Statement of Problem

Tuition is not the only extraordinary expense associated with college. Room and board taxes student budgets, even with efforts underway to make college housing affordable. At the University of Houston on-campus room and board exceeds $8,000 per academic year.

As compared to renting an apartment, dorm life is a relative bargain. But for college students, it's an expense they didn't have when they were living back home with their parents. At most campuses, textbooks, parking, health expenses, laundry, hygiene and other essential expenses stack up quickly. Students cut down the amount of food they eat and/or resort to typically cheaper, unhealthy options to make room in their budgets.

• No close grocery store
• No options for affordable, healthy meals after hours (when many students study)
• Reliable transportation off-campus is unavailable (students may not have money for Uber)
• Cannot afford a meal plan

How can CSE help you?

• Assist in the completion of a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) application
• Distribute meal cards to access the dinning halls on campus
• Provide health snack options for students in our office
• Financial counseling to ensure sustainable access to resources
• Recommend campus and community resources, including year-round housing, UH Dining's Meal Plan Scholarship, and the UH Emergency Loan
• Serves as the UH point of contact for monthly visits from TX Health and Human Services and Food Bank representative to assist students deal with some form of food insecurity