The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act provides emergency assistance to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations resulting from the COVID-19 health crisis. Eligible expenses include but are not limited to food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare.
As a student enrolled at Montana State University Billings during the spring 2020 semester and one who has completed the Federal Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA), you could be eligible for a CARES Act grant provided through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. Complete this application as soon as possible as this grant can help provide you with some financial relief.
Call Student Health Services to schedule an appointment. More info.
University Campus Clinic open Mon-Fri 8:00-5:00; Saturday-Sunday: CLOSED
City College Clinic: CLOSED
*Counseling services will move from in-person appointments to phone appointments
*Medical services—will be available
** If you need to make an appointment, please contact Student Health Services at 406-657-2153.
To protect patient privacy, the Montana University System cannot legally release the immediate location of individuals being screened for or confirmed to have COVID-19.
Confirmed and suspected cases will be reported by the Montana Department of Health & Human Services. Montana’s Department of Health and Human Services tracks possible, negative, and confirmed cases on their website .
In the event that a member of one of our Montana University System campus communities were confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19, the campus would follow the lead of the local county health department to initiate appropriate quarantine and public health management protocols.
COVID-19 and Work Study Update
The Department of Education has released guidance to schools regarding whether students can continue to submit timesheets for scheduled hours in the event that a school does not close but moves all classes to an online format. They CAN!
According to the Department of Education, the student can be paid for the Federal Work Study (or Montana Work Study) hours he, she, or they were scheduled to work for the spring semester. Per ED, the school can have the student submit a timesheet for the hours he or she was scheduled to work and pay Work Study wages based on that.
It is important that students do NOT submit timesheets for hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours. If a student worker does not have scheduled hours, students can be paid at the average number of hours the student has worked so far this spring term. Visit the Financial Aid webpage for more information.
What does the Yellowjacket Emergency Pantry offer?
The Yellowjacket Emergency Pantry currently provides food, hygiene, and school supplies
to all students at Montana State University Billings. We also work as advocates to
connect students to additional student support services.
Who can use the Yellowjacket Emergency Pantry?
Any student enrolled at Montana State University Billings, can use the Yellowjacket
Emergency Pantry. Students can use the pantry up to three times per semester. However,
if students require additional support, we can make arrangements on a case by case
basis.
Visit the Emergency Pantry page for more information.
The Montana State University Billings’ Student Crisis fund has been established to help currently enrolled students on the path to academic success during a personal and unexpected crisis or hardship. Whether they need to replace personal belongings after a devastating fire, cannot afford necessary prescriptions, or are unable to pay for an emergency medical procedure, the fund provides financial assistance. Through this fund, students discover the very essence of the Yellowjacket community. We provide care and support beyond counseling and community.
Visit the Crisis Fund page for more information and to apply.
This list of available financial resources is provided to assist students. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by MSU Billings.
HRDC COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY
HRDC serves vulnerable populations in the community. The mission of the HRDC is to restore HOPE, by extending RESPECT, encouraging individuals to DREAM of a better future, and ultimately CHANGE the economic landscape of our communities.
For more information visit the HRDC About page.
MONTANA UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
Unemployment Insurance is a joint state-federal program that provides cash benefits to eligible workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own.
For more information and to apply visit the Unemployment Insurance page.
SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest federal nutrition assistanceprogram. SNAP provides benefits to eligible low-income individuals and families via an Electronic Benefits Transfer card. This card can be used as a debit card to purchase eligible food in authorized retail food stores.
For more information and to apply visit the SNAP webpage.
TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES
TANF cash assistance is a program providing temporary financial assistance to needy families.
For more information visit the TANF webpage.
211
211 can be accessed by phone or computer. A toll-free call to 211 connects you to a community resource specialist in your area who can put you in touch with local organizations that provide critical services that can improve—and save—lives. All calls are private and confidential.
You’ll find information about: supplemental food and nutrition programs, shelter and housing options, utilites assistance, emergency information and disaster relief, and more.
Governor Bullock has ordered a moratorium on evictions, foreclosures, late fees, and utility shutoffs during the “stay at home” order that ends April 24, 2020 (it may be extended). This is good news for anyone who may be having trouble paying their rent, mortgage, or utilities.
However, please be advised that the moratorium does NOT waive your rent or other payments. If you can pay, you should do so. If you cannot pay, you should let your landlord, mortgage lender, or utility company know that you are temporarily unable to make your payments but that you will make arrangements to make up any missed or late payments.
If you have questions or need further assistance please contact ASMSUB Student Legal Services Attorney, Judy Williams, at her email: jwilliams@msubillings.edu. Send your full name, number of credits you are taking, telephone number, and a summary of your legal problem. Judy is working from home but will contact you as soon as possible.
Summer Hours
8:30 am – 1:30 pm, M-F
Closed for dinner and on weekends
Campus Store: Closed
Summer Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
CLOSED until further notice
The Rimrock and Diversity Center computer labs are open to MSU Billings students during these times:
Monday – Friday: open 8:00 am - 7:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday: open 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
The university campus library will continue to operate virtually. Research assistance is available M-F from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. Email library@msubillings.edu or call 406-657-1662.
Check the MSUB Library COVID-19 Response page for additional library updates.
The eLearning D2L home page and log-in site
Website: Online Student Success
If you do not have access to a computer or device in order to take your online classes, please email helpdesk@msubillings.edu to request to borrow a laptop. You will need to bring a valid ID and sign a waiver upon pickup.
A regularly recurring schedule of online drop-in STEM and Writing tutoring is available on the “Drop-In Online Tutoring Summer 2020” schedule. Go to this schedule to view tutoring availability by subject/time and schedule on-the-spot or make-ahead appointments.
Appointment tutoring (for 1:1 help and extended hours for STEM, undergraduate-level writing and graduate-level writing) is available on the “Online Tutoring Appointments Summer 2020” schedule. Appointments are scheduled at least 24 hours in advance.
For any questions concerning our online operations contact academicsupportcenter@msubillings.edu. To keep up with the most recent ASC updates follow our Facebook page.
For additional resources, check out our updated University Reference Guide and Financial Resources.
The ASC provides tutoring for multiple subjects such as math, writing, chemistry and foreign languages just to name a few. In response to the COVID-19 guidelines issued by Montana State University-Billings, the Academic Support Center is now using WCOnline to schedule and conduct all tutoring virtually, via synchronous online tutoring or asynchronous e-tutoring options. Our regular hours will still apply. To make an appointment with the tutor:
You are now ready to meet with your tutor! For online appointments, log back on to WCOnline 5-10 minutes before your scheduled time and click on your appointment. For e-tutoring appointments, submit your paper via the appointment window and wait to receive feedback from your tutor.
For students scheduling an appointment or logging in to the program for the first time, follow the steps above or click here for more detailed instructions. For more information on using WCOnline for synchronous and asynchronous online tutoring appointments, visit the Purdue OWL’s YouTube channel.
Housing & Residence Life and MSU Billings is working closely with health professionals, campus leaders, and the State Health Department to coordinate necessary response and preparation for COVID-19. We will work closely with local, state, and federal public health agencies to make informed decisions.
Please continue to check this page frequently over the summer for updates regarding Housing & Residence Life.
All spring semester students who left early due to the COVID-19 pandemic that left items in rooms were emailed on April 28, 2020 regarding options to store, collect, or dispose of their items.
Different options were given to students from Montana and out-of-state students. If you have not received communication from Housing & Residence Life regarding your personal items, please contact us at housing@msubillings.edu or by phone at 406-657-2333.
Housing & Residence Life will officially open up the residence halls on Sunday, September 6, 2020. Further developments and updates will be sent to all students signed up to stay on campus in the fall semester throughout the summer months.
Housing & Residence Life is open Monday-Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. For any questions, please call us at 406-657-2333 or email us at housing@msubillings.edu.
All classes will continue online through the end of summer 2020 semester.
Campuses will remain open and operational for students, including residence halls, dining, computer labs and most other campus services.
MSU Billings has cancelled all public events and gatherings through June 1, 2020.
In alignment with a decision made collectively by the Montana University System and with clear guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MSU Billings will be postponing Spring 2020 commencement and convocations until December 19, 2020. More information will be forthcoming.
Beginning May 11, we will begin transitioning staff back to the campus work environment, with the transition complete by June 1. You will find information below that will help us reopen our campus in a way that takes into consideration the safety and well-being of yourself and others.
Montana Gov. Steve Bullock has directed all travelers arriving in Montana from another state or country for non-work-related purposes to self-quarantine for 14 days. If the person will be present in Montana for fewer than 14 days, they must self-quarantine for the duration of the visit.
The directive applies both to Montana residents and non-residents and is in effect until the end of the pandemic emergency or until rescinded by further order. Read the full details on the governor's website.
Read the latest U.S. State Department travel advisories.
All university-sponsored and affiliated international travel is canceled through Summer 2020. All university-sponsored and affiliated discretionary (not required) domestic travel is also canceled through Summer 2020.
MSU Billings is making these decisions based on the evolving measures to contain COVID-19. The university does not want to put our faculty, students and staff at risk of being stranded abroad or forced into a quarantine upon return.
Many students may find their expectations of university-affiliated international travel come up far short as countries around the world are closing cultural and other sites of significance. MSUB's travel health provider is in close contact with the university's Office of International Studies to help MSU Billings students, faculty and staff who have traveled internationally or will be traveling in the future.
For all students, faculty and staff planning personal international travel, the university urges caution. Travel restrictions and quarantine requirements can change daily. The best, most up-to-date information about travel is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Information for Travel website.
If you choose to travel and return from a country with a recommended self-quarantine, please do not return to campus, either to the residence halls, classes, offices, fitness center or any other area. Travelers should self-quarantine and return home for 14 days, rather than coming to campus. Please follow the CDC's guidance on self-quarantine.
Information updated May 5, 2020