The Housatonic Food Pantry is a client-choice pantry that provides food and basic needs assistance in a private, safe, and friendly environment.   Students may visit the pantry up to twice monthly and take up to a total of 10 units of non-perishables, 4 units of produce and 2 units of frozen meat and/or miscellaneous frozen items at each visit (subject to change based on inventory). No pre-signup is necessary, but a student ID is required.  

The Housatonic Food Pantry is made possible through the efforts of the Housatonic Foundation, Student Senate, CT FoodShare, and Stop and Shop.

The Student Emergency Fund was created to give one-time grants to students for sudden, urgent, unforeseen financial hardships that require immediate attention to keep a student in college and to ensure their financial health.

Many students are one small crisis away from dropping out of school. In fact, faculty and staff at HCC continue to report that a primary reason for a student dropping out is because of an unexpected financial hardship. Most times, these sudden crisis moments can be solved with emergency funding of under $500.

Emergency Funds prevent students from missing class and worse, dropping out entirely. By avoiding a small crisis that can cause an avalanche of more serious and expensive problems, Emergency Funds also help students increase their chances of financial health and sustainability. Funds help cover expenses such as increased rent, unexpected health care bills, groceries, technology related to schoolwork, and more.

Student, please click here to apply for funds.

Students should never have to choose between buying textbooks and basic necessities such as food or rent. Many HCC students find themselves in this position. The Textbook Lending Library and Vocational Book Fund help students save money on course materials so they can attend class prepared to succeed and worry less about meeting their other critical needs.

The TextBook Lending Library and Vocational Book Funds are exclusively for students with high, unmet financial need, who are not receiving aid for books, and who struggle to pay for books out-of-pocket. Since enrollment in non-credit certificate programs is ineligible for federal financial aid grants, private pay students have no assistance that can offset costs associated with tuition and books.

Textbook costs range from $45 to over $500, and combined with fees, tuition and other vital personal expenses, can make the pursuit of college programs prohibitive for HCC students. The Textbook Lending Library and Vocational Book Funds offer hope and help to deserving, struggling students striving to obtain education and workforce training that leads to a career path.

Please click here ti appy for textbook assistance.