Basic Needs Support

Every SFSU student deserves to succeed, but it can be difficult when they are challenged in other aspects of their lives. The Basic Needs Center (BNC) knows it’s hard to focus on college when you experience any type of insecurity. The office will help you reach their full potential by supporting you via food, housing and financial crisis support programs, services and referrals. BNC supports students by responding to housing and hunger insecurity through sustainable and student-informed programs and policies. If you’re not sure about what you need or simply have questions, stop by the office to learn more.

Affordable (and Free!) Food

The Basic Needs Center (along with partners like Gator Health and Wellbeing and Associated Students) runs several programs to ensure students get nutritious meals.

Qualified students can get financial support to afford food. BNC is home to the CalFresh Help Clinic. It will help students determine eligibility and navigate the application process. Through the emergency meals program, students can apply for one-time support to get free meals at the Monarca Dining Hall. Check BNC for eligibility and more details.

SFSU programs also offer free food. Associated Students run Food Pantry and Gator Groceries, which provides students free produce and pantry staples — enough groceries for a week — simply with a flash of a valid SFSU student ID. The program posts weekly groceries on the AS Instagram. Students can also sign up for the Gator Grub Alert, a free opt-in channel on the SF State Mobile app, to get notified when staff and faculty post excess catered food after events.

Navigating Bay Area Housing

Contact BNC if you are experiencing housing insecurity. They may be able to help with emergency grants or help connect you to community resources. You can also find resources for off-campus housing and tips for renting and finding a roommate on their website.

Figure Out Your Finances

BNC offers several programs and services to help you manage and improve your financial literacy and security. SFSU recently partnered with SparkPoint to offer students one-on-one financial coaching to help improve their financial situation. The program aims to help students meet basic needs, increase income and savings, reduce debt and build credit. Connect with BNC to learn about other programs such as the Hope Response team for financial crisis support and other economic support.

BNC also provides free care supplies in their office for for laundry and personal hygiene. Diapers and wipes are also available to parenting students.

Visit the Basic Needs Center