Get Assistance
Please note that from December 24, 2024 through January 1, 2025, the SJSU campus will be closed for winter recess.
SJSU Cares will pause regular services during winter recess. Response to requests for assistance will resume on January 2, 2025. To find community resources for housing and food during the winter recess, please click on this link.
SJSU Cares is here to provide assistance when you need it most. We provide resources and services for SJSU students facing unexpected financial crises. If you’re having trouble paying for food, housing or other bills, come to us to get the help you need.
Request assistance now and we'll contact you to discuss next steps, eligibility, and possible campus and community resources.
Food Assistance
Are you finding yourself struggling to afford food while attending SJSU? You are not alone. The most recent Student Affairs survey found that approximately half of SJSU students are sometimes skipping meals due to cost.
The good news is SJSU Cares has two great programs to help:
These programs can help you get the food you need to focus on your education. Additionally, there are many other food resources available on campus and in the surrounding community.
Housing Assistance
As a student, you may find yourself unexpectedly homeless if you lack stable, regular and adequate housing. You may be homeless if you are living in shelters, parks, motels or cars, or temporarily couch-surfing with other people because you have nowhere else to go.
If you are living in any of these situations because you are fleeing an abusive parent or guardian, you may be considered homeless even if they would provide support and a place to live. Or you may have an unexpected eviction, fire or other disaster where you are living.
Housing insecurity is a real issue in Silicon Valley. Please contact SJSU Cares if you are in an emergency situation!
Medical Assistance
Skipping an urgent medical or dental appointment because a lack of resources or insurance can lead to an unhealthy situation. Unexpected medical bills can seriously impact a student's monthly budget.
Contact SJSU Cares to find out what resources are available to help you pay for medical bills or insurance. We want to help you stay healthy!
Emergency/Disaster Assistance
Students share with us when they may have been a victim of a crime such as theft or burglary, or of a natural disaster like fire or flood, which has negatively affected their ability to succeed on campus.
If you are facing any kind of emergency situation, contact SJSU Cares to find support and resources.
Clothing Assistance
The Career Closet, operated by the Career Center, has a focus on providing students with free professional clothing and up to one full professional outfit per academic year. This can assist with interviews, job fairs, etc. Visit thier website to make an appointment.
Parenting Students Assistance
California Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
The California Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) promotes the health of low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding people, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious food to supplement diets, information on healthy eating including breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals to health care. You may qualify if you receive Medi-Cal, CalWORKs (TANF) or CalFresh (SNAP) benefits. WIC welcomes military families, migrant families, fathers, foster parents and legal guardians with eligible children. Participating in the WIC program does not affect the immigration status of anyone currently in the U.S. Use the WIC eligibility assessment tool to see if you qualify. Set up an appointment at a WIC local agency near you. Visit the website for WIC families to find a WIC local agency site near you.
Diapers
Multiple community based agencies indicate that they have assistance with diapers through their programs. Knowing that our students live in many communities it is best to search for diaper assistance by your location.
Personal Hygiene Products
The Spartan Food Pantry offers menstrual hygiene products for its users. See the pantry website for eligibility.
For general locations of free sanitary products on campus visit the Gender Equity Center Sanitary Products page.
