Basic Needs and Support Services

• The Food Pantry is open to all Sierra College students experiencing food insecurity regardless of income. The Food Pantry at Rocklin and Nevada County Campus stock a variety of non-perishable items. Tahoe Truckee also has food support available. Students must be currently enrolled at Sierra College to use the food pantry.
• Many students may qualify for CalFresh, which provides free money for groceries each month. See if you qualify and access CalFresh assistance through the Basic Needs Center. A Placer County Health & Human Services representative has office hours in the Basic Needs Center the first Monday of every month from 1pm-4pm. Contact us to get a referral outside these hours. If you reside outside of Placer County, Basic Needs Center staff can still assist you with applying for CalFresh.
• NEW: Wolverine Meal Deal provides weekly meal vouchers that can be redeemed at the Wolverine Grill (Cafeteria). Only available during Fall and Spring semesters.
• The ASSC Almost Free lunch program is available to students with a current ASSC activity sticker twice per month and can be picked up in the Campus Life Office located in J-7. Vouchers can be redeemed in the Cafeteria. Contact Campus Life or the Basic Needs Center to learn more. Dates for the current semester can be found on the Events Calendar.
• For additional community-based food resources, contact the Basic Needs Center.
• Review the Basic Needs Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

• Many students face housing insecurity at some point during their educational journey. Contact the Basic Needs Center for housing resources, emergency rent assistance, and other support.
• The Basic Needs Center also partners with Student Housing to address emergency housing needs by reserving limited bed space for students who are unhoused or at-risk of becoming unhoused. All interest and referrals must go through the Basic Needs Center. Residence Hall staff do not oversee emergency housing until after a student is placed.
  • Learn more about on-campus Student Housing on Rocklin Campus.

• NEW: Mental health resources in the Basic Needs Center! Complete an intake form or email basicneeds@sierracollege.edu to learn more or self-refer.
  • Mondays: Placer County Health & Human Services (Medi-Cal application assistance to access mental health services)
  • Tuesdays: Sacramento LGBT Center (therapy services and resources)
  • Wednesdays: Stand Up Placer (advocacy, resources and peer counseling)
  • Thursdays: Lighthouse Counseling & Family Resource Center (therapy services and resources)
  • Green Bandana Project: Peer-based mental health support is available through the Basic Needs Center. Learn more about the Green Bandana Project and our suicide prevention efforts. If you are interested in becoming a peer mentor, complete the interest form or contact Britt Bray at bbray@sierracollege.edu.
  • Health Insurance Navigation: Need longer term or specialized therapy and don’t know where to start? We can help.
• Free therapy through Student Health Services in the Health Center by appointment. Students are eligible for six free sessions per semester and a maximum of 18 free appointments while attending Sierra College.
  • NEW: Students enrolled in noncredit courses now have the option to pay the Health Center Fee to access free or low-cost Health Center services, including therapy.

• Free access to mental health care: Sierra College students have FREE, 24/7 access to virtual care services through TimelyCare — a virtual health and well-being platform designed for college students. Students do not need insurance to access TimelyCare services.
• Behavioral Intervention CARE Team: Our CARE Team provides coordinated support for students in distress and takes a proactive approach to address students’ concerns, including personal issues, academic progress and mental health.

• The Basic Needs Center carries supplies to help students who have children, including diapers, wipes, and formula. Staff can also assist with connecting students to on-campus and community-based resources.
• NEW Lighthouse Counseling & Family Resource Center is providing therapy services and parenting resources one day per week (Thursdays) in the Basic Needs Center. Complete an intake form or email basicneeds@sierracollege.edu to learn more or self-refer.
• Student parents (a student who has a child or children under 18 years of age who will receive more than half of their support from that student) are eligible for priority registration. Student-Parent Priority Registration Request Form (requires mySierra log in to access)
• Pregnancy and parenting rights: Federal law under Title IX prohibits schools, like Sierra College, from discriminating against students because of pregnancy, childbirth, abortion, or recovery from these. You have the right to an equal education, including participating in class and having pregnancy-related absences excused.
• Lactation spaces: Sierra College offers lactation facilities at all our campus locations. View our campus maps to find designated lactation spaces.
• Family-friendly study room (Rocklin Campus, LR Building, Room 216): The room is equipped for students with children and can be reserved by any Sierra College student.
• Cooperative Agencies for Education (CARE): The CARE program helps students who are single parents receiving cash-aid from CalWorks or Tribal TANF who want to receive college-level training or complete a specific educational program. Services may include meal cards, gas cards, child care assistance, school supplies and/or grant funds.

• Hygiene products, diapers, and other supplies are available in the Basic Needs Center.
• Health Insurance Navigation: Need help accessing health care and don’t know where to start? We can help.
• Free menstrual products (tampons and pads) can be found in all women and gender-neutral/single-stall restrooms at our Rocklin, Nevada County, and Tahoe-Truckee campuses.
• Student Health Services: As part of your tuition fees, we offer all students free or low-cost medical services provided by a nurse practitioner. Services include family planning/birth control, counseling, illness diagnosis/treatment, lab tests, health screenings, prescriptions, and Well Woman exams.
  • NEW: Students enrolled in non-credit courses now have the option to pay the Health Center Fee (currently $26 for Fall and Spring semesters and $22 for Summer) and gain access to free or low-cost Health Center services.

• The Basic Needs Center partners with the Library to provide free loaner laptops. Staff can assist with finding loaner laptops available through various campus programs, including Veteran’s Success Center and Special Programs (EOPS, CalWORKs, etc.). Submit a Request to Borrow a Laptop.

• Student Tech Support: If you need help learning how to access and use Sierra College-related technology, our Student Tech Support team can help.

• Bus Services: If you’re looking for ways to save money on your commute, consider using public transportation. Ride Free with your Sierra College ID and current ASSC Activity Sticker on Placer County and Nevada County public transit. Learn how to participate.
  • NEW: Students enrolled in noncredit courses now have the option to pay the ASSC Student Activity Fee to access free bus transportation. Learn how to participate.
• Discounted Rides with Uber Vouchers 
  Sierra College now offers students discounted Uber rides to promote safe and responsible late-night transportation decisions to and from all Sierra College campuses and locations (Rocklin, Roseville, NCC, Tahoe-Truckee).
• If you need help with transportation to and from Sierra College, we offer additional transportation and support to assist students on a case-by-case basis. Contact the Basic Needs Center for more information.Pl

• Visit us in K-1, right next to the Bookstore and Cafeteria on Rocklin Campus. View Rocklin Campus Map.
• Contact the Basic Needs Center by email or give us a call.
• Complete the online intake form to request an appointment.

Basic needs are anything that we need to survive and thrive. This includes food, housing, mental health and overall well-being.

“Basic needs” simply means shared fundamental needs that we all have. Sometimes people face basic needs insecurity when navigating life challenges and struggling to have enough food or a safe place to live. We’re here to help.

All students can use the Basic Needs Center and have access to the Food Pantry. Some support services, like gift cards and emergency funds, have eligibility requirements.

• When you arrive at the Basic Needs Center, you will be greeted by one of our staff or student employees.
• You will need to complete a brief intake form to let us know how we can help and the urgency of your need.
  Note: If you are only visiting to access the food pantry, the intake form is not required.
• If a staff member is available, we will meet with you right away. If a staff member is not available, we will follow up within one business day. Most follow-ups will occur in the same day, especially if the need is urgent.

• All current students (must be registered in classes during the current semester) can visit the food pantry once per week.
  Note: Please take as much food as you need for the week, but pay attention to item limits. You can take up to two of most food items. Any items with different limits will be posted.
• You will receive one reusable bag during your first visit. Please bring the provided bag or another bag of choice for future visits.
  Note: We will no longer be providing extra bags if you forget yours.

What to expect when visiting the food Pantry

• If you’re visiting the food pantry for the first time, let us know.
• Grab a hand basket and go shopping in the food pantry area.
• After you’ve selected your food items, meet staff at the check-out counter.
• Complete a short registration form with staff during your first visit and let us know if you need support with anything else.
• Staff will log a new visit for you and help bag your items. You will receive a reusable bag on your first visit only.
• Enjoy! See you next week.

• One-time emergency funds are available to students with unexpected expenses or unforeseen circumstances. We recommend talking with one of our staff before applying for emergency funds to see if we have other resources available since this is a one-time grant. If you’d prefer to apply on your own, you can do so here: Student Assistance Request Form
• All emergency grants have a maximum award amount of $500 for most requests. Housing assistance has a maximum award amount of $1,500 for rent or $2,500 for move-in costs. Assistance with move-in costs is for students experiencing housing insecurity (not just for students who want to move to a new residence). Applications will only be approved if the maximum grant amount is at least 75% of the requested amount or documented expense.
• Emergency funds are not awarded prior to the add/drop deadline.
• We like to see an established history with the college – this means having completed units prior to applying for emergency funds. We recognize that emergencies can arise at any time though, and approval of requests that do not meet this requirement is at the discretion of the review committee.
• PLEASE NOTE: Emergency funds cannot be used to pay for tuition or other fees owed to the school. This fund is also not intended for school supplies or course materials. If you have questions about eligible requests, please email the Basic Needs Center at basicneeds@sierracollege.edu.

• Students must have submitted FAFSA/CADAA and be Financial Aid-eligible.
• Students must be Pell grant eligible.
• Students must be in good conduct standing.
• Students must be enrolled in at least 6 units or the equivalent hours in non-credit courses.
• Students must have successfully completed 6 units or the equivalent hours in non-credit courses prior to applying for emergency funds.
• Students must provide verifiable documentation to support the request for assistance.
• Additional considerations for transportation assistance:
  • Students must be enrolled in on-ground classes to qualify for transportation assistance.
  • Students must not be a resident in on-campus student housing to qualify for transportation assistance.

Support is available for students who lack safe, adequate, or permanent housing. Services include connection to community-based housing resources, emergency housing, emergency funds, hygiene products, showers, and food.

• Showers
  The Sierra College District maintains shower facilities for student use on campus that may be used by any student who is experiencing homelessness and is enrolled in coursework, has paid enrollment fees, and is in good standing with the District.
  • Rocklin Campus
    Showers at the Rocklin Campus are temporarily located by the pool and in Lot J. View Rocklin Campus map for shower locations.
    • Showers are available Monday – Friday from 7am to 9am when classes are in session.
    • Scheduling of collegiate athletic events may, from time-to-time, disrupt this schedule. Contact the Dean of Athletics at (916) 660-8100 if the showers are closed during athletic events.
  • Nevada County Campus
    Showers at the Nevada County Campus are located in the locker room (N-13 building) and a single restroom/shower (N-11 building).
    • Showers are available: Monday, 7:30am – 4:30pm; Tuesday, 7:30am – 5:15pm; Wednesday, 7:30am – 4:30pm; Thursday, 7:30am – 9:15pm
    • Contact the Nevada County Campus Supervisor at (530) 274-5284 if showers are closed during these hours.

Contact the Basic Needs Center at basicneeds@sierracollege.edu for more information and other support services.

Contact Britt Bray, Program Manager – Basic Needs and Support Services

Yes. All services are available to students who attend Sierra College online, Tahoe-Truckee and/or Nevada County Campus (NCC) classes, as well. Most services can be accessed remotely. Complete the online intake form, request a referral from staff on your campus, or contact the Basic Needs Center.

NCC and Tahoe-Truckee also have food support on site.

• Visit Sierra College Foundation’s Support Students’ Basic Needs to learn more about how to support the Basic Needs Center through food, supplies and/or monetary donations.
• Volunteer opportunities are not currently being offered.