Welcome to the Basic Needs Center
The SDSU Basic Needs Center
The SDSU Basic Needs Center aims to connect students to resources that prevent or assist them through situations related to food insecurities, housing stability, or unforeseen financial crises that impact student success. Using a holistic approach to well-being, the Basic Needs Center supports students by leveraging a campus-wide collaboration that utilizes on and off-campus partnerships and provides direct referrals based on each student’s unique circumstances. The Basic Needs Center empowers students to identify and access long term, sustainable solutions during/throughout their academic career at SDSU and beyond.
What Are Basic Needs?
Basic needs are fundamental to students’ dignity and success throughout their higher education experience. They include: food security; housing security, financial stability, health and wellness, child and dependent care, transportation; and technology and broadband.
Transportation Assistance Application
The Spring 2025 Transportation Assistance Application is open for students who cannot otherwise afford an MTS pass or SDSU parking permit, or for students who paying for an MTS pass or SDSU parking permit will cause financial insecurity. Complete the application to see if you may be eligible for support for Spring 2025.
Supplemental Grocery Assistance Program
The Spring 2025 Supplemental Grocery Assistance Program (SGAP) is intended to provide SDSU students with additional funding to reduce food insecurity.
You may be eligible for SGAP if you have a financial need for food but are ineligible to receive CalFresh for reasons other than income.
Economic Crisis Response Team (ECRT) Assistance
The ECRT can help any SDSU student connect with resources, both on and off campus, to help get you through your immediate food, housing, or financial crisis. Students can request assistance from ECRT using the Request Assistance link above.
After you submit the form, you will receive an email from ECRT with resources and next steps for assistance. Within 72 business hours, an ECRT staff member will be in contact with you regarding your specific situation and the information you provided on the assistance form. If possible, please add the staff member’s emails below to your contact list, or frequently check your spam folder.
CalFresh is a program that provides monthly food benefits to assist low-income households in purchasing the food they need to maintain adequate nutritional levels. Full-time and part-time students can connect with a representative who can answer questions and walk students through the pre-screening eligibility process. Click the link above to learn more about this program and to see if you qualify.
Request up 10 basic needs items per month. Choose from a variety of hygiene supplies, menstrual products, school supplies, diapers, baby wipes, & more!
Apply using the link above to be considered for the Fee Relief Grant. You can apply for the Fee Relief Grant in the beginning of each semester.
Volunteer with the Basic Needs Center
Volunteering with us is great way to see how the SDSU Basic Needs Center functions.
Interested in volunteering with us, click the link above to apply.
Request a Presentation or Tour of the Basic Needs Center
Please use this form to request a presentation or a tour of the Basic Needs Center. Presentations and tours are both approximately 30 minutes in length, and will include information on services and resources provided by the Basic Needs Center.
The Associated Students Food Pantry provides nutritious food and food program referral services for SDSU students experiencing food insecurity. Visit the A.S. Food Pantry in the Aztec Student Union. Use the link above to find hours and additional information.
See a list of Food Resources available to support students.
Click the link above to access food, housing, financial, technology & transportation and other resources. If you are facing an immediate economic crisis, please submit a Request for Assistance form to the Economic Crisis Response Team (ECRT).
Also, this General Community Resources Document contains community resources reflecting a diverse community need.
iGrad will assess your finances in less than 5 minutes and recommend tools, content, and courses for your goals. Students and staff have access to iGrad, your source for no-cost financial wellness and education. iGrad features dynamic and interactive financial tools, courses, and resources to deliver a highly personalized experience designed just for you.
Would You Like to Support Students Through ECRT? Donations can be made to our ECRT Emergency Fund to help students with urgent basic needs support.
Basic Needs & Wellness Toolkit
Tangible tips, resources and advice for Faculty, Staff, and Student Leaders on how to identify students in crisis and connect students to support resources.
Meet Our Staff
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Evie Baez, MSW
Dustin Adkins
Briana Gonzalez
Alexandria Ramseier