Financial Hardship Resources

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Wentworth students juggle multiple deadlines, projects, and responsibilities. They are working hard to reach their goals. There are some students who are also experiencing a financial hardship and take on a greater burden.

Recognizing that their determination and resiliency is strong, students may benefit from some assistance to ease the burden and stress of financial hardship.

In order for students to achieve their full academic and career success, having their basic needs met cannot become part of the challenges of furthering their education. For this reason, we have established some resources that can help students on their journey to success.

Resources for Students Experiencing Personal & Financial Hardship

  • Care & Support from the Dean of Students Office

    The Dean of Students Office and Student Support Lounge serve as a resource for students. We recognize that students may encounter a variety of challenges during their time with us. We are committed to working towards achieving our vision that Every Student Thrives. Never is this more important as our students persist towards graduation (or even just the end of the semester) amidst a global pandemic and system racism.

    Throughout the year, any member of the Dean of Students Office can be available to speak with a student to talk through their specific experience and determine what resources and services on campus (and sometimes off campus) could be helpful. In some instances, we meet with students on a regular basis for ongoing support. Staff are available to speak with family members as well. Depending upon the situation and/or the student’s FERPA release on file, staff may only be able to provide general information. To request a meeting with a member of the Dean of Students Office, please click here.

    ''Who Can Help'' Website

    This past year, we unveiled a new website designed to connect students more easily to campus resources. "Who Can Help" is essentially a detailed, user-friendly search engine. Simply type in a keyword related to your question or concern, and "Who Can Help" will direct you to the most appropriate person or office on campus. "Who Can Help" is a helpful tool for families as well. Check it out here!

  • Student Emergency Fund

    The Student Emergency Fund is administered by the Student Support Specialists in the Dean of Students Office, working in tangent with the Financial Aid and Student Accounts departments. The fund was developed in 2005 to assist students who are experiencing financial hardship and strives to provide fair and equitable access to the basic resources required to succeed as a student.

    To learn more about the fund, eligibility requirements, or to submit a request for assistance please click here.

  • Leopard Food Pantry

    The Leopard Food Pantry is managed by the Student Support Specialists in the Student Support Lounge and provides students access to nonperishable food, toiletry items, and grocery store gift cards for fresh goods at no cost.

    The pantry is located within a private room of Wentworth Hall and individuals can access the Leopard Pantry  by confidentially scheduling an appointment. To make an appointment, just click here and select 'Access the Food Pantry' in the meeting options. Faculty and staff looking to confidentially access the Leopard Food Pantry should email dos@wit.edu directly.

    Individuals requiring further food assistance should contact the Dean of Students Office at dos@wit.edu to discuss available resources and services.

  • Swipe Out Hunger Meal Swipe Program

    Learn more about our campus meal swipe program that supports students experiencing food insecurity and how to access donated meal swipes by clicking here.

  • WIT Supply Closet

    The Supply Closet is located in Rubenstein Hall, just outside of the Dean of Students Office's Student Support Lounge, and was created for students who need basic class or design supplies.

    Students may pick up notebooks, graph paper, binders, writing utensils, etc. at any point during the buildings open hours, by visiting the Supply Closet just outside of the Student Support Lounge in Rubenstein 003 (just look for the 4 black lockers to the left of our front door). We have added a smaller, secondary “Supply Closet” in the Douglas D. Schumann Library & Learning Commons, located on the second and mezzanine floors of Beatty Hall; please ask a staff member at the reference desk for access. If you have questions about the supply closet, are unable to access the supply closet in person, or have a specific request please email the Dean of Students Office and they will assist you with your needs, dos@wit.edu.

     

  • WIT Wear

    WITwear is a FREE clothes-borrowing program where students can borrow professional attire for up to one week for events where they want to look and feel their best. Traditionally, students access WITwear for use in interviews and recruitment events (like the CO-OP + CAREER Fair), but many also borrow clothing for presentations (class or Accelerate/ EPIC presentations), attendance at a conference, and Wentworth-sponsored social events.

    WITwear offers a variety of clothing options, sizes, accessories, and footwear. All items are dry cleaned upon return to WITwear and restocked for continued use. The WITwear store is only available to current Wentworth students/alumni and is accessed by appointment only. 

    Appointments can be made by emailing DOS@wit.edu with the date/times you are available for a 30 minute appointment. Appointments must be made AT LEAST 24-48 business hours before a student’s event date, to ensure clothing availability and access.

    Hours of Operation:
    Monday – Friday from 10:00am – 3:00pm.
    After hours appointments are available to accommodate students on co-op or with limited availability.

    If you have any questions about accessing WITwear or available items, please email dos@wit.edu. For more information, please visit https://coopsandcareers.wit.edu/witwear/.