We’re invested in you as a student. Your well-being is a priority when undertaking a world-class education. Below you will find resources to help you keep your health at optimal levels as well as additional information to help you in times of need here at Berkeley.
Basic Needs Center
The Basic Needs Center (BNC) supports students with food, housing, and financial stability resources, and connects students to other essential services. Located in the MLK Jr. Student Union, the BNC offers holistic care, helping students navigate both campus and community resources through in-person visits or our online Basic Needs Assistance Form.
Food
As living costs rise, food insecurity — the lack of nutritious food — is becoming a significant issue for college students across the country. Food insecurity can affect any student. UC Berkeley works to ensure our students become food secure so that they can successfully complete and obtain their degrees.
The Basic Needs Center Food Pantry, located at the MLK Jr. Student Union, provides emergency food to UC Berkeley students while they explore campus food security resources.
The Bear Pantry, located at University Village in Albany, provides an emergency food supply to low-income UC Berkeley students who have dependent children and who receive tuition assistance through the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office.
Assistance with CalFresh applications is available through the Basic Needs Center. Also known as SNAP/EBT, CalFresh is a federally funded program that provides monetary assistance for purchasing food.
Nutrition resources are available through University Health Services, including tips on how to eat on a budget, as well as lists of nearby low-cost grocery stores.
Housing
Safe, secure, and stable housing is essential to support your UC Berkeley education.
Emergency housing
The Basic Needs Center Emergency Housing Program provides short-term emergency housing to students who are unhoused or at imminent risk of losing their housing. Emergency housing is for students who are in situations that include safety concerns, unforeseen and unplanned housing disruptions including displacement and imminent eviction, other crisis situations, or living in public or places not intended for habitation (vehicle, park, etc).
Emergency rental assistance and housing security deposit support
The Basic Needs Center Emergency Fund can provide one-time financial assistance to students experiencing unanticipated expenses that impact their basic needs. The fund includes assistance for housing costs including:
- Rent 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.
- The Housing Security Deposit Award Fund, which provides financial assistance for paying a housing security deposit. This is funded by student fees and created through a popularly supported student fee referendum. Past recipients are encouraged to repay some or all of what was awarded to help future recipients.
Financial literacy
The Center for Financial Wellness provides essential financial literacy information to help you manage your money and build for the future. Attend a group workshop, or book a one-on-one appointment.
Mental health support
Free mental health services and resources are available to all students through University Health Services.
Childcare
Subsidized childcare is available through UC Berkeley’s Early Childhood Education Program (ECEP) to qualifying UC Berkeley student parents. In fact, student parents receive priority for a number of free or reduced fee spaces. ECEP provides high-quality early learning and care for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
Centers for Educational Equity and Excellence
The Centers for Educational Equity and Excellence offer a comprehensive array of programs that support former foster youth, veterans, re-entry students, first-generation students, low-income students, student parents, undocumented students, and transfer students of all ages and life experiences. Connect with a program that matches your needs and find connections to resources and community that can help support your journey at UC Berkeley.
Financial aid appeals and emergency loans
Short-Term Emergency Loans are available to both undergraduate and graduate students who need a short-term solution for unanticipated expenses related to their cost of education.
Appeals can be made through the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office for special circumstances, economic hardship, or to adjust a student’s cost of attendance.