{"id":514,"date":"2019-11-27T16:05:35","date_gmt":"2019-11-27T22:05:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bemidjistate.edu\/student-life\/?page_id=514"},"modified":"2026-05-22T13:20:48","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T18:20:48","slug":"basic-needs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bemidjistate.edu\/student-life\/support-services\/basic-needs\/","title":{"rendered":"Basic Needs Resources"},"content":{"rendered":"
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.<\/p>\n
The Student Center for Health and Counseling<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Bridge to Benefits Screening Tool<\/i><\/a> 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n The Minnesota Family Investment Program<\/i><\/a>, 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)<\/i><\/a>.<\/p>\n SNAP<\/i><\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n United Way 211<\/i><\/a> provides free and confidential<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n Text your zip code<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\nBridges to Benefits<\/h2>\n
Findhelp.org<\/h2>\n
Minnesota Family Investment Program<\/h2>\n
SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program<\/h2>\n
United Way 2-1-1<\/h2>\n
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