Community Resources - Financial Literacy

Syracuse University Assistance

CFSA helps Syracuse University undergraduates, graduate students, and alumni apply for national scholarships and fellowships. These external awards provide funding and recognition across a range of disciplines and interests.

Syracuse University Campus Dining serves a wide variety of nutritious food options to our campus community. View current Food Services hours.

Food Pantry: Coach Mac Food Pantry is stocked with food and personal care items, available at no cost to all students with a valid Syracuse University of SUNY ESF ID. Learn more about hours and locations here.
Transportation to Grocery Stores from the Student Association: Sometimes transportation to the grocery store is a barrier to getting quality food items. SU’s Student Association can help! Student Association is proud to announce free trolleys to nearby grocery stores every Sunday this semester. The trolley will continuously shuttle students from the College Place stop to the grocery store from 11 AM – 5 PM on each of the dates listed below. The trolley leaves on the hour beginning at 11 AM and picks up from the grocery store 30 minutes after the hour. The final pick-up time is always 4:30 PM. To find out more, visit this link!

Food Pantry Finder: Find local pantries, soup kitchens, food shelves, food banks, and other food help. See more details here.
Samaritan Center: provides meals 365 days a year, no questions asked.
More information can be found here.
- 215 North State Street, Syracuse, NY 13203
- Meal hours are as follows:
  - Monday-Sunday: 6:30 AM – 8:30AM and 1:00 PM – 2:30PM
University United Methodist Church: provides food resources for the Syracuse community at 1084 E. Genesse Street (at the entrance on University Avenue). More information about services and resources can be found here.
- Free Clothing Room
  - Thursdays from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
  - Sundays from 9:00 am to 10:00 am
- Emergency Food Distribution
  - Fridays from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
  - Sundays from 9:00 am to 10:00 am
- Lydia’s Closet – 324 University Avenue
  - Saturdays from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
  - Sundays from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Connect with 211: 211 is a free service that connects callers to critical health and human services in their community. For help with addiction, mental health, housing, legal matters, and more, 211 is a great support. Dial 2-1-1 on your phone or click HERE for information.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): provides nutrition benefits to supplement food budgets with healthy food. More information about the program and how to qualify can be food here. For assistance applying for SNAP, reach out to the CNY Foodbank SNAP outreach team.

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP): helps eligible New Yorkers heat and cool their home. More information on the program and eligibility can be found here.
Temporary Assistance (TA): Temporary Assistance, also known as Public Assistance (PA), is temporary help for needy adults, and children. If you are unable to work, can’t find a job, or your job does not pay enough, TA may be able to help you pay for your expenses. More information on the program and eligibility can be found here.
Housing and Support Services: NY State administers an array of programs to address homelessness in New York State. These range from programs to prevent homelessness to the actual construction of housing for homeless persons. Find more information and qualification details here.

New York Department of Labor: if you are out of work and New York State resident you can apply for unemployment here. Additionally you can use the benefit rate calculator to get an estimate of your unemployment insurance benefits.

IRS Free File Program: qualified filers can electronically prepare and file federal individual income tax return for free using tax preparation and filing software. Find more information and qualification details here.
New York State Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP): helps eligible families with some or all of the cost of child care. Find more information and eligibility requirements here.