SAIC Recognized again for Excellence in Diversity
Learn about our efforts toward supporting and building a diverse community.
SAIC’s new faculty members represent a diverse range of practices, media, and methodologies and exemplify SAIC’s focus on interdisciplinary studies. Read more.
SAIC's suggested FAFSA priority deadline for each upcoming academic year is December 1 for Undergraduate Illinois Residents, January 1 for All Others. More info.
Students have many options when it comes to getting involved in the SAIC community. Learn more.
Youth and Adult Summer Registration Now Open!
Join us this year for an exciting lineup of exhibitions, lectures, screenings, and special events.
We have compiled a list of Off-Campus Resources available throughout the city and nationwide to help provide assistance to students in need.
We continue to review these on an on-going basis, and invite you to provide us with your feedback, as well as additional resources you feel may be useful for the community by emailing admiss@saic.edu.
Animalia Project: List of various sources/programs for reclaimed art & school supplies in (and near) Chicago.
Creative Chicago Reuse Exchange (CCRX): Source for creative reuse and redistribution of surplus materials for arts, non-profit, and education in the Chicago area. By appointment only.
ABE Application for Benefits Eligibility: Application to determine eligibility for benefits including: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled (AABD) Cash, and healthcare coverage.
All Chicago: Emergency financial assistance program which may include assistance with rent, utilities, or transportation payments. M-Th from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. CT at 312.744.5000.
Chicago Artists Relief Fund: Artists can apply, and specify their needs for rent, child care, groceries, or utilities. Priority is given to artisrs who are Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Queer, Trans+, Non-binary, and Disabled. Note that the application is periodically opened and closed.
Homeless Families and Youth FAQs: Resources for Homeless Families and Youth - FAQs
The Salvation Army: Offers assistance with rent/mortgage, utilities, medication, food, clothing, or transportation. Can offer long-term support to affected families/individuals as needed including assistance with rent or utility payments due to unemployment.
Care for Real: Open to anyone who is in need of food and/or clothing. Clients can visit one of the Care for Real pantries one time per week. A pet food pantry and support services are also available.
ABE Application for Benefits Eligibility: Application to determine eligibility for benefits including: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled (AABD) Cash, and healthcare coverage.
Benton House: Provides pre-packaged dry and canned goods through curbside scheduled pick-ups. Each order includes meats, fresh vegetables, bread, juice, dairy, assorted canned and dry goods. The specific items vary each week depending on availablity.
Brave Space Alliance: Offers food pantry deliveries to those facing financial insecurities, with care given especially for immunocompromised individuals, people with disabilities, those quarantined without pay, the elderly, and undocumented and BIPOC individuals and families.
Care for Real: Open to anyone who is in need of food and/or clothing. Clients can visit one of the Care for Real pantries one time per week. A pet food pantry and support services are also available.
Food Stamps or SNAP benefits for college students: Food stamps or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for college students.
Franciscan Outreach: Provides healthy meals, safe shelter and critical services to homeless individuals to empower them to gain the stability they need to transition into permanent housing.
Healthy Hood: HealthyHood Chicago is a non-profit holistic health community organization dedicated to elevating the health and wellness of Black/Brown communities.
Homeless Families and Youth FAQs: Resources for Homeless Families and Youth - FAQs
Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Offers long-term assistance for renters and homeowners and provides information on shelters, food pantries and other resources.
Pilsen Food Pantry: Foods available at the Pilsen Food Pantry include culturally-sensitive perishable and non-perishable foods, and household items like period kits and light bulbs.
St. James Food Pantry: Distributes food on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m.-1:30 a.m. CT.
St. Stans Church Located in the lower level of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church - not too distant from the downtown area of the City of Chicago, this organization serves over 21,000 meals per year to those in need.
St. Vincent de Paul: A list of food pantries across Cook and Lake Counties operated by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
United Way: Offers long-term assistance ranging from food, housing, and health benefits.
Unity Parenting and Counseling Flexible Housing: Works in partnership with four other homeless youth providers, to provide housing and support services to youth experiencing homelessness who have also had contact with the Cook County Health System, the Juvenile Justice System, or other systems such as IDCFS.
USDA National Hunger Hotline: Open 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. CT. Information is available in English and Spanish at 1.866.348.6479 or 1.877.842.6273. You can also text 1.914.415.6617 with a keyword such as "food," "meals," etc. to receive an automated response to resources located near an address/zip code.
The ARK: The Ark is a safety net for all Jewish Chicagoans who are struggling to make ends meet, offering a variety of services including a food pantry and temporary housing.
The Department of Human Services (DHS): The Department of Human Services (DHS) has several resources for food and financial assistance. 800.843.6154
The Fresh Market: The Fresh Market provides groceries and various supplies to families in East Garfield Park. Residents also receive access to legal aid, food stamps, housing and employment information, financial management, GED certification and family workshops.
The Lincoln Park Community Shelter: Provides interim housing, meals, and a targeted array of social services.
The Love Fridge: Available in neighborhoods around Chicago, these refrigerators, painted by local artists to reflect the communities in which they live, provide neighbors the opportunity to take what they need, ensuring accessible food 24/7.
The Night Ministry: The Night Ministry is a Chicago-based organization that works to provide housing, health care and human connection to members of the community struggling with poverty or homelessness.
The Salvation Army: 19 Chicagoland food pantries remain open to provide curbside service. For more information on emergency services, call 773.725.1100 or visit salarmychicago.org/coronavirus.
A Safe Haven Foundation: Offers temporary and permanent housing solutions for seniors and young adults, in addition to support for job searching and drug and alcohol abuse.
Breakthrough: Transitional and permanent supportive housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, including daily supportive services for those in crisis.
Franciscan Outreach: Provides healthy meals, safe shelter and critical services to homeless individuals to empower them to gain the stability they need to transition into permanent housing.
Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Offers long-term assistance for renters and homeowners and provides information on shelters, food pantries and other resources.
Illinois Department of Human Services: Illinois Department of Human Services - Homeless Youth Agencies and their sites.
La Casa Norte: An organization helping youth and families experiencing homelessness.
Lincoln Park Community Shelter (LPCS): Provides interim housing, meals, and a targeted array of social services.
ShelterList.com: Additional directory of local Chicago Shelter locations.
United Way: Offers long-term assistance ranging from food, housing, and health benefits.
The ARK: The Ark is a safety net for all Jewish Chicagoans who are struggling to make ends meet, offering a variety of services including a food pantry and temporary housing.
The Night Ministry: The Night Ministry is a Chicago-based organization that works to provide housing, health care and human connection to members of the community struggling with poverty or homelessness.
The Rental Assistance Program: Provides financial assistance to Chicago residents in danger of eviction in order to stabilize indivdiuals and families in their existing rental unit. Residents apply in their closest Community Service Center.
AT&T: Offers open hot-spots, unlimited data, waived late fees, and $10/month plans to low-income families.
Comcast: Offers free WiFi for 2 months to low-income families and provides free hot-spots.
Spectrum: Spectrum offers free broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription, at any service level up to 100 mbps. To enroll, call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households.
Care for Real: Provides more than 1.62 million meals each year, offers a free clothes closet, a pet food pantry and support services.
Alcoholics Anonymous: Alcoholics Anonymous is for those struggling with the effects of excessive drinking or using any drugs.
Care for Real: Provides more than 1.62 million meals each year, offers a free clothes closet, a pet food pantry and support services.
Al-Anon Family Groups: Provides help & hope for family and friends of alcoholics.
Trans Lifeline: Hotline and microgrants 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis – for the trans community, by the trans community.
For more than 155 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the world’s most influential artists, designers, and scholars. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts graduate program ranked number two in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, SAIC provides an interdisciplinary approach to art and design as well as world-class resources, including the Art Institute of Chicago museum, on-campus galleries, and state-of-the-art facilities. SAIC’s undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the world, and adults, teens, and kids in our Continuing Studies classes have the opportunity to explore their creative sides, build portfolios, and advance their skills. Notable alumni and faculty include Georgia O’Keeffe, Nick Cave, David Sedaris, LaToya Ruby Frazier, Cynthia Rowley, Michelle Grabner, Richard Hunt, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, and Jeff Koons.
