Local & National Student Resources
The following is a list of resources (in alphabetical order, based on theme) that are available to students whether or not you are residing locally in the Boone area. Options are listed may be indicated as an App State, National, NC (North Carolina), or Watauga County based resource.
All resources listed below are not continuously available throughout the year. Please visit the individual links to learn if and/or when that specific resource will become available.
Employment and Career Resources
Career Development Resources: Appalachian's Career Development Center is available to offer virtual services to assist with resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn, Handshake, Salary Negotiation, Job Searching, Choosing a Major and many more. (Appalachian State resource for all currently enrolled students)
Unemployment: In order to determine eligibility, you must first apply for unemployment. (National Resource)
Financial
Findhelp.org: Search engine to find financial assistance and more. (National Resource)
Mountaineer Emergency Fund: Assists App State students who are facing financial challenges that are significant barriers to academic success. Students who encounter an unforeseen financial emergency or urgent situation that places a student in significant financial hardship that would prevent them from continuing their App State education may apply for short term, emergency assistance. (App State)
Mountaineer Meal Share: a short-term assistance program developed in partnership with the Student Government Association, Dining Services and the Office of the Dean of Students. The program allocates money towards meals for students in need. Allocations are made to students whose meal plan balance drops below $25 or who is experiencing food insecurity and does not have a meal plan. Students who submit a request through Mountaineer Meal Share will be able to receive up to $100. (App State)
Southern Equality Fund: Applicants can use the funding for basic needs like groceries, rent/mortgage payments, prescriptions or medical bills, prevention supplies and more. (National Resource)
Food Insecurity
Emergency Food Resources: A regularly updated list of food banks, pantries, and kitchens in Watauga County. (Watauga County Resource)
Food and Nutrition Services (NCDHHS): federal food assistance program that provides low-income families the food they need for a nutritionally adequate diet. SNAP benefits can be awarded to college students that would/could be eligible for Federal Work Study. (National Resource)
Local Food Bank Directory: Find one in your area. (National Resource)
Mountaineer Food Hub & Free Store: Various locations on campus (Boone & Hickory Resource)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Stamps: Food assistance available to qualifying individuals/households. To learn about your eligibility and visit for contact information for your State. (National Resource)
Housing
Legal Aid of NC: If being threatened with eviction because you are unable to pay rent, there is a legal aid of NC hotline: 1-866-219-LANC (5262); Website & resources available in over 50 languages (NC Resource)
Quiet Givers: Assistance with rent/utilities in Watauga County. (Watauga County Resource)
United Way’s 211: Assistance with rent, food, and bills and give resources for local resources providing aid. 1-866-211-9966 (National Resource)
W.A.M.Y Community Action: W.A.M.Y provides assistance with housing repairs and weatherization services for current homeowners and renters. (Watauga County Resource)
WeCan Crisis Assistance Network: Local resource through the Hospitality House. Assists with homelessness prevention which can vary person to person (Watuaga County Resource)
Internet
Affordable Connectivity Program: The ACP was created by Congress and implemented by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to help eligible households received a subsidy of up to $30 a month, or up ro $75 a month on Tribal Lands, toward internet service.
Interpersonal Violence
National Domestic Violence Hotline: National IPV response and support with a live chat option 23/7 via the website (1-800-799-SAFE (7233); 1-800-787-3224 (TTY)) (National Resource)
National Sexual Assault hotline: National 24/7 response and support (1-800-656-HOPE) (National Resource)
National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline: National 24/7 response and support (1.866.331.9474; TTY 1.866.331.8453; Text: loveis to 22522 / www.loveisrespect.org) (National Resource)
Pathways to Safety: International IPV response and support (National Resource)
Sunshine Behavioral Health: A resource that discussing emerging issues in domestic violence and teen dating violence. A list of free hotlines and resources are available, as well as a shelter locator. (National Resource)
LGBTQ+
Campaign for Southern Equality: This organization has created a "rapid response grant" to quickly route funds to individuals, family, and community organizations across the LGBTQ+ South. The grant will be distributed through CDE's Southern Equality Fund. This page houses information and a link to the application for Emergency Assistance for Individuals and Families.
National Trans Lifeline: National resources for support and assisting with connections for individuals who identify as transgender (1-877-565-8860) (National Resource)
The Trevor Project: Crisis support for LGBTQ+ youth (1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678); online chat (National Resource)
Mental Health & Well-Being
Counseling and Psychological Services Center: Appalachian's Counseling and Psychological Services Center is available to assist you during this time. Click the link to learn about their services. (Appalachian State resource for all currently enrolled students)
Crisis Text line: 24 hour National crisis support via text message (Text HOME to 741-741 for support) (National Resource)
Crisis Solutions North Carolina: Find help for a mental health or substance abuse crisis in your county. (National Resource)
Daymark Mobile Crisis: (NC Resource)
- 24 hour crisis support for individuals living in Allegheny, Ashe, Surry, Wilkes, and Yadkin counties (1-877-492-2785)
- 24 hour crisis support for individuals living in Avery and Watauga counties ( 828-264-4357)
- 24 hour crisis support for individuals living in Cabarrus, Davidson, Forsyth, Iredell, Rockingham, Rowan, Stanly, Union, and Vance counties (1-866-275-9552)
Disaster Distress Hotline: 24/7 crisis counseling and support for individuals experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human caused disasters (1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66-746) (National Resource)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 24 hour National crisis support (988 or 1-800-273-8255) (National Resource)
Prescription Medication Assistance: Government prescription assistance programs (National Resource)
Prescription Medication Assistance - Hunger and Health Coalition: Individuals at or below 200% of the poverty line can take advantage of the pharmacy. (Watauga County Resource)
Military Affiliated and Veteran Individuals
Department of Veterans Affairs COVID 19 FAQ: The US Department of Veterans Affairs has developed a comprehensive resource page outlining the impact of COVID 19 on VA operations. The site also helps with VA Healthcare concerns and provides alternative means for receiving information and consultations. (National Resource)
GI Bill Protection Legislation: S3503 (aka PL 116-128) protects GI Bill beneficiaries whose classes have been transitioned from a seated to an online modality. Beneficiaries will not see a change in their eligibility or benefits payments as a result of transitioning to fully online enrollment. (National Resource)
PATRIOTlink: Sign-up today and let PATRIOTlink guide you to vetted, direct, cost-free veteran services.
Multi Resource Guides
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): The nation's largest grassroots mental health organization created an all-encompassing guide to assist individuals in this difficult time. Resources include general information about COVID-19, mental health resources, health insurance information, prescription assistance, homelessness, and many more.
Online Classroom
Keep Learning: Provides up to date information for academic resources, tips for online learning, writing center online support, and additional resources to engage students with a support person, tutor, or learning specialist (National Resource)
The Student Learning Center: Virtual services offered include: virtual tutoring, peer academic coaching, and academic consultations (App State Resource)
Physical Health Well-Being
Medical care: If you have health insurance you are encouraged to visit your insurance carriers website for information regarding medical services available to you. If you do not have insurance visit Insure Kids Now to see what options are available in your state. (National Resource)
Free Clinic Directory: Free or sliding scale healthcare (resources for medical, dental, reproductive and sexual health care, etc.) (National Resource)
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services: Assistance with paying for medications: Available to uninsured and low income individuals (NC Resource)
Prescription Medication Assistance - Hunger and Health Coalition: Individuals at or below 200% of the poverty line can take advantage of the pharmacy. (Watauga County Resource)
Pregnant & Parenting
ChildCare Aware: Child Care Resources and Referral
Diaper Bank (diapers, wipes, formula), Children’s Council of Watauga Co. Boone, NC: Diapers, wipes and infant formula are available for Watauga County residents. (Watauga County Resource)
Children’s Council of Watauga Co.: A family resource guide with local and national resources. (Watauga County Resource)
National family caregiver support program (Administration for Community Living): Caregiver support includes info about services, help getting services, individual counseling, support groups, and caregiver training and respite care (202-401-4634) (National Resource)
Women, Infants and Children (WIC): A federal food assistance program for pregnant people and/or for kids up to 5th birthday. Available in all 50 states. (National Resource)
Safety Resources
Center for Disease Control (National Resource)
Childhelp (National Resource)
A national agency dedicated to the prevention and assistance with recovery from child abuse. Offers 24 hour crisis counseling and support.
Contact: 1-800-4-A-CHILD
Never Use Alone (National Resource)
A service provided to individuals who use substances and are at risk of overdose. The services will call EMS if the person becomes unresponsive after using substances.
Contact: 1-800-484-3731 or 931-304-9452
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (National Resource)
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North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has a specific round-up of resources for individuals with disabilities.
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Dial 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162 (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
World Health Organization (National Resource)
Utilities
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services: Low Income Energy Assistance (NC Resource)
NC 2-1-1: Assistance from Utility Providers