Student Benefits Navigator
Basic Needs for Students
Did you know that in 2024, over half of Washington college students faced basic needs insecurity, and over 10% experienced homelessness? Yet, only half accessed available support. Learn more here: Basic Needs Security Among WA College Student Findings Report 2025
At WVC, we are committed to serving students with accessible and equitable services. The Student Benefits Navigator is available to connect students to campus and community resources for basic needs such as childcare services, clothing, transportation, housing, food, and mental/physical health services. They can also support the access and completion of Financial Aid applications and connect eligible students to different grants offered through Wenatchee Valley College.
Resources:
Working Connections Child Care: Helps eligible families with child care costs. The state covers part of the expense, and parents pay a monthly copay to the provider.
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program): Provides healthy foods, health screenings, breastfeeding support, nutrition education and more to pregnant people, breastfeeding parents, and children under 5.
Basic Food Enrollment: SNAP- Helps people with low incomes make ends meet by providing monthly benefits to buy food. You can apply online here: Washington Connection
Washington Apple Health (Medicaid): Apple Health is Washington’s free or low-cost Medicaid program. It covers services like primary care, dental, vision, prescriptions, and more. You can apply anytime.
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The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Mobile Office: DSHS Mobile Offices help people apply for medical, food, and cash assistance. They handle applications, case updates, EBT cards, and child care subsidy forms. The DSHS Mobile Offices do not provide:
*Check their Region Calendar for information on where these DSHS Mobile Office's will be each month! |
For further information, please contact the Student Benefits Navigator
Financial Aid
The Financial Aid Office at Wenatchee Valley College is available to assist students in applying for all types of financial assistance; including grants, work study opportunities, veteran benefits, scholarships and student loans.
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): The FAFSA is a yearly form that helps students apply for federal, state, and WVC
financial aid.
WASFA (Washington State Financial Aid) Students without an SSN must complete the WASFA to apply for Washington State aid.
If you have an ITIN, enter it in the SSN field. Without an SSN or ITIN, you’ll receive
a WASFA ID.
There are four general types of aid:
Gift Aid (Grants)LoansWork StudyScholarships
Student Grants Center
The Student Grants Center has grants specific to students enrolled in a professional technical program that can help eligible students pay for their education. To see if you qualify, please fill out their interest survey using the link below. A staff member will reach out to you with more information on your eligibility.
Student Grants Center Interest Survey
SSEH/SEAG
Facing a financial emergency or unexpected expense that's causing hardship? You may be eligible for short-term assistance through the Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness (SSEH) Grant or the Student Emergency Assistance Grant (SEAG). Please note: These grants are designed for temporary relief and are not intended to cover ongoing or recurring expenses, or to serve as regular educational funding.
Eligible students may receive support for needs such as rent, utilities, childcare, medical expenses, technology, and more. To check your eligibility or request assistance, please complete the form below:
Emergency Grants
The WVC Counseling Department has emergency grants available for eligible students who need assistance with tuition, fees, books, technology needs, course materials, food, housing, gas, unexpected auto repairs, daycare, and other expenses. If you would like to get in contact with them directly, please contact WVC Counseling at counseling@wvc.edu or book an appointment:
Book a time (Wenatchee)Book a time (Omak)Book a time (Virtual)
Currently, many of the housing programs require a Coordinated Entry referral. To do that, you would need to fill out a Coordinated Entry Form:
- HopeSource:
- If you are experiencing homelessness or concerned about staying in your current housing, the Homeless Housing Network can help. A client advocate will assist you.
- Chelan Valley Hope:
- Helping individuals and families in crisis access basic needs like emergency shelter, utilities and rent assistance, food and transportation vouchers, food, clothing, and other social and health services.
- Chelan Douglas Community Action Council/Okanogan County Community Action Council:
- Provides assistance with home repair, housing, weatherization.
- The Women's Resource Center:
- Provides individuals and families experiencing poverty and homelessness with the housing and supportive services they need to be part of a healthy, diverse community.
- YWCA:
- Provides emergency, transitional, and permanent supportive housing services.
- FYRE:
- Foundation for Youth Resiliency & Engagement
- Serves people ages 12-24 across Okanogan County
- Covers four areas: 1) education, 2) physical and mental health, 3) basic needs and 4) resiliency programming.
SSEH/SEAGFacing a financial emergency or unexpected expense that's causing hardship? You may be eligible for short-term assistance through the Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness (SSEH) Grant or the Student Emergency Assistance Grant (SEAG). Please note: These grants are designed for temporary relief and are not intended to cover ongoing or recurring expenses, or to serve as regular educational funding. Eligible students may receive support for needs such as rent, utilities, childcare, medical expenses, technology, and more. To check your eligibility or request assistance, please complete the form below: |
For more information on other available resources, please fill out the Needs/Assistance Intake form or send an email at BasicNeeds@wvc.edu.
- Wenatchee: (Summer Hours)
- When: Wednesdays 12 pm - 3 pm
- Where: Van Tassel
- To access the WVC campus food pantry outside of normal hours, please send an email at BasicNeeds@wvc.edu or at studentlife@wvc.edu or click on the link to schedule your visit with the Student Benefits Navigator: Knight's Kupboard Access
- Omak:
- When: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 12 pm - 3 pm. Refer to the administration desk for access at other times during the week.
- Where: Administration building (downstairs), room 121.
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Community Food Pantries:
Click here for list of pantries in Chelan/Douglas Counties
Click here for a list of pantries in Okanogan County
For more information on other available food pantries, please fill out the Needs/Assistance Intake form or send an email at BasicNeeds@wvc.edu.
On-Campus Health Clinic for WVC Students, Faculty and Staff
Van Tassell Center - Wenatchee campus
Behavioral Health
- Depression and anxiety
- Mindfulness-based interventions
- Couples, families, and relationships
- Intrusive thoughts and rumination
- Solution-focused therapy
- Trauma
- Person-centered therapy
- Positive psychology
Clinic Information
- Located in Van Tassell Center
- To establish care with a behavioral health therapist, please see your WVC Counselor
- Operated by the certified personnel of Columbia Valley Community Health
Health Insurance
The CVCH Clinic at WVC accepts all private insurance and qualified health care plans. They accept Medicare and the following Medicaid plans: Molina, Coordinated Care, Community Health Plan of Washington, Washington state medical coupons and Healthy Options. They will also serve anyone who is not insured. They will not refuse to provide you with care based on your ability to pay. To learn more, visit the CVCH Insurance Information page.
On-Campus Hours
- Behavioral Health:
- Wednesdays, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Lunch, 12 - 1 p.m.
Contact
Columbia Valley Community Health
509-662-6000
7:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday
www.cvch.org
WVC Counselors provide a range of services that are free and confidential for WVC students (Academic, Career, Personal).
- Have questions? Contact the counselors directly:
- Bertha Sanchez, Wenatchi Hall 2131, bsanchez@wvc.edu
- Ryan Poortinga, Wenatchi Hall 2132, rpoortinga@wvc.edu
- Allycia Gonzales, Wenatchi Hall 2134, agonzales@wvc.edu
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If you are unable to reach a counselor via email, please call (509) 682-6850 or email counseling@wvc.edu
Wenatchee Campus
- When: Monday - Friday
- Hours: 8 AM to 4:00 PM
- Location: Wenatchi Hall on the first floor.
- Walk in: Monday - Fridays from 9-10 AM.
Omak Campus
- When: Wednesdays - Thursdays
- Hours: 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
- Location: Administration Building, Room 111A
- Phone: 509-422-7810
General Resources:
Greater Wenatchee Valley Community Resources Directory: Food, Hygiene, Legal, Medical, and Counseling services found in the Chelan/Douglas Counties.
Okanogan County Resource Directory - OCCAC: Social Services, Housing, Health, and other resources found within Okanogan County
Washington 211: Helps you connect you to community resources statewide.
FindHelp: Find free or reduced-cost resources like food, housing, financial assistance, heatlhcare, and more.
Mental Health Resources:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Free, confidential and judgement free emotional support to people in a crisis or emotional distress that is open 24/7. Call or text 988 or visit their website and click “chat” to talk with someone.
Crisis Hotline (mental health) 509-662-7105 or 1-800-852-2923
Beacon Health Options WA: Mental Health/ substance use crisis line, call to speak to a counselor at no cost 24 hours a day. 1-800-852-2923 or text HOME to 74141
NAMI NCW: Mental health support, education and advocacy. (509) 663-82820
Catholic Charities: Crisis walk-in services and mental health outpatient services.
24-hour crisis line: (509) 662-7105/ 1-800-852-2923. Main office mental health services:
(509) 662-6761
SAGE: Services for adults and children impacted by domestic violence & sexual assault. 24-hour crisis line: (509) 663-7446
Children’s Home Society (Akin): Child & family counseling services. (509) 663-5201
Getting Connected:
To connect with the Student Benefits Navigator, fill out the Needs/Assistance Intake Form below (or scan the QR code). You can also book an appointment using the "Book a time to meet" link.
Contact
| Magali Olguin Ramos |
| Mish ee twie 1126 |
| 509-682-6617 |
| molguinramos@wvc.edu |
Follow us on Instagram for updates and resources: @wvcbasicneeds
*This is a new position all across Washington State, placed by the Washington State Legislature (Second Substitute House Bill 1559 [2023]). By law, all Community and Technical Colleges have to have a benefits navigator to create a single point of contact for students to access resources for their basic needs. Student basic needs consist of food, water, shelter, clothing, physical health, mental health, childcare, or similar needs that students enrolled at an institution of higher education, tribal college, or community or technical college may face difficulty with, and that hinders their ability to begin or continue their enrollment.
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (833) 620-1071, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to:
- mail:
Food and Nutrition Service, USDA
1320 Braddock Place, Room 334
Alexandria, VA 22314; or - fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or - email:
FNSCIVILRIGHTSCOMPLAINTS@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
De acuerdo con la ley federal de derechos civiles y las normas y políticas de derechos civiles del Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos (USDA), esta entidad está prohibida de discriminar por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo (incluyendo identidad de género y orientación sexual), credo religioso, discapacidad, edad, creencias políticas, o represalia o retorsión por actividades previas de derechos civiles.
La información sobre el programa puede estar disponible en otros idiomas que no sean el inglés. Personas con discapacidad que requieran medios alternos de comunicación para obtener información sobre el programa (por ejemplo, Braille, letra grande, cinta de audio, lenguaje de señas americano), debe ponerse en contacto con la agencia (estatal o local) donde solicitaron los beneficios. Las personas sordas, con dificultades auditivas o con discapacidades del habla pueden comunicarse con el USDA a través del Servicio Federal de Retransmisión al (800) 877- 8339.
Para presentar una queja por discriminación en el programa, el reclamante debe llenar un formulario AD-3027, formulario de queja por discriminación en el programa del USDA que puede obtenerse en línea en: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027s.pdf, en cualquier oficina del USDA, llamando al (833) 620-1071, o escribiendo una carta dirigida al USDA. La carta debe contener el nombre del demandante, la dirección, el número de teléfono y una descripción escrita de la acción discriminatoria alegada con suficiente detalle para informar al Subsecretario de Derechos Civiles (ASCR) sobre la naturaleza y fecha de una presunta violación de derechos civiles. El formulario AD-3027 completado o la carta debe presentarse por:
- correo:
Food and Nutrition Service, USDA
1320 Braddock Place, Room 334
Alexandria, VA 22314; o - fax:
(833)-256-1665, o (202)-690-7442; o - correo electrónico:
FNSCIVILRIGHTSCOMPLAINTS@usda.gov
Esta institución es un proveedor que brinda igualdad de oportunidades.