We understand life can be unpredictable. Unexpected costs and needs can cause significant stress and impact your academic success and personal wellbeing. That’s why at Bemidji State, we are working together to provide support to currently enrolled students.
Aid may come in a variety of forms, including emergency appointments and help with communication, grants, loans and/or campus and community resources. Below are some of the resources available on campus and throughout the community. Additional resources are also available across campus.
If you need help finding the right resource, contact Bemidji State’s vice president of student life and success to help you get started:
Travis Greene, vice president for student life and success
Location: Deputy Hall 311
Phone: (218) 755-2075
Email: travis.greene@sanmingzhi.net
Bridges to Benefits
Bridge to Benefits Screening Tool is a project by Children’s Defense Fund-Minnesota to improve the well-being of families and individuals by linking them to public work support programs and tax credits.
Findhelp.org
Find food assistance, help to pay bills and other free or reduced-cost programs, including new programs for the COVID-19 pandemic using findhelp.org.
Minnesota Family Investment Program
The Minnesota Family Investment Program, or MFIP, helps families with children meet their basic needs, while helping working parents move to financial stability through work. Families usually start in the Diversionary Work Program (DWP).
SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
SNAP, formerly know as Food Stamps, helps Minnesotans with low incomes get the food they need for nutritious and well-balanced meals. If you are approved for SNAP, you can use your benefits at many stores, farmers markets and senior dining sites.
Find out if you are eligible for SNAP benefits.
United Way 2-1-1
Bemidji State University and Minnesota State have partnered with United Way 211 to establish a statewide basic needs resource hub. The basic needs resource hub provides Bemidji State University students access to basic needs resources and support available on campus and in the community via phone, text or chat 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
United Way 211 provides free and confidential health and human services information. They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to connect you with the resources and information you need. If you’re looking for information about services available in your community for you or a loved one, they can help.
Text MNHELP to 898-211(TXT211) or call 211 (toll free at 1-800-543-7709) to speak with one of their highly trained information and referral specialists. Your call is completely confidential, and they have call menus in English, Spanish and Hmong. Interpreters are also available for any language.
Visit the 211 website to learn more or to explore resources and support that may be available.
To search the 211 database of basic needs resources online, please visit the student basic needs website.
FAQ's
Bucky’s Food Pantry (218) 755-3760, nina.johnson@sanmingzhi.net
In partnership with the United Way of the Bemidji Area, and through generous donations by BSU/NTC faculty and staff, Bucky’s Food Pantry provides students with supplemental, shelf-stable groceries for no cost.
Additional food support services at BSU:
Swipe Out Hunger Dining Services Meal Swipes – A limited number of meal swipes for Wally’s Dining Center will be loaded on to student ID cards and can be used at any of the regularly schedule meals at Wally’s.
Community, state and national services:
- Bemidji Community Food Shelf
- Community Table
- SNAP Employment and Training / SNAP Education and Training
- SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Minnesota Department of Human Services. Find out if you are eligible for SNAP benefits.
- Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program – Minnesota Dept. of Health
Residential Life (218) 755-3750, reslife@sanmingzhi.net
Everything you need to make a BSU your home.
Additional housing support services at BSU:
Cedar Apartments – Bemidji State housing for student parents
Community, state and national services:
Pregnant and Parenting Students (218) 755-3750, reslife@sanmingzhi.net
Everything you need to make a BSU your home.
Additional student parent support services at BSU:
Cedar Apartments – Bemidji State housing for student parents
Community, state and national services:
- Bemidji Area Rural Child Care Innovation Program
- Child Care Grant – Minnesota Office of Higher Education
- Child Care Financial Assistance Options – ChildCare.gov
- Student Parent Support Initiative – Minnesota Department of Health
- Parent Aware – Offering free tools and resources to help families find the quality child care and early education programs their children need to succeed in school and life.
Information Technology Services (218) 755-3777, Service Portal
Information Technology Services provides IT tools, support and services that enhance educational and workplace experiences and values.
Additional technology support services at BSU:
- Computer Labs – Bemidji State has a variety of public and department labs available for student use.
- Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund
- Off-Campus Internet, Computer and Hotspot Options
Community, state and national services:
- Digital Inclusion / Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development – Minnesota Employment and Economic Development
- Emergency Broadband Benefit – Federal Communications Commission
Public Safety (218) 755-3888, publicsafety@sanmingzhi.net
The BSU/NTC Public Safety Department handles all parking permit requests/disbursement and parking ticket processing.
Additional transportation support services at BSU:
Bucky’s Bikes – Bemidji State Sustainability Office
Community, state and national services:
- First City Taxi
- Paul Bunyan Transit
- Red Lake Public Transit
- Speedy Van – Non-Emergency Medical Transportation in Minnesota
Financial Aid Office (218) 755-2034, financialaid@sanmingzhi.net
Support students and families with information and resources to financially support your educational goals.
Additional emergency grant support services at BSU:
- Random Acts of Kindness program – awards ranging from $50 – $200 that can help students afford rent, child care, medical care, gas, etc.
- Helping Hands (Naadamaageng) Grants – one-time awards up to $500 from the Naadamaageng Fund to help deserving American Indian students overcome emergency financial obstacles on their way to achieving their education goals.
Community, state and national services:
- Beltrami County Health and Human Services – economic assistance, public health, social services, etc.
- Emergency Assistance for Postsecondary Students (EAPS) Grant Program
Student Health and Counseling (218) 755-2053, HealthServices@sanmingzhi.net
Clinic, immunization, education and referrals are some of the offered services.
Community, state and national services:
- Adult mental health crisis response phone numbers – Minnesota Department of Human Services
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Beltrami County Health and Human Services – economic assistance, public health, social services, etc.
- Beltrami County Veterans Services Office
- Bemidji Indian Health Services Clinic
- Crisis Text Line
- Face it Together Bemidji
- Here to Help – online screening for anxiety disorders
- Help Yourself. Help Others
- Mental Health Minnesota
- NAMI Minnesota
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- Reclaim: Mental Health Support for Queer and Trans Youth Home
- The Steve Fund: Mental Health Support for BIPOC Students
- The Trevor Project | For Young LGBTQ Lives
- ULifeline: Mental health resources for college students
- Veterans Crisis Line: Suicide Prevention Hotline, Text & Chat
Hotlines:
- AIDS – 1 (800) 342-2437
- Alcohol Crisis Line – 1 (800) 422-0045
- Crisis Line (24 hr) Beltrami County – 1 (800) 422-0045
- Domestic Violence Crisis Hotline – 1 (866) 223-1111
- Drug Abuse Hotline – 1 (800) 252-6465
- Eating Disorder Hotline – 1 (800) 511-9225
- Lakes Area Pregnancy Support Hotline – 1 (800) 395-4357
- Local Suicide Prevention Hotline – 1 (800) 422-0045
- Mental Health Crisis Hotline – 1 (800) 422-0045
- Northwoods Battered Women’s Shelter – 1 (800) 588-6229
- Text 4 Life (suicide prevention) – Text LIFE to 61222