Supporting Financial Security

The Career Closet is a great resource that provides IC students with access to professional attire that may be needed while participating in professional activities such as interviews, job fairs, and networking events.

Students who are unable to afford to purchase a computer or who need a loaner while their computer is being repaired, can request a loaner for up to a semester at a time.  Students interested in a long-term loaner should see the Associate or Assistant Dean of their school or the Dean of Students to submit a request.

Students who need a loaner for 4 hours or less can access the new Laptop Kiosk 24 hours a day. There is no cost for this service, just swipe your ID.

Students with high financial need can contact the Dean of Students to seek financial assistance for things like emergency travel needs or other financial emergencies.  These are one time allocations and are usually limited to $250.

Students, faculty or staff who may need additional support in meeting their food and nutritional needs have a variety of sources of support including the Mobile Food Pantry, The Pantry (an on-campus food pantry), the Swipe Out Hunger Program (students only).  Information about all of our food security support resources are available here.

The Ithaca College VITA team is comprised of senior accounting majors who have completed a senior-level federal income tax course.  Each student volunteer has passed the required VITA exam at an advanced level, and is certified by the IRS to prepare taxes. The team is supervised by an accounting faculty member who is also the VITA Site Coordinator, assisted by two accounting students.

The main objective of the IC VITA team is provide each taxpayer with the highest quality tax return, and at the same time provide students with valuable "real world" experience.  The service is available by appointment only.  This free service is offered to taxpayers with annual income less than a specified amount.

The on-campus VITA program officially commences in late January and concludes in mid-April. Watch intercom in January for information regarding the income limitations and information about available appointments.  Contact VITA at ithacacollegevita@gmail.com or by contacting Kari Smoker at ksmoker@ithaca.edu

Students who are struggling with the cost of textbooks have the following options to try to reduce the cost of this important resource:

• See if there is a copy of the book(s) on reserve in the Library
• Speak to your faculty member about your concerns and see if they have any alternatives to suggest.
• Consider buying a previous edition of the book (check with the faculty to see if there have been any significant changes made)
• Students with high financial need or exceptional personal or family circumstances can apply for textbook assistance through the Book Rental program in the Tutoring Services office.  Prior to application, students should exhaust available resources noted above.
• Students who have exhausted all of the above resources can contact the Dean of Students Office to request financial assistance through the Emergency Relief Fund.

The Office of Student Financial Services has short-term loan options available.  Aid advances are advances on anticipated financial aid.  Ebsary loans are interest free loans granted for a financial emergency.  You can find more information about both programs at the Student Financial Services webpage.