Emergency Fund | Basic Needs

Basic Needs Emergency Fund

The Basic Needs Emergency Fund provides one-time financial assistance to students experiencing urgent, unanticipated expenses that impact their basic needs. This support is designed to offer immediate relief and help students remain focused on their academic and personal well-being. The Basic Needs Emergency Fund is a collaboration between the Basic Needs Center, Financial Aid & Scholarships Office and Graduate Division.

FUND ELIGIBILITY:

Enrolled in the current term
Exhausted all financial resources
Have NOT received funds from the Basic Needs Emergency Fund within the last 2 years

Meeting all three criteria does NOT guarantee financial assistance as the Basic Needs Emergency Fund team reviews each submission individually to determine funding eligibility. Our team will share alternate resources with students who are denied funding.

What the Fund Covers

Rent

Financial assistance for up to one month of rent for students experiencing new/unexpected loss of income, safety needs (displacement, SVSH, other safety needs), or students unable to afford rent due to emergency circumstances

Food

Food assistance for students with short-term food needs that exceed what the Basic Needs Food Pantry can provide. Eligible students must be in the process of applying to CalFresh, have experienced a lapse in or termination of their CalFresh benefits, be ineligible for CalFresh, or have experienced other extenuating circumstances

Other Emergency/Safety Needs

One-time financial assistance to address immediate needs brought up by an emergency situation with considerations for emergency, safety, or assistive needs

Housing Security Deposit

Financial assistance for paying a housing security deposit (Requires providing a copy of your lease agreement)

Timeline

Response times can take up to 7-10 week days. Please consider a Short-Term Emergency Loan for immediate needs.

The Basic Needs Emergency Fund team reviews each submission individually to determine funding eligibility, and our staff will share alternate resources with you if you are denied funding.