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In fall 2021, ±¬ÁÏ³Ô¹Ï 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, ±¬ÁÏ³Ô¹Ï has SparkPoint ±¬ÁÏ³Ô¹Ï 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. 
 
 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, according to the Real College California: Basic Needs Among California Community Colleges report. Specifically, 46% reported being food insecure, 58% reported being housing insecure, and 20% reported experiencing homelessness. More than 77,000 students from 102 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:

Check out this webinar hosted by Real College California: 2025 Survey Results of California Community College (CCC) Basic Needs:  and
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:

SparkPoint ±¬ÁÏ³Ô¹Ï 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.  

Student Essentials Support Guide (English)

GU?A DE APOYO DE TEMAS ESENCIALES PARA ESTUDIANTES - Student Essentials Support¡­

ŒW?±ØÐèÆ·?Ô®Ö¸ÄÏ - Student Essentials Support Guide (Chinese)

SparkPoint Food Card

SparkPoint ±¬ÁϳԹÏ, Basic Needs Center Food Card Program application is available starting January 12th for spring 2026.  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 ±¬ÁÏ³Ô¹Ï Basic Needs Center, Student Success Center 2106, Ocean Campus or  (online application)
• Partner Resource Day (In-person at 1pm) at SparkPoint ±¬ÁÏ³Ô¹Ï Basic Needs Center, Student Success Center 2106, Ocean Campus
• Financial Wellness Workshops [virtual at 1pm] 
• Financial Coaching [in-person and/or virtual]
• Workshop Wednesdays [hybrid at 12pm in Student Success Center 2106 or via zoom] 
• Office of Student Equity (OSE)
  • Listen & Learn Series [virtual at 12pm] 

Questions? Contact us at sparkpoint@ccsf.edu

SparkPoint Scholars Grant 

SparkPoint ±¬ÁϳԹÏ, Basic Needs Center is excited to launch our SparkPoint Scholars Grant in spring 2026.  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 January 5, 2026 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 is due by March 19, 2026 in order to receive 2nd disbursement.

• Complete a NEW CalFresh or County Benefits Application (In-person) at the SparkPoint ±¬ÁÏ³Ô¹Ï Basic Needs Center, Student Success Center 2106, Ocean Campus or  (online application)
• Partner Resource Day (In-person at 1pm) at SparkPoint ±¬ÁÏ³Ô¹Ï Basic Needs Center, Student Success Center 2106, Ocean Campus
• Financial Wellness Workshops [virtual at 1pm] 
• Financial Coaching [in-person and/or virtual]
• Workshop Wednesdays [hybrid at 12pm in Student Success Center 2106 or via zoom] 
• Office of Student Equity (OSE)
  • Listen & Learn Series [virtual at 12pm] 

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  or  for the associated academic year
• Demonstrate financial need
• Be classified as a California Resident
• Enrolled in at least 6 ±¬ÁÏ³Ô¹Ï units for the application term
• Complete  (Log into your student portal)
• Meet Academic Standing Standards
  • 2.0 cumulative GPA
  • Completed 50% of all units attempted at ±¬ÁϳԹÏ
• 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 .

For assistance completing the application, see: .

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 ±¬ÁϳԹÏ, Basic Needs Center

• Funding Resources: 
• 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 ±¬ÁϳԹÏ, thank you in advance for your donations and contributions to ensure our students' success.

Our ±¬ÁÏ³Ô¹Ï SparkPoint ±¬ÁÏ³Ô¹Ï Basic Needs Center has partnered with Uwill.

This platform connects students to Basic Needs and Mental Health & Wellness afterhours as well as weekends and holidays. 

Want to learn more? Click the link below to get started and explore or create an account or stop by the Basic Needs Center in SSC 2106 to ask questions and get support with navigating the platform.

With Uwill, students have the flexibility to:

• Screen for benefit programs (like CalFresh, Medi-Cal, CalWorks, etc.) and search for local/campus resources
• Schedule sessions at times that fit their schedule -- including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Connect by video or text message
• Access to Wellness Content, including yoga, meditation, and mindfulness

Getting started is simple for your students:

• For Basic Needs
• For Urise Wellness: 
• Sign up using your ±¬ÁÏ³Ô¹Ï student email address ()

If you have any questions, contact Uwill Support at support@uwill.com or 833.99.UWILL (833.998.9455).