Food and nutrition resources to help keep you going.

Cougar Cupboard - Provides students with up to 30 pounds of groceries weekly. Free for all currently enrolled UH students. Currently, food is being distributed weekly in front of Student Center South;  open hours can be found here .

• To sign up, complete this form , then follow the instructions you receive in a follow up in email to complete sign up through the Houston Food Bank. Contact  uhcupbrd@cougarnet.uh.edu  for any questions.
• Once signed up, you will receive an FFC Market ID which will allow you to access several other food pantries in the Houston area, which you can locate here:  https://www.houstonfoodbank.org/find-help/agency-locator/
• Cougar Cupboard 2, operated by PEEPS, also provides free food and toiletries by appointment (instructions located on website).  Farish Hall, Room 128 –  llee15@uh.edu .

A.D. Bruce Religion Center- Campus Ministries houses a small food pantry with non-perishable items.

Dining Services - Look here for information about campus meal plans and dining options, as well as resources for wellness and sustainability.

Free Meal Opportunities on Campus:

Good Morning Mondays at A.D. Bruce Religion Center- free donuts and coffee every other Monday, 9AM-12PM, at A.D. Bruce Religion Center.
Baptist Student Ministies (BSM) Free Lunch , Tuesdays 11:30AM-1:30PM at Baptist Student Ministries (4801 Calhoun Rd).
Free Wednesday Lunch at A.D. Bruce Religion Center - Wednesdays 11:30AM-1PM at A.D. Bruce Religion Center.
Together Thursdays at Center for Student Advocacy and Community- free breakfast on Thursdays 9am until supplies last at Center for Student Advocacy and Community (Student Center North, 2nd Floor, Room 201).
Center for Student Empowerment (CSE) offers meal vouchers for a free meal with UH Dining.
Attend or volunteer at campus events offering food; find these through Get Involved.

Resources for housing, shelter, rent and utility assistance, and additional resources for students who are unhoused or do not have a consistent place to stay.

Student Housing and Residential Life -  On-campus housing. Supports the mission of the University of Houston by fostering communities where academic success, student growth and development, diversity, and community are nurtured.

Commuter Student Services offers this guide on finding off-campus housing, and this list of places to hang out, eat, and study on campus.

Resources for financial aid, scholarships, grants, and money management.

Financial Aid Office-  for questions about FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), scholarships, and other financial aid, Contact the Financial Aid Office by emailing sfa@central.uh.edu or calling 713-743-1010, option 5. Financial Aid Advisors are also available by virtual drop-in advising (via  the Navigate app). Some examples of what the office can help with include:

• Seeking independent status on your FAFSA for students who do not have financial support from their families
• Financial reconsideration, which could help you become eligible for more federal financial aid if there has been a unique situation that impacts your or family’s ability to pay for your college
• Issues with your financial aid account
• Getting connected to scholarships

Office of Student Business Services - this office can help you enter into a payment plan for your tuition (splitting up the cost over time), defer or pause your tuition payments, get a loan to help pay for textbooks, and answer questions about tuition, fees, and billing. Contact the office by calling 713-743-1010, option 6, or by scheduling a virtual appointment in the Navigate app. You can also find emails for specialist staff here.

Coog$ave - a program created by the Student Centers that offers discounts to students and other members of the Cougar Family. Our goal is to help students save money by providing the latest discounts, creating strong partnerships, and connecting Cougars with local and global vendors.

Coog Moms - an organization of UH moms and families. Coog Moms provides scholarships and other support for UH students every year.

Dean of Students Office (DOS) Emergency Loan - Students facing an unexpected emergency can request a loan for up to $500 in cash, to be repaid by the student within 45 days. Processing the request may take up to two business days after submission. Read the information on the website thoroughly before applying. Contact DOS @uh.edu with any questions.

iGrad- This online platform provides resources to help with budgeting, building credit, saving, and other financial skills, as well as an extensive scholarship database. Free for all UH students.

Scholarship Universe- Database and application portal for hundreds of scholarships offered by UH as well as external organizations. Available to all students in AccessUH- log in and click the Scholarship Universe icon.

Scholarship Tip- most scholarships are open for applications between November and March each year.

Resources for help getting clothes, cleaning and hygiene products, and more.

Center for Student Advocacy and Community (CSAC)- offers a small snack pantry and free hygiene products, as well as connection to resources. Visit us in Student Center North, Room 201, between ISSSO and Veterans’ Affairs on the second floor.

Cougar Closet- Free clothing for UH students. Located in Student Service Center 1, outside of University Career Services. Open Fridays from 11am-1pm, 2:30pm-4pm. Visit their linktree to connect on social media, email, and/or GroupMe for up-to-date information and contact.

Cougar Cupboard - Provides students with up to 30 pounds of groceries weekly, and sometimes offers other basic needs items such as cleaning products and hygiene products. Free for all currently enrolled UH students. Currently, food is being distributed every Friday 10:15am-12:45pm in front of Student Center South, by appointment. uhcupbrd@cougarnet.uh.edu

• To sign up, complete this form, then follow the instructions you receive in a follow up in email to complete sign up through the Houston Food Bank.
• Once signed up, you will receive a link to RSVP for a food distribution appointment. You will also receive an FFC Market ID which will allow you to access several other food pantries in the Houston area, which you can locate here: https://www.houstonfoodbank.org/find-help/agency-locator/
• Cougar Cupboard 2 , operated by PEEPS, also provides free food and toiletries by appointment.

Farish Hall, Room 128 – llee15@uh.edu

University Career Services - Career Closet program offers $10 3-day rentals for business professional clothing. Schedule an appointment for the Career Closet through Cougar Pathway in AccessUH.

Women and Gender Resource Center (WGRC)- offers a small snack pantry, free hygiene products, free period products, and small free clothing closet for students. Visit them in Student Center South, Room B12, around the corner from Starbucks.

COAST (Coogs on Alternative and Sustainable Transportation) - The COAST program offers two types of transportation assistance: discounted parking permits for carpools, and COAST METRO Cards with up to $27.50 preloaded fare per month. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in at least 9 hours of face-to-face or hyflex classes and cannot be living on campus.

• Carpool program- Three or more students are required for a carpool. All students in a carpool must meet the above eligibility requirements, and all must complete an application. Applications are due by the 12 ^th class day of each semester and must be completed every semester. Permits will be assigned to a particular staff/faculty garage and will be priced at 50% off regular staff/faculty garage prices for carpools of 3, or 75% off for carpools of 3 or more. Additional information and application instructions can be found on the webpage.
• METRO Card- Eligible students can receive a COAST METRO QCard which is automatically preloaded monthly with up to $27.50 for METRO fare. This can be used on any Local METRO bus or METRORail. The card balance must go under $3.75 in order to be reloaded. Try to apply as soon as possible in the semester for shorter waiting times to receive your card (processing can take over a month). Application instructions can be found on the webpage.

Commuter Student Services - the Dean of Students Office offers tips and guides for students who live off campus on parking and transportation, places to hang out, eat, and study on campus, frequently asked questions, and more.

Cougar Line Shuttles - free transportation around UH campus, including the Technology Bridge. Information on routes, schedules, and shuttle tracking can be found on the webpage.

Cougar Ride (night shuttles)- students can request a free after-hours shuttle through the UH Go app. The shuttles will only travel between regular shuttle stops as well as MD Anderson Library, Cougar Village, or Moody Towers. Shuttles are available for request 9PM- 2AM on Sundays and 6PM to 3AM Monday-Thursday and are not available during football game nights or holidays.

Parking and Transportation- provides information on transportation and parking options and policies.

Resources to support pregnant students and student parents with childcare, parenting, baby items, and more.

Women and Gender Resource Center (WGRC)- Offers support for student parents, including free diapers and other toiletries. Visit them in Student Center South, Room B12, around the corner from Starbucks. Information about lactation rooms on campus can be found on their website here.

Children’s Learning Centers (CLC)- Provides childcare and developmentally appropriate education for children from 3 months old through 5 years old. Also offers Spanish Language Immersion Program. Only children or legal dependents of students, staff, faculty, and alumni are eligible for enrollment. Open Monday-Friday, 7:30am to 5:30pm. Tuition and fees can be found here. The CLC also offers tuition assistance to some student families based on financial need.

Coog Student Parents - A group by and for student parents at UH. Creating community, providing support, and sharing resources for student success. Find them on Instagram @coogstudentparents.

Equal Opportunity Services (EOS)- this office enforces UH’s non-discrimination and Sexual Misconduct/Title IX policies. They also provide accommodations for pregnant students and employees, which can be requested through their webpage. EOS also offers trainings on topics of discrimination, sexual misconduct prevention, reporting, and accommodations.

Financial Aid Office- Financial aid can be used to cover some childcare costs. For more information, Contact the Financial Aid Office by emailing sfa@central.uh.edu or calling 713-743-1010, option 5.

Parent Education Project- the College of Education provides support services to families who are raising a child or a young adult with special health care needs free of charge, to families in the Greater Houston Area.

Priority Registration for Parenting Students - information on how to receive priority registration for classes as a parenting student.

Food and nutrition resources to help keep you going.

Houston Food Bank Agency Locator- You can use any of these pantries if you have your Food For Change (FFC) Market ID, the number that begins with HUH0####. You receive this number upon  signing up for the Cougar Cupboard. Be sure to also double-check the hours and requirements of each location.

• Locations in walking distance to campus:
  • Riverside United Methodist Church, 4920 Cullen Blvd, drive-thru distributions every 2 ^nd and 4 ^th Saturday of the month from 9AM-12PM; located along the 29 bus route south from campus.
  • Boynton Chapel United Methodist Church, 2812 Milby St, 10AM to 1PM, walk-up distributions every 2 ^nd Saturday of the month, located on along the 29 bus route north from campus.
  • MANNA House, 3118 ½ Blodgett St, walk-up and drive-thru pick up every Thursday and Friday from 9am-1pm, and every 3 ^rd Saturday of the month from 9am-1pm, located along the 25 bus route west from campus.

Houston Food Bank - SNAP Application Assistance- Provides assistance applying to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and other government assistance programs, such as Medicaid, TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), and CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program).

Braes Interfaith Ministries - offers groceries, personal items, clothing vouchers to the Braes Resale & Consignment Shop, and job counseling. Baby formula, infant and adult diapers are also usually available. It is recommended that clients arrive no later than 1pm. Zip codes served include: 77025, 77035, 77045, 77051, 77053, 77054, 77071, 77085, and 77096.

Bread of Life- a community organization focused on hunger relief and reducing barriers for underserved communities. To seek connection to resources, including food and basic supplies distributions, fill out this form.

Emergency Aid Coalition - offers clothing, toiletries, and food. To make an appointment, call 713-343-3061 and leave a message. Must bring a photo ID to appointment. May return every 2 months with an appointment.

L.I.F.E. Houston- offers free baby formula

Meals on Wheels (for seniors over the age of 60) - free meals delivered each week

SNAP Information- Millions of college students are eligible for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). If you are experiencing financial need, we highly recommend looking into utilizing this resource. Here is some information on How to Apply for SNAP in Houston.

Southeast Area Ministries - offers groceries, personal hygiene items, clothing, financial assistance, and community referral. Call for an appointment, and bring required documents.

Wesley Community Center - This community center offers financial assistance, a food pantry, and programs for children and seniors. Food pantry is open Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am-noon at 1235 Lorraine St, Houston, TX 77009. Bring a valid ID and proof of residence (utility bill, bank statement, etc. with your name and address) to enroll when you arrive.

Recipes & Guides

• Produce & Recipe Guides from the Houston Food Bank
• How to Read a Nutrition Label - From the FDA
• SuperCook - Filter Recipes Based on Ingredients You Have
• Grocery Guide: Grocery Stores in Houston & How to Get Groceries Delivered

Resources for housing, shelter, rent and utility assistance, and additional resources for students who are unhoused or do not have a consistent place to stay.

Covenant House Texas (CHT) - provides shelter for young people ages 18-24 who are facing homelessness, abuse, or abandonment. Includes drop-in services, emergency shelter, transitional housing program, and access to meals, clothing, showers, recreational activities, health care, and more.

Houston Coalition for the Homeless - works to aid efforts to prevent and end homelessness.

• The Way Home Coordinated Access Program offers homelessness assessments and connections to housing resources
• Check out this comprehensive resource list for local drop-in centers, food and clothing resources, shelters, job programs, and much more.
• Here is a list of local shelters. Sorted by gender served and other characteristics.

Magnificat House- a faith-based organization that provides shelter, food, and community to people of all genders experiencing homelessness. Contact 713.529.4231 to schedule an appointment for admission.

Texas Homeless Shelters Directory - offers the most complete list of shelters in Texas. The shelters listed on the site are emergency shelters, but many are general homeless shelters or transitional housing opportunities.

Shelters for Domestic Violence- these shelters serve people of all gender identities who have experienced domestic violence.

• Houston Area Women’s Shelter
• Bay Area Turning Point
• Fort Bend Women’s Center

Drop-in Centers- drop-in centers provide supplies, resources, and community for people experiencing homelessness.

• The Beacon Day Center- open Thurs-Mon, 7am to 2pm. Serves lunch from 11:00 to 1:00 pm, and provides laundry, shower services and rest rooms all day. Access to social services include legal services, housing assessments through Coordinated Access, and clinic services. The Beacon also hosts activities for clients, such as yoga, bible study, writing workshops, art classes and other activities.
• Montrose Grace Place- Montrose Grace Place provides a safe, welcoming environment for vulnerable, homeless youth of all sexual orientations and gender identities between ages of 13-24. Drop-in hours are Monday and Thursday at 6pm. They provide a home-cooked meal, clothing, toiletries, bus passes, small non-perishable food items, skill building, and more.
• Tony’s Place- provides a diverse set of services to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ youth ages 13 – 25, including meals, clothing, showers, hygiene supplies, laundry, housing program referrals, and support groups. Drop-in hours are 12:00pm – 1:30pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Fridays.

Rent and Utility Assistance- financial assistance for those who are behind on rent, facing eviction, or facing utility shut-off.

Catholic Charities Archdiose of Galveston- This community organization offers a variety assistance programs, including rent and housing assistance and utilities assistance, as well as a list of other organizations that offer utility assistance.

Wesley Community Center- This community center offers financial assistance, a food pantry, and programs for children and seniors. Emergency assistance to pay rent or utilities is offered. Emergency assistance to pay rent or utilities is offered.

• To seek rent or utility assistance, call 713-236-9008 Monday through Friday before 12pm and leave a message. Someone will call you back and set up an appointment if one is available. Leaving a message does not guarantee assistance. Required documents for appointment include valid ID, proof of residence (a lease, mortgage, or official mail in your name for the address), social security card, notice of eviction or utility disconnection, any additional info determined by the case manager.

For more help finding rent and utility assistance, call the United Way Helpline 2-1-1. They can provide information about which organizations are most likely to have funding available currently and which ones best suit your needs. For the best chance at getting assistance, contact multiple organizations.

Resources for help getting clothes, cleaning and hygiene products, and more.

Affordable Connectivity Program - Government program offering discounts on wi-fi and tech devices for eligible low-income people.

Braes Interfaith Ministries - offers groceries, personal items, clothing vouchers to the Braes Resale & Consignment Shop, and job counseling. Baby formula, infant and adult diapers are also usually available. It is recommended that clients arrive no later than 1pm. Zip codes served include: 77025, 77035, 77045, 77051, 77053, 77054, 77071, 77085, and 77096.

Bread of Life- a community organization focused on hunger relief and reducing barriers for underserved communities. To seek connection to resources, including food and basic supplies distributions, fill out this form.

Emergency Aid Coalition - offers clothing, toiletries, and food. To make an appointment, call 713-343-3061 and leave a message. Must bring a photo ID to appointment. May return every 2 months with an appointment.

Southeast Area Ministries - offers groceries, personal hygiene items, clothing, financial assistance, and community referral. Call for an appointment, and bring required documents.

Helpful information for using Houston’s public transit system.

METRO Tips

• UH Students can get a student QCard for half-price bus and rail fares (this is separate from the COAST QCard program). You will need a government ID and a photo of your current class schedule with dates in order to qualify. More information
• If you cannot get a card, don’t want one, or lose your card and need something to use in the meantime, you can download the METRO QTicketing app on your phone to purchase and use virtual bus passes.
• Rider Rewards- Some businesses offer discounts if you show your QCard
• Tools for planning your route:
  • Google Maps transit tab- provides best routes and current bus times including delays
  • RideMETRO mobile app- includes trip planning tools, service alerts, and tells you how to track your bus or train
  • Interactive Map of METRO routes

METRO Services

• Local Buses and Rails - Routes 4, 9, 25, 29, 54, 80, and the Purple rail line run to UH main campus. You can catch one of these buses from the following transit centers that connect to other routes: Eastwood, Mission Bend, Medical Center, Wheeler Station, Kashmere, Southeast, Downtown, Hiram Clarke, Fifth Ward, Tidwell, Palm Center.
• Park and Rides - For those commuting from outside inner Houston, there are 25 routes serving the suburbs and satellite cities of Houston, including Spring, Cypress, Katy, Baytown, Conroe, and more.
• METROLift - some individuals with disabilities may qualify for this accessible service which picks you up from your home and takes you to your destination.

Resources to support pregnant students and student parents with childcare, parenting, baby items, and more.

CHIP / Children’s Medicaid Information - health insurance assistance program for children

DePelchin Childrens Center - offers free parenting courses.

Family Scholar House - this organization offers virtual services for student parents, including connection to benefits, financial coaching, and academic coaching.

Healthy Women Houston - provides community-based support for pregnant women, including healthcare for mother and children, assistance with getting health insurance, connection to additional resources, STI testing and birth control, and more. Same day and walk in appointments available.

Houston Food Bank - SNAP Application Assistance - Provides assistance applying to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and other government assistance programs, such as Children’s Medicaid, TANF family cash assistance, and CHIP children’s health insurance.

L.I.F.E. Houston - offers free baby formula.

TANF Information - cash assistance program for families

Texas Childcare Connection - database to search for childcare that works for your family.

Texas Workforce Commission - offers childcare scholarships and a list of various parenting resources.

WIC Information - food assistance program for pregnant and breastfeeding parents and families with children under 5.