Financial Wellness
The process of learning how to successfully manage financial expenses. Money plays a critical role in our lives and not having enough of it impacts health as well as academic performance. Financial stress is repeatedly found to be a common source of stress, anxiety and fear for college students.
On this page, you'll find resources for:
Immediate Financial Assistance
- Emergency Basic Needs Grant - BY REFERRAL ONLY
This grant is for students with financial hardships caused by job loss, accidents, homelessness, and other unexpected living expenses. Funds are awarded to students with financial need based on review of submitted documentation and information provided on either the California Dream Application or the FAFSA. Please submit a basic needs assistance request and you will receive a response within 24-48 hours from our Intake Team. - AHA offers two awards, Student Emergency Relief Aid (SERA Grant) and UC Davis Cap & Gown Award.
- If you are experiencing troubles accessing the award information, please send an email to scholarships@ucdavis.edu.
- SERA (Student Emergency Relief Aid) Grant
- The Student Emergency Relief Aid (SERA) program awards short-term funds to students facing financial emergencies. These funds help offset setbacks that would interfere with a student’s ability to stay in school.
- Apply Here
- If you are having issues applying, please contact Aggies Helping Aggies (ucdsera@ucdavis.edu Aggies Helping Aggies email)
- UC Davis Health Equity Fund
- HEF has grants available to all students who are experiencing significant out of pocket expenses related to accessing physical and mental health care.
- Grants may be requested for expenses that total at least $50.
- UC Davis Student Parent Child Care Funding Program
- Consists of two grants, the Graduate Student Child Care Grant and the Community Based Care Grant. Both are designed to partially defray student families' child care expenses.
- For the fastest reply, please email all questions to their program email: studentchildcaregrants@ucdavis.edu.
- Aggie Compass Essentials Pantries, free toiletries and other household essentials, in person at our center
Legal Resources
Visit our legal resources page for more information regarding consultations, free legal services, and housing resources.
Social Service Resources
- CalFresh is a state program that can provide you up to $291 a month for groceries. Essentially it's a free debit card for groceries. The application process is easy and we can walk you through it, just make an appointment with our CalFresh Team.
- CalWin, submit an online application to see if you are eligible to receive help with household expenses, food and medical costs.
Budgeting
- Aggie Blue to Gold Financial Wellness Program
- Aggie Blue to Gold Financial Wellness Program provides information and resources for all students, regarding student loans, budget management, financial advising and debt management.
- To learn more about creating a budget, money management techniques, and campus resources, schedule an appointment today!
Other Financial Resources
- Aggie Reuse Store
- The Aggie Reuse Store has recently transitioned to a mutual aid model––where all items are available at ZERO COST––for students and the broader community.
- UC Davis Utilities Savings Program
- A PG&E CARE equivalent program for students living on campus at The Colleges at La Rue who pay the PG&E rate but are not eligible for the PG&E CARE program.
- Following similar eligibility requirements for CARE, qualifying students receive 20% off the utilities portion of their housing bill for the remainder of their lease.
- Help with Bills, USA.gov
- Learn about government programs to help pay bills and other expenses including benefits, grants and loans to help with food, rent, utilities, financial aid and more.
- Yolo 211
- -211 Yolo is the information hub for Yolo County, linking residents to vital health and human services, information and resources in the community.
- California's Low Cost Auto
- CLCA is sponsored by the California Department of Insurance (CDI) and intended to help low-income households afford auto liability insurance on their vehicles in order to comply with the State’s minimum financial responsibly laws.
- FREE Microsoft Office 365
- Students can access free Microsoft software such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, One Note, and file-sharing services.
- Activate and access the free account at office.ucdavis.edu.