Additional Resources

Income Based Housing

• Affordable Housing (Columbia Housing Authority): Learn more about Columbia Housing Authority’s Affordable housing program at this link. Applications must be filled out on paper and turned in by mail or in person.
• Yarco Properties: This private property company offers income-based housing to eligible applicants. Lakewood Apartments and Columbia Square Townhome Apartments are the two properties they own in Columbia. You can apply online on their website.

Housing Choice Vouchers

Usually referred to as “Section 8.” Columbia Housing Authority is not currently accepting applications.

VAC

Rent assistance (availability varies): Please contact the VAC office at 573-874-2273 for eligibility. Assistance ranges from one month to several months depending on available funding. They do not provide utility assistance.

Love Columbia

Love Columbia is a local non-profit that serves “anyone in Columbia who is struggling to provide for their basic needs or improve their life and wants help to create a path forward.” They offer housing coaching to look for available housing that meets your housing needs as well as rent assistance and deposit assistance. (Note: for rent assistance services you must be facing eviction.)

Central Missouri Community Action (CMCA)

CMCA runs a program called LIHEAP that “assists families with energy costs in the summer and winter months.” Applications usually open on November 1 for winter assistance and June 1 for summer assistance. Please see the CMCA website for the most up to date information.

The City of Columbia

Offers a Utility Assistance Program for disabled persons, elderly, and families with children under 18. They do a monthly lottery that can assist with electricity or water bills.

Medicaid

Medicaid is a government funded program to provide free or low-cost health insurance to low-income individuals and families. Apply for Medicaid using this link.

Voluntary Action Center (VAC)

Provides prescription assistance to eligible clients. Assistance must be requested before picking up the prescription. VAC takes walk ins Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9am –12pm and 1pm-4pm. Scheduled appointments available Tuesday & Thursday. Call 573-874-2273 to make an appointment.

Student Health Center

The MU Student Health Center has Patient Account Representatives that can assist with understanding your insurance benefits, where you can receive care, how to interpret insurance bills, etc. Email at umhsin@health.missouri.edu or walk into the Student Health Center.

Disability Center

The Disability Center is here to serve as a leader in regard to helping the University of Missouri support the needs of disabled students. The Disability Center is passionate about creating a campus environment where every Tiger is welcomed.

Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center (GOBCC)

The mission of the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center is to complement the academic programs of study and enrich the quality of campus life for Black students at the University of Missouri. Integral to this mission are the following aims: provide support for higher retention and graduation rates of Black students through social and educational programming; offer leadership development opportunities and establish a safe space for students. Additionally, the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center is a willing partner with entities endeavoring to make the University of Missouri and Columbia community a more inclusive and welcoming environment for diverse populations through education, outreach, and collaboration.

Learning Center

The Learning Center aims to provide instruction that deepens and enriches students’ understanding of the classes in which they enroll. Through peer and professional instruction, they increase students’ satisfaction with their educational and interpersonal experiences at MU. Just as faculty members need colleagues to review their papers or research findings, students need tutors, teachers, and peers to review, analyze, and assist them with papers they write and the academic problems they encounter. The Learning Center’s mission, therefore, is to enhance students’ academic performance, deepen their satisfaction with their academic experiences, and increase the retention and graduation rates of students who participate in our sessions.

LGBTQ Resource Center

The LGBTQ Resource Center works to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for Mizzou community members with a focus on queer and transgender students.  Serving as a campus and community resource, we accomplish our mission through the development of healthy communities, strategic partnerships, and leadership and identity development within a culture of celebration and inclusion.

Multicultural Center

The Multicultural Center builds community, fosters a sense of belonging and provides educational programs and resources for all students with a focus on students from marginalized identities. Specifically, the center places an intentional focus on serving student’s intersectional and marginalized identities. Through student organizations and educational, cultural and leadership development opportunities, the Multicultural Center works to create empowered student leaders and promote a welcoming and culturally inclusive campus environment.

Office for Financial Success

The Office for Financial Success offers Mizzou students free, confidential support to build confidence and reduce stress around money management. Students can schedule one‑on‑one coaching sessions to get help with budgeting, saving, credit building, planning for college expenses, investing, debt management, and more. The office also provides a wide range of tools and worksheets, including budget templates, bill and refund estimators, take‑home pay calculators, expense trackers, and post‑graduation planning resources to help students make informed financial decisions. Workshops and other events throughout the year offer additional opportunities to build financial skills.

Office of Institutional Equity

Enforces the University's nondiscrimination policies, engages in educational outreach and training, listens to concerns of the campus community, and connects people to support resources.

Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention (RSVP) Center

The RSVP Center demonstrates a commitment to preventing and ultimately eliminating instances of stalking and sexual harassment as well as dating, intimate partner and sexual violence within the campus community.

Student at Risk Committee

Some concerns rise above the level of response that the Care Team provides. If you witness or know of students you think are especially concerning, worrisome or threatening, we strongly encourage you to use this online referral tool, to notify the Student At Risk Committee. The student of concern is more likely to receive assistance before the situation worsens if you express concern.

Student Financial Aid

Student Financial Aid promotes excellent customer service while educating students, families, campus and the community about financial aid resources in order to promote access in higher education. They strive to administer aid programs in an accurate and equitable manner while complying with federal, state, private and institutional rules and regulations.

Student Health and Well-Being

Mizzou is committed to supporting student health and well-being through a collaborative approach to well-being that includes the Counseling Center, Student Health Center, Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Center and Wellness Resource Center. We strive to assist students by prioritizing health-related services and resources to support academic success.

Veteran's Center

The Veteran’s Center is here to meet the needs and address the concerns of veterans at Mizzou. It’s a designated place on campus where you can find camaraderie and friendship along with resources and support. Our office is staffed by two full-time MU employees and six VA work-study students who have worn — or are still wearing — the uniform.

Voz Latina

The MU Voz Latina faculty, staff and student association is a vibrant organization dedicated to empower the Latino community of the University of Missouri and Columbia to lead and to achieve academic, professional, and personal success. It is Voz Latina’s mission be a vibrant organization dedicated to empower the Latino community of the University of Missouri and Columbia to lead and to achieve academic, professional, and personal success.

Women's Center

The Mizzou Women’s Center is an active and lively lounge on campus. The center provides resources and educational and community-building opportunities! They serve all University of Missouri students, faculty and staff.