Food Stamps

If you are a work-study student, you are most likely eligible for food stamps. Follow this SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) guide to learn more.
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Click here to access the SNAP website
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Textbooks

Before you rush to buy your books from the bookstore, attend the first few lectures of the course to determine how essential the course's textbooks may be. Consider checking the GIC's free textbook library, finding e-books or free PDF's, or buying from a peer. Use SlugBooks to compare online prices for books that could be either rented or bought.
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*Please also consider donating your textbooks to the GIC after each semester*

Study Spots

  • Greenfield Intercultural Center
    • FREE food
    • Textbook library
    • FREE printing, just ask nicely for help
  • LGBT Center
    • FREE printing (20 page limit and bring your own paper!)
  • ARCH (and Cultural Centers)
    • Typically FREE printing and food
  • Kelly Writers House
    • More FREE printing and food
  • Van Pelt Library
    • It's great for group sessions if you book a booth (Weigle) or room (Weigle/Undergraduate Study Center) on Libcal
  • Fisher Fine Arts Library
    • Very quiet, not as popular because of that, but it's great for when you don't want distractions
  • Education Commons (2nd Floor of Fox Fitness center, on the way to Penn Park)
    • Very nice study space
  • Williams Cafe and Study Area 
  • Penn Law Library and the basement
  • Biomedical Library 
  • High Rise (Harrison, Harnwell, Rodin) Rooftop Lounges
  • Dubois College House
  • Basement of Gregory (Class of 1925, not Van Pelt)
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Facebook Groups

Join Free Food at Penn, Textbook Exchange, For Free and For Sale.
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Student Discounts

Using your Penn email to subscribe to websites such as UNiDAYS and Spotify can save you money on products from select stores and music subscriptions. You can also try Amazon Prime Student for free for six months. 
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​Need more discounts? Click here

Free Food

Some of the extra-curriculars you join may offer dinner options during GBMs. Cultural Resource Centers, such as the GIC, La Casa, Makuu, and PAACH often have lunch or dinner catered or have food for students to take freely. The GIC has a kitchen and pantry anyone can use and hosts talks with dinner often included. Kelly Writers House holds free food events most days out of the week.
T-Mobile Users can also use the T-Mobile Tuesday app to score free pizzas every now and then!

Free Philly Events

Looking to do things with your friends without breaking the bank? There are always Facebook events advertising free activities or places to visit.  Some free events can include performances at the Kimmel Center on a designated day in September or Friday movie screenings in Clark Park. The most important thing to remember is to check the schedules of the organization or place behind the event!
If you have an EBT card, museums and arboretums are either steeply discounted or free.
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Office Hours​

Penn First vs P1P vs PFP​
Office hours are an opportunity to get to know the professor and let the professor get to know you.  It's not just for homework questions.  Use this time to ask questions about their research, talk about common interests, and build a relationship with them.

A common misperception is that the professor is too busy for you.  The professor is not too busy, in fact this time is for you.  So set aside some time and swing by.
Penn First

student led organization that is focused on building FGLI community through collaboration, events, and mentoring.

P1P (Penn First Plus)

faculty led hub of university efforts to enhance the academic experiences of FGLI students

PFP (Pre-First Year Program)

four week summer program organized by PENNCAP to academically and socially prepare pre-freshmen FGLI students for Penn