Grad

Basic Needs and Essentials

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Clothing

Free professional clothing for students who are preparing for interviews, internship experiences or professional classroom presentations. When a student picks an outfit, it is theirs to keep.

Book an appointment online: BCP Career Closet Sign Up. Students can use the Career Closet 3 times per semester.

The University of Cincinnati LGBTQ Center has an initiative to provide clothing to/for gender non-conforming, transgender, nonbinary, and questioning students to find gender-affirming gently used or like-new clothing.

Drop by the LGBTQ Center, located on the 5th Floor of Steger Student Life Center, for more information. The closet is directly outside of the center, so even when it is not open, students have access to clothing options.

Dress for Success Cincinnati became renowned for providing professional clothing to women returning to or entering the workforce. Dress for Success Cincinnati offers clients styling services for upcoming interviews as well as services when you land the job. To learn more about this service, visit the Dress for Success Cincinnati webpage.

Food

The BCP and Resource Center is here to help any Bearcat through a time of need. From free food to social services support, we provide a diverse range of programs, services, and supplies.  There is a main location in Stratford Heights Building 16, Room 007. Additionally, there are Satellite Markets and To-Go Locations across Uptown Campus that you can find via the BCP website.

Contact Information:

The Ohio Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as Food Assistance or food stamps, provides funds to help households with low incomes purchase groceries. An eligible person or family receives an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which is used like any other debit card at the grocery store. The card uses money from a SNAP account set up for the eligible person or family to pay for food items.

Visit College SNAP Project: Ohio Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for more information and assistance with enrollment.

Locations:

Furniture

Do you need assistance with needs such as food, clothing, furniture, rent, utilities, or beds? St. Vincent de Paul serves neighbors in Greater Cincinnati through its network of Conferences (groups of volunteers based at a church). They’re here to offer help and hope needed most. For some, it’s a one-time need. For others, the assistance is ongoing.

Learn more by visiting St. Vincent de Paul: Locations.

As most leases in Uptown Cincinnati conclude around July 31st, students and families undergo a thorough cleaning to prepare for relocation during that week. Historically, this has led to a significant amount of furniture, trash, electronics and other items being left on the streets or overflowing in dumpsters. In an effort to curb this issue and divert waste from landfills and support those in need, we provide additional trash and recycling dumpsters and accept donations of usable items. These donated items are available for free to the UC community and Uptown neighbors during a two-week event.

Learn more this opportunity and others by joining the UC Sustainability listserv or by following the UC Office of Sustainability on Instagram, @ucsustainability.  

The ReStore locations sell new and gently used furniture, home accessories, building materials, appliances, flooring, cabinetry, and more at a fraction of the retail price.

Learn more by visiting ReStore Habitat for Humanity Greater Cincinnati.

Housing

All students, faculty and staff can utilize the University Housing website in their search for housing.

The Private Rentals & Leasing page provides:

  • Tools to facilitate your search
  • Information about signing a lease
  • Guidance to help avoid rental scams 
  • Suggestions for finding roommates 
  • Searchable off-campus property website sponsored by the UC Undergraduate Student Government

The Graduate Apartments page provides:

  • Information about properties that University Housing leases to students for graduate housing. 
  • These properties include 12-month leases at Senator Place and The Eden.

The Off-Campus Housing page provides:

  • Information regarding rentals available around UC and resources for starting your search, leasing and legal questions, and more.

The Resident Support pages provide:

If you have any questions about university housing resources available for graduate students, please contact the Office of Graduate and Family Housing.

Contact Information:

HOME’s mission is to eliminate unlawful discrimination in housing in the Greater Cincinnati area. HOME advocates and enforces housing regulations for all protected classes and promotes stable, integrated communities. Part of this includes providing a Resources page as well as Tenant Advocacy.

HOME is located at 2400 Reading Road, Suite 118 Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.

The Help Center for Hamilton County provides residents with education, information, and limited legal advice regarding housing issues, debt collection, small claims, and more.

View a list of Cincinnati’s 52 neighborhoods to gain a better understanding of the city and where each neighborhood is located.

Personal Hygiene

Bag storage and showers are available on the bottom level in the Campus Recreation Center.

The BCP has personal hygiene items and cleaning supplies in addition to their other available items.

The Student Wellness Center (SWC) empowers students to make informed decisions regarding their health and wellness by providing evidence-based education, inclusive resources, and non-judgmental support. They offer an extensive collection of resources, free products, and information about various health and wellness topics.

For a closer look at what they offer, check out the SWC Events Calendar on GetInvolvedUC.