The ability to meet basic needs significantly affects UW–Madison students’ mental and physical health, academic performance, work productivity, and overall success. UW–Madison strives to support students’ basic needs by promoting a sense of belonging and justice by offering and expanding both immediate emergency assistance and long-term support services. We understand that addressing basic needs requires a holistic approach and includes the entire campus community.
This website is focused on the Madison area – if you need resources in a different area, call or text 211 for local United Support based on your zip code.
Resource Links
Whether you’re looking for food assistance, health services, or more, below are a variety of links to support meeting your basic needs. Explore the resources and discover the programs available to help you thrive.
Resources on the website
This resource was developed by UW–Madison students to make navigating food resources easier for other students! Students from several campus organizations, such as The Open Seat, ASM Sustainability, The Basic Needs Team and the Office of Sustainability contributed to this project.
How to Use: Click on any resource. On the left you will see a tab with the location, hours, website, a description, and eligibility requirements. To get directions, click on the direction symbol on the top right of this tab.
Contact: If you have any questions, contact basic.needs@finaid.wisc.edu. The team aims to keep this list up to date and accurate. If you notice any information that is incorrect or incomplete, please send an email.
Connect with us
Basic Needs Team
The Basic Needs team offers dedicated resources to assist students in gaining access to food, housing, and insurance to promote overall wellness.
Office of Student Assistance & Support
The Office of Student Assistance & Support can be your starting point for accessing a wide range of resources and support, both on and off campus.
Recreation & Wellbeing
Recreation & Wellbeing offers spaces, programs, and services for students to explore ways to move their bodies, connect with other students, and learn about holistic wellbeing.
Emergency Funding
Provides funding if you are experiencing an emergency situation.
Do you have any updates or changes for this site? Please submit the form linked below to help us keep information accurate for students.
UW–Madison Basic Needs Findings & Recommendations (2025)