Student Affairs

Basic Needs Coordinator
The basic needs coordinator at Citrus College provides crisis intervention, emergency referrals, manages the campus food pantries, and oversees emergency grant funds. Students experiencing food or housing insecurity can contact Citrus College Basic Needs Coordinator, Dunia Valladares, at dvalladares@citruscollege.edu

Basic Needs Grants
The college is making available the following resources to assist students in the successful completion of courses while attending Citrus College.

Applicants must have completed the FAFSA or California Dream Act application prior to applying for any of the basic needs grants.

• Grocery Gift Card Program Application
  Grocery gift cards are intended to support students who struggle with food insecurity. Because resources are limited, the program helps students with food purchases on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Technology Support Grants
  Grants are intended to help students make a technology purchase that will support their successful completion of courses while at Citrus College. The technology grant is offered in the form of a Best Buy voucher or a Chromebook. Students cannot receive both and can only receive the tech grant once during their time at Citrus College. Students that have already received the COVID-19 Technology Support Grant through the form of a $250 Best Buy technology voucher or a Chromebook should NOT reapply. Please only apply to one application and choose the one you feel will best support your needs. We will try our best to accommodate your request but cannot guarantee you will receive the resource you choose.
  
  
• COVID-19 Technology Support Grant Application: Technology grants are intended to help students make a technology purchase at Best Buy, that will support their successful completion of courses while at Citrus College (receipts may be required).
  
  
• Chromebook Request (COVID-19 Technology Support Grant): Chromebooks are intended to support students in the successful completion of courses while at Citrus College.

• Amazing Educational Resources has compiled a comprehensive list of education companies offering free subscriptions due to school closings.
• iFoster is currently offering technology access to foster youth ages 13-24, which includes: free, unlimited high-speed data hotspots, headsets, and laptops to assist in taking online classes. For additional information on the resources call or email iFoster at (855) 936-7837 or phone@ifoster.org

• Los Angeles County Library has many digital resources you can access 24/7, no matter where you are. All you need is your library card number and PIN. Don't have a library card? Sign up for a digital library card online that will give you access to all of the library's digital offerings, including ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, movies, television, homework help, online classes, and more. Click here for more information.

• If you are, or were previously, in foster care and need a laptop for remote learning, email One Simple Wish at info@onesimplewish.org

• The Owl Success Hub: Remote Learning Study Skills offers study tips for students transitioning from a traditional classroom learning environment to remote online education from home.

Please visit the financial aid website for information on applying for financial aid and disbursement information.

For more information on financial aid impact on withdrawing form courses, please visit the COVID-19 Withdrawals and Financial Aid web page.

Find a nearby food bank at Aunt Bertha Social Care Network.

Why Hunger hotline at (800) 5-HUNGRY

Enroll for CalFresh online.

Depending on the length of the coronavirus crisis, students' finances may be deeply affected. Some students could be eligible for SNAP.

The Grocery Gift Card application is intended to support students who struggle with food insecurity. Because resources are limited, the program provides assistance with food purchases on a first-come, first-served basis.

The State of California has announced that all health insurance plans are required to provide no-cost care to members seeking coronavirus testing, screening, or treatment.

• Because of COVID-19, you or someone you know may be newly eligible due to job loss and can apply for Medi-Cal online at https://www.coveredca.com

• For more information on how to keep your Medi-Cal during a pandemic visit Health Consumer Alliance COVID-19.

• Maternal and Child Health Access will assist individuals who have Medi-Cal but are experiencing issues accessing it. Call (213) 749-4261 and receive a call back within 24-48 hours from a blocked number.

• Medi-Cal Eligibility information can be found on the Department of Health Services COVID-19 Response page.

• Mexican Consulate Ventanilla de Salud information can be found here.

• For those who may be worried about quarantining in a home where they do not feel safe, help is available from the National Domestic Violence Hotline 24/7/365 at @ndvh by chat or by calling their hotline at (800) 799-723.

• Take extra steps to protect yourself and each other by taking precautions advised by the cdc.gov and alert youth and other members of our community to watch out for coronavirus treatment scams. For information, review the Federal Trade Commission's Coronavirus Scams.
  

• If you are or know of a foster youth that is staying at a college dorm room that is going to be closed, please contact Together We Rise - info@togetherwerise.org -  and they will provide or help find housing.

• U-Haul is offering 30 days of free self-storage to help college students who are currently housing insecure.

• If you are a student affected by COVID-19 and in need of emergency relief, contact the Student Relief Fund.

For list of numerous resources, including therapy and counseling, go to Your Mental Health and Wellness during the Coronavirus Outbreak on the Citrus College Student Health Center site.

California Virtual Campus/Online Education Initiative provides several tutorials for students to have success in the online environment.

The California Community Colleges have developed a series of videos addressing the real challenges experienced by online students, new and experienced, while pursuing success in online classes.

Check out the Owl Success Hub: Remote Learning Study Skills which offers study tips for students transitioning from a traditional classroom learning environment to remote online education from home.

• Coalition for Human Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA)
• Department of Social Services Immigration Legal Services resource page

• Immigrants Rising has developed a list of resources to help undocumented individuals and allies.

• Resources for Undocumented Communities during COVID-19

• Undocumented Workers Rights in California from Legal Aid Work

• AT&T response to COVID-19.
  
  
• Charter Communications will make its internet and WiFi services available for free for 60 days to households with college students who don’t already have internet through the company. WiFi hotspots will also be open for public use.
  
  
• Charter is offering free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription. To enroll: (844) 488-8395.
  
  
• Comcast is offering the Internet Essentials plan, which includes two free months of internet service that is normally available to qualified low-income households.
  
  
• Verizon FAQs

For more information on withdrawing from courses and receiving a refund, please visit the COVID-19 Withdrawals and Financial Aid web page.