About Us
Student Resources & Basic Needs (formerly TexConnect)
Student Resources & Basic Needs is committed to connecting students with essential support services both on campus and within the community. Our office is located in the Barry B. Thompson Student Center, Suite 212, adjacent to the Dean of Students Administrative Office. To request assistance, please complete the referral form using the link below. Once submitted, a case manager will follow up with you directly.
For more information or questions, contact us at:
StudentResources@tarleton.edu
254-968-9080
Emergency Financial Assistance
Student Resources & Basic Needs may be able to provide limited, one-time emergency financial assistance to currently enrolled students experiencing unexpected and urgent life circumstances. Examples of qualifying emergencies include (but are not limited to):
- Emergency shelter needs
- Weather- or disaster-related emergencies (e.g., flooding, tornadoes, fire damage)
- Costs associated with emergency medical care
- Short-term transportation assistance
Please note:
Emergency funding cannot be used for:
- Past due tuition or fee balances
- Current tuition, textbooks, or course materials
- Conference-related expenses
- Situations where the student has available grant or loan funds
Students are expected to exhaust all available financial aid options before applying for emergency assistance.
Eligibility & Limits
- Funding is available only to currently enrolled students
- Student enrollment status and financial information must be verified prior to approval
- Emergency funding is limited and awarded based on demonstrated need and availability
- Eligible students may receive funding once per academic year, with a lifetime limit of two awards total
Timeline and Process for Requests to Student Resources and Basic Needs (SRBN)
- Initial Review
The request is submitted and reviewed by the SRBN Case Manager to confirm the student’s current enrollment status. - Financial Aid Collaboration
Once enrollment is verified, SRBN partners with the Financial Aid Office to assess whether the student is eligible for any additional funding through grants, loans, or scholarships. - Assessment of Need
If no additional financial aid is available and the student is eligible for assistance, SRBN conducts a needs-based review to determine the appropriate level of support. - Processing Time
Please allow 3–4 weeks for the full review and processing of your request.
Mission Statement
Student Resources and Basic Needs, including the Purple Pantry, is transforming generations by empowering students to meet their basic needs in order to increase retention and help more Texans graduate with excellence and career-ready skills.
Vision
The Department of Student Resources and Basic Needs will collaborate to empower and support students facing obstacles across all of our campuses. Obstacles might include issues with rent, transportation, and food etc. We value holistic goodness, retention, and graduation, especially from underrepresented populations, such as first-generation students. We will regularly assess and measure our progress and celebrate student successes. Our end goal is to provide students with a thriving learning environment in which they can graduate and have opportunities that will provide them with economic mobility and security.
Donations
If you would like to donate to the Student Resources and Basic Needs Gift Fund, please click on the link below. Your funds will be used to empower students moving forward by assisting with their needs today. If you have physical donations you would like to bring to the Purple Pantry, please drop them off in Suite 212 of the Student Center, Monday-Friday 8-5.
Academic Materials
Are you experiencing difficulty accessing the materials necessary to complete class? If seeking assistance for textbooks or ways to reduce your course material costs, please explore these resources:
Book Loans are available at the beginning of each academic semesters for students who may need additional assistance in purchasing their textbooks. You may only use this for the purchase of books and supplies at the Tarleton Campus Store located in Stephenville and you must have a Texan Card.
Tarleton offers some courses that utilize open educational resources (free) to help reduce student out-of-pocket costs for textbooks and learning materials. As you explore your courses, you may want to find classes that are using freely available course materials. Learn more about OER options with this OER informational page. See the Tarleton OER Course List.


Child Care Resources (CCAMPIS)
Parenting while pursuing your education can present unique needs. Through Tarleton’s CCAMPIS Program, student-parents may receive assistance with childcare resources. CCAMPIS applications are closed for Fall 24′ and Spring 25′, please check back routinely for any openings.
Tarleton also offers Pregnancy and Parenting Assistance and additional information that might help you on your journey.
Mental Health
Tarleton Student Counseling Services (SCS) offers confidential counseling, clinical assessment and referrals, crisis management, psychiatric services, academic skills counseling, and psychoeducational programming for a comprehensive student population. We provide consultation services to the Tarleton community at the Stephenville campus and the learning centers and are educators and advocates that promote health and wellness.


Financial Wellbeing Resources
Financial well-being involves many resources, explore some of these options:
Through the Texan Smart Financial Center students can attend workshops aimed at improving financial practices and one-on-one financial coaching to aid in the development of individualized personal financial wellness. Our goal is to provide Tarleton students with support and guidance on items pertinent to their financial well-being that will have lasting effects past graduation.
Consider visiting our Career Services team for assistance with resumes, informative workshops, job fairs, and to help you connect to your career potential.
In addition, please consider visiting with the experts in our Tarleton’s Financial Aid office. Learn about your financial aid options and educate yourself about the types of aid, eligibility, and educational funding.
Food Resources
There are several layers of food resources available within your community, as well as various campus services designed to support students.
The Purple Pantry is an essential on-campus resource available to all Tarleton students, operating 24/7 throughout the year. It offers a variety of food, hygiene products, and school supplies at no cost to students.
Program Currently Unavailable: While we explore options for the Texan Food Security Program, the Purple Pantry is stocked with a variety of grab-and-go items for students who need a meal while on campus. The Texan Food Security Program, established in honor of Colt Williams, is another valuable on-campus resource. Funded entirely by donations, this program allows Tarleton students to receive up to three meal swipes per day at the on-campus Dining Center, where they can enjoy fully prepared meals. This program ensures that students can discreetly access these meal swipes and utilize them in the same manner as their peers, thereby eliminating any potential stigma or embarrassment.
Community Food & Meal Resources
In addition to food resources on the Stephenville campus there are also various community resources for food and meals.
Tarleton Wesley Foundation – Free lunch on Mondays, Free Taco Tuesday dinners on Tuesday nights at 7PM
Cowboy Church of Erath County – Freed dinner on Monday nights
Texans for Christ – Free dinner on Tuesdays
Baptist Student Ministry – Offers Free, Home-Cooked Food Wednesdays at Noon at the BSM. Local churches come together to provide all Tarleton State students, faculty and staff with with a delicious lunch.
Valley Grove Baptist Church and Rocky Point Baptist Church offer free dinner on Wednesday nights
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church – Offers Free Lunches, for the Tarleton State University community, Thursdays lunches are served from 11AM – 1PM
List of local food pantries in Stephenville:http://www.erathcountyuw.org/food-pantries.html


Housing Resources
Are you experiencing challenges related to off campus housing? We would be happy to meet with you to discuss possible resources. Please contact us at StudentResources@tarleton.edu to learn more.
- Looking for regular campus housing information? Please visit the Residential Living & Learning website.
Non-Academic Resources
We know life does not stop in the classroom. Students may need help with removing Non-Academic Barriers, such as hunger, poverty, clothing, finances, and other basic needs. We may be able to assist you.


Transportation Resources
Transportation challenges can impact many aspects of daily life. To explore resources that may help, please complete our Student Resources & Basic Needs Intake Form. We’ll connect to learn more about your transportation situation.
