Basic Needs Resources

Are you a student or family member looking for immediate assistance?

The list below includes outside resources and organizations that may be able to
help with housing, financial, academic, and other basic-needs relief & aid:

  • Mental Health & Personal Safety

    7 Cups

    Emotional support and therapy on demand.

  • Budgeting & Financial Support

    8 Best Budgeting Apps

    NerdWallet’s list of apps for tracking monthly expenses.

  • Mental Health & Personal Safety

    BetterHelp

    Connect with licensed therapists for flexible, online support.

  • Basic Needs

    CalFresh (EBT/SNAP)

    A CA food assistance program providing eligible students up to $250 monthly.

  • Tutoring & Study Aids

    Chegg

    Access 24/7 tutoring for homework and exam prep.

  • Budgeting & Financial Support

    College Budget Guide

    Overview of key expenses for college students, budgeting tips, and sample budgets.

  • Budgeting & Financial Support

    EveryDollar

    Build a monthly budget and manage your spending easily.

  • Travel

    Expedia

    Book all your travel needs in one convenient place.

  • Basic Needs

    Find Help (Aunt Bertha)

    Search for free and reduced cost services in your area.

  • Tutoring & Study Aids

    Forest

    Boost focus and productivity by growing virtual trees while you study.

  • Budgeting & Financial Support

    Goodbudget

    Use the envelope system to track your spending.

  • Tutoring & Study Aids

    Grammarly

    Proofreading and grammar help for polished writing.

  • Travel

    Hopper

    Save money by booking flights and hotels at the perfect time.

  • Technology

    Human-IT

    Helps low-income individuals & families connect to low-cost internet.

  • Budgeting & Financial Support

    JFLA

    Interest-free loans for personal, education, and small business needs.

  • Basic Needs

    LIHEAP

    Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps households with utility costs.

  • Budgeting & Financial Support

    Mint

    Track your expenses and create a budget that works for you.

  • Tutoring & Study Aids

    My Study Life

    Organize classes, assignments, and exams.

  • Mental Health & Personal Safety

    National DV Hotline

    Free, 24/7 text, call, & chat based support for victims of domestic violence.

  • Basic Needs

    One Degree

    Search for supportive services in your area.

  • Basic Needs

    Opportunity House

    Supportive housing for college students near the UCLA campus.

  • Tutoring & Study Aids

    Quizlet

    Create custom flashcards and study with games and practice tests.

  • Travel

    Skyscanner

    Compare flights and travel deals for your next trip.

  • Mental Health & Personal Safety

    Talkspace

    Therapy via text, audio, or video.

  • Mental Health & Personal Safety

    Teen Line

    Peer-based education & emotional support.

  • Mental Health & Personal Safety

    The Steve Fund

    Free, 24/7 text-based crisis counseling for students of color. Text STEVE to 741741.

  • Mental Health & Personal Safety

    The Trevor Project

    Free, 24/7 text, phone, and/or chat based crisis counselors for LGBTQ youth.

  • Tutoring & Study Aids

    Time Stream

    Timer based on the Pomodoro technique.

  • Basic Needs

    Trojan Shelter

    Supportive housing for college students near the USC campus.

  • Tutoring & Study Aids

    Varsity Tutors

    Get tailored help with coursework and test preparation.

  • Basic Needs

    WIN App

    Connects anyone who is homeless or struggling to free resources and services.

  • Tutoring & Study Aids

    Wolfram Alpha

    Solve math, science, and data problems with detailed explanations.

  • Tutoring & Study Aids

    Wyzant

    Find expert tutors for help in any subject you’re struggling with.

Please note, we do not monitor the current status of each organization listed on this page. We provide this information based on past experiences and recommendations. We want this page to be of service to the public in times of need. Know a resource that could be helpful to others or see an out-of-date link? Drop us a line and tell us about it: info@areterising.org.