Unfortunately, the temporary funding source for Emergency Grants is no longer available. Students are encouraged to apply for additional financial resources by completing a FAFSA or CADAA application, if eligible, and applying for scholarships. For questions and eligibility information, please contact Financial Aid. Students are also encouraged to review the resources available on the CARE website, including the CARE Basic Needs Resource Guide and/or contacting 2-1-1 San Diego.
Getting Students Connected to Support
We encourage students to please reach out for support in navigating the many resources that are available on campus, remotely, and in our community.
At MiraCosta College, we want to support our students who may be experiencing personal and academic challenges that hinder their educational goals. Please refer students or yourself, at the earliest point possible, by submitting a CARE Referral Form so we can connect students to on- and off-campus resources that address:
Basic Needs
The CARE Resource Guide is available for students to learn about how to utilize on and off campus resources to aid with housing, food, transportation and other basic needs concerns.
Mental Health & Physical Health
With so many variables and demands in college, it’s common for students to feel anxiety, depression, or even suicidal thoughts when you're unsure of how to handle a situation. Additionally, strained physical health may hinder ones ability to focus on school. Seek support by using the following services on campus:
Mental Health Counseling & Medical Appointments
Health Services offers free and confidential counseling at the Oceanside and San Elijo campuses in addition to medical appointments with registered nurses and our campus nurse practitioner. Please see the location and phone number or visit Health Services for more information on availability for scheduling appointments.
- Oceanside Campus, Health Services, Building 3300, Room 3326. For more information: 760.795.6675
- San Elijo Campus, Health Services, Building 900, Room 917. For more information: 760.757.2121 x7747
- Community Learning Center (CLC): Students can reach out to the CLC Front Desk for information on accessing Health Services resources: 760.795.8710
Homelessness & Housing Insecurity
Did you know a recent study by THE HOPE CENTER (2021) showed that 39% of community college student's don't have consistent access to adequate food and 48% face issues with housing insecurity, and 14% are affected by homelessness? MiraCosta College can support you locate shelters and other transitional housing resources to address homelessness and housing insecurity.
Showers and Hygiene Kits: Students have access to available toiletries (gender neutral and specific) in the campus food pantries (see locations/hours on our three campuses). Showers are available on the Oceanside Main Campus (1 Barnard Drive, Oceanside, CA, 92056). View the details.
Food Insecurity
- Local Food Distributions: Great community resources for free, nutritious, fresh, and non-perishable type foods. Need assistance with how to use the food locators? Watch this.
- Food Pantry: The Food Pantry provides food assistance and referrals to students experiencing food insecurity; any student who is currently enrolled at MiraCosta qualifies for the support. The support typically consists of two snacks, an entree item, 2 fruits, 2 vegetables, and 4 extra (shelf-stable type) items. Typical food pantry items consist of canned goods, pasta, vegetables, beans, tuna, soups, nuts, granola bars, crackers, and other snack-like items. Additionally, produce is available which rotates depending on the day and season. The program provides immediate, short-term relief and offers referrals for CalFresh and additional community resources for ongoing assistance with food insecurity. All services are confidential. See our Food Pantry page for more details.
- CARE Free Food & Resource Markets: Join us to receive free grocery type items such as produce and dry goods. To learn more about our locations and schedule, please visit our CARE Free Food & Resource Market page.
- CalFresh "Free money for Food" (federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
provides monthly food benefits to income-qualifying families and students. Eligible
individuals receive free money for food.
- Students who are interested in finding out more information about this resource can contact the CARE Program. The CARE Team will identify a designated staff to assist students with application intake or a referral to a CalFresh Assister at a community provider who can offer application assistance. Students can also apply directly at www.getcalfresh.org. In order to receive application assistance from the CARE Team, please email calfresh@miracosta.edu with your availability.
Transportation
If you have transportation concerns, please complete a CARE Referral Form to connect with someone from our team. View the above flyer for more information about transportation support resources..
Student Parents
A student parent is “a student who has a child or children under 18 years of age who will receive more than half of their support from that student.” (Ed Code Section 66025.81(b)). Student Parents receive Priority Registration per AB2881.
We encourage our student parent's to check out available resources on campus such as:
Free Diapers
Currently enrolled MiraCosta students may receive 1 free pack of 25 diapers (Sizes 0-6 are typically available however change depending on availability from our partner, the San Diego Food Bank) per child from the Campus Assessment, Resources, & Education (CARE) program. Please reference our flyer for more information about the new diaper distributions. Remember to purchase a day parking permit and park only in student parking lots (if you do not already have a semester parking permit)!
For students hoping to pick-up at the San Elijo Campus, please email care@miracosta.edu.
For information about other off-campus resources for Child Care, WIC, and other Student Parent resources, please review our CARE Basic Needs Resources Guide or 2-1-1 San Diego
Sexual Misconduct, Sexual Assault, Title IX & Discrimination
If you feel that you've been subjected to sexual harassment, misconduct, or discrimination, MiraCosta has crisis resources available that can help you. Contact the Title IX Coordinator to file a complaint, learn more about the support services MiraCosta has to offer, or get connected to community resources.
What is Title IX?
Title IX is a federal law that prohibits gender discrimination on college campuses.
Contact
Hayley Schwartzkopf
Director of Labor Relations & Title IX Coordinator
760.795.6672
hschwartzkopf@miracosta.edu
Immigration/DACA
- The UPRISE (Undocumented People Rise in Solidarity and Empowerment) program offers free immigration legal consultations for undocumented and mixed-status students through Jewish Family Services Higher Education Legal Services. Schedule an appointment now.
You can also find low-cost legal and immigration services in North County San Diego:
- Readynowsandiego.org - 619.363.3423 - a project of Alliance San Diego that focuses on advocacy, education, and services supporting immigrant families
- Uurise.org - 760.477.7537 - is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that empowers immigrants and refugees in the U.S. by offering direct legal services, particularly to those who have few resources to obtain legal assistance
- For more complete information on AB 540 please click here & for DACA please click here.
Financial Support
The Financial Aid Office offers a variety of FREE workshops and events designed to give you tools to manage your finances. Visit Financial Aid for more information or call 760.795.6711.
Off-Campus Support
Submit a CARE Referral Form or email care@miracosta.edu to connect with a member of the CARE Team and receive individualized campus and/or community/off-campus referrals based on your current circumstances and needs.
When the CARE Program or it’s team members are unavailable, students may dial 2-1-1 to speak with a trained live operator to review San Diego County resources or by visiting 2-1-1 San Diego to search for available resources.
