TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS
Do you need access to a laptop, webcam, and/or wifi to participate in your virtual courses? If so, complete the SDSU Technology Request form and a representative from the SDSU library’s technology checkout services will connect with you about how to checkout the equipment. The library’s technology checkout services serve both the San Diego SDSU and Imperial Valley campus. Click below to be connected to the Library's technology checkout services.
San Diego State University is following the guidelines of county, state and federal
public health officials and other authorities as it continues its academic and research
mission during the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit the university’s COVID-19 site and SDSU Flex site for more information.
San Diego State University is following the guidelines of county, state and federal public health officials and other authorities as it continues its academic and research mission during the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit the university’s COVID-19 site and SDSU Flex site for more information.
- Did something unexpected happen causing you to need food or housing immediately?
- Are you only eating once a day because you don't have enough money to buy food?
- Are you struggling to find a safe, stable place to sleep?
We want to help you find the assistance you need!
The Economic Crisis Response Team 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 form button below. or by emailing [email protected].
After you submit the form, you will receive an email from ECRT with resources and next steps for assistance. Within 72 hours, an ECRT Coordinator will be in contact with you regarding your specific situation and the information you provide on the assistance form. If possible, please add the coordinator’s emails below to your contact list, or frequently check your spam folder.
- Chelsea Payne, ECRT Coordinator, [email protected]
- Keiara Allen, ECRT Housing Stability Coordinator, [email protected]
- Dustin Adkins, ECRT Resource Coordination Assistant, [email protected]
Please click on the button below to request assistance for an immediate food, housing, or other financial crisis.
We also encourage you to explore the resources included on this site. Please note that we cannot guarantee the timeliness or type of response a student may receive from any outside source being referenced on this site.
Resources for Students in
Economic Crisis
BECOME AN ECRT ADVOCATE!
This 2.5 hour virtual training teaches faculty, staff, and students:
- How to be an advocate for students' basic needs
- A working understanding of basic needs and basic needs services at SDSU
- What ECRT does and how students can access it

The A.S. Food Pantry is open via walk-up on Wednesdays and Thursdays in the Aztec
Student Union and via reservation-only drive up on Fridays.
Visit the A.S. Food Pantry website for times and additional information. See a list of more Food Resources available to support students at this time.

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 above to request a phone appointment with a CalFresh representative.

This General Resources Document is intended to help students. Our resources reflect a diverse community need. ECRT staff are updating this document daily. Click on the link above to view general community resources.
OUR MISSION
SDSU’s Economic Crisis Response Team (ECRT) aims to bridge the gap in resources for students experiencing immediate food, housing, or unforeseen financial crises that impact student success. Using a holistic approach to well-being, ECRT supports students through crisis by leveraging a campus-wide collaboration that utilizes on and off-campus partnerships and provides direct referrals based on each student’s unique circumstances. ECRT empowers students to identify and access short- and long-term, sustainable solutions in an effort to successfully graduate from SDSU.
ECRT Partners
- Financial Aid and Scholarships
- Business and Financial Affairs
- Counseling & Psychological Services
- Student Life and Leadership
- Housing Administration
- Well-being and Health Promotion
- Educational Opportunity Programs and Ethnic Affairs
- Aztec Shops
- Career Services
- Associated Students
- Student Affairs Communication Services
- International Student Center
- College of Health and Human Services
Read about SDSU Expanding Efforts to Meet Students' Basic Needs
ECRT Basic Needs Grant
For students who have exhausted all other financial resources, the Basic Needs Grant
may bridge a gap in immediate needs. This grant is administered by ECRT with the purpose
of assisting students who need immediate assistance with food, housing, and/or financial
needs. Students must work with a coordinator to see if they are eligible and if this
is the right option for them.
Students should submit a request to ECRT to learn more.
MEET OUR ECRT staff
Chelsea Payne, MSW
ECRT Coordinator
Chelsea Payne is the ECRT coordinator here to support SDSU students experiencing homelessness,
food insecurity and other economic crises
as identified by the student.
Chelsea is a fellow Aztec, having obtained her bachelor's and master's degrees in social work from SDSU. Before coming to work for SDSU, she worked with children and families in an educational setting, spent time as a case manager and worked in research and organizational development. As the ECRT coordinator, Chelsea works with each individual student to understand their unique situation and helps them address whatever challenges they may face with a holistic and resourceful mindset.
Chelsea is committed to serving the students at SDSU by utilizing and building upon the resources that can help our students thrive.
Contact: [email protected]
Keiara Allen, MSW
ECRT Housing Stability Coordinator
Keiara Allen is ECRT's Housing Stability Coordinator here to assist students experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity, and housing related crisis to regain stability during their time at SDSU. Keiara is also helping students in urgent housing crisis find stability through our new Rapid Re-Housing Program.
As an Alumni of SDSU, Keiara has returned to SDSU to help students navigate housing
while managing the stressors of University life. Prior to working for SDSU, Keiara
worked for the County of San Diego's Housing and Community Development Department,
and prior to that as a Supervisor for the Rapid Re-Housing at a local non-profit.
Keiara's role
as the Housing Stability Coordinator is focused on helping students ensure housing
so all students thrive.
Keiara can provide you with advice on your housing situation, provide resources and solutions that will guide you to housing self-sufficiency.
Contact: [email protected]
Dustin Adkins
ECRT Coordination Assistant
Dustin Adkins is our ECRT Coordination Assistant. After earning his Bachelor of Arts
in Economics and Sociology at SDSU, Dustin came on board ready to continue expanding
access to basic needs on campus.
He focuses mostly on the logistical backend and planning to support the ECRT Coordinators
by working with grant funding, connecting students with various resources, overseeing
Student Support Advocates, and more.
Dustin comes with background experience in basic needs work that he gained from various positions within campus organizations and Associated Students. During his time at SDSU, he has led the A.S. Food Pantry, chaired the Aztecs Rock Hunger Leadership Team, and served as the Vice President of Financial Affairs for Associated Students.
He has a passion for ensuring that basic needs are met for all students, and is excited to continue this work for SDSU.
Contact: [email protected]