herrera, the Basic Needs Navigator, for help with resource navigation. Fill out the appropriate form below, and the care team will follow up with next steps.
Drop-in hours: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Monday – Thursday.
Stop by the Cougar Food Pantry for a quick drop-in meeting—no appointment needed.
On-campus resources
Cougar Food Pantry
Get free, nonperishable food.
Canteen Micro Market
The Canteen Micro Market on the first floor of the Dengerink Administration Building offers pre-packaged food items for sale.
SNAP
SNAP provides monthly funding for food to eligible participants who enroll in the program. See if you qualify in the state of Washington.
Housing Bulletin Board
WSU Vancouver does not offer on-campus housing. The Housing Bulletin Board connects you with rental opportunities and allows you to advertise available spaces.
Use the Housing Bulletin Board
Bus passes
As a student, you are eligible for a free bus pass, providing unlimited access to C-TRAN local and limited bus services in Clark County and on The Current. To get an Education Opportunity Pass, visit the Cougar Center for more information.
Gender-inclusive restrooms
Gender-inclusive restrooms are available in the Firstenburg Student Commons, Life Sciences Building, McClaskey Building, Physical Plant Building, Recreation Office (Annex) and Undergraduate Building.
Find gender-inclusive restrooms
Showers
Take a shower at the Fitness Center. Towel service included.
Child care
As an enrolled student, you can receive subsidies to help with child care costs. To apply for a subsidy, submit the Child Care Subsidy/Reimbursement Form. Innovative Services NW operates a child care center on campus. To get help with the application, contact the basic needs navigator.
Lactation support
Find private, comfortable lactation spaces on campus in the Multimedia Classroom Building (Mamava pod), Clark College Building, Room 125D or Life Sciences Building, Room 121.
Cougar Money Matters
Calculate your financial stress levels, identify your money personality to understand spending habits, focus on financial strengths and weaknesses, access free resume evaluations and take courses to support financial goals.
Emergency funding
Enrolled graduate and undergraduate students can get help with housing, transportation and health care expenses. These funds are available only after all financial aid resources have been exhausted and are made possible by generous donors.
Financial aid
Student Financial Services provides help with understanding financial aid packages, finding scholarship information and completing the annual FAFSA/WASFA. Visit the Cougar Center for support.
Learn more about financial aid
Short-term loans
Short-term loans up to $1,000 are available to students whose financial aid disbursement is delayed. These loans are offered starting on the first day of the term. To apply for a short-term loan, email van.finaid@wsu.edu to request the application form.
Laptop loaner program
You can borrow laptops from the WSU Vancouver Library on a first-come, first-served basis. Call ahead or visit the library to check availability.
Campus Wi-Fi Access
You can connect to Wi-Fi across campus, including the library, study rooms and outdoor spaces such as the quad, parking lots (Orange 1 and Orange 3), the visitor loop and Parking Services.
Students Helping Students
This student-led program offers free tech support. Trained technicians provide troubleshooting, software training and limited hardware support.
Counseling Services
The Student Wellness Center has two licensed mental health counselors available to provide counseling, workshops and resources for mental health and well-being in a supportive and equitable environment. Visit the website to learn how to schedule an appointment.
Basic Health Services
The nurse practitioner at the Student Wellness Center is available to meet with you to discuss, evaluate and treat basic health concerns. Health Services also provides wellness exams and referrals to external providers.
Additional resources
Community Resource Guide: Get information on local food, housing, health, and other essential resources in the region.
Students with foster care experience: WSU Vancouver offers support, financial aid, and scholarships, including the Passport to College Promise Scholarship, to help students with foster care backgrounds succeed academically and personally.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Eligible participants get monthly funding for food. Learn more about qualifications and how to apply in Washington state.