Financial Wellness Resources

During Winter 2026, The Basic Needs Center launched a "Financial Wellness Snapshot" across UC San Diego in collaboration with the eight Undergraduate Student Councils. With over 233, we asked students "Please tell us how having access to this/these program(s) has benefited you as a UCSD student and as a human." This is what students from across campus had to say:

"Having access to these programs relieved a considerable amount of financial stress that benefited me as a human. The programs allowed me to stay nutritionally well and sleep better from reduced stress. As a UCSD student I was able to be a lot more present in my classes and continue to make my contributions to the community." - Revelle College student

"I don't have to buy a whole new bottle of shampoo etc. when it's the end of the year and time for move out, I can just refill the ones I currently have and reduce my plastic waste." - Muir College student

"As a Chinese-Taiwanese student, home and food are inevitably interconnected. Without the Grocery-Convoy shuttle and the Triton Food Pantry, I wouldn't be able to access much of the ingredients and flavors that mean a great deal to me without huge expenses for parking, ride-share apps, or general high costs of purchase. Not only does it allow for me to reconnect with my culture and heritage, this allows me the opportunity to train new skills, get better nutrition than many options on campus dining halls, and connect with others while sharing the food I love! As a student more specifically, we all need to sustain our bodies in order to continue nurturing our minds and contributing to our projects as scholars, so food is incredibly important, from access to ingredients to the ability to try new flavors and experiment with cooking." - Marshall College student

"Basic Needs Resources have helped me a lot! As an international student with financial insecurity, I sometimes skip meals but iTable program has really helped me." - Warren College student

"Having access to these resources as a first generation low income student who also grew up low income feels like I can finally have an outlet I can rely on. In the past, here were times where my family could have utilized resources to help our food and financial situation but my parents told us not to out of guilt and wanting to save it for someone else in more need than us. Many times, I eat less knowing that I do not have the time, energy, or money to cook and buy groceries. So, having access to free groceries, personal hygiene, and informative workshops greatly helps me eat well and eat enough. The food pantry and basic needs hub is something that I will very much miss when I graduate. By that point, I will be a former student entering the workforce and will most likely still have to find my own footing without these programs. Thinking about it, makes me regret not using the food pantry every week and using all of my 15 points whenever I can." - Eleanor Roosevelt College student

"I’ve used the pantry and the personal hygiene pickup, and both have helped me a lot. Even small things like providing toothpaste, laundry pods, and shampoo takes a big weight off my shoulders. When I buy my own groceries, I sometimes avoid vegetables or new foods because I don’t want to waste money on something I might not like. The pantry lets me try things like cilantro or zucchini and experiment with new recipes without worrying about cost. That freedom has reduced a lot of stress and makes it easier for me to focus on school and take care of myself." - Sixth College student

"Having these programs available to me had helped me saved money. The money i would've used to buy some of the items provided by the basic needs center now go to textbooks or any other materials required in classes or into my savings for tuition." - Seventh College student "

These programs benefit UCSD students by relieving stress & anxiety." - Eighth College student "

As an international student, living and studying here can be super expensive. By taking away the headache of budgeting for groceries I can spend time, money and energy on other essentials that can help make my life better. Even something as small as going out for a lunch once in a while with the money saved." - Graduate and Professional student