LibGuides: Student Assistance: Intro

50 Resources for coping on a lower income According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly one-third of working families in America belong to the low-income category. Changing times and economic downturns will only increase this number. It is imperative that they get help to survive, find out how to make money, and meet their basic needs. More people learning to cope with lower incomes can only be possible with help. There are many resources available to aid low-income families and individuals. These include grants, loans, and guides for then navigate the various systems and get the right help. In this article, we have compiled a list of resources for people who are struggling to cope with a lower income. We have categorized them into sections to help you find the right information faster.

Support | Guidance | Resources

Arizona Department of Economic Security Links to Community Resources
Ascend Ascend at The Aspen Institute is a resourceful hub that promotes children and the adults in their lives to educational success, economic security, and health and well-being. The global nonprofit organization includes path breaking projects like the Aspen Family Prosperity Innovation Community, Aspen Postsecondary Success for Parents Initiative, and Aspen Forum on Women and Girls. They bring a gender, age, and racial equity lens to their analysis to help solve the most critical challenges facing the United States and the world and create a free, just, and equitable society.
Catholic Charities USA Catholic Charities can help low-income students find affordable housing, even providing financial assistance if needed. They have locations across America. If you need housing assistance and can’t land grants or scholarships to cover it, check with your local Catholic Charities. Don’t let a lack of housing get in the way of obtaining a college education.
Helping Hand: Resources & Support for Low Income College Students College is a major investment, and for low-income students, the cost can be even tougher to cover. But these resources and support can help students in need tackle tuition and gain the guidance they need to succeed in school.
Low Income Energy Assistance Program The Office of Community Services’ Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) program is dedicated to helping keep families safe and healthy through initiatives that assist families with energy costs. It provides federally funded assistance in managing costs associated with home energy bills, weatherization, and energy-related minor home repairs and energy crises. It covers state and community programs to assist low-income families and about programs that reduce the risk of health and safety problems that arise from unsafe heating and cooling practices.
United Way United Way’s 211 service can be a great resource for low-income students. It not only provides housing and shelter assistance, but it can also provide food, employment opportunities, health information, and support groups. It’s free and help is available across America. Take advantage if you need it to be able to complete college.

Tips on How to Survive on a Low Income

Tip #1 Prioritize.
Step back from what you want. Take a deep breath and focus on what you need. Only the things that you cannot survive without should be your priority.

Tip #2 Save and spend ratio.
Take a good look at your bank statement and your spending habit. Is it exceeding your earnings? Remember, it should be an 80:20 ratio, with 80% being your savings.

Tip #3 Save first, spend later.
Now that you know about the 80:20 rule stick to it. The right way to do it is to save first and not last. The moment you get your paycheck set aside the maximum amount you can spare and then spend. If you can’t do 20, save at least 10%.

Tip #4 Budget
Make a budget for your family and stick to it. Write down all your necessities, make a list of expenses and see if you can cut down on any to stay within your budget goals.

Tip #5 Shop Discount
Look for discounts and discount stores. The latter will always give you plenty of options at low prices and help stretch your budget. However, other stores often have great sales and discounts, so keep a lookout for them. That way, you can indulge once in a while without breaking the bank.

Tip #6 Eat in
There is a vast difference between eating out and dining at home. It’s not just about the fun, taste, and variety but the amount you can save by eating in. Even if you are not passionate about cooking, try, and explore dishes that are easy to make, and you will not believe how much you can end up saving.

Tip #7 DIYville
Try and make as much as you can yourself. We all have skills, so try and find out what you can do around the house that you don’t have to buy or hire people to handle. If you can save money on repairs, sew your clothes, make your soaps and detergents, you can save a lot of money!