| | Happy Earth Month 💚 We hope you had an inspiring Earth Day yesterday, whether you spent it outside, learning something new, taking a much needed break, following the sunset migration, or reflecting on ways to care for our planet. 🌎 At Basic Needs, sustainability and student well-being go hand in hand, and we’re here to support you with resources that help you thrive while also being mindful of our shared environment. 🌻 From access to free food and essential resources to upcoming campus events and opportunities to get involved, we’ve got everything you need to stay nourished, supported, and connected this week. 😆 Thrive - Basic Needs at UCSB @ucsbthrive |
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| Vote Yes! Student Medical Emergency Relief Fund (SMERF) Grants to UCSB students with medical, dental, psychological, and optical emergency expenses. In 2005, students voted to support SMERF, so that no student has to drop out due to medical debt.
VOTING CLOSES TODAY AT 4PM ✅ There are also other student services that need your help!!
What does it mean to “Save Student Services”? • Many student fees were approved 20 years ago and have never adjusted for inflation. Because of this, there is a gap in the fees’ buying power, which is what your dollar actually gets you. The same dollar amount from 2006 buys significantly fewer student services in 2026. • Our student fees have stagnated. In order to “Save Student Services,” the fees need to catch up to today’s economic reality and restore their original buying power.
Which student fees will be affected? • The affected fees support the heart of our campus—from student programs and wellness services to the facilities you use every day. Services include Recreation, Student Health, SEAL, the UCEN, EOP, Health & Wellness, the MCC, CAPS, Daily Nexus, Career Services, and more. |
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| UCSB Sustainability is Hiring! 2026 - 2027 School Year (Must be available over Summer) Positions: Membership Coordinator for family student housing garden DEADLINE: 4/24/2026 Garden Coordinator for family student housing DEADLINE: 4/24/2026 Calfresh Advocate and Basic Needs Peer Advisor DEADLINE: 5/2/2026 Basic Needs Outreach and Marketing Coordinator DEADLINE: 5/8/2026
Any Questions? Email sa-bas...@ucsb.edu |
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| CalFresh Perks Farmers Market 🥕 At Santa Barbara and Goleta Farmer's Markets, you can exchange your EBT balance for double the amount in farmer's market tokens!
Discounted Utilities 🔌 SoCalGas Assistance program helps reduce your gas and electricity bill. Save up to $30 off on your monthly internet services with COX ACP!
Museums for All 🖼️ Visit select museums all over California for a low price ($3 or $5 usually) or even free! Some may also let you bring up to 3 people in for that price or free. There are 18 participating museums in SB County.
Phone Plan 📱 Get free data, unlimited texts & minutes with a free smartphone with Assurance Wireless or TruConnect.
Don't have CalFresh yet? Apply with one of our Peer Advisors in the Basic Needs Advising Center via appointment or drop-in to get these benefits and up to $298 a month for groceries! (Check Drop-In section for locations and hours) |
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| The UCSB Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Volunteering If you were unable to commit to signing up for the full course but would like to volunteer your time towards supporting CERT, you are welcome to sign up to volunteer as a 'Live Victim' for Day 3 of the program.
As a live victim you'll be assigned a victim "character," and we'll apply the corresponding fake blood/wounds on you so you can be treated by our CERTs. Lunch and snacks are provided. It is a ~3 hr time commitment and a photo release is required.
Date: May 3rd (Sunday) Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM Sign Up: https://tinyurl.com/certvolunteer26 |
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| The Spring Job + Internship Fair
Valuable opportunity for UCSB students to meet with employers actively seeking candidates for both part-time and full-time positions in person.
You won't want to miss 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓 that UCSB Career Services is hosting for the school year!
4/28/2026 10am - 2pm: 📍The Thunderdome (Events Center) |
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| Recycling Drives Prevent your shoes and sports waste from just going into the landfill by donating! This is an easy way to help the planet and make UCSB more sustainable during Earth Month! 💚💚
SHOE RECYCLING Donation boxes located in the Rec Cen and ICA
Currently Accepting: Running • Basketball • Gym and Training • Rubber Cleats • Lifestyle & Casual • Hiking and Trail
SPORTS WASTE RECYCLING Donation box located in the Recreation Center Lobby
Currently Accepting: Balls • Bags • Cones • Netting • Resistance Equipment • Clothing Aquatics Gear • (Swimsuits • Goggles • Caps • Fins • Paddles) • Yoga Mats |
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| | The SBC Animal Care Foundation is hosting the Mother’s Day Furbaby Sidewalk Stroll and Costume Contest, happening on May 10th, 12:00pm-3:00pm in Old Town Orcutt. They’re looking for volunteers to help them set up, check participants in, serve as a crossing guard during the sidewalk stroll, check sheets for prize eligibility, or tear down. They’d love anyone who is interested, especially if they are animal lovers! 🐾🦴🩵 |
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| Summer Access Grant (housing incentive) Opening for Summer 2026 To support students who wish to leverage Summer Sessions to achieve their educational goals. This incentive credits eligible students enrolled in 12 units or more with up to $1000 to offset summer cost-of-living expenses! 💰💰 Make the most of your summer by focusing on your coursework, knowing that your room and board expenses are substantially subsidized while you make progress toward your degree objectives. Students can qualify for this incentive whether living in university-owned housing, an Isla Vista residence, or farther afield. ‼️ Applications open May 1st. PRIORITY FOR APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED MAY 15TH ‼️ Questions? Check out Summer Sessions Website: https://www.summer.ucsb.edu/cost-savings/summer-savings |
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| | Are you a transfer student looking for connection, community, and to learn more about UCSB? Here is the perfect event for you!! April 24th 2026 @ 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 📍MCC Our very own Marketing & Outreach Coordinator Tam is on the UCSB Transfer Student Panel 🌟 Campus Tour, Resource Fair, Lunch, Panel, Film screening + performance, community conversation, keynote speaker RSVP |
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| June Temporary Housing Is Open Thinking about taking Summer courses and need a place to stay between a lease/sublease?
June Temporary Housing (Saturday, June 13 at 5:00 PM - Thursday, July 2 at 12:00 PM) is available to all UCSB students seeking to bridge the period of time between the end of residence hall or apartment contracts and the start of summer housing. We'd like to make the process of transitioning to your new lease/contract as easy as possible.
Accommodations: June Temporary Housing is located in San Miguel Residence Hall. Rooms may be double or triple occupancy, and you will be assigned a roommate(s). Bed and bath linen is not provided, and meals are not included.
Cost: $60/person per night. Payment is due online via credit card at the time of registration. Credit cards, cash, and checks are not accepted at the front desk.
Eligibility: This program is available only to UCSB students with valid PERM numbers. Rooms are booked on a first-come, first-served basis. |
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| Food Security & Basic Needs Advising Center If you need assistance with your Calfresh benefits, stop by one of our Food Security and Basic Needs Advising Locations! No appointment needed. Questions? Call us at 805-893-2786 or email us at sa-basic...@ucsb.edu
UCEN, located across from the Campus Store
Monday - Friday I 9AM - 5PM
SRB, Student Resource Building
Room 2287, 2nd Floor
Monday - Friday I 9AM - 5PM
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| Housing NavigatorsHave a housing question? Drop-In!!Week 2 - Week 10
Mondays, 10:30AM - 12:15PM I 1120 Kerr Hall, ONDAS Student Center Tuesdays, 10AM - 12:15PM I 1120 Kerr Hall, Transfer Student Center Wednesdays 10:30 AM- 12:15 PM I Office of Black Student Development (1st floor SRB) Week 3 - Week 9
Thursdays, 10AM - 12:15PM I Promise Scholars Lounge, 2nd Floor SRB
All UCSB students welcome in any location |
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| Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships IN-PERSON ADVISING: Monday - Friday I 10am - 12pm & 1pm - 4pm Office located right above the UCSB Visitors Center: 2103 SAASB Santa Barbara, California 93106-3180 PHONE ADVISING: Monday - Friday I 10am - 12pm & 1pm - 4pm Click Join the Line to speak to an advisor over the phone! |
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| | Come in and restock your pantry with free staple good and produce items! Also come by for free fresh produce and toiletries.
Monday - Thursday I 10AM - 5PM
Fridays I 10AM - 3PM
Stay up-to-date with the A.S. Foodbank on instagram @ucsbasfoodbank |
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| | Another way to get free fresh produce, pantry supplies and toiletries! Monday Tuesday Thursday 5:00 PM - 8:00PM |
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| Healthcare Navigation Need help understanding your healthcare and seeing your options? Meet with Buster Buchanan, open to everyone! DROP IN: Tuesdays 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM 📍RCSGD Lounge Thursdays 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM 📍GSRC Can't make it? Schedule a 30 or 50 minute appointment instead. |
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| ASK A QUESTION Want more information? We've got you covered – just reply to this email!
TALK TO AN ADVOCATE The Basic Needs Advocates are available to connect you to more resources on campus and in the local community. Get in touch online or in-person!
VISIT OUR WEBSITE: The basicneeds.ucsb.edu site acts as a central hub for all things relating to basic needs at UCSB. It is regularly updated with information on critical resources, and you can use our virtual chat feature to get one-on-one advising with a peer advocate
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