Student Debt & Bankruptcy Information
Content updated Aug. 12, 2025
Bankruptcy is an important financial tool with some weighty consequences, and the decision to file bankruptcy is serious. Under federal law, you have the right to declare bankruptcy relief from your creditors, which can include student debt. But this comes at the cost of hurting your credit for several years and racking up legal and court fees along the way. Student loan bankruptcy discharge is also more complicated and has more restrictions than discharging other forms of debt.
HiSET
If you didn’t finish high school, you know that even with talent and drive, not having a diploma can limit your opportunities.
By taking the HiSET®, you can earn a state-issued high school equivalency credential allowing you to advance your career, join the military, begin a training program or continue your education.
Affordability, accessibility and flexibility have made HiSET the nation’s fastest-growing high school equivalency test.
The Excel Center- High School Diploma Program
Content updated April 23, 2024
The Excel Center is a free adult high school for those 21 and older who want to earn their high school diploma. Open year round, the Excel Center offers day and evening courses to help balance work and class schedules. Apply online.
101 N 4th St.
Columbia, MO 65201
Mike Reynolds Director: mreynolds@mogoodwillexcel.org
The Spay Neuter Project
Services: Full payment is required at time of drop off (no checks please).
Surgeries to spay or neuter cats and dogs. Proof of rabies vaccine is required or your pet will be vaccinated for and additional charge.
Vaccines for Rabies, Canine Distemper/Parvo, Kennel Cough, Feline Leukemia, Feline Distemper
Tests for Canine Heartworms and Feline FeLV/FIV
206 Austin Ave, 1st Floor
Columbia, MO 65203
573-397-6443
info@spayneuterprojectmo.org
www.spayneuterprojectmo.org/
Unchained Melodies Dog Rescue
Homeless; low-income
Content updated Jan. 27, 2025
Unchained Melodies Dog Rescue (UMDR) is a volunteer based, nonprofit organization dedicated to freeing the chained/penned dog, and bringing our 'best friend' into the home with the family as a companion pet. Offering services to help people keep their pets to include food, training and/or supplies and spay/neuter. Working with CoMo Mobile Aid to board dogs to allow the unhoused shelter.
Director's Email: director@unchainedmelodies.org
Training Classes Email: training@unchainedmelodies.org
General Email: info@unchainedmelodies.org
Training Center
4107 White Tiger Ln
Columbia, MO 65202
573-814-8073
Animal Responsibility for Fayette Missouri (ARFFMO)
Pit Bull rescue
Content updated Nov. 10, 2023
Animal Responsibility for Fayette MO pit bull rescue has several wonderful dogs waiting for their forever homes. Are you looking to help save a life and gain a forever friend? Look no further! Rescuing a dog is, after all, one of the most gratifying things you can do.
We work hard to make sure that we take care of all of our dogs here at ARFF MO. But, unfortunately we can't do it without people like you and your donations of time and money. So, if you ever feel like you want to be a part of our family and help some of the best pooches around, check us out.
Fayette, MO
660-248-2733
Email: arffmorescue@gmail.com
Boone County Animal Care-BCAC
Content updated Jan. 21, 2025
We are a foster home-based shelter (We do not have a facility). We provide care to kittens and cats of all ages and physical condition until they are successfully adopted into a family home! Each year, we help hundreds of cats that are primarily strays, injured, or feral cats and kittens. It’s important to our mission by providing spay/neuter surgeries to all of the cats we help.
P.O. Box 30051
Columbia, MO 65201
Email: boonecountyanimalcare@gmail.com
Second Chance
Updated on: October 16, 2023
Our Mission is to advance and support relationships between people and companion pets, specifically dogs and cats, through the acts of rescue, adoption, prevention, and education.
24687 Highway 179
Boonville, MO 65233
660-882-5050
Visit Website
Central Missouri Humane Society
Content updated Oct. 20, 2025
Pet Food Pantry available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to 1 pm and on the first Saturday of each month from 10 am to 1 pm. Low-cost spay/neuter, vaccination, and microchipping services available.
Hours: Monday - Friday: 12pm to 6pm; Saturday: 12pm to 5pm; Sunday: 12pm to 3pm
616 Big Bear Blvd Columbia, MO 65202 573-443-7387
Email: staff@cmhspets.org
https://cmhspets.org
This is Quitting
Content updated Nov. 3, 2023
Free texting program to help young people quit
Text: DITCHJUUL or DITCHVVAPE to 88709
Language Partners Program
Content updated Jan. 30, 2024
A free program though MU Women’s Center that pairs a native English speaker with a nonnative English speaker to practice conversational English once a week..
Note: Language Partners Program is for University of Missouri students, staff, faculty, and extends to their family members. They do not have the capacity or staff to extend this to residents of Columbia who do not attend or work for the University of Missouri.
Women’s Center
G108 MU Student Center
Columbia, MO 65211 573-882-6621
The International Community Church (ICC)
Content updated Nov. 22, 2024
Serves international students and scholars at the University of Missouri in Columbia and provides tutoring to those learning English as a second language. We have an English Conversation class on Tuesdays.
1209 E Walnut
Columbia, MO 65201
573-631-3210
Email: wayounker@gmail.com
Centro Latino De Salud
609 N Garth Ave Columbia, MO 65203 573-449-9442 573-268-9533 (mobile)
Email
Woodhaven
Content updated Aug. 28, 2024
Woodhaven is not an institution. We are a community. We are a team of real people; working together to help adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities succeed. We’re passionate about our work. We are on a mission to change people’s lives by empowering them to find and achieve success on their own terms. Our work is not about doing things for the people we support, but about giving them the opportunity to do things for themselves, while maintaining a safe environment where they can thrive. You can check out our many programs and services at woodhaventeam.org.
Link to programs and services in Columbia.
1405 Hathman Place
Columbia, MO 65201
573-875-6181
Email: info@woodhaventeam.org