Resource Guide for LSA Scholars

Support Services at the University of Michigan and in the Surrounding Area

Emergency Financial Services

    • LSA Emergency Scholarship

        • The LSA Emergency Scholarship was created to provide support to LSA students facing an unexpected emergency that causes financial hardship.

            • Must have a FAFSA and CSS profile on file to be considered

    • Emergency Assistance through UM’s Office of Financial Aid

        • Short-Term emergency Loan

            • OFA provides up to $500 in a short-term (90-day), interest-free loan.

        • Financial Aid Re-Evaluation

            • Families and individuals experiencing a significant and prolonged decline in income may be eligible for additional financial aid.

    • Emergency Funding (Center for Education of Women+ (CEW+)

        • CEW+ has emergency funding available for current UM Ann Arbor campus students. These grants, called Emergency Funds (EF), are for unexpected financial emergencies that threaten to derail degree progress.

            • Contact CEW+ at 734-764-6360 and schedule a counseling appointment where eligibility for the grant will be determined.

    • Short Term Emergency Assistance (Dean of Students Office, Student Life)

        • Emergency Funding available through the Dean of Students Office for students who are unable to meet immediate, essential expenses due to temporary hardship related to an unforeseen or emergency situation.

            • Students may generally receive this assistance one time for up to $500. This is intended as a last-resort resource.

Food Resources

On Campus

    • Dean of Students

        • Dean of Students (DOS) Office will provide up to 10 meals on a student's MCard, as a short-term solution to immediate food insecurity. Dean of Students Office will also work with the student to find a long-term solution.

        • Contact DOS by walking in, by email, or by phone.

    • Maize & Blue Cupboard (Betsy Barbour Residence)

        • Must provide your University of Michigan MCard

          • Food Pantry open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

    • Student Food Co.

        • Student Food Co. is a nonprofit, student-run produce stand that sells fresh, affordable and consciously sourced produce on campus every Wednesday and Thursday in Mason Hall from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For questions, pre-orders, or to get involved with Student Food Co. contact studentfoodco@umich.edu

    • Jewish Family Services (McKinley office building)

        • JFS supplies access to fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, kosher goods, halal, low sodium, gluten free, nut free, dairy free, vegan, vegetarian, and liquid nutrition supplements.

          • Food Pantry open Tuesdays & Thursdays from 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Off Campus


General Financial Resources

    • U-M Office of Financial Aid

        • Detailed information about cost of attendance and instructions on applying for, receiving, and maintaining financial aid.

        • Deadlines for current aid year based on desired term of enrollment, financial aid timelines

    • LSA Returning Student Scholarship- open January 1st to June 1st

        • The Returning Student Scholarship is a flexible funding option for current LSA students with financial need. Award amounts vary based on each student's individual financial situation, and you can apply for a scholarship every single year.

            • Must have a FAFSA and CSS profile on file

    • LSA Spring/Summer Scholarship- open January 1st to April 7th

        • For students who need to take spring/summer courses, LSA’s Spring/Summer Scholarship covers educational expenses such as tuition, room and board, and textbooks.

            • Must have a FAFSA and CSS on file

    • U-M Library

        • List of resources for internal and external funding options.

Financial Education and Consultation

    • Tax Resources

        • My Free Taxes with H&R Block

            • File state and federal taxes for free

            • Snap-a-pic W-2 import with technical support and help center available

            • Includes Student Loan Interest Deduction

        • Turbotax

            • Easy to use, file state and federal taxes for free

            • Does not include Student Loan Interest Deduction

        • St. Francis

            • Will prepare tax returns for individuals earning under $45,000 per year

        • United Way of Washtenaw County

            • Multiple locations

            • Free tax preparation by appointment

    • Free Financial Consultation/Budgeting

Health Care Services

    • University Health Service

        • Some health care services are provided to students with no out-of-pocket costs. These services are paid for by the University Health Service fee, which all students pay along with their tuition. A list of UHS services is available online. If you are uncertain if the UHS fee covers a specific medical procedure, check in with your doctor or a UHS staff member.

        • Call 734-764-7380 to schedule an appointment

    • University Health Service (UHS) - Advice Nurse

        • Receive medical advice from a UHS nurse, day or night.

        • Call 734-764-8320. A call center representative will take a message and a nurse will call you back.

    • Hope Clinic

        • Sliding scale for medical care and dental work

        • Scheduling available in Ypsilanti and Westland

    • The Corner Health Center

        • Affordable health services to individuals aged 12 through 25.

        • Corner Health provides access to physicians, nurses, psychiatrists, social workers, nutritionists, and health educators.

        • For more information or to make an appointment call 734-484-3600

    • University Health Service (UHS) - Resource List

        • Resources for Financial Needs and Medical Assistance. List includes UM and community resources.

Questions about acquiring health insurance?

Housing Resources

    • UM's Beyond the Diag- Off Campus Housing

        • Beyond the Diag

          • Beyond the Diag is UM's off-campus housing program within the Dean of Students Office. Beyond the Diag was developed to improve off-campus safety resources, communication, and education for UM students.

    • Search for affordable off-campus U-M housing using this search engine

    • U-M On Campus Housing - Living-Learning Programs

        • Living-Learning programs are an opportunity to live among a cohort of students who share your interests. Students have options of both Theme Communities and Learning Communities. Examples of Living-Learning programs include first gen college students, innovation, gender inclusive, and the health sciences scholars program.

    • HomeShare Program

        • In the HomeShare Program, older homeowners open their homes to students for a reduced rent in exchange for basic household services such as taking out the trash, bringing in the mail, or assistance with shoveling snow. These services allow the homeowner to remain independent and in their home for as long as possible. The HomeShare Program offers housing across Washtenaw County.

    • Inter-cooperative council at Ann Arbor

        • The ICC is made up of 16 houses with unique personalities and rich histories. Housing costs are low because there is no landlord making a profit and everyone shares the common space in the house, the work (cooking, cleaning, office work, etc.), and the democratic governance of the house and organization. Some food is included in rental price.

    • Student Legal Services & Rental Tips

        • SLS is a division of Student Life, and is a full-service law office. The attorneys at SLS can advise you regarding your legal rights and represent you, if needed, in Washtenaw County courts only. It is also possible for the staff to negotiate with various individuals on your behalf (i.e. debt collectors). Gayle Rosen is the attorney that deals with housing.

        • The website provides tips on what to do before signing the lease, eviction, moving in/out, small claims court, tips on subletting, tips to consider during tenancy, tips for staying safe, and security deposits.

    • Worksheet designed to help students determine the best housing situation for them based on budget:

Mental Health and Health Education

    • U-M Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

        • Individual & Group Counseling

        • Case Management for navigating health insurance and referrals for ongoing support

        • Crisis Interventions available

    • Wolverine Wellness

        • Wellness coaching

        • Safe sex services

        • Educational workshops

    • Spectrum Center (LGBTQI+ Services)

        • Health and wellness resources

        • Social and support groups

        • Crisis response and support

        • Scholarships and grants available

    • Well-being Resources

        • Portal hosted by Student Life allowing students to search resources by specific need

Sexual Assault/Violence Prevention Services

Study Abroad Funding

    • LSA Study Abroad Scholarship

        • LSA study abroad scholarships support LSA students studying abroad through an LSA Center for Global and Intercultural Study (CGIS) program who have financial need. Scholarship funds can be used to assist with housing, travel, or program costs.

          • Must have a FAFSA and CSS on file to be considered

    • CGIS

        • The Gilman Scholarship Program

          • Funding opportunity for US undergraduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to US interests, and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East.

        • The Boren Scholarship Program

          • Open to US citizen undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study and intern abroad programs worldwide.

          • Boren Scholars must commit to working in the federal government for at least one year after graduation.

Transportation Services

    • U-M Magic Bus Schedule

        • The University's 12 bus routes system is free to the public, and generally operates from about 5:00 AM to about 2:30 AM weekdays (7:00 AM to about 3:00 AM weekends), with reduced hours during spring/summer terms and on holidays

    • Emergency Ride

        • Six Free Taxi rides can be provided to students on the Ann Arbor Campus per permit year for emergencies. Eligible types of emergencies covered by the program include personal or family illness or injury, unscheduled overtime or other mandatory work-related holdover, or stranded carpool or van-pool riders.

        • To request a ride, call 734-763-1131.

    • Paratransit

        • If you need short- or long-term assistance in moving about campus due to an injury or disability, Transit Services can help.

    • MRide program

        • Through the MRide program, any member of the University community with an M-Card can ride the city bus for free