Basic Needs Services

Access to students essential need supports such as food, housing, wellness, student parent resources, transportation and academic supports.

Food

• Ram Food Market and Food Shelves
  • SF/Marin Food Bank - Food Finder
  • CalFresh Benefits
• SF County Benefits
  • CalFresh | Medical | Cash Aid

1. Apply online through https://benefitscal.com 
2. Connect with a representative through the Virtual Counter link below for CalFresh support - Every Wednesday, 11am - 2pm (Please visit our Virtual Counter to Register) 
3. Meet with a SparkPoint CCSF, Basic Needs Center representative for County Benefits support in Science Hall 127 or visit our Virtual Counter (Mondays 9-11am/Tuesdays 3-5pm) Meeting ID: 830 3729 4783

Housing

• SF Service Guide
• 2-1-1 Bay Area: Housing
• SF HSA - Housing Services
• Homeless At-Risk Transitional Students (HARTS) Program
  • On-campus shower access
  • Limited hygiene supplies
  • County Homelessness Response System
  • Project Homeless Connect

Wellness

• Student Health Services
  • Medical/Nursing Services
  • Mental Health Services
  • Family Pact
  • Workshops/Groups
• SF Human Services Agency
  • Food Assistance
  • Medical Services
  • Cash Assistance
    • Complete an online application at www.BenefitsCal.com
• Balboa Teen Health Center

  • Location:
    Balboa High School
    1000 Cayuga Avenue, Room 156
    San Francisco, CA 94112
    Phone Number: 415-469-4512

  • Serves: Youth, ages 12-25

  • Services:

    • Birth control
    • Sexually transmitted disease (STD) and HIV testing and treatment
    • PEP and PrEP
    • Primary care
    • Urgent care
    • Mental health and/or substance abuse counseling

• Mental Health Association of San Francisco

Essential Services in San Francisco

• www.sfserviceguide.org
• 2-1-1 Bay Area

Student Parent Resources

• Family Resource Center
  • Referrals to Student-Parent Resources
  • Lactation Room
• CalWORKs Program
• EOPS/CARE Program
• Child Development Department
• Compass Family Services
• Children's Council SF
• Wu Yee Children Services
• Moms Against Poverty
• The CA Special Supplemental Food Program: Women, Infant, Children (WIC) - [NAHC] 

Transportation

• Guardian Scholars Program
• HARTS Program
• EOPS/CARE Program
• New Directions Program
• SFMTA
  • SFMTA.com/fares
  • SFMTA.com/paratransit
  • Clipper Smart Program

Academic Support

• Textbook Resources
  • Associated Students Bookloan
  • Library 
  • Open Education Resources (OER)
  • City Dream Center
  • EOPS Program
• Technology
  • Loan Program
    • Library
  • Affordable Connectivity Program
    • Internet Essentials
  • Computers, Internet & Training
    • Community Living Campaign
    • https://www.internetforallnow.org/events/
• Bilingual Counseling Services
  • Student Counseling
• Tutoring Services
  • STAR CENTER (Rosenberg Library Room 207
    P: (415) 452-5502 E: tutoring@ccsf.edu

Employment and Education Services

Access to employment support which include Career Services, Student Employment, Handshake and Work Experience.  Additional educational supports provided by the Career Development Center offering career counseling, support for undecided students, preparation for jobs, internships, resumes, interviews and career exploration.

Career Services Office

• We offer workshops (resumes, LinkedIn, etc.), one-on-one coaching, industry research/exploration, career panels, worksite tours, networking events, career fairs, informational interviews, mock interviews, job/internship placement. Everything you need to help you land your next job. 

Office of Student Employment

• If you need help paying for college or just want to work part-time on campus the Office of Student Employment has paid job opportunities with CCSF departments. Find a job in your academic area or just find something that works with your schedule

Handshake

• Handshake is CCSF’s employer engagement platform where you can network with employers and other students, explore the companies in your industry, and check out jobs and internships they post specifically for college students. 

Work Experience

• Work Experience courses help you earn credit for working or interning. 

Career Development Center

• Career Counseling Services 
• ​​​​Counseling undecided students about educational majors or career paths  
• Prepare you for job or internship planning
• Resume and Interviewing counseling Job or Internship Search Assistance  

• Career Exploration Online  

Business, Management, and Entrepreneurship

• Entrepreneurship and Innovation Certificates
• Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

SF Human Services Agency

• JobsNOW! for Job Seekers

There are 3 ways to apply for JobsNOW (all of which are listed at the bottom of the job seeker page):

1. Call the JN hotline at 877-562-1669
2. Email us at applyforjobsnow@sfgov.org
3. Or submit an “interest form” 

Financial Services

Access to financial support such as financial aid, debt counseling, financial literacy, emergency funds, scholarship opportunities and legal consultation services.

Financial Aid Office

• FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application 
• Debt Counseling 
• Financial Literacy Resources 
• Student Emergency Fund Application (SEFA) - One-time emergency funding (up to $500). It is a limited emergency grant. 

Scholarships Office

• Full-time Incentive Grant (FTIG) - $500 (may be eligible up to four terms) Grant availability based on AB19 funding.

Legal Consultation

• Bay Area Legal Aid
• The Women's Building
• City Dream Center
  • Immigration Legal Services  

  • Referrals to legal support services 

Tax Help 

S.F. Human Services Agency

• Free Tax Help

United Way Bay Area

• Free Tax Help

Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA)

• Free Tax Help

These free tax help services support families with applying for The California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) and The Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC).

SparkPoint Dining Card

SparkPoint CCSF, Basic Needs Center Dining Card Program application is available starting January 8, 2024 for spring 2024.  The dining card will allow you to purchase hot prepared meals on Ocean Campus. Please see the flyer below, which outlines the criteria and details of how to apply. 

Enrichment Activities students can engage in consists of any of the options listed below.  Should be completed prior to a re-load and/or end of the semester.

• Financial Wellness Workshops
• Smart Money Coaching
• Workshop Wednesdays
• New County Benefit Application (Medical, CalFresh, Cash Aid) [onsite]
• SparkPoint CCSF - Medical & Mental Health Workshops [onsite]
• Office of Student Equity Listen & Learn Series and/or Equity Talks

Questions? Contact us at sparkpoint@ccsf.edu

SparkPoint Scholars Grant 

SparkPoint CCSF, Basic Needs Center is excited to launch our SparkPoint Scholars Grant in spring 2024.  This $250 grant is intended to help students meet their basic needs while being a part-time college student attaining their educational goal of certificate or degree completion.  The application opens January 15, 2024 in Scholarship Universe to part-time students who meet the eligibility criteria.  Please see the flyer below, which outlines the criteria and how to apply. 

Questions? Contact us at sparkpoint@ccsf.edu

SEFA Student Emergency Fund

The SEFA Student Emergency Fund Application is now available. The SEFA is a limited emergency grant. The purpose of the grant is for students to use the funds towards emergency related situations, including rent, food insecurities, utility cutoff notifications, etc. The maximum amount the students can apply for is $500 and the grant can only be awarded once in a lifetime. The additional criteria is as follows:

• Apply for financial aid by completing a FAFSA or CA Dream Act for the associated academic year
• Demonstrate financial need
• Be classified as a California Resident
• Enrolled in at least 6 CCSF units for the application term
• Complete Student Emergency Funds Application
• Meet Academic Standing Standards
  • 2.0 cumulative GPA
  • Completed 50% of all units attempted at CCSF
• Submit a typed personal statement explaining your financial hardship/extenuating circumstances
• Submit a comprehensive Student Education Plan
• Has not previously received Student Emergency Funds
• Provide supporting documentation of the emergency
  • E.g. Proof of eviction notice, utility shut off notification, death of parent/spouse, or other proof of rent and/or food insecurities

Grants are awarded based on urgency of need, available funding, and exhaustion of all other funding resources/options. You can view the Student Emergency Funds Application online.

For assistance completing the application, see: SEFA Application Walkthrough.

For questions, please contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@ccsf.edu or via our Financial Aid Virtual Help Counter.