Students cannot learn if they do not have secure food and housing. To that end, below are resources to help you if you need help obtaining food or housing.
Basic Needs Initiative
The Basic Needs Initiative takes a holistic look at students’ well-being both inside and outside the classroom, from housing and food security to mental health. The site includes links to Emergency Housing Resources, Emergency Cash Resources Mental Health Programs, local Medical & Dental Services, Immigration Assistance, among other resources.
Student Emergency Basic Needs Intervention Program
The SSU Student Emergency Basic Needs Intervention Program is a comprehensive program that identifies and immediately serves some of SSU's most at-risk students, which include our displaced students, food-insecure students, and students experiencing an emergency or crisis. Visit their site to learn about the services they provide, the qualifications to join the program, and how to apply.
Jump to Food Resources; Jump to Housing Resources
Financial Aid Office
The Financial Aid Office supports students seeking and receiving financial aid. This support includes
- Entrance/Exit Counseling;
- Links to, and instructions for, filling out Financial Aid Forms;
- A Cost of Attendance information and calculator;
- How to Apply for Financial Aid, Types of Financial Aid;
- CA Dream Act Process;
- FERPA;
- Student Emergency Grants
Food Resources
CalFresh
CalFresh is a nutrition assistance program that helps low-income individuals and families buy the food they need. CalFresh dollars help stretch a tight food budget and help many people afford to incorporate healthy foods like fruits and vegetables into their diets.
Community Food Resources
The Community Food Resources page provides information on local farmers' markets, Sonoma County food pantries, hot meals, and food distribution, as well as food pantries across California.
Lobo's Pantry
The Lobo's Pantry carries nonperishable food items like pasta, canned vegetables, dry rice, powdered milk, soup, and cereal.
Pay It Forward
SSU's Pay It Forward Program helps students experiencing financial hardship by providing meals to those in need through loyalty card sharing donations. Learn how to donate by visiting the Pay it Forward page.
Housing Resources
Dining on Campus
Under normal circumstances, University Culinary Services offers a variety of on-campus dining options. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, local health orders limiting food service, and the limited number of students on-campus, all Culinary Services dining venues will be closed for the fall 2020 semester. In addition, there will not be a meal plan program offered for the fall 2020 semester. Students living on-campus have access to a kitchen in their townhome or apartment and the many dining options in the surrounding community.
Emergency Housing Resources
On the Emergency Housing Resources page you'll find information on Short-term Transitional Housing, Short-term Emergency Housing, Community Housing Resources in Sonoma and Marin Counties, and Sonoma County Winter Shelters.
Residential Education and Campus Housing (REACH)
Sonoma State provides safe, convenient, suite-style, and apartment-style housing options for our students. The REACH website provides information on Housing Rates and Options as well as Resident Services and Resources. You can also learn how to Apply for On-Campus Housing. Looking to Live Off-Campus? REACH can help you find anything local.