Financial Security

Request Information: 

The Basic Needs Housing Support Grant program has been established to assist CSUSB students experiencing financial hardship in establishing and/or maintaining stable and safe housing. This grant provides eligible students with one-time financial assistance up to $1,500.

This program is designed to help students with housing needs under the following categories:

• Eviction Avoidance: One-time assistance for students who are currently facing eviction due to non-payment.
• Relocation/Move-In Grant: One-time grant assistance for students experiencing homelessness and have located housing. This grant will support the cost of required security deposits and/or first month’s rent.
• Rent Assistance : Grant assistance to help students with a history of late rent payments due to financial hardship. Grant funds will be disbursed over a 3-month period to assist with a portion of students monthly rental expenses. Rental assistance grants will not exceed 50% of monthly rent payment.  In the case of on-campus housing assistance disbursements will be made as one-time payment directly to student’s account balance.

If a student's grant request is approved, funds may not be disbursed until 10-14 days after their request has been received.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be currently enrolled in 6 units or more at CSUSB for Summer 2025.
• Must meet with a Basic Needs and Student Support team member to develop and implement a mutually agreed upon action plan to improve financial sustainability.
• Must have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) or CA Dream Act Application (CADAA) on file for the current academic year.
• Must have unmet financial need in Accordance with CSUSB Cost of Attendance.
• Must be a matriculated CSUSB student enrolled in a degree program. Students attending CSUSB through the College of Extended and Global Education that have not been admitted to a degree program are not eligible. 

Documentation Required:

Students will be required to provide one or more of the documents listed below.

• Pay or quit notice
• Unlawful detainer notice
• Notice to vacate
• Other eviction notices from the landlord
• Proof of late rent payment rental history
• Copy of Rent Agreement
• Invoice for security deposit fees and/or first month rent
• Verification letter from homeless shelter or housing agency

Request Process Information:

Step One: Complete a Basic Needs Housing Support Request.

Step Two: Meet with a Basic Need Team member.

Step Three: Complete the Basic Needs and Student Support budget and expense worksheets prior to your appointment.

Step Four: Set up direct deposit via your MyCoyote Student Portal.

Housing Support Grant Request

The Basic Needs Grant request closed on June 1, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.

The  Basic Needs Grant request will open on August 15, 2025 for Fall 2025.

Students requiring Basic Needs assistance are encouraged to stop by the Basic Needs and Student Support Center, complete a basic needs assessment, or schedule an appointment to discuss their individual situation.

Students are encouraged to explore additional campus and community resources. Please review the suggested list of available Basic Needs Resources.

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