{"id":70,"date":"2026-06-16T10:14:42","date_gmt":"2026-06-16T14:14:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/dos\/?page_id=70"},"modified":"2026-10-29T10:27:30","modified_gmt":"2026-10-29T14:27:30","slug":"get-help","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/dos\/resources-support\/student-support-services\/get-help\/","title":{"rendered":"How Can We Help?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><span>When challenges get in the way of your BU experience, you don\u2019t have to figure it out alone. Student Support Services is here to help you navigate personal, academic, social, and financial challenges.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Our team will listen, connect you with the right resources, and support you in moving forward. <\/span><strong><span>Whatever you\u2019re facing, we\u2019re here to meet you where you are.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Direct Financial Support<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\">Helping you explore emergency funding and other financial resources for unexpected expenses. We&#8217;ll work with you to identify available options and connect you to the support that best fits your situation.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Guidance &amp; Advocacy<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\">Listening without judgment, helping you understand your options, and advocating for you when appropriate. We&#8217;re here to help you navigate challenges and feel supported every step of the way.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Campus Connections<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\">Connecting you with the right people, offices, and services across BU. Whether you need academic, financial, health, or personal support, we&#8217;ll help you find the right place to start.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Life Navigation<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\">Supporting you through complex, unexpected, or overwhelming situations that may be affecting your well-being or success. Together, we&#8217;ll create a plan and identify next steps that work for you.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Off-Campus Resources<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\">Researching and connecting you with trusted community organizations and local services when support beyond BU is needed, including housing, food, and other essential resources.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Personalized Support<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\">Providing one-on-one support tailored to your unique circumstances. Every student&#8217;s situation is different, and we&#8217;ll work with you to understand your needs and develop a plan that helps you move forward.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span>When to Submit a Request<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><span>You can reach out to Student Support Services at any point\u2014whether you\u2019re dealing with an immediate concern or navigating something ongoing or more complex.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><span>We can help you:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul data-spread=\"false\">\n<li><span>Talk through what\u2019s going on<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Identify next steps<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Connect with campus and community resources<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Navigate university processes and advocate for you<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><span>You don\u2019t need to have everything figured out before reaching out. <\/span><strong><span>We\u2019re here to meet you where you are.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><span>What to Expect<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><span>After you submit a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/dos\/resources-support\/student-support-services\/sss-connect\/\">Support Request Form<\/a>, a member of our team will follow up within <\/span><strong><span>48 business hours<\/span><\/strong><span> (Monday\u2013Friday, 9 a.m.\u20135 p.m.) to schedule a meeting.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><span>Meetings are typically:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul data-spread=\"false\">\n<li><strong><span>30 minutes<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><span>In person or via Zoom<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><span>Focused on understanding your situation and identifying next steps<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><span>During your meeting, you\u2019ll have space to share what you\u2019re experiencing, ask questions, and work with a Student Support Services staff member to explore options and identify next steps. Follow-up meetings can be scheduled as needed.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Privacy &amp; Confidentiality<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<h2><span>Privacy &amp; Confidentiality<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><span>Student Support Services is a <\/span><strong><span>private, non-confidential resource<\/span><\/strong><span>. Information you share with us is generally kept private and only shared with relevant campus partners on a need-to-know basis. There are some situations where university employees are required to report certain concerns.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><span>If you\u2019re looking for <\/span><strong><span>confidential support<\/span><\/strong><span>, you can connect with:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul data-spread=\"false\">\n<li><span>Student Health Services, including Counseling and Psychiatric Services (SHS\/CAPS) and Survivor Advocacy, Response &amp; Prevention (SARP)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Office of the Ombuds<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span>What\u2019s the difference between private and confidential?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><strong><span>Private:<\/span><\/strong><span> Most university staff keep information private and only share it with relevant campus partners when needed. Some concerns, such as discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, or safety concerns, may require reporting or additional action.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><strong><span>Confidential:<\/span><\/strong><span> Confidential resources generally do not share information with others without your permission, except in limited situations involving safety or other legal requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Important Policies<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<h3><span>Mandatory Reporting<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><span>Most Boston University employees, except designated confidential resources, are mandated reporters. This means they may be required to report concerns related to discrimination, harassment, retaliation, sexual misconduct, or potential harm to self or others to the appropriate university or emergency resource.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span>FERPA<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><span>The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of student education records. Boston University generally does not share personally identifiable information from student education records without appropriate authorization, including with family members.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2><span>Ways We Can Help<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Student Support Services can help with financial challenges, access to basic needs, university processes, and other situations affecting your BU experience. Visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/dos\/resources-support\/student-support-services\/resources\/\">Our Services<\/a> to learn more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When challenges get in the way of your BU experience, you don\u2019t have to figure it out alone. Student Support Services is here to help you navigate personal, academic, social, and financial challenges. Our team will listen, connect you with the right resources, and support you in moving forward. Whatever you\u2019re facing, we\u2019re here to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1301,"featured_media":0,"parent":68,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/dos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/70"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/dos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/dos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/dos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1301"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/dos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=70"}],"version-history":[{"count":29,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/dos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/70\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2586,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/dos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/70\/revisions\/2586"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/dos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/68"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/dos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=70"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}