LaGuardia CARES

Contact Us

Room: C-Building, C-316
Phone: (718) 482-5135
laguardiacares@lagcc.cuny.edu

In-Person
Monday- Friday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.


Monday- Thursday 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Rhonda Mouton, EdD Program Director
Marie Elie, Assistant Coordinator

Upcoming Events

LaGuardia CARES (College Access for Retention and Economic Success) connects students with resources, referrals and local community services to overcome financial barriers, stay in school and graduate. LaGuardia CARES provides resources for daily living expenses, including food, healthcare, rent, utilities, childcare, emergency transportation, medical expense, tuition, books, supplies, and more!  Most of our services are free for LaGuardia students and their immediate family members.   

LaGuardia CARES is funded by private and public contributions, including the LaGuardia Community College Foundation’s Beyond Tuition initiative that assists students with nonacademic barriers to successfully continue their educational goals.

Welcome

LaGuardia CARES (College Access for Retention and Economic Success) connects students with resources, referrals and local community services to overcome financial barriers, stay in school and graduate. LaGuardia CARES provides resources for daily living expenses, including food, healthcare, rent, utilities, childcare, emergency transportation and more! All of our services are free for LaGuardia students and their immediate family members.

SNAP update: LaGuardia students enrolled at least part-time may be eligible. Email us for details.
SNAP eligibility in New York State has been expanded so that more community college students now qualify.

If you are a full-time or part-time student, whether matriculated or nonmatriculated, an international student, an undocumented student, or enrolled in nondegree or certificate programs, you are potentially eligible for CARES services and emergency financial assistance. 

*Food pantry, tax preparation, healthcare, legal, and financial counseling are free to all students and their immediately family members. 

A benefit screening is a process or evaluation that helps determine a student’s eligibility for federally funded public benefits. It involves assessing various factors to determine if the student qualifies for programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), Cash Assistance, and other programs. 

  • One-on-one benefit screening and assistance.
  • Application assistance in applying for and maintaining public benefits
  • Educational Expenses
    • Tuition
    • Books, Testing Fees and Materials, Study Guides
  • Legal Services
    • Civil, Juvenile, Civil, and Immigration
    • Self-petitions to adjust legal status for undocumented victims of domestic abuse via the Violence Against Women’s Act (VAWA)
    • Naturalization applications and appeals.
    • Green card and work permit renewals
    • Family-based immigration petitions
  • Healthcare
    • Affordable Healthcare
    • Emergency Medicaid for undocumented immigrants
  • Tax Preparation
    • Single, Married, and Self-Employed Filers
  • Emergency Financial Assistance
  • Housing and Rental Assistance
  • Emergency Transportation
  • Adult and Children’s Clothing Upon Availability
  • Referral to campus resources

LaGuardia Foundation Emergency Assistance provides support to students who have immediate needs, including but not limited to rent, transportation, childcare, tuition, books, fees, uniforms, utilities, phone bills, internet access, and medical expenses.

  • Students are considered potentially eligible for emergency assistance based on their demonstrated need.
  • The process begins with the student applying for emergency assistance and submitting any required documentation.
  • Following the submission, a committee conducts a thorough review of the application and supporting documents.
  • Based on the committee’s evaluation, a decision is reached regarding the students’ eligibility for emergency assistance.
  • The final decision is communicated to the student, typically within a timeframe of 10 business days from the initiation of the application process.

In order to be considered for LaGuardia Foundation Emergency Assistance, students are required to pursue and complete all federal and state aid available prior to applying. Some of these resources and opportunities can include but are not limited to grants, scholarships, and work-study. Students who are ineligible for LaGuardia Foundation Emergency Assistance may still be eligible for external resources. Financial aid status will be verified for all applications.

The LaGuardia Foundation provides additional assistance and resources to help you succeed at LaGuardia and beyond. Find out more.

The Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation and other generous donors understand that life is full of unexpected events–some of which can create serious hardships for students and their families. Petrie emergency assistance provides specific emergency funds from $100 to $3000 to students in good academic standing who are experiencing personal emergencies EXCEPT tuition.

Petrie Emergency Assistance provides financial support to students so that life’s emergencies don’t derail their college educations.

Examples of qualifying emergencies include:

  • Illness
  • Loss of property or income
  • Death of a family member
  • Victim of an accident or crime
  • Medical Expense


In order to be considered for Petrie financial assistance, students are required to pursue all available financial aid resources prior to applying. Some of these resources and opportunities can include but are not limited to grants, scholarships, and work-study. Students who are ineligible for Petrie emergency assistance may still be eligible for external resources. Financial aid status will be verified for all applications.

ServicesDocuments to Submit
Rent
  • A current housing statement, lease, or notarized letter from the person/landlord you are renting from that includes their name, phone number, address and email, and your weekly/monthly payment, overdue balance, and the total number of weeks/months owed.
Utilities (light, gas, internet, or phone)
  • A copy of the billing statement showing the amount owed and the current period of services with your name, address, and account number, and the overdue balance clearly visible.
Books, Testing Fees, and Testing Materials
  • Course syllabus.
  • Title and price for each book.
  • Title and price of the study guide or test preparation materials.
  • Title and price of the examination.
Tuition
  • Account statement with the balance clearly visible.
Childcare
  • Current bill/ statement from the childcare provider.
  • Notarized letter from the childcare provider that includes the provider’s name, address, phone number and email address, the name of the parent and child, the total weekly/monthly amount of childcare charges, and the amount for overdue weeks/months for the child (ren).
Unemployment Benefits
  • Award letter from the New York State Department of Labor with the current amount of benefits.
  • Letter from the New York State Department of Labor that states the last time you collected unemployment benefits.
Social Security Benefits
  • Current award letter from the Social Security office with the amount of the benefit.
  • Current award letter from the Social Security office that states the last time you collected Social Security benefits.
SNAP or Cash Assistance
  • Benefit letter or breakdown from HRA stating the last date of benefits, or if the case is closed.
Uniform or Supplies
  • Course syllabus, supply list, and cost.
Housing (Homeless, Evicted, or Unstable Housing)
  • Proof of homelessness from the Department of Homeless Services (if you are living in a shelter).
  • Notarized letter/statement with the name, address, and phone number of the person you are staying with stating that you are currently homeless, or a person that can confirm homelessness.
Income / Wages
  • Current paystubs.
  • Current statement/letter from employer stating dates of employment, rate of pay, and hours worked.
  • If self-employed, a current income tax return, or letter/statement from the company.
  • Records indicating self-employment with earnings and expenses.


Submit documentation using the Dropbox link.

The services at CARES are free to students upon approval. No appointment is needed to speak with a representative. However, if your schedule is busy or to secure an appointment, please schedule an appointment via email at laguardiacares@lagcc.cuny.edu or call (718) 482-5135.

Housing Assistance (Coming Soon)

The LaGuardia Community College Housing List, sponsored by LaGuardia CARES, offers housing options for students, faculty, and staff at the college. Students, faculty, staff, and members of the surrounding community are also encouraged to share property listings. Please note that these listings are for informational purposes only and LaGuardia Community College is not responsible for communication or financial obligations between parties, or any incidents that may arise before or after any agreements are made between the parties.

Students, Faculty, and Staff

Please fill out the form below to view the housing list. The list will appear below after submission and via email.

Name(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Food Assistance

In-person or Online Food Assistance

The pantry is open daily during normal business hours. For students’ convenience, 2 options are available.

  • Option 1: The online food pantry ordering system enables individuals to select food options, dates, and times of in-person pick-up in advance using the link or QR Code.

  • Option 2: Walk-in options are available for students without an online order during normal business hours.


Are you on campus and hungry?

  • A limited number of free lunches are available to students Tuesday-Friday while supplies last.

  • Lunch vouchers to purchase food in the dining halls are available on a limited basis. Starbucks is EXEMPT.

LaGuardia CARES

Community Resources

Homebase can help if you are at risk of becoming homeless. They have locations across New York City’s five boroughs and offer a wide range of services to help you if you have a housing crisis.

For more information https://access.nyc.gov/programs/homebase/#how-it-works

Housing Guide https://rentguidelinesboard.cityofnewyork.us/

Shared spaces https://www.timeout.com/newyork/style-design/roommate-finding-services

Residence Life https://www.cuny.edu/current-students/student-affairs/student-life/housing-residence-life/

Sarah’s Homestay https://www.sarahomestay.com/

Student Housing https://www.studenthousing.org/

92NY https://www.92ny.org/residence

* LaGuardia is not responsible for any housing selection.

Urgent health care needs

  • NYC Health + Hospitals provides care to all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status, insurance status or ability to pay. Call 844-NYC-4NYC (844-692-4692) or 311.
  • In crisis? Text CUNY to 741741 for 24/7 crisis counseling.


What to do if you feel overwhelmed or need help coping?

  • Contact NYC Well 24/7 at 888-NYC-WELL or (888)-692-9355
  • Texting “WELL” to 65173
  • Chat online at nyc.gov/nycwell
  • Hate and discrimination against anyone based on their race, national origin, or other status is not tolerated. The New York City Commission on Human Rights, Mayor’s Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes, and NYPD are monitoring and responding to reported hate and bias incidents.
  • Call 311 to report harassment or discrimination
  • Call 911 if you are the victim of a hate crime or witness what you believe to be a hate crime. NYPD officers will not ask about the immigration status of anyone seeking help and language assistance is available
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