Basic Needs
Your well-being matters. North Park is here to provide help with access to essential services that impact overall health and well-being. Basic needs resources include access to nutritious food, stable housing, healthcare, childcare, transportation, and financial resources.
Housing Security
North Park is committed to providing support and resources for students experiencing homelessness. Allison Schoenbeck, Assistant Director of Residence Life and Housing, Student Engagement, is the designated HOUSE Liaison, in accordance with the Illinois Public Act 102-0083.
If you or a North Park student you know is experiencing homelessness, please email Allison Schoenbeck or call (773) 244-4898.
provides up-to-date information on shelters, health clinics, emergency beds, mental health services, and more. The website is geared for young adults in Chicago between the ages of 16 and 24 living with unstable housing.
 compassionately provides housing, health care, outreach, spiritual care, and social services to adults and youth who struggle with homelessness, poverty, and loneliness. Drop-in services available.
is committed to providing homeless youth (ages 18-24) with ongoing care and crisis support. Drop-in services available.
serve young adults impacted by poverty and homelessness. Lyte Collective’s mission is to: mission is to: SUPPORT every young adult who contacts us, with whatever they need, for as long as they want us by their side; END harmful systems that cause young people to need our help in the first place; and BUILD a more just and equitable world together with all who aspire to do better by young people.
is the first Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ+ Center located on the South Side of Chicago, dedicated to creating and providing affirming, culturally competent, for-us by-us resources, programming, and services for LGBTQ+ individuals on the South and West sides of the city.
 in Chicago and Lake County helps young adults, between the ages of 18 and 24, who are experiencing homelessness to achieve self-sufficiency through housing support and case management.
 provides a full continuum of services for women, including housing, life necessities, and supportive services, to help them permanently end their homelessness.
(LIHEAP)
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible low-income households pay for home energy services (primarily heating during winter months).
Utility Billing Relief (UBR) provides low-income City of Chicago residents with a reduced rate on their water, sewer, and water-sewer tax as well as debt relief for those who demonstrate they can manage the reduced rate bills for one year.
The Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County, Inc. (CEDA) provides assistance with gas and electric assistance, furnace repair and replacement, or water assistance.
Housing Forward has  with rent and utility payments for those in suburban Cook County.
ComEd offers flexible payment arrangements. The ComEd Customer Care Team is available 7am-7pm, M-F at (800) 334-7661.
Nicor Gas has . The Nicor Customer Care Team is available 7am-7pm, M-F at (888) 642-6748.
AT7T offers a wireless home internet plan for low-income households for $5-$10/month. At least one person of your household should receive SSI or SNAP benefits to be qualified.
Comcast offers an internet plan for $9.95/month. You may qualify if you are eligible for public assistance programs such as the National School Lunch Program, Housing Assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, or SSI. There is also an option to purchase a computer for $149.99.
Spectrum provides internet to low-income families, students, and seniors for $14.99/month.
If you are at risk of evection or are worried about remaining in your home because you have been unable to pay rent, review these resources:
Food Security
North Park is dedicated to tackling food insecurity and providing comprehensive support to our students. Food insecurity means that consistent access to adequate food to live an active, healthy life is limited by lack of money or other resources. Being hungry can affect your academic abilities and impact your overall wellbeing. North Park wants to ensure you have access to nutritious food and assistance to help you solve issues of food insecurity.
There are several resources on and off campus that can assist you in securing food.
If you are in urgent need of food today, please contact the Center for Student Engagement.
Phone: 773-244-5737
Location: Johnson Center (first floor)
Food Assistance
Student Care has partnered with Aramark to provide food assistance for students who are experiencing food insecurity and may benefit from meals at the main campus dining hall. Students can request meal assistance by completing the , completing an EARS self-referral, or contacting Student Care.
Chicago’s Food Bank has more than 700 partners across Cook County ensuring that nutritious food is available all year to neighbors in need. Find a food pantry in your area by searching by address or neighborhood.
 is a Chicago mutual aid group grounded in food, working to place community refrigerators across the city. These refrigerators, painted by local artists to reflect the communities in which they live, provide neighbors the opportunity to donate food as well as take what they need, ensuring accessible food 24/7.
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is a federal assistance program providing food benefits to income-eligible individuals and families. In most cases, once you submit your application, your state agency or local SNAP office will process your application and send you a notice telling you whether you are eligible for benefits within 30 days. Try the to see if you may be eligible for benefits.
Foodpantries.org shares a directory of food banks, soup kitchens, and non-profit organizations across the country that are committed to fighting hunger.
Financial Assistance
Student Care Program
The Student Care Program offers limited financial assistance to currently enrolled students experiencing financial difficulties while attending ºÚÁϳԹÏ. Students can apply for the Student Care Program to help with temporary or ongoing financial hardships.
Textbook Assistance
Various resources for textbook assistance are available at ºÚÁϳԹÏ, including the Textbook and Course Supply Assistance Program, which helps students who face financial hardships and are unable to afford to rent or purchase books.
Find free clothes, household items, winter attire, and back to school supplies in Chicago and Cook County.
PCs for People is a national nonprofit working to get low-cost quality computers and internet into the homes of individuals and families with low income. Find refurbished desktop & laptop computers, low-cost internet, and affordable computer repair services for eligible individuals.
Healthcare
Health Services
Health Services provides a variety of services for students to improve or maintain their health, obtain appropriate medical care, and make healthy life choices.
Counseling Support Services
Counseling Support Services provides free and confidential mental health support for North Park students.
Health Service and Counseling Support Services are both located at 3317 W. Foster Ave. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm during the fall and spring semesters.
Use the new student health portal at to schedule an appointment with Health Services or Counseling Support Services.
Thriving Campus is a tool to assist students with locating mental health providers off campus.
– Chicago at Sauganash
6141 North Cicero Ave., Chicago, IL 60646
(773) 293-8788
– Chicago at Lincoln Village
6071 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60659
(224) 364-2273
5140 N. California Ave., Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 878-8200
The Marketplace is helps people get health insurance who may not otherwise get coverage. You can learn more about health insurance, compare plans, and find coverage that best meets your needs. For assistance with Marketplace, contact Student Care.
Learn about affordable health insurance and resources for youth who are at risk, homeless, or otherwise vulnerable.
Hospital Financial Assistance
If you need assistance paying for medical bills or are not able to get access to affordable healthcare, you may be eligible for financial assistance through the hospital system. Contact the hospital billing department, search on the hospital website, or contact Student Care for assistance.
For those who qualify for financial support, The Assistance Fund provides patient advocates to assist in securing financial assistance for co-payments, prescriptions, deductibles, premiums, and medical expenses. Spanish-language translation service also available.
Childcare
 – The Illinois Department of Human Services’ (IDHS) Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and the local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency are working together to support families to get the information and resources the need to find and select the best childcare for their child.
 – Experienced Parent Consultants can help to find quality childcare. Consultants assist families with accessing and paying for childcare that would otherwise be incredibly difficult or impossible to afford.
Transportation
 (Maps, Schedules, Construction, etc.)