Welcome to SparkPoint CCSF Basic Needs Center!
City College of San Francisco welcomes you to our SparkPoint CCSF Basic Needs Center! Our goal is to support students' access to on-campus services and community resources that will help them thrive. Our center is student-centered, with trauma-informed staff that strives to provide equitable and inclusive support for your essential needs, available to low and no-income enrolled credit and noncredit CCSF students. We specialize in Basic Needs, Employment & Education, and Financial Support. All of our dedicated staff is here to support you, your well-being, and academic success! We care!
United Way Bay Area, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking the
cycle of poverty, to help support student parents and families meet their basic
needs and build financial stability through comprehensive financial coaching that
assists them in reducing debt. Our goal in providing one-on-one customized
financial coaching is to create financial literacy that helps our students set realistic
goals, build motivation, and maintain accountability for their financial success. We
welcome any CCSF student or family ready to take steps toward financial
empowerment.
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Why SparkPoint CCSF Basic Needs Center?
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Basic Needs
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Our Vision
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About SparkPoint CCSF Basic Needs Center
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Student Essentials Support Guides [English|Spanish|Chinese]
In fall 2021, CCSF was in the process of building a partnership with United Way Bay Area to bring SparkPoint to our institution. Sooner after, AB132 was implemented requiring Community Colleges to develop a Basic Needs Center on their campuses. Today, CCSF has SparkPoint CCSF Basic Needs Center which combined both efforts into one center to holistically address the needs of our low and no-income, needs-based students, families, and community members.
The need is clear. Findings from the #RealCollege Survey in 2023 revealed the many challenges and barriers community college students are facing in California: 58% of respondents were housing insecure; 24% were experiencing homelessness; and 47% of students reported food insecurity. Two out of three students report experiencing at least one basic needs insecurity.
To address these negative impacts, the postsecondary education trailer bill AB132 requires California Community Colleges to establish a Basic Needs Center and designate a Basic Needs Coordinator on each campus by July 1st, 2022. Other public institutions are wrestling with the same needs on their campuses. Therefore, colleges and universities are attempting to find practices that support the well-being of their students and help students stay in school, leading to increased persistence and graduation rates.
UWBA’s SparkPoint centers have been operating since 2009 in eight San Francisco Bay Area counties. SparkPoint at postsecondary institutions offer vital resources (including food pantries, financial coaching, access to public benefits, and housing resources) that encourage students to stay in school so they can be successful and fully engage in college programs.
Basic Needs
Two of every three California community college students face at least one basic needs insecurity, including lack of food and housing, according to the Real College California: Basic Needs Among California Community Colleges report. More than 66,000 students from 88 California Community Colleges (CCC) participated in the study.
Demographic Disparities with Food Insecurity
• African American/Black, American Indian/Alaskan Native, and Pacific Islander students are more likely to report food insecurities than students of other races/ethnicities.
• LGBTQ+ and Transgender students are much more likely to report food insecurities than non-LGBTQ+ students.
• Foster Youth, Single Parent and Justic-Impacted students experience the highest rates of food insecurities based on life circumstances than non-impacted populations.
Source: Community College League of California
Check out this webinar hosted by Real College California: 2023 Survey Results of California Community College (CCC) Basic Needs: (Recording) and (PPT)
Webinar recording presenting key findings from the Real College California survey that assesses the basic needs securities of students from California Community Colleges. Basic needs indices related to food, housing, and homelessness will be provided, along with disaggregated information by region and select student demographics. Implications for local and state decision-makers will also be discussed.
Source: The RP Group
SparkPoint CCSF welcomes and connects students and the community to vital on-campus and community resources. By addressing each student's unique needs with care and compassion, the Center opens doors to basic needs, employment & education opportunities, and financial support that empowers students to reach their goals.
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SparkPoint CCSF Basic Needs Center Services
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SparkPoint Food Card Program
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SparkPoint Scholars Grant
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SEFA Student Emergency Fund
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Donate to SparkPoint CCSF Basic Needs Center
SparkPoint Food Card
SparkPoint CCSF, Basic Needs Center Food Card Program application is available starting August 18th for fall 2025. 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.
- Complete a NEW CalFresh or County Benefits Application (In-person) at the SparkPoint CCSF Basic Needs Center, Student Success Center 2106, Ocean Campus or https://benefitscal.com/r/sparkpointccsf (online application)
- Partner Resource Day (In-person at 1pm) at SparkPoint CCSF Basic Needs Center, Student Success Center 2106, Ocean Campus
- Financial Wellness Workshops [virtual at 1pm] https://bit.ly/FWFA25
- Financial Coaching [in-person and/or virtual]
- Workshop Wednesdays [hybrid at 11am in Student Success Center 2106 or via zoom] https://bit.ly/WWFA25
- Office of Student Equity (OSE)
- Listen & Learn Series [virtual at 12pm] https://bit.ly/CCSFLL
- Equity Talks Speaker Series [Hybrid at 10am] https://bit.ly/ccsfequitytalks streamed online or in HBB 140 on 9/17, 10/15 & 11/12
Questions? Contact us at sparkpoint@ccsf.edu
SparkPoint Scholars Grant
SparkPoint CCSF, Basic Needs Center is excited to launch our SparkPoint Scholars Grant in fall 2025. 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 August 4, 2025 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
Enrichment Activities students can engage in consists of any of the options listed below. This requirement was extended and is due by October 23, 2025 in order to receive 2nd disbursement.
- Complete a NEW CalFresh or County Benefits Application (In-person) at the SparkPoint CCSF Basic Needs Center, Student Success Center 2106, Ocean Campus or https://benefitscal.com/r/sparkpointccsf (online application)
- Partner Resource Day (In-person at 1pm) at SparkPoint CCSF Basic Needs Center, Student Success Center 2106, Ocean Campus
- Financial Wellness Workshops [virtual at 1pm] https://bit.ly/FWFA25
- Smart Money Coaching [in-person and/or virtual]
- Workshop Wednesdays [hybrid at 11am in Student Success Center 2106 or via zoom] https://bit.ly/WWFA25
- Office of Student Equity (OSE)
- Listen & Learn Series [virtual at 12pm] https://bit.ly/CCSFLL
- Equity Talks Speaker Series [Hybrid at 10am] https://bit.ly/ccsfequitytalks streamed online or in HBB 140 on 9/17, 10/15 & 11/12
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 (Log into your student portal)
- 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.
Are you interested in making a donation to SparkPoint CCSF, Basic Needs Center
- Funding Resources: Donation Approval Form
- Nonperishable food items: (boxed and canned goods) - drop off at the center
- New Hygiene items: (shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc.)- drop off at the center
- New or Gently Used Clothing: (New socks and underwear required) gently used coats, pants, shirts, shoes accepted - drop off at SSC 2108
If you have any questions pertaining to your donation and our ability to accept these items, please call us at 415-239-3776. We, at SparkPoint CCSF, thank you in advance for your donations and contributions to ensure our students' success.