Here's Where to Find Help

two girls holding out hands to make a heart symbol

Are you struggling to secure daily essentials like food or housing? You're not alone. Click each box or scroll down to learn more about these resources.



Emergency Funds

If you’re facing a one-time financial emergency, we may be able to help. 

Limited cash grants are now available to assist students who are struggling with an urgent expense – such as a rental payment or deposit, essential car repairs or car registration, a doctor's bill or prescription medication – that might interfere with attending school. 

You must meet certain minimum requirements to be eligible for a cash grant.

Minimum Requirements

We recommend that you apply for financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) 

  • If you haven’t already done so,  you'll need to submit your financial aid application before receiving emergency funds. It's free! Visit our Financial Aid website for more information about these forms.

How to Apply

Please submit the online application form. If you have questions, please contact Lisa Mandy, director of Financial Aid and Scholarships, at mandylisa@deanza.edu



Food Assistance

Students in need can obtain free food supplies, hygiene products and other items from the Food Pantry program operated by the Office of Outreach. 

  • Visit the Food Pantry website for current hours of operation and more information
  • We also have grocery gift cards for eligible students. Use the online form to apply

mobile pantry

Mobile Food Pantry

In addition to the Food Pantry at the Office of Outreach, a mobile food pantry from West Valley Community Services visits Parking Lot A twice a month:

Click the red bars to learn about more food resources in this area.

Second Harvest: Find a Food Bank Near You

To find a food distribution center or delivery program near you, visit shfb.org/get-food or 

  • Call the Second Harvest Food Connection hotline at 1.800.984.3663
  • Text “GETFOOD” to 408.455.5181
  • Send an email to  getfood@shfb.org 

Additional Food Programs

You can also find food assistance through the following programs. Please contact the organization to learn about hours of operation and eligibility requirements, if any.



Housing Resources

housing iconWhile De Anza College does not operate student housing, there are resources available for students who are homeless or struggling to find shelter.

Cupertino Housing Assistance

De Anza has programs to assist qualified students who are living in Cupertino, such as limited cash grants to help them avoid eviction or pay move-in costs. These are supported through a grant from the city of Cupertino and partnerships with community organizations. Visit the Cupertino Housing Assistance webpage to learn more. 

Click the red bars to learn about more housing resources in this area.

Overnight Parking

The Winter Faith Collaborative and Saratoga's Prince of Peace Lutheran Church coordinate overnight "safe parking" sites at churches and other locations, including some near De Anza, for individuals or families who are sleeping in their vehicles. Contact Amigos de Guadalupe in advance to be screened and enrolled in this program, by calling 408.341.6080 or 408.509.2731.

Housing Assistance

West Valley Community Services helps homeless individuals and families find long-term housing, through rental assistance and other support services. You can speak with the case manager who comes to campus twice a month with the mobile food pantry, or call 408.255.8033.

The Bill Wilson Center operates housing programs and other services that can assist students who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. One new program can provide free, short-term housing, while their staff works with you to find a longer term housing solution. You can contact them directly by using their online self-referral form.

More Housing Resources

Financial assistance and other types of support are available from a variety of city, county and nonprofit agencies. Here are some good places to find more resources

Routine Housing or Roommate Search

The Office of College Life maintains a list of websites and tips for students who are looking for apartments or homes to rent.



Psychological Services

figure holding big heartIndividual counseling is available for students who are currently registered at De Anza. The Psychological Services office also hosts weekly support groups and drop-in sessions.

Students can also speak online with a mental health professional, any time, through TimelyCare. These services are free.

Individual Counseling

Here's how to sign up for individual sessions by appointment with a Psychological Services counselor

  • Send an email to dapsychservice@deanza.edu 
  • Be sure to include your name and CWID, with a short statement that you are requesting psychological services

Support Groups and Workshops

Check the Support Groups webpage for a list of groups and sessions, including activities open to all students as well as groups for student athletes, students preparing for transfer, LGBTQ+ students and others. You'll find instructions on that webpage to sign up for a group or attend sessions on Zoom.

TimelyCare: Online, Any Time – for Free!

TimelyCare provides free mental health support and other online resources for De Anza students. You can

  • Speak right away with a mental health professional – available online, 24/7
  • Schedule an appointment for a one-on-one online session with a licensed counselor
  • Find online resources and referrals for a variety of basic needs
  • Learn how to sign up for this free service at deanza.edu/resources/timely

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (formerly the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress – 24/7, anywhere in the United States. 



Transportation Options

SmartPass

students at bus stop

All students at De Anza are eligible for the SmartPass, offered by the De Anza Associated Student Body (DASB) in partnership with the Santa Clara Valley Transit Agency (VTA). Here’s how it works.

  • Pay a small fee: Pay a quarterly fee that's just $7.75 for students taking 12 or more units, or less for students taking fewer units.
  • Get your Clipper Card: Pick up your personalized SmartPass Clipper Card from the Office of College Life.
  • Enjoy unlimited rides: Use your card for unlimited rides on VTA buses and light rail within Santa Clara County – seven days a week.

Click the red bars to learn about more transportation resources in this area.

Free Bike Rentals

Borrow a bike for the quarter! If you're 18 or older, bring your DASG ID card to the Office of College Life during the hours listed on the DASG Bike program webpage. You can also call 408.864.8240 or email collegelife@deanza.edu for more information.

Cupertino Shuttle: From Caltrain to Campus

Via-Cupertino is the app-based shuttle that goes everywhere in Cupertino when you need a ride – and to the Sunnyvale Caltrain Station. (More transit connections are coming soon!) Discounted fares are available for students. Visit the Via-Cupertino Shuttle website for details on how to get discounted fairs and how to ride.



Getting Through the Pandemic

Many families and individuals have experienced added hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic. You'll find resources here and more information on our Quarter Guide webpage. 

Computers and Internet Access

Technology Discounts: 

  • CollegeBuys offers student discounts on computers, software and other tech products through its online store
  • If you have a De Anza student email account, you also get free access to Microsoft's Office 365, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other online software

Need a Computer and Can't Afford One? We'll try to help.

  • If you're in the De Anza College Promise program, you can use your Bookstore voucher to purchase a device. The Financial Aid office can increase the amount of your voucher up to $500 to help cover the purchase cost. Send an email request to Lisa Mandy, director of Financial Aid and Scholarships, at mandylisa@deanza.edu. Be sure to include your name and CWID.
  • If you aren’t in the De Anza College Promise program, the Financial Aid office can check to see if you’re eligible for other aid or an emergency cash grant to help cover the cost of purchasing a device from the Bookstore. Send an email request to Lisa Mandy, director of Financial Aid and Scholarships, at mandylisa@deanza.edu. Be sure to include your name and CWID.
  • You can apply to receive a free, refurbished computer through through the Occupational Training Institute's CompTechS program. Donated computers are refurbished by CompTechS interns and staff, before they are given free to eligible students. Find details and an application form at the CompTechS website. After you apply, an OTI staff member will contact you to arrange delivery when a computer is available.

Need to Borrow a Computer on Campus? 


Free Internet:

  • Comcast Xfinity: Comcast is offering free or lower-cost internet service for low-income households. Generally, you can qualify if you are receiving SNAP, SSI, WIC or other forms of income assistance. Visit the Internet Essentials website for more information.
  • Wi-Fi Hotspots: You can get free Wi-Fi service – 24/7 – in the parking lots at Santa Clara County Libraries in Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Milpitas, Morgan Hill and Saratoga. Check the county Libraries website for details.

Financial and Rental Assistance 

Rental or Housing Assistance
Some COVID-19 relief programs have ended, but you can check these webpages for resources and assistance:


Eviction Relief

You may be eligible for eviction relief if your income or expenses were affected by COVID-19. For more information or assistance, contact the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley at 408.280.2424.


State Aid for Low-Income Residents

You can apply online for state benefits including cash assistance, food assistance, medical care, health insurance and job training.


Sacred Heart Community Services

Sacred Heart is a San José-based nonprofit that provides a wide range of assistance programs for food, clothing, housing, utilities and job-seeking. Visit their website to learn more about these programs.


Please also see the listings under Utilities below.

Jobs and Unemployment

Who's hiring now?

Check this list of employers who have jobs to fill immediately – compiled by NOVA, a nonprofit job training agency.


Lost your job?

California's state employment agency has compiled helpful FAQs about state benefits for unemployment, disability and family leave for people affected by the coronavirus.

  • The Onward CA organization also has a new website for matching California residents with jobs and resources.
  • If you have questions about unemployment benefits and related legal issues, you can call a new hotline established by Working Partnerships, a nonprofit coalition, and the Santa Clara County Office of Labor Standards Enforcement. Support is available in several languages at 408.809.2124.
  • Multilingual legal assistance with unemployment issues is available from the Filipino Bar Association of Northern California by calling 415.484.2209. Help is available in Cantonese, Cebuano, Illocano, Korean, Mandarin, Spanish and Tagalog.

Undocumented Students

Immigrants Rising is a national organization that supports undocumented students with resources for education, employment, legal issues and mental health. Visit immigrantsrising.org for more information.


HEFAS (Higher Education for AB 540 Students) provides resources and peer support for undocumented students at De Anza College. Visit deanza.edu/hefas for more information.

Utilities

PG&E is offering flexible payment plans and other programs for customers affected by the coronavirus.



You're Not Alone

recent survey of De Anza College students found

  • Nearly four out of ten students responding to the survey ate less or went hungry because they didn’t have enough money for food.
  • Four out of ten respondents moved often, shared a room or struggled to pay for housing or utilities.
  • One out of eight respondents said they had been homeless during the previous year.

Campus ServicesStudent toolkit


Help With College Costs


Check Out the De Anza College Promise!

Watch more of our Video Help Series at deanza.edu/vhs-guide


More Campus Resources


Support Our Students

  • Want to help? Visit the Foothill-De Anza Foundation's donation webpage to give online.
  • Your gift will support the Food Pantry and other emergency assistance for students.
  • Learn more about the Hope Initiative supporting our students' basic needs.

Upcoming Events

Back to Top