Supporting Students at SSU

The SSU Student Emergency Basic Needs Intervention (BNI) Program is a comprehensive program that identifies and immediately serves some of SSU's most at-risk students, which include our displaced students, food insecure students, and students experiencing an emergency or crisis.

Eligibility Criteria

• Actively enrolled in SSU in at least one course (minimum of 3 units).
• Experienced an unforeseen emergency, crisis, or catastrophic event.
• Ability to demonstrate an urgent financial need (supporting documentation may be requested where appropriate).
• Ability to demonstrate that all sources of financial aid and assistance have been exhausted.  It is preferred that students have a completed FAFSA on file, but it is not required.  Students are not required to accept federal student loans.
• California Dream Act Application (CADAA) is not required to determine eligibility.

Qualifications

• Displacement: Living in your car; temporarily staying with friends or family, or living on the street.
• Medical expenses due to hospitalization, severe illness, or car accident.
• Car accident: Car repairs/Loss of transportation.

Program Services

Short-Term Emergency Housing Program

The short-term emergency housing program provides displaced students access to temporary on-campus housing in the residence halls to ensure the student's safety and well-being while they acquire permanent and secure housing.  To learn more, please visit Housing Resources.

Student Emergency Grant

Students who have been involved in an unforeseen emergency, crisis, or catastrophic event may apply for the Student Emergency Grant. Please be aware that if you have a completed FAFSA and have been awarded Financial Aid assistance you may be asked to provide a copy of your financial aid award for BNI to determine eligibility.  However, while it is preferred that students complete the FAFSA/CADAA, it is not required to receive an emergency grant.  We can help you figure this out during the application process.  See Application Process for the link.

Application Process

Students with urgent needs may submit this online application. Requests will be reviewed by a campus committee and the applicant will be contacted for more information if needed, and to advise on next steps.

Other Resources

Please visit the Basic Needs webpage and our COVID-19 Resources webpages for a list of other available resources. 

Support this Program

Donations to the Student Basic Needs and Emergency Care Fund will provide grants to support SSU students through ongoing basic needs and emergency situations that may deter them from continuing or completing their degree. Student basic needs may include, but are not limited to, housing, food insecurity, and emergency care to help students persist and graduate.