About Basic Needs Program
At Purdue, we recognize that students can’t succeed academically if their basic needs—like food, housing, healthcare, or transportation—aren’t being met. That’s where the Basic Needs Program comes in. We connect students with essential resources like SNAP benefits, rental assistance, campus tech access, and even childcare and transportation options. Whether you're a student navigating a challenge or a faculty or staff member who wants to support someone in need, we’re here to help. Our goal is simple: to remove barriers so students can thrive. Visit our website or schedule a consultation to learn how we can support you—or someone you know—on the path to success.
We know that being a college student is demanding—and when you're struggling to meet basic needs like food, housing, healthcare, or transportation, it can feel overwhelming and isolating. That's why Purdue University created the Basic Needs Program.
Our goal is to support your well-being so you can focus on your academic success. Whether you're facing food insecurity, need help affording rent or utilities, don’t have reliable access to technology or child care, or simply aren’t sure where to start—you are not alone, and there are resources available to help you.
Through our program, we help students:
- Learn about and apply for benefits like SNAP, WIC, and Medicaid
- Access rental and utility assistance
- Find on-campus resources for computer access and Wi-Fi
- Navigate child care support and scholarships
- Get connected with transportation options, including bus routes
- And more.
As faculty and staff, you play a vital role in recognizing and responding to students in need. At Purdue, many students are quietly navigating challenges that go far beyond academics—food insecurity, unstable housing, gaps in healthcare, limited access to transportation, and more.
The Purdue Basic Needs Program exists to support those students and help them access critical resources that can make all the difference in their educational journey.
We assist students with navigating:
- Food support programs such as SNAP and WIC
- Rental and utility assistance
- Access to technology and on-campus computer labs
- Child care scholarships and support
- Healthcare resources, including Medicaid
- Transportation options like local bus routes
We encourage faculty and staff to refer students who may be experiencing unmet basic needs to our program. You can also reach out to us directly to learn more about how to identify students in need and respond with care and understanding.