Financial Security

Basic Needs Grant

The Basic Needs Grant program will no longer be accepting requests. Request for the Basic Needs Grant will reopen on  August 5, 2024.

Please refer to the  CSUSB and Community Resource Guide for alternative support. You can also receive assistance and referrals by visiting the Basic Needs and Student Support Center located in SMSU South 118 or scheduling an appointment with a member of our team to discuss your individual situation. 

Request Information: 

The Basic Needs Grant Program was established to assist CSUSB students experiencing unexpected urgent financial need by removing financial roadblocks to degree completion and well-being. This grant provides eligible students with one-time financial assistance up to $500. Grant funds are meant to address temporary financial hardship due to unforeseen life events. Basic Needs Grants for housing assistance and academic retention may exceed $500 on a case-by-case basis depending on individual circumstances.

The Basic Needs Grant program is sponsored by CSUSB Basic Needs and Student Support, made possible through the generous support of donors, funding from the State of California, and Philanthropic Donations. 

The Basic Needs Grant is not a loan and does not need to be repaid. 

Requirements:

• Must be a currently enrolled CSUSB undergraduate or graduate student in good standing.
• Must be able to specifically document the nature of the economic hardship and the urgent financial situation (supporting documentation required; e.g. car repair estimate, police reports, medical bills, eviction notice, utility disconnection notice, etc.)
• If requested, must meet with a Basic Needs Coordinator or CARE Case Manager to develop and implement a mutually agreed upon action plan to improve financial sustainability.

Note: Citizenship status does not affect eligibility for this grant.

Below are a few examples to assist you in determining if you may qualify for the Basic Needs Grant program.

• Unexpected economic challenges due to loss of income
• Travel home for illness or death in the immediate family
• Homelessness or displacement due to an unforeseen event or unsafe living conditions
• Documented theft of books and other essential academic belongings
• Uninsured dental or medical emergency
• Loss of Transportation, car accident or unforeseen car repairs

Examples of Expenses Not Eligible for the Basic Needs Grant:

• Legal representation
• Loss of income covered by unemployment benefits
• Credit Card or Student Loan Debt
• Parking or traffic tickets
• Entertainment, recreation or other non-essential expense
• Expenses already submitted for funding through another Emergency Grant program
• Expected or planned expenses:
  • Permanent Housing (i.e. expenses related to your student housing contract)
  • Tuition
  • DMV renewals

Requests for the above expected expenses will only be considered if payments could not be made due to unforeseen/unexpected urgent and/or catastrophic events which has caused a redirection of resources.

Bridging the Gap Application

As a result of generous grants from the Auen Foundation and the H.N. & Frances C. Berger Foundation, the Bridging the Gap fund is here to help students who are struggling with uncommon financial stress to overcome and continue to persist in achieving their college goals. We know well that sometimes an unexpected circumstance or a financial burden is just enough to make it impossible for a student to finish a semester, complete a key course, or participate in a required out-of-class learning opportunity. This fund will provide financial support for up to $1,500.00 per academic year to alleviate the concerns of a financial EMERGENCY crisis that may prevent a student from continuing to attend the university.

Please note that these funds cannot be used to pay tuition.

Students are eligible for support if they meet all of the following criteria:

• Must be a CSUSB Palm Desert Campus full-time student during the semester in which they apply;
• Must live in the Coachella Valley;
• Must demonstrate an emergency financial hardship;
• Must be in good academic standing; and
• Must have met with a PDC financial aid advisor to discuss all other financial aid options.

CSUSB is committed to maintaining an inclusive community that values diversity and fosters tolerance and mutual respect. It is CSUSB's policy to provide equal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, and veteran status.
 

PDC Bridging the Gap Application