The University of Central Arkansas offers a variety of resources to support students who have experienced foster care or homelessness. Here are some key services that may be beneficial:
Bear Essentials Food Pantry
Community Resources
Counseling Center
Dean of Students
Office of Student Advocacy & Community
Student Success Services
Student Support & Resource Center
UCA Financial Aid
Other Programs
UCA Homeless and Foster Student Liaison
Bear Essentials Food Pantry
The Bear Essentials Food Pantry aims to reduce the stress of food insecurity, ensuring that the UCA community has access to essential resources. It is located in Physical Plant, Room 40 and is open 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. during the fall and spring semesters.
Community Food Pantries
- Arkansas Food Bank: Text “Findfood” (One Word) To 844-381-FOOD to find a food pantry near you
- Conway Ministry Center: 225 E Robins St., Conway, AR 72034; 501-358-6098
- Central Baptist Church: 3333 Dave Ward Drive, Conway, AR 72034; 501-329-9283
- His House, College Church of Christ: 712 E Race Ave, Searcy, AR 72143; 501-268-7156
- Good Samaritan Center: 1512 West Park Ave, Searcy, AR 72143; 501-279-3642
- Watershed Human & Community Development: 3701 Springer Blvd, Little Rock, AR 72206; 501-378-0176
- Oak Forest United Methodist Church: 2415 Fair Park Blvd, Little Rock, AR 72204; 501-663-9407
Community Resources
UCA collaborates with local organizations to provide additional support:
- CAPCA (Community Action Program for Central Arkansas): Offers various assistance programs.
- Soul Food Café Mission: Provides clothing, showers, and laundry services.
- UCA Foundation Emergency Scholarship: One-time awards up to $500 for unexpected financial crises.
Counseling Center
The UCA Counseling Center offers mental health resources including:
- Mental Health Screenings: Assessments for emotional well-being.
- Transition of Care Guide: Support for students transitioning from foster care.
- Domestic Violence Support: Assistance for students experiencing domestic violence.
Dean of Students
The Dean of Students office offers campus and community resources including:
Office of Student Advocacy & Community
OSAC offers various programming and resources including:
- Emergency Textbook Grant: Up to $500 for required textbooks.
- Bear Bottoms Diaper Program: Diapers and wipes for parenting students
- Non-Traditional Student programs
- Pregnant & Parenting Student programs
- First Generation Student programs
- Transfer Student programs
Student Success Services
UCA Student Success UCA offers various programs to enhance student success:
- UCA Foundation: A range of scholarships with varying criteria.
- UCA Career Services: Provides assistance with resume building and job placement.
Contact Student Success at (501) 852-2117 or studentsuccess@uca.edu.
Student Support & Resource Center
The Student Support & Resource Center assists with unexpected financial difficulties, offering grants such as:
- Assistance Program For Students with Exceptional Circumstances (APSEC) Grant: Up to $3,000 for tuition and fees.
- Student Emergency Fund: Student Emergency Fund (formarlly the DASH Emergency Grant) provides emergency micro-grants for expenses which the students don’t have to pay back.
Appointments can be scheduled online or by calling (501) 852-0704.
UCA Financial Aid
UCA’s Financial Aid Office offers guidance regarding Scholarships, Federal Financial Aid and State Aid.
Community Programs
- BWEL Foundation: Provides educational advancement solutions for low-income parent-students
- Family and Youth Services Bureau – Transitional Living Program: Assist homeless youth in accessing a temporary safety net
- Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Exchange – Provides program information, guidance, services, and tools for HUD community partners
- National Center for Homeless Education: Provides scholarships to youth experiencing homelessness
- National Low Income Housing Coalition: Offers state and local rental assistance
- SNAP for Students: Food benefits for work-study eligible students and students with an expected family contribution (EFC) of 0 in the current academic year.
- Stand Up for Kids: Offers nation-wide services focused on ending youth homelessness
UCA Homeless and Foster Student Liaison
Leslie M. Knox
501-450-5158
lknox@uca.edu