About Us

Welcome to the Benefits Hub! Everyday financial tools.

United Way's Benefits Hub is here to help, so that you can achieve your college and career goals.

In the Benefits Hub we strive to help students achieve their educational goals and increase student retention by helping students identify financial resources on and off campus that can help make the balance of paying for life and college a little easier. Recognizing financial education is a big part of financial success, the Benefits Hub can also help with financial planning! 

What We Offer

Individual Support

The Benefits Hub provides individual financial coaching to all students who schedule an appointment. Our coaches can help you navigate a financial emergency, assess your current savings and expenses, and provide advice as you develop a plan to achieve long-term financial goals. Students can learn strategies for:

  • Creating a budget
  • Increasing savings
  • Expense Reduction
  • Credit management
  • Debt management
  • Setting financial goals

Advanced Support

For advanced financial planning assistance, Benefits Hub coaches can provide a referral to American Financial Solutions (AFS). AFS provides free counseling services for debt and credit management, foreclosure, bankruptcy, loans, grants, housing purchase, and more.

GRC Financial Literacy Workshops

At the Benefits Hub we recognize how important it is to develop essential financial literacy skills and empower students to make informed financial decisions, so, we have partner with American Financial Solutions: Becky House to host a series of immersive and engaging workshops aimed at equipping GRC students with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate their personal finances successfully. By participating in these workshops, students will gain a solid understanding of key financial concepts, develop practical skills, and cultivate financial habits.

Register: Microsoft Forms

Gator Pantry

The Green River College Gator Pantry exists to provide a little extra free food for students in need. All students are welcome to stop by and grab items.

Locations & Hours:

Main Campus -

Student Affairs (SA) 122
Mondays - Thursdays 8 AM - 5 PM
Fridays 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Kent Campus -

First Floor Welcome Desk
Mondays - Thursdays 7:30 AM - 9 PM
Fridays 7:30 AM - 5 PM

*The Gator Pantry is sustained by donations, item availability and amount may vary

Public Benefits

Do you need help applying for Basic Food (SNAP/EBT), formerly known as food stamps? Coaches can help you determine your eligibility, then provide a referral to a Basic Food enrollment specialist for application assistance. Read below for more information on Basic Food.

Not only does basic food programs provide long-term food support, it also may make you eligible for other support resources such as tuition assistance and more!

Community Support

There are many non-profits and organizations in the community dedicated to ending hunger. Benefits Hub coaches are aware of many of these resources and can help you find free food support near you.

Additional Ways to Find Food Resources

USDA National Hunger Hotline

  • 1-866-348-6479 (English)
  • 1-877-842-6273 (Spanish)

211 United Way

  • phone: 211
  • https://search.wa211.org/

 

The rising cost of housing is tough to manage. At the Benefits Hub we help students find resources that aid in homeless prevention and homelessness navigation. Coaches can provide eligible students with rent help application assistance, resource navigation, and referrals to free legal support for tenants in Washington.

Benefits Hub Coaches can help students understand and apply for the two major financial aid applications: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA). Coaches can also provide support and information about independent scholarships and grants.

  • FAFSA/WASFA: These applications are used to determine eligibility for federal and state financial aid programs, including grants, loans, and work-study programs. The funding comes from the government.
  • Independent Scholarships/Grants: These are funds provided by private organizations, institutions, foundations, or individuals. They are not government funded.

The Benefits Hub helps students find and apply for free and reduced-cost programs for utilities, transportation, internet, and more. Meet with a coach to talk about cost-saving now!

Need to reduce your utility bills? Apply directly for discount programs, or ask a coach about:

Eligibility depends on household income. Recipients of State benefits, including Basic Food, may be automatically eligible.

Apply for a reduced fare bus pass! ORCA Lift reduces transportation costs in these transit areas:

  • King County Metro Buses and Water Taxi
  • Everett Transit
  • Pierce Transit
  • Kitsap Transit Buses and Ferries
  • Sount Transit
  • Seattle Streetcar and Monorail

ORCA Lift does not apply to Washington State Ferries.

Eligibility depends on age and household income. For more information, click HERE.

To apply, meet with a Benefits Hub coach, or visit:

https://kingcounty.gov/depts/transportation/metro/fares-orca/orca-cards/lift.aspx

Take care of your mental and physical health during college with support and resource navigation from a Benefits Hub Coach! We know that holistic support, including accessible care for physical health and mental health, helps students persist and succeed in school. 

For immediate mental health support, please call the phone support lines listed below.

  • 24-hour crisis line: (866) 427-4747
  • WA warm line: (877) 500-9276
  • WA recovery help line: (866) 789-1511

United Way King County is providing free high-quality tax preparation services.

Students can receive help from IRS -certified tax expert volunteers that will help students with their tax credits and file a correct return 

Virtual and in-person assistance options available. Click HERE for to find more information about Servies near you.

Students wanting this assistance can visit - FreeTaxExperts.org