Additional Resources
Looking for more ways to meet your basic needs? Check out additional resources. Explore these resources to find the support you need and ensure your well-being is prioritized.
Office of Child Care and Family Resources
The Office of Child Care and Family Resources promotes the academic and professional goals of the University of Wisconsin community by building access to high-quality early childhood education, providing family support programs, and administering child care tuition assistance for parenting students.
Child Care Tuition Assistance Program (CCTAP)
This resource provides financial assistance to income eligible UW–Madison parent students for child care expenses. The application is required EACH term and available online 5-6 weeks prior to first day of regular term.
WI Shares
State subsidy program that funds a portion of child care expenses while parents are working or in school. This fund covers child care costs for the time period parents are in class or covers one hour per credit for online courses. Apply online and complete an eligibility interview. Parent students are required to be working 20 hours a month, which can include work study approved employers. Youngstar is a tool to assist parents in finding an approved child care provider. Questions about eligibility and application process can be directed to the Dane County call center at 1-888-794-5556.
City of Madison Child Care
Resource that connects families with licensed child care providers to promote high quality child care and early education in the City of Madison.
4C
Assists families in finding a child care provider. All recommended programs are regulated through the Department of Children and Families. Parents can search for providers near them here and contact 608-271-9181 with any questions.
Reach Dane
Child care providers are licensed by the state of WI and accredited by the City of Madison. All centers work with families that have a child care subsidy. Parents can contact 608-275-6740 with questions.
TAA Diaper Program
The Teaching Assistants Association (TAA) partners with the Village Diaper Bank for a mutual aid program to distribute diapers to graduate student families. All UW–Madison graduate students with children can request diapers through the Diaper Program operated by the TAA Mutual Aid Committee. Visit the website to fill out the request form.
Babies and Beyond
Babies and Beyond support families through the challenges and joys of parenting starting with pregnancy and early childhood. They provide free resources and materials.
Off-Campus Housing Services is a resource within University Housing to help students and families navigate the housing search. The service is designed to provide students with the resources to make informed decisions and to offer follow-up support as needed. Off-Campus Housing Services provides educational programs, builds relationships with landlords, and meets individually with students who need assistance.
The Tenant Resource Center is a nonprofit organization that can help assist with eviction prevention, housing counseling, and apartment searching.
Students are able to checkout laptops through the summer term for free from Memorial Library. Bring your Wiscard and call ahead to confirm the check out.
Explore this resource from MyMove that shares a few methods for finding free internet service.
The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP), Weatherization Assistance Program, and HE+ Furnace Program. WHEAP provides assistance for heating costs, electric costs, and energy crisis situations. Weatherization helps renters and homeowners reduce their energy consumption. To apply visit this website.
SuccessWorks Career Closet
The SuccessWorks Career Closet gives L&S students free professional and business casual attire so you can feel confident and prepared for interviews, career fairs, networking, and the workplace. L&S students can choose up to four items per semester, completely FREE and yours to keep!
St. Vincent de Paul
St. Vincent de Paul operates local thrift stores in part to be able to provide basic-needs items, including clothing, free to people experiencing hard times. Clothing can be chosen from any of our stores when you apply for a voucher. Clothing vouchers are being fulfilled over the phone at this time; no walk-ups or same-day voucher pickup. Each clothing voucher is worth $50 for each eligible adult and $30 for each eligible child (17 years old and younger)
Local Sewing and Mending-Madison
Have your clothing mended including coats, and any other fabric-related repairs, except for zippers. Sewers from the Sewing Machine Project will be available to mend your things for free every Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Madison Public Library (201 W. Mifflin St.) in Study Room 211, or every other Wednesday from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Hawthorne Public Library (2707 E Washington Ave.)
Student Jobs Portal
Positions are posted on Student Jobs throughout the year and the site is updated daily, for jobs during both the academic year and summer terms. Students seeking internships and full-time professional career opportunities should use Handshake.
Handshake
Handshake is a free tool for UW–Madison students and is the best way to connect with employers, find jobs and internships, and learn about career events hosted by career services offices and employers.
Student Employment Peer Advising
Take advantage of the opportunity to meet with the Student Employment Peer Advisor and build your professional skills, explore job opportunities, and uncover your strengths and transferable skills.
Unemployment Benefits
If you have become unemployed or partially unemployed, you may apply for unemployment benefits online. File weekly claims to receive benefit payments after requirements are met.
Law For Learners provides free, confidential legal help for students across Wisconsin. Law for Learners can help students with consultation, legal advice, referrals, and in some cases full representation for a broad range of legal concerns/questions students may face. Request legal help and check out the many resource videos and webinars.
Neighborhood House Legal Aid Clinic
Free legal advice & consultation for low-income individuals with attorneys practicing in family law, landlord/tenant, small claims, discrimination issues, and more. The aid clinic is in partnership with Godfrey and Kahn. There are limited walk-in appointments and appointments are highly encouraged.
Richard Dilley Tax Center (VITA)
The Tax Center provides in-person assistance with certified volunteers to help individuals, families, seniors, and people with disabilities file their taxes. Schedule an appointment or check out the “tax how-to” resources.
Request a Basic Needs Item
UW–Madison partners with Purposity to help bridge the gap between interested community members and students in need. Requests are intended to support students experiencing current struggles meeting their daily basic needs. Learn more and submit your request.
Badger Reclaim
Badger Reclaim empowers students to thrive while embracing a more sustainable way of living in and around Madison.
Emergency Support Options
Badgers may face financial emergencies during their time at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The resources linked here provide an overview of emergency financial support options.
Wellness Coaching
Wellness coaching offers peer-to-peer support with UW–Madison students who have completed an extensive onboarding process. Centered around eight dimensions of wellbeing (social, emotional, physical, environmental, financial, spiritual, intellectual, occupational), wellness coaching provides the opportunity and framework to reflect on your wellbeing, establish + achieve goals, and build self-awareness + skills for a fulfilling and meaningful life. Our wellness coaches create a supportive environment where you are the expert. You know what is best for you based on personal priorities and values.