Food, Housing, and Mental Health Resources

View our general Basic Needs and Emergency Support Page to find more information on where you can get your daily basic needs met. Also check out our Community Resources Page for additional information.

Where Can I Find Food Resources?

HCC's Fueling Dragons program provides resources to overcome food insecurity and develop lifelong healthy habits and skills.

The on-campus food pantry provides food and personal care items to current HCC students. What students can expect when visiting the pantry:

Initially, there is a brief registration process where your student ID (or a class schedule) will verify your current student status.
Someone from the pantry team will provide an orientation and walkthrough of the pantry to answer all of your questions.
Students are welcome to visit the pantry once per week during the hours that are posted for the term.
Each visit, students can choose 10 items. If they bring their reusable bag that is provided during their first visit, they can choose 12 items.

The pantry focuses on providing healthier options sorted on the shelves using the SWAP (Supporting Wellness at Pantries) system, a stoplight system to promote items that are lower in saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar. In addition to shelf-stable items, the pantry also offers produce from the campus garden, frozen items including meat, refrigerated items including milk and dairy-free alternatives, toiletries and personal care products, recipe meal kits, and bread – all subject to availability.

Fall 2025 Semester Hours:

Monday: 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 12:00 noon - 3:00 p.m.
Thursday: 12:00 noon - 3:00 p.m.
Friday: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m

Stop by during our open hours or contact the Wellness Center at 443-518-4950 to learn more. If you need emergency access to the pantry outside of the posted hours, please visit the Wellness Center or Student Life. Call the Food Pantry at 443-518-4325 during pantry hours or email pantry@howardcc.edu with any questions.

Visit On-Campus| First floor of Clark Library, office number 169

The Community Action Council of Howard County is a local organization whose mission is to "diminish poverty and enable self-sufficiency for all Howard County individuals, families, and children in need" by " layering our four critical services of housing assistance, food assistance, energy and weatherization assistance and early childhood education." Learn more and find contact information by visiting https://cac-hc.org/.

Where Can I Get Housing Assistance?

Housing Subsidy Agreement

In partnership with HCC, the Howard County Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and the Columbia Housing Center (CHC) has created a subsidy to assist low- to moderate-income college students with house needs for up to two (2) years while obtaining their higher education.

To be considered for the housing subsidy, students must be enrolled in 6+ credits for the fall and spring semester, complete their financial aid application, and be Pell eligible. FAS sends a list of students that meet the preliminary requirements to CHC at the end of the drop/add period for each semester. CHC will make the final determination on the student's eligibility. Students will receive an email to their HCC email inviting them to complete the interest and authorization form at the end of the drop/add period for each semester.

Please visit the CHC's website for all eligibility requirements. You will be contacted by Financial Aid Services if you meet the requirements. For questions please visit myFAS.

This subsidy aims to remove the barrier of locating and maintaining housing, thereby addressing the financial constraints that students face in securing suitable accommodations during their educational journey.

Where Can I find additional mental health resources?

HCC's Mental Health Counseling Services provides a safe, confidential, non-judgmental space where students can feel free to explore a wide variety of concerns and issues. Using a Stepped Care*model, we offer a variety of services to meet the individual needs of all HCC students. We are here to help students maintain and develop their emotional well-being and achieve their educational and personal goals. We promote a healthy and inclusive community through relationship-building, education, crisis intervention and support. All Mental Health Counseling Services are offered free of charge to enrolled students. In addition, self-help resources are available to assist students in understanding and addressing common concerns at their own pace.

The Howard County Health Department offers a variety of services to our community. Visit their behavioral health directory to find out what resources are available and how to contact. You can also find local support groups by visiting https://namihowardcounty.org/support-and-education/support-groups/.

HCC provides 24/7/365 support to currently enrolled students via a student assistance program called Uwill. Uwill is a free and confidential mental health and wellness platform that offers immediate access to teletherapy, crisis support, and wellness resources. Students can access a licensed mental health counselor through secure video, phone, chat or messaging and same-day appointments with flexible scheduling options are available.

To connect with Uwill:

1. Visit the website and click “Get Started” : https://app.uwill.com/ or scan the QR code below.
2. Sign in using your HCC email address.
3. Create your profile and select your preferences for therapist, communication method, and appointment times.
4. Connect instantly with a counselor or schedule future sessions-at no cost