Essential Needs & Support Services

Essential Needs & Support Services 

Tarrant County College (TCC) helps students get into and complete their educational and career goals - even if economic or other barriers have been holding them back. Utilizing various partnerships with community organizations, we connect students with helpful resources such as financial educational sessions, food pantries, childcare, tax services, emergency fund, and many others.

TCC offers essential needs including food, toiletry and baby items, housing resources, clothing, and additional basic needs items. The goal is to aid in student readiness by alleviating life barriers that may impact academic and personal success. TCC offers a range of support services at no cost to students.

Food Insecurity

Tarrant County College provides resources for individuals experiencing food insecurity.

In addition to the campus resources, the following is a list of organizations that support individuals and families with food needs. These organizations are to be contacted directly as they are not affiliated with TCC beyond resource sharing.

• Tarrant Area Food Bank
• FindHelp.org
• Community Link
• Texas Food Pantries
• Meals on Wheels
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Student Parent Liaison

Tarrant County College appoints a Student Parent Liaison to serve as a dedicated resource for students who are raising children while pursuing their education. The liaison provides information about parenting-related support services, connects students with campus and community resources, and advocates for student-parent needs across the college. This role supports a family-friendly campus environment and helps student-parents thrive both academically and personally.

For more information, visit Student-Parent Support and Resources and/or email StudentParent.Officer@tccd.edu.

Foster Care Liaison

Tarrant County College designates a Foster Care Liaison in accordance with Texas state requirements. The liaison provides guidance and support to students who are currently or formerly in foster care. Services include help with accessing campus and community resources, understanding tuition and fee exemptions, and navigating enrollment and financial aid processes. The goal is to ensure foster youth have the tools and support needed to succeed in college.

For more information, visit Foster Care Alumni FAQ and Resources.

Student Empowerment Center

The Student Empowerment Center (SEC) connects students with essential resources to help overcome barriers that may impact their academic success. SEC provides support in areas such as food, housing, transportation, mental health, and financial assistance. Staff are available to help students access on-campus services and community programs. The goal is to ensure students can focus on their education while having their basic needs met.

For more information, visit Student Empowerment Center and/or email SECBasicNeeds@tccd.edu.

Housing Insecurity

TCC does not have on-campus housing, but there are a variety of resources in the community to help you find housing.  

For housing assistance within Tarrant County and surrounding areas, reach out to some of the following organizations:

• ACH Child and Family Services: services for children including an emergency shelter and housing for single mothers and their children who are homeless due to domestic violence
• Arlington Life Shelter: Arlington Life Shelter is committed to assisting individuals and families impacted by homelessness in North Texas to create a path to self-sufficiency
• Benefits for Homeless Veterans
• Day Resource Center: support services for homeless people
• Get Rent Help: for Tarrant County residents having difficulty paying rent and/or utilities
• Housing and Urban Development Rental Assistance
• Presbyterian Night Shelter: their “housing first” approach helps break the cycle of homelessness through housing assistance, support services, and employment opportunities
• SafeHaven: emergency shelter and transitional housing for those leaving situations of domestic violence
• Salvation Army
• Tarrant County Homeless Coalition: assistance for housing and rent
• Tarrant County Housing Assistance Office (TCHAO): provides safe, decent, and affordable housing for low-income families
• Union Gospel Mission: free meals, shelter, and programs to help people in need gain access to skills and resources
• Vacancy Clearinghouse (Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs): search this database for reduced-rent apartments
• Arlington Housing Authority (COVID-19): help for those who need housing assistance due to COVID-19

Transportation

TCC student ID doubles as a free pass on all Trinity Metro buses and the Trinity Rail Express with TCC’s EasyRide program. If you are enrolled in three credit hours or 48 continuing education contact hours and are not a dual enrollment student, you qualify for the program. For more information visit EasyRide. Additional resources are available at specific campuses and students are encouraged to contact the Student Success & Advising Office for more information.

Students enrolled in classes at TCC Southeast are eligible for free transportation from the Arlington On-Demand Rideshare program. If you are enrolled in three credit hours or 48 continuing education contact hours and are not a dual enrollment student, you qualify for the program. For more information visit the Arlington On-Demand homepage. Additional resources are available at specific campuses and students are encouraged to contact the Student Success & Advising Office for more information.

Community Resources

• Catholic Charities of Fort Worth (CCFW) Transportation with a Purpose: Transportation services are provided to CCFW clients and partner agencies for employment, medical appointments, and public benefit office visits, and operate from Monday through Friday.