Basic Needs Services
The Ventura College Basic Needs Center provides support to help students meet essential needs and stay focused on their education. Services include:
- CalFresh application assistance (monthly grocery benefits)
- Care Room access and mental health referrals
- Pirates Cove Food Pantry (free groceries and daily snacks)
- Housing referrals and support for students experiencing housing insecurity
- Meal Voucher Program (limited eligibility)
- Medi-Cal application assistance for free or low-cost health coverage
- Free Ventura County bus transportation with a valid VC student ID
- Treasure Chest Boutique (hygiene supplies, clothing, and cleaning essentials)
- VC Student Emergency Grant support for unexpected financial hardships
Services are available to currently enrolled Ventura College students. Some programs may require completion of a Basic Needs intake form.
Have questions?
Call (805) 289-6583 or email vcbasicneeds@vcccd.edu
The BNC helped relieve a lot of external challenges. I used the food pantry daily, allowing me to make academics my priority. It was a space to get a quick snack or heat a meal. The BNC helped me apply for the CalFresh program. I know I would have struggled to focus on school without this resource. Thanks to all the resources and support I received at Ventura College, I was able to transfer to my dream school, UCLA, and will graduate next year with a B.S. in Neuroscience. I am extremely grateful to Ventura College.
Natalia Bucio, Ventura College Student | Transfered to UCLA
