Campus News
Resources for students during the government shutdown
UC Santa Cruz is supporting students affected by CalFresh and BHA delays, connecting them with food, financial, and well-being resources during the shutdown.
Dear Students,
Many of you may be experiencing uncertainty and stress due to delays in CalFresh and military Basic Housing Allowance (BHA) benefits caused by the federal government shutdown. We know how disruptive this can be, and we want you to know that UC Santa Cruz is here to support you through this. The Financial Aid and Scholarships team and staff from around the Division of Student Affairs & Success are working together to provide assistance.
If your CalFresh benefits have been delayed, please complete this short CalFresh Delay Support Form by Oct. 31. Campus staff will review submissions and follow up directly to connect you with available support, which may include assistance with groceries. CalFresh benefits would normally be scheduled to be disbursed between Nov. 1 and Nov. 10, which is why we are asking you to fill out the form as soon as possible.
Students experiencing delays to their military BHA should contact the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office to submit a request for emergency aid.
Additional Resources
- Food Support:
- Redwood Free Market and On Campus Food Pantries
- Off Campus Food Pantries
- Produce Pop-Ups: Show your Calfresh card at the produce pop ups around campus for free produce. Follow Produce Pop-Up on Instagram for dates and locations around campus
- Financial Support:
- Learn more about short-term emergency support by contacting the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office.
- For help with budgeting and other personal finance management needs, consider utilizing resources offered by The Slug Cents Financial Wellness Program.
- Mental Health Support: Campus counselors at Cowell Student Health Center building are available on a drop-in basis for urgent concerns. Visit the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) website or call at (831) 459-2628. When the CAPS office is closed, call the after-hours counseling line (831) 502-9988.
- Slug Support: Connect with a Slug Support case manager who can work one-on-one with students—both undergraduate and graduate—to create personalized, student-centered plans and help remove the barriers that may be getting in the way of their well-being and success. This can include basic needs support such as emergency awards and housing as well as referrals to campus and community resources.
- Tenant Legal Resources: Students experiencing an impact on their rent resources can learn more about campus and community legal resources designed to help student renters.
Students who are eligible but not yet enrolled in CalFresh are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. The federal shutdown is not expected to impact CalFresh applications or processing at this time. Any CalFresh benefits issued before November will remain available for use and will not be placed on hold. We anticipate that all benefits currently on hold will be released once the government reopens.
Please also keep an eye out for any correspondence from Santa Cruz County Human Services about updates to your CalFresh benefits disbursement.
Online resources and contact information
- General Basic Needs Information
- Redwood Free Market
- CalFresh
- Cowell Coffee Shop
- Produce Pop-Up
We’ll continue to share information and resources as they become available. You’re not alone in navigating this — our campus is committed to helping you access what you need to stay nourished and supported.
In community,
Lorena Rodriguez
Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships
Enrollment Management Unit
Garrett Naiman
Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students
Division of Student Affairs and Success