Basic Needs Services & Eligibility Criteria

Food Assistance

Food assistance through Basic Needs is intended as short-term assistance while students are connected to long-term resources such as CalFresh or local food banks and pantries. 

Students seeking food assistance must meet the following supplemental eligibility criteria:

• Must currently be experiencing food insecurity (e.g. unable to purchase or access needed groceries or unable to purchase healthy groceries). 

• Students who have an on-campus meal plan are not eligible for CalFresh. However, students with a block meal plan may be eligible for CalFresh benefits.  

Food assistance may be provided to CSUF students in the following ways: 

• Donated Meals through the Gastronome
  Students may receive up to two weeks of meals through the Gastronome. 
• Auxiliary Service Corp. (ASC) Guest Cards
  Students may receive ASC Guest Cards that can be redeemed at most on-campus dining locations. 
• CalFresh
  CalFresh is a nutrition assistance program through the USDA to assist households in purchasing groceries. Students can learn if they are eligible for this benefit or to request virtual application assistance by submitting an online request form.
• Titan Bites
  Created in response to increased meal insecurity among CSUF students, this service is a way to provide convenient and immediate notifications of available food on-campus after a catered event. This program will send push notifications thru the iFullerton app informing you when and where to get available food on campus. 
  
  Opt-into Titan Bites through the iFullerton app by enabling notifications: 
  1. Downloand the iFullerton app
  2. Select the "Titan Bites" icon
  3. Click "Enable Notifications" 
  4. Swipe to enable Titan Bites notifications
  5. Once enabled, you will start receiving push notifications for any Titan Bites alerts. You can view any active alerts in the iFullerton app under the Titan Bites icon by clicking 'View Current Alerts'
  
  For questions related to Titan Bites, please email basicneeds@fullerton.edu. 
  
  
• Food Pantry Referrals
  Students can access the ASI Food Pantry. The Pantry’s inventory rotates between various food items: typically offering a variety of non-perishable foods, canned goods, and fresh produce.  There are no requirements or qualifications for students to use this service. To learn more about The Pantry, please email asifoodpantry@fullerton.edu or call (657) 278-8756. For more information about how to schedule an appointment, please visit ASI’s website. 
  
  Student can also be referred to a full-service pantry near campus that provides food (including dairy and proteins) up to three times a month. For more information, please see our other resources page.
  
  

• Student must be experiencing a current, immediate unexpected housing situation. This can include but is not limited to sudden displacement from housing, living in car, or couch surfing, temporarily staying with friends or family; unable to continue living in their current residence. 
• Temporary housing is only available for currently enrolled and matriculated CSUF students. Family members and pets cannot be included.
• Student must check in with Care Services staff weekly during the temporary housing placement. 
• Student must search for alternative housing options for the duration of placement. 
• Temporary housing is on a first-available basis and is subject to change based on occupancy. 
• Must be in good standing with respect to Student Conduct (no recent conduct violations).

• Must experience a currently occurring unforeseen basic needs related financial hardship such as housing, utilities, vehicle, or medical at the time of their request.
• Unable to resolve their financial hardship through scholarships, grants, loans, or other financial aid awards.
• Students must provide documentation that reflects the eligible unpaid basic needs expenses for which they request a grant. Eligible unpaid basic needs expenses include: 
  • Housing/rental costs.
  • Utilities (gas, electricity, water, etc.).
  • Vehicle expenses/repairs.
  • Cell phone/internet costs.  
  • Medical expenses. 
• Ineligible expenses include but are not limited to:
  • Full or partial tuition and fees. 
  • Parking permits or parking tickets.
  • Study abroad costs.
  • Prior debt to the University, including debt to Housing and Residential Engagement.
  • Legal representation.
  • Entertainment, recreation, or other non-essential expenses.  
  • Credit card bills or other debts such as loans.
  • Reimbursement for previously paid basic needs expenses.