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.
Student Center for Health and Counseling
The Student Center for Health and Counseling is open for in-person and virtual appointments. The center offers an onsite medical clinic with a full-service laboratory, select medications, immunizations, counseling and health education. A Care Coordinator is also available to help you find community resources. This center provides services to students whether or not they have health insurance coverage.
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.
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 your zip code 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. For example, text 56601 to 898211 if you are in Bemidji, MN. 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@bemidjistate.edu
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.
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.
- Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program – Minnesota Dept. of Health
Residential Life (218) 755-3750, reslife@bemidjistate.edu
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@bemidjistate.edu
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
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@bemidjistate.edu
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:
Financial Aid Office (218) 755-2034, financialaid@bemidjistate.edu
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@bemidjistate.edu
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