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Student Benefits Navigator

Basic Needs for Students

Did you know that in 2024, over half of Washington college students report experiencing basic needs insecurity, with over 10% having experienced homelessness?

Washington students struggled with food and housing insecurity at high rates:

  • 4 out of 10 students (43.8%) experienced food insecurity
  • 3 out of 10 students (33.9%)  experienced housing insecurity 
  • 1 out of 10 students (11.1%) experienced homelessness

Only half of students experiencing basic needs insecurity access available support resources.
You can read more about this data here: Basic Needs Security Among WA College Student Findings Report 2025

We are committed to serving students with accessible and equitable services through their time at WVC. 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.

The Student Benefits Navigator does not have independent resources available to them, but can connect you with departments and services that can assist you during your time at WVC.

Resources:

Working Connections Child Care: 

Helps eligible families pay for child care. When a family qualifies for child care subsidy benefits and chooses an eligible provider, the state pays for a portion of the cost of child care. Parents may be responsible for a copayment to their provider each month. 

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-
    • Federal Food Assistance
    • 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 the name for Medicaid in Washington. Apple Health is free or low-cost health insurance coverage for those who qualify. Covered services include primary care, emergency visits, maternity services, pediatric care, dental services, vision care, prescription medications and more. 

Apple Health is available year-round. You can apply for Apple Health at any time.

You must apply for or renew Apple Health coverage through Washington Healthplanfinder™. Create an account or sign into your account to apply.

New customers
  1. Create an account.
  2. Enter your information.
  3. View your eligibility results.
Returning customers
  1. Sign into your account.
  2. Select “Report a Change.”
  3. Enter your current information.
  4. View your eligibility results.

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Mobile Office:

Each DSHS Mobile Office is staffed by specialists who can determine people’s eligibility for state and federal medical, cash and food assistance programs. Their team processes new applications, case reviews, changes, EBT card requests and required documents. They also take applications for the Child Care Subsidy Program and forward them to the Department of Children, Youth and Families for processing. 

The DSHS Mobile Offices do not provide:

  • Onsite social service intakes and assessments.
  • Workfirst vouchers.
  • Child care subsidy determinations.

 *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):

Government form that current and future college students can fill out to determine if they are eligible for financial aid from the federal government. It is available for students to apply each year.

By completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) you will automatically be considered for most federal and state aid and all funds that Wenatchee Valley College offers.

WASFA (Washington State Financial Aid)

Any student who does not have a social security number and wishes to apply for Washington State aid must complete a Washington State Financial Aid (WASFA) application.  Those who have an ITIN (issued by the IRS for tax purposes) should enter the ITIN in the SSN field of the WASFA.  If you have neither an SSN or ITIN, a WASFA id will be assigned to you.  

Any student with a social security number issued by the Social Security Administration (even those issued with a work restriction) may file a FAFSA, which can be used to determine eligibility for Washington state aid. 

There are four general types of aid:

Gift Aid (Grants)LoansWork StudyScholarships

 

Student Grants Center

The Student Grants Center has grants that can help eligible students pay for their education. The Student Benefits Navigator can help you get connected to:

  • BFET:
    • The Basic Food Employment and Training program (BFET) provides services to federal Basic Food assistance recipients in Washington state. Services provided include job search assistance, education and skills training, English language instruction, and in certain cases, support for tuition, childcare, housing, supplies, and other related expenses.
  • SSEH:
    • The Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness (SSEH) Grant assists students experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity, or students that were in foster care at the time of graduating from high school.
    • ANY current Wenatchee Valley College student who meets one of the eligibility requirements may be able to receive support from this grant, regardless of which program you are enrolled in. 
  • SEAG: 
    • The Student Emergency Assistance Grant (SEAG) can assist any WVC student with unexpected emergencies/expenses that may affect their ability to remain in college or achieve their educational goals. This is not intended to provide ongoing relief of recurring expenses or as a consistent supplement for educational purposes.

To see if you qualify for any of the grants offered at the Student Grants Center, please fill out their interest survey at the link below. A staff member will reach out to you with more information on your eligibility.

Student Grants Center Interest Survey

 

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)

The Student Benefits Navigator can help you get connected to community housing supports (Chelan, Douglas, and Okangogan County). Currently, many of the housing programs require a Coordinated Entry referral. To do that, you would need to fill out a Coordinated Entry Form:

Coordinated Entry Form (Chelan Douglas Counties) 

Coordinated Entry (Okanogan County)

  • 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:
    • Provides assistance, advocacy, and referral service to under-resourced families and individuals throughout the Greater Chelan Valley. 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. 

Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness (SSEH) Grant

  • For qualifying, enrolled students, this grant can help with the following:
    • Emergency housing
    • Rental assistance
    • Eviction prevention
    • Short term housing
    • Utilities
    • Access to technology
    • Access to laundry facilities
    • Transportation assistance
  • In order to qualify for this grant, you must fall into at least ONE of the following categories:
    • Currently experiencing homelessness. This could look like any of the following situations:
      • You are "couch-surfing" or temporarily staying with friends or relatives.
      • You are sleeping outside or in a vehicle.
      • You are sleeping at a temporary shelter.
      • You might have a place to stay right now, but it is not a permanent, long-term living situation.
    • Currently experiencing housing insecurity. This could look like any of the following situations:
      • You are unable to pay rent.
      • You have received an eviction notice.
      • You are worried that you might lose your current housing.
      • You are worried you may become homeless if you do not receive support.
    • Were in foster care at the time you graduated high school or completed a high school equivalency.

Student Emergency Assistance Grant (SEAG): 

  • The Student Emergency Assistance Grant (SEAG) can assist any WVC student with unexpected emergencies/expenses that may affect their ability to remain in college or achieve their educational goals. This is not intended to provide ongoing relief of recurring expenses or as a consistent supplement for educational purposes.
  • For qualifying students, this grant can help with the following:
    • Housing/Rent (Eviction Prevention or requiring short-term housing stabilization)
    • Food
    • Transportation (gas cards, bus passes, emergency car repairs to ensure access to campus or employment)
    • Books (if no other resource available)
    • Childcare (if no other resource available)
    • Medical/Dental (emergent medical or dental needs, prescriptions, or health-related expenses not otherwise insured)
    • Utilities (to prevent disruption of essential services such as electricity, water, internet, and phone service due to financial crises)
    • Technology (needed for remote or hybrid learning)
    • Fees/Fines (for minor institutional fines [e.g., parking tickets, library fees])

 To apply for either assistance, please fill out the SEAG/SSEH Request Form

For more information on other available resources, please fill out the Needs/Assistance Intake form or send an email at molguinramos@wvc.edu.

The Student Benefits Navigator can help you get connected to the Knights Kupboard and community food pantries/banks.

Knights Kupboard

  • Wenatchee: (Summer Hours)
  • 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:

Upper Valley Mend: Community Cupboard

  • Thrift store, food pantry (priority to healthy foods). Open for anyone.  
  • Open Mon-Fri 11:00-5:00pm ; Sat 11-12pm
  • Location: 219 14th St., Leavenworth, WA  
  • Phone: 509-548-6727  
  • www.uvmend.org 

Lake Chelan Food Bank

  • Hours: Tuesday and Saturday 9am-10am 
  • Location: 417 S Bradley St, Chelan, WA 98816 
  • Phone: 509-368-4151 
  • www.lakechelanfoodbank.org 

Entiat Valley Community Services Food Bank

  • They use Facebook to notify when the next food bank is. Two Saturdays each month 9-11am
  • Directions: 2084 Entiat Way, Entiat, WA 98822  
  • Phone: 509-888-3999 
  • Entiat Valley Food Bank 

Community Action Council 

 

 

Okanogan County Community Action Council  

  • Provides food banks, basic food, also distributes food to different pantries (listed below). 
  • Location: 307 S Main Street, Omak, WA 98841  
  • Phone: 509-422-4041 
  • www.occac.com   

 Brewster:

  • 301 South 4th St. (by the catholic church)
  • Every Thursdays from 9am - 10:30am

Conconully:

  • 219 N. Main St. 
  • Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 9 am - 10 pm

Nespelem:

  • Currently closed for renovations

Okanogan:

  • Okanogan County Community Action Council: 424 2nd Ave S 
  • Tuesdays from 9am-12pm 

Omak:

  • 101 W 4th Ave 
  • Tuesdays from 9am-12pm 

Oroville:

  • 922 Main St
  • Thursdays from 9:30am-11:30am 

Tonasket:

  • 101 Hwy 97  
  • Thursdays from 8:30 am-11am 

Twisp/Methow: 

  • 206 S Glover St, Twisp
  • Thursdays from 1pm-4pm 

Wauconda/Chesaw:

  • 2052 Chesaw Rd, Chesaw
  • Every second and fourth Monday of the month.  
  • 1:30pm-2pm

*Please refer to the OCCAC website for updates on hours and days. 

For more information on other available food pantries, please fill out the Needs/Assistance Intake form or send an email at molguinramos@wvc.edu. 

On-Campus Health Clinic for WVC Students, Faculty and Staff
Van Tassell Center - Wenatchee campus

The CVCH Clinic at WVC will provide care and services including, but not limited to: 

Medical

  • Flu vaccines
  • Physicals and health screenings
  • Colds, coughs and respiratory problems
  • Infections
  • Earaches
  • Burns
  • Sprains
  • Sexually transmitted infection screening
  • Pink eye
  • Allergies
  • Sore throats
  • Pregnancy tests
  • Anxiety/depression screening

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
  • Appointments or walk-ins welcome for medical
  • 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. We 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.

Financial Assistance

A sliding fee scale is a program offered by the CVCH Clinic at WVC to make healthcare services more affordable for our community. This program adjusts the cost of care based on a patient's gross family income and number of household members, allowing those with lower incomes to pay reduced fees. 
 
CVCH Member Services Specialists can guide you through the enrollment process of our in-clinic Slide Fee and Washington Apple Health.
 
To learn more, visit CVCH's Sliding Fee Scale page.

On-Campus Hours

  • Medical: 
    • Mondays, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
  • 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  are here to help you by offering a safe, confidential place where you can explore your concerns and discover new strength, insights and ways of coping. These services are free and confidential. 

Counselors provide a range of services that are free and confidential for WVC students (Academic, Career, Personal).

Wenatchee Campus

The Counselors are available Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4:00 PM and are located in Wenatchi Hall on the first floor. They also have walk-in counseling (no appointment needed) available Monday through Fridays from 9-10 AM.

Schedule an appointment

Virtual Appointment

Omak Campus

Counselors are avalable in person on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Appointment options are in person, phone or virtual. Select your preference when scheduling your appointment

  • Their office is located in the Administration Building, Room 111A
  • Omak Counseling Phone: 509-422- 7810 

Schedule an appointment

Virtual Appointment

Here is a list of other resources that might be helpful to you!

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: 

If you would like to get connected with the Student Benefits Navigator, please fill out the Needs/Assistance Intake Form using the link below (or scan the QR code). They will reach out with more information on resources available to you. You can also schedule an appointment with the Student Benefits Navigator by clicking on the "Book a time to meet" link. 

Needs/Assistance Intake Form

Book time to meet (Wenatchee)

QR code image
 
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:

  1. mail:
    Food and Nutrition Service, USDA
    1320 Braddock Place, Room 334
    Alexandria, VA 22314; or
  2. fax:
    (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
  3. 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:

  1. correo:
    Food and Nutrition Service, USDA
    1320 Braddock Place, Room 334
    Alexandria, VA 22314; o
  2. fax:
    (833)-256-1665, o (202)-690-7442; o
  3. correo electrónico:
    FNSCIVILRIGHTSCOMPLAINTS@usda.gov

Esta institución es un proveedor que brinda igualdad de oportunidades.