Basic Needs

CHEBNA Takeaways: Addressing Basic Needs Holistically

Strategies aimed at addressing basic needs challenges were discussed at the California Higher Education Basic Needs Alliance (CHEBNA) 2026 Annual Conference, which took place in Sacramento, CA from February 10, 2026 to February 11, 2026. Understanding that basic needs encompass a multitude of areas, from food security, housing stability, financial literacy, course materials access and more, is fundamental to supporting student success. Below, you’ll find some resource highlights from CHEBNA that were shared by colleges and universities in attendance. Additionally, this article discusses equivalent/similar programs available at SFSU, as well as areas that are not covered by SFSU programs due to restrictions (i.e. budget cuts, staffing limitations, etc.).  

 

 

Food Pantries 

Various academic institutions host on-campus food pantries to increase accessibility of food (e.g. produce, snacks, shelf-stable items, etc.) to their student population. An on-campus location for students to pick up food items whenever they come onto campus for classes, work, or activities creates a more convenient and approachable option. 

 

Associated Students (AS) Food Pantry and Gator Groceries @ SFSU 

An emergency food program open Monday-Thursday for students to pick up free food at the bottom floor of the Cesar Chavez Student Center. Students can select from the pantry’s available stock, and they kindly ask that students bring their own bags/boxes/carts to collect and transport their groceries in an effort to reduce waste. Follow their Instagram @as_foodpantry_sfsu for updates on weekly in-stock groceries.1 Students are able to go on a walk-in basis to the Food Pantry and Gator Groceries during their hours for the Spring 2026 semester: 

  • Mondays: 12pm-6pm
  • Tuesdays - Thursdays: 11am-5pm
  • Closed Fridays 

 

 

Food Financial Assistance (for CalFresh ineligible students) 

For students that are ineligible for CalFresh, specifically due to the U.S. citizenship or permanent residency requirement, some academic institutions provide a CalFresh-alternative food financial assistance program. Basic Needs Centers at UC Davis and San Diego City College have programs designed to help CalFresh-ineligible students that would otherwise be eligible to receive benefits if there was no citizenship requirement, such as the AggieFresh program at UC Davis and the Ensuring All Thrive (EAT) program in partnership with the Undocumented Resource Center (URC) at San Diego City College.2,3 These programs are typically structured in the same way as CalFresh: apply using an online form, do an interview with your case worker, receive monthly funds to purchase groceries (via grocery service cards), and complete a recertification to maintain benefits. 

 

CalFresh Help Clinic @ the SFSU Basic Needs Center 

The CalFresh Help Clinic supports students in navigating CalFresh, which is a federally funded program that grants qualified individuals up to $292/month. On their website, you'll find more information on the qualifications and what to expect throughout the application process.4 You can also make an appointment to meet with a CalFresh Navigator for support in understanding if you’re eligible and/or want help applying by sending them a message at this email: calfresh@sfsu.edu 

 

Unfortunately, the CalFresh Help Clinic does not have a specific program to support students that are considered ineligible for CalFresh due to the citizenship requirements. Given constraints related to budgeting and staffing, it is not possible to implement a food financial support program that provides funds directly to students. Currently, the CalFresh Help Clinic and Basic Needs Center focus their efforts on connecting students to established food resources (both on-campus and off-campus), available regardless of citizenship status. 

 

 

Course Material Lending 

Another piece of student success is reliable access to course materials, such as textbooks, devices (e.g. laptops, tablets, etc.), stationary, personal items, etc. To promote academic achievement, many universities have loan or rental programs in which students can borrow course materials for the current term or their entire college career. A vital resource like this is essential to aiding students in their academic journey; however, it is worth mentioning that barriers remain which could discourage student participation, like late fees and replacements costs. 

 

J. Paul Leonard Library @ SFSU 

Academic Technology, located in the SFSU Library Room 80, offers a Laptop Checkout program for students to borrow Apple Macintosh or Dell laptops throughout the semster.5 Students can choose to borrow a laptop for a single day (short-term checkout) or for an entire semester (long-term checkout), depending on their needs and device access, depending on student needs and device availability. Stop by LIB 80 for single-day (short-term) checkout or fill out their online Student Library Laptop Loan Request form for semester-long checkout.6 Please note that there are late fees for returning the borrowed materials (laptop and/or power adapter) after the day/time it is due, and there are replacement fees for lost/damaged/non-returned materials as well.  

 

The J. Paul Leonard Library has materials available for students to borrow at no cost, such as textbooks, books, ebooks, media, course reserves, journal articles, and more.7 Materials may be available to check out as a hard copy and/or electronic version from the J. Paul Leonard Library or other libraries in the CSU system through the Interlibrary Loan Service.8 Please note that some materials are available to check out for an entire semester; however, there are some materials with shorter borrowing timeframes (ranging from a few hours to a couple months). To check out an item, you can: 

  1. Visit the library in-person and locate the material(s) of interest. Bring your materials to the checkout counter on the first floor and present your Student ID to the staff member. *There are desktops located throughout the library where you can browse the SFSU Library OneSearch database and find the presice location of your item(s) of interest.
  2. Use the SFSU Library OneSearch database to search for the material(s) of interest and submit a request for the material(s). When you receive an email that the item(s) are available to pick up, visit the checkout counter on the first floor and present your Student ID to the staff member. *You can request materials from the SFSU library and other CSU libraries by using the OneSearch database. 

 

Associated Students (AS) Project Connect Book Loan Program 

The AS Project Connect Book Loan Program provides all SFSU students in need with the opportunity to borrow a textbook at no cost for an entire semester.10 Project Connect accepts applications at the beginning of each Fall and Spring semester, and they offer priority access to students in partner programs (such as TRIO/SOAR, EOP, Project Rebound, AS BOD, ECEC, AB-540, GSP, METRO, Veterans, and DPRC). For more information on how to access their application or to view their book loan inventory, visit their website.10 

 

 

Legal Assistance (Immigration, Housing, etc.) 

Understanding the unique needs of each university’s student population is crucial to nurturing student success. The colleges in the San Diego Community College District serve a large undocumented student population, and they’ve adapted their student resource programs to assist students seeking out legal counseling, class advising, mental health support, etc. At San Francico State University, the Dream Resource Center and the Associated Students Legal Resource Center help students access support in answering immigration and law-related questions or concerns. 

 

Dream Resource Center @ SFSU 

The Dream Resource Center (DRC) works with undocumented students and students living in mixed status homes, regardless of DACA, AB 540/SB 68, and/or CA Dream Act eligibility.11 Students can reach out to the DRC for academic advising, legal services, scholarship opportunities/financial literacy, career development, advocacy and peer support, housing and food insecurity, residency support, CA DREAM Act support, and more. Currently, the DRC has a partnership with Immigrant Legal Defense (ILD) to provide immigration legal services free of charge to CSU students and employees.12 For more information, please visit their website or contact drc@sfsu.edu. 

 

Associated Students (AS) Legal Resource Center @ SFSU 

The AS Legal Resource Center (LRC) serves to answer law-related questions or concerns and connects SFSU students to Bay Area legal organizations/programs.13 Please note that the LRC does not offer legal advice or legal representation. They host events throughout the school year to educate and empower students on legal topics, such as tenant’s rights, law school information, allyship to undocumented individuals, legal gender and name change, and more. For the most up-to-date information on their upcoming events and workshops, visit their Instagram or their website.13,14 

 

References 

  1. Associated Students Food Pantry & Gator Groceries. @as_foodpantry_sfsu. https://www.instagram.com/as_foodpantry_sfsu?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==, Accessed March 11, 2026.
  2. Aggie Compass Basic Needs Center. AggieFresh, https://aggiecompass.ucdavis.edu/aggiefresh, Accessed March 11, 2026.
  3. San Diego Community College District. Supporting the undocumented community at City College. April 29, 2025. https://www.sdccd.edu/departments/communications/newscenter/articles/2025/supporting-undocumented-students.aspx, Accessed March 11, 2026
  4. Basic Needs. CalFresh Help Clinic. https://basicneeds.sfsu.edu/calfresh-help-clinic, Accessed March 11, 2026.
  5. Academic Technology. Laptop Checkout, https://at.sfsu.edu/laptop-checkout, Accessed March 11, 2026.
  6. SFSU Service Now. Student Library Laptop Loan Request, https://sfsu.service-now.com/sp?id=sc_cat_item&sys_id=9ba4bc07db2a185081fd16994b9619f5, Accessed March 11, 2026.
  7. J. Paul Leonard Library. Borrow & Renew, https://library.sfsu.edu/borrow, Accessed March 11, 2026.
  8. J. Paul Leonard Library. Interlibrary Loan, https://library.sfsu.edu/interlibrary-loan, Accessed March 11, 2026.
  9. J. Paul Leonard Libray. SFSU Library OneSearch, https://csu-sfsu.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?vid=01CALS_SFR%3A01CALS_SFR&lang=en, Accessed March 11, 2026.
  10. Associated Students. Project Connect Book Loan, https://asi.sfsu.edu/as-book-loan, Accessed March 11, 2026.
  11. Dream Resource Center. https://drc.sfsu.edu/, Accessed March 11, 2026.
  12. Dream Resource Center. Legal Services, https://drc.sfsu.edu/Legal-Services, Accessed March 11, 2026.
  13. Associated Students. Legal Resources Center, https://asi.sfsu.edu/legal-resource-center, Accessed March 11, 2026.
  14. Associated Students Legal Resource Center. @as_lrc_sfsu, https://www.instagram.com/as_lrc_sfsu/, Accessed March 11, 2026. 

 

The Off Compass - Your Guide to Navigating Life Beyond the Dorms

Hey Gators! Whether you are an undergraduate student currently living on campus, looking to move off campus, a graduate student moving to San Francisco looking for city housing, or simply in search of a living space in the city, the following article will provide a breakdown of how to navigate your off-campus search and the steps and considerations you should take! 

 

Determine Your Budget 

Ideally, your rent should not exceed 30% of your monthly income. With San Francisco being an expensive and competitive market, this can be unrealistic for many folks. Before beginning your search and falling in love with any homes or neighborhoods you come across, you must first identify your budget and how much you are truly willing to afford to pay. Explore your options first. If you’re receiving support from a relative, communicate an appropriate price. If you’re looking for more affordable options independently, we also encourage you to consider co-living. Consider fees aside from rent, such as utilities and amenities, into your budget as well.   

 

Distance - Master Your Commute 

Consider your commute. Determine how comfortable you are with living close by or far from campus. Will you need to drive to campus every day, or will a 10-minute bus ride be your routine? In the moment, a 30-minute drive may not seem too bad, but when you're running late to an exam during a morning-rush, those 30-minutes can turn into an hour, causing headaches.  

 

As an SFSU student, you have access to many services through your student ID, with one of the perks being transit benefits. You are provided with free unlimited rides for all modes of transit that accept Clipper Cards during the Fall and Spring semester(s), which is extremely useful for commuting or visiting places around the city or the Bay Area.  For more in-depth information or inquiry, visit the Clipper Card Transit Benefits page.  

 

Finding your Neighborhood 

Now that you have identified your budget and your preferred distance, you can begin looking and evaluating neighborhoods that offer homes within your preferences. Common neighborhoods that SFSU students reside in include Sunset, Daly City, Ingleside, Richmond, Lakeside, and so on. Examine how safe a neighborhood is. Do you prefer to live in a busy or quiet neighborhood? Do you need or have access to public transportation? Do you prefer to be in proximity to stores, restaurants, libraries, and parks? Considering these factors will help you narrow down what neighborhood is the best fit for you.  

 

Accessible Transportation and Stores 

As mentioned in the previous step, another factor you should consider is the proximity to transit and local markets. Questions you should ask yourself are: How far is the nearest Muni/ Bart stop? Are there grocery stores within walking distance? Whether you're driving or using public transit for your commute, it is important to note the transit routes and stops accessible to you. Similarly, you should try to aim for a neighborhood that provides you access to grocery stores and fresh produce within at least a mile radius. 

 

Though San Francisco has various forms of public transit, a few neighborhoods that score 100/100 on a transit score are the Downtown San Francisco, Union Square, Financial District, Rincon Hill, Tenderloin, and Chinatown areas. Other neighborhoods with high access to public transit are Mint Hill, Lower Nob Hill, South of Market, Nob Hill, and South Beach. These types of neighborhoods have access to various bus stops, Muni stops, markets, coffee shops, and more! 

 

 Know Where to Look and Connect 

 If you choose to co-live, searching for potential roommates could be incredibly challenging and discouraging. If you have any previous roommates, reach out to them and ask them if they would consider moving into a new space with you, or ask your personal or even academic connections. If that becomes too challenging, connecting with other students via social platforms groups could be a better path. Here are some Facebook groups you can explore and engage with to connect with others! 

 

Facebook Groups:  

To effectively explore your apartment options, consider using websites like: 

Below are encouraged questions to ask potential housemates / roommates: 

Roommate Agreement Template:  

 

Know Your Rights 

As a tenant, you are entitled to legal rights that protect you.  Tenant rights consist of protection from unjust or unnoticed evictions, rent increases, unsafe housing, and landlord retaliation. The San Francisco Tenants Union has more information on rent control, evictions, etc., linked here. You are also welcome to access more information through this tenant rights article or from our Off-Campus Housing resource guide here.  

 

As a tenant, something you should never do is send money to a landlord without signing a lease first. Avoid neglected or poorly maintained properties, a landlord who refuses to show you their unit, and a non-written lease agreement. Ensure you verify the landlord, confirming they own the property they’re listing.  

 

Student Spotlight 

Lizzy, a fellow student care coordinator, is currently a graduate student, pursuing their Master’s of Social Work. Transitioning from Sacramento to San Francisco was not easy for Lizzy, but below are a few things she did that helped her navigate her off-campus housing search, and tips she would give to those who are currently in their search. (Q=Question I asked Lizzy, A= Lizzy’s Response) 

 

Q: How was your process in finding off-campus housing in the city? 

A:  It was rough. I applied to different houses on Craigslist and Zillow. I quickly learnt that private landlords are more flexible and are willing to hear us (roommate group) out, compared to rental companies.  In San Francisco, many rental companies aren’t as flexible as private landlords. I found my roommate group through personal and academic connections, but I know many students search for theirs via Facebook Groups. 

 

Q: What is one piece of advice you could give students in their own off-campus search? 

A: One piece of advice I would give students is to make sure you are comfortable and trust the people you are living with (if in a co-living situation). Communicate with your roommates and decide who will be the designated person responsible for paying the monthly expenses. I would also say, stay safe, beware of fake listings, make sure they’re realistic, and make sure to tour any place you apply to in-person.  

 

Lizzy’s Tips: 

  • Tour places in person
  • Apply to various locations, don’t put all your eggs in one basket
  • Apply sooner rather than later; do not wait until the last minute
  • Consider commute distance and note accessible transportation  

 

In all, we hope this breakdown was able to provide some clarity and offer new and helpful information! If in need of extra support and guidance, access our Off-Campus Housing Program overview, or get in touch with us at basicneeds@sfsu.edu.  

 

References:  

  1. Living Off Campus. Icansucceed.org. Published 2026. Accessed March 6, 2026. https://www.icansucceed.org/college-planning/campus-life/living-off-campus
  2. ‌Corner C. A Guide for Deciding Where to Move Temporarily | CORT. CORT Furniture Rental Blog. Published September 27, 2018. Accessed March 6, 2026. https://blog.cort.com/moving/deciding-where-to-move-temporarily-how-to-find-safe-great-neighborhoods/
  3. ‌Corner C. 7 Tips to Choose Off-Campus Student Housing | CORT. CORT Furniture Rental Blog. Published April 2, 2019. Accessed March 6, 2026. https://blog.cort.com/tips/7-things-to-consider-when-searching-for-off-campus-student-housing/
  4. ‌Kline M. A Student’s Guide on How to Find Off-Campus Housing. Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling & More. Published September 17, 2025. Accessed March 6, 2026. https://www.redfin.com/blog/how-to-find-off-campus-housing/#Evaluate-various-neighborhoods
  5. Tenants’ Rights Information. San Francisco Tenants Union. Published 2026. Accessed March 6, 2026. https://sftu.org/tenants-rights/
  6. Canario, Mario. “Red Flags Every Renter Should Look out For.” Rentenigma.com, 31 Mar. 2025, www.rentenigma.com/red-flags-every-renter-should-look-out-for. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
  7. “Best Neighborhoods for Public Transit in San Francisco.” Redfin.com, 2026, www.redfin.com/city/17151/CA/San-Francisco/most-transit-friendly-neighborhoods. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026. 

Into Spring 2026: Our Fall Recap

Hello Gators! For the last newsletter of the Fall 2025 semester, all of us here at Basic Needs would like to share with you a summary of the work and efforts we achieved so far. Firstly, we want to highlight our team’s response to helping students affected by the delay of CalFresh/EBT Benefits in early November. We were able to provide students in need with various resources, including Emergency Meal Cards (for free meal swipes at the dining halls on-campus), Emergency Grocery Gift Cards (for students to use at their local grocery store or market), and Grocery Bags (for pickup in-office, containing a few grocery staples: shelf-stable carbs, proteins, milk, grains/oats, single-meal items, etc.). In addition to the resources we provided students directly, we continued to refer students to other on-campus and off-campus assistance (like the Associated Students Food Pantry & Gator Groceries and local food pantries).

 

Secondly, we’re so grateful to all of you who joined us for the events we put together and hosted this semester. We organized a variety of events and workshops, from Understanding Your Financial Aid Package to discussing Medi-Cal Eligibility to Decorating a Tote Bag with CalFresh to raising awareness of intersecting barriers during Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week to tabling across campus. Throughout the semester ,you could’ve found us at our office (SSB 301), our event space (SSB 304), the Cesar Chavez Student Center, the Malcolm X Plaza, AS Farmer’s Market, AS Food Pantry & Gator Groceries, the McKenna Theater, and more!

 

As the semester starts to ramp up, we would like to wish you all luck with everything and we look forward to seeing you throughout this semester!

 

Events we held Fall 2025:

Budget Your Bucks, Secure Your Future! (9/24/25, 4:30pm-6:00pm)

Welcome Week (10/13 – 10/16)

  • Build Your Own Soda (10/13, 12:00pm-2:00pm)
  • Scavenger Hunt (10/14, 2:00pm-4:00pm)
  • Tote Bag Decor + Resource FAQ (10/16, 1:00pm-3:00pm)

Medi-Cal Eligibility and Enrollment Workshop (10/22, 3:30pm-5:00pm)

CalFresh Outreach Week (10/27 – 10/30)

  • CalFresh Connect (10/27, all day long) – learn about new LPIEs,
  • Decorate a Tote Bag (10/28, 12:30pm-2:30pm)
  • Sample a Recipe (10/29, 1:00pm-2:30pm)
  • Grab a Halloween Treat @ the AS Farmer’s Market (10/30, 12:30pm-2:30pm)

Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (11/10 – 11/14)

  • Winter Clothing and Professional Attire Drive (weeklong)
  • Kitchen Demo + Cooking Challenge (11/13, 4:00pm-5:30pm)

CalFresh x Kinesiology Tabling (11/17, 12:30pm-2:00pm)

Gator Flix ft. Student Films w/ LCA Live – Beyond the Bridge: A Solutions to Homelessness (11/19, 5:30pm) and Screen Printing + Resource Fair (before film screening)

 

 

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