One Office, Many Services

Community College of Philadelphia's Single Stop office offers students support exploring, navigating, and obtaining additional financial resources. After assessing students' needs, Single Stop staff provide free assistance connecting them with health insurance, food resources, free tax preparation, legal aid, financial education, childcare, utilities, cash and other subsidies, as well as internal and external referrals. Single Stop's vision is to help students manage and overcome life and economic barriers so they can continue with their education and move towards economic mobility.

Since its establishment in 2013, Single Stop at Community College of Philadelphia has screened more than 13,500 students, connecting them and their families with more than $28 million dollars in tax refunds, cash, and non-cash benefits. Evaluation findings protudents who use the services offered at Single Stop have higher GPA (Grade Point Average) and course completion rates than those who do not utilize them.

Watch a video to learn more about Single Stop.

Download the Single Stop Brochure

Basic Needs and Benefits Screening

Using advanced technology, Single Stop staff are able to identify preliminary financial resources to help students secure basic needs. From food, health insurance, utility and cash assistance to textbooks, transportation, childcare and other subsidies, staff connect with students to determine a plan to pursue available options. Without leaving campus, students get the support they need so they can better manage their time and multiple responsibilities, making it easier for them to focus on their education while accessing a wide range of services.

Emergency Funds

If you are a currently enrolled Community College of Philadelphia student faced with an unexpected financial hardship or educational expense, you may be eligible for emergency funds. Emergency funds are allocated for sudden, urgent or unforeseen occurrences that would affect your ability to stay at CCP and complete your program of study. Funding is for one-time assistance, not a continuing recurring grant. Learn more and apply.

Tax Preparation and Filing

From January through April, Single Stop brings certified tax preparers to assist students in preparing and filing their tax returns and/or amendments. This service is only available during tax season and helps students maximize their tax return by making sure that they can obtain all available tax credits, including but not limited to the Earned Income, American Opportunity and/or Child without making mistakes. This service is offered to students currently taking classes and earning under $55,000 dollars per year.

Health Care Coverage Assistance

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare), Single Stop staff and certified healthcare navigators help students review different healthcare options including the state plan (Medicaid), free sliding scale alternatives, and plans offered through the Marketplace exchange during the open enrollment period (November through December 15).

Legal Aid

Attorneys and advocates offer free legal advice and answer questions about:

Free Mental Health Consultations

Are you feeling overwhelmed? Is life getting the best of you? If you feel like you need someone to talk to, you can meet with a mental health professional at Single Stop every second and fourth Monday of the month between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., starting Monday, November 13. Greater Philadelphia Health Action will be providing free mental health consultations for CCP students. Students who have health insurance should bring their health insurance card, but is not a requirement. Please email singlestop [at] ccp.edu (singlestop[at]ccp[dot]edu) to schedule an appointment.

  • Public Benefits - Assistance for issues with food stamps, cash and medical assistance, subsidized childcare and benefits issues for immigrants.
  • Employment - Assistance with unpaid wages and record expungement.
  • Housing - Assistance with unfair evictions, illegal lockouts, repairs, and housing problems related to domestic violence.
  • Utilities - Assistance with shut-offs and billing/service issues.
  • Consumer - Assistance with fraud, bankruptcy, and debt collection/harassment.
  • Immigration - Pro-bono attorneys provide assistance with immigration law inquiries, D.A.C.A., sponsorship, status adjustments, naturalization, and citizenship process.

Note: Single Stop partners with Community Legal Service and pro-bono attorneys to provide this service free of cost. Additional legal referrals will be arranged based on specific students' needs.

Financial Fitness

With the guidance of a certified financial coach, students establish goals to become empowered and financially fit by understanding how to best make informed decisions about financial matters including banking, credit, debt management, student loans, financial planning, starting an emergency fund, securing housing, transportation, and much more!

Referral Services

After completing the screening process, Single Stop staff determine additional internal and external services and resources to help students stay on their path to success.

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Connect with Single Stop Staff Using the Self-Screening Tool

Students interested in learning about the benefits and resources for which they may be eligible can complete a profile using Single Stop's online self-screening tool:

Once students submit their profile, Single Stop staff will reach out to review their results and determine the assistance they could receive at NO COST!

Schedule and Contact Information

Single Stop has offices at the Main Campus and Regional Centers. Walk-ins are welcome based on availability; appointments are highly recommended during tax season (January through April) and the healthcare open enrollment period (November to December),

Location

Hours

Contact

Main Campus
Mint Building, Room M1-21
Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.(215) 516-3710 or singlestop [at] ccp.edu (email us)
Career and Advanced Technology Center

 
TBD(215) 972-6367 or singlestopRC [at] ccp.edu (email us)
Northeast Regional Center
Room 102
TBD(215) 972-6268 or singlestopRC [at] ccp.edu (email us)

All services are free of charge and available to matriculated students.