Basic Needs Resources For Students

Office of Student Success

Comprehensive support to help students thrive academically while managing economic challenges.

Oregon State University's Basic Needs Center provides comprehensive support to help students thrive academically while managing economic challenges.

Located in Champinefu Lodge, the BNC offers free food pantry access, Mealbux meal funding, textbook and technology loans, housing assistance, laundry services, Healthy Beaver Bags recipe kits and more.

Beyond direct resources, students can connect with peer navigators for strategy conversations, participate in skill-building workshops and join volunteer opportunities.

The center creates a welcoming community space where students support each other while developing leadership skills and building lasting friendships.

Oregon State University Basic Needs Resources For Students

A group of diverse people gathered in a kitchen, collaboratively preparing food by rolling spring rolls and chopping colorful vegetables.

Food Assistance

Apply for Mealbux through the BNC Food Assistance Application to get funds on your student ID card for buying meals on campus. Save 10% at on-campus dining locations and focus on your academics instead of worrying about your next meal.

Volunteers in a campus food pantry preparing produce, illustrating student engagement in food security and community service.

Food Resources

Access free food at the OSU Food Pantry and additional food resources at the Basic Needs Center in Champinefu Lodge. Shop for groceries during scheduled times each week—no appointment needed. The pantry is an equal opportunity provider open to everyone, not just students. Part of your plan to meet basic needs while succeeding in school.

An assortment of fresh and shelf-stable food items provided in a program like Healthy Beaver Bags, illustrating food security and nutrition support.

Healthy Beaver Bags

Pick up free themed recipe kits every Friday from 12-1:30 pm during the term at Champinefu Lodge. Each bag includes recipe ingredients and instructions to help you cook healthy meals on a budget. Created by students and community members to support nutritional options while managing limited resources.

A person resting under a blanket on a couch, symbolizing comfort, shelter, and a need for housing or basic resources.

Housing Resources

Get support if you're experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness. The Basic Needs Center offers strategy conversations with peer navigators and emergency short-term housing through partnership with University Housing and Dining Services. Student Legal Services can help with eviction issues. No student should have to choose between housing and academic success.

A clean, organized campus laundry facility, illustrating an essential service for students or residents and symbolizing basic needs support.

Laundry Services

Make a free laundry appointment at the Basic Needs Center to use commercial washers and dryers for two hours once per week. Detergent provided—just bring your laundry and student ID. Stay and study while you wait in the comfortable BNC space. One more way to reduce costs and focus on your education.

Graphic illustrating food assistance, showing a paper grocery bag full of fresh food and staple items next to the official SNAP Benefits logo.

SNAP sign up

Find out if you qualify for Oregon SNAP food benefits (formerly food stamps). College students may be eligible if they work 20+ hours per week, participate in work-study, receive TANF or unemployment, or meet other exemptions. Getting SNAP doesn't affect immigration status or citizenship applications, and benefits are issued on an EBT card.

Textbooks for "College Physics" and "Marine Mammals," symbolizing academic study and the availability of resources through a textbook loan program.

Textbook Lending Services

Borrow textbooks, calculators, chemistry goggles, lab coats, and other course materials for free term-long loans at the Basic Needs Center. Search the Valley Library catalog to see if your course materials are available. Request books be added to the collection, and donate your used textbooks to help other students. Limited laptop loans also available through Media Hub.