Stanford
Student Services

Resources and Support

Below are resources and support for your financial life, well-being, and overall success as a Stanford student and beyond. 

View Stanford Daily's full list of campus resources for more

Financial Resources 

Basic Needs and Financial Resources List

Note: This is a best-effort compilation completed by students working with the Basic Needs Coalition meant to serve as a starting point and not the definitive final resource. 

For governmental / community resources sorted by state, you can click this link.

General

  1. Food Pantry Pop-Up
    1. In partnership with Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, Stanford R&DE hosts monthly pop-up food pantries for undergraduate and graduate students and their affiliates who need additional food support. Each student household is eligible to receive produce, dairy, meat or poultry and non-perishable items at no cost. The initial pop-up events have included seasonally appropriate stone fruits, apples, squash, and greens, plus chicken, cheese, yogurt, milk, eggs, legumes, cereal, and peanut butter among other food items.
    2. R&DE Stanford Dining is reviewing the frequency and location of future pop-up pantries given the constraints placed on events and shelter-in-place directives.
  2. Lathrop Equipment and Laptop Lending
    1. Through Lathrop tech desk
    2. Available to any actively enrolled student
    3. Laptops and other tech equipment available, free of charge
    4. Shipping is available for off-campus students, depending on academic need.
  3. Free and Low-Cost Internet Access
    1. The Hub at Lathrop has compiled a list of low-cost and free internet providers: https://thehub.stanford.edu/get-help-with-home-internet-access
    2. If none of these options work for you, there are other available internet options for low income households here: https://broadbandnow.com/guides/low-income-internet
    3. If your trial for these resources is expired or they are not available where you live, fill out this form from Lathrop to be mailed internet equipment
  4. Free Laptops
    1. PCs for People offers free computers to people below the 200% poverty level (example: for a family of 1, income level below $25,520) or people enrolled in government assistance programs. You must be able to provide a government issued ID and proof of income: https://www.pcsforpeople.org/eligibility/
    2. Computers with Causes offers free computers on a case by case basis, there are no income limits or other eligibility requirements: https://www.computerswithcauses.org/application.htm
    3. The On-It Foundation offers free computers to K-12 students and discounted price computers to other students and individuals: http://theonitfoundation.org/faqs/
    4. With Causes is an organization that raises money for a variety of causes, including access to technology for students: https://www.withcauses.org/askforhelp.htm

Undergraduate-Only

  1. The Opportunity Fund
    1. Through the FLI Office
    2. Only for undergraduate students
    3. Can cover “Travel costs related to a death or illness, citizenship fees or other similar fees with supporting documentation, assistance with laptop repair or replacement in the event of an emergency (one-time during your academic career at Stanford, computer expense form required), medical/dental expenses that are not covered by the Financial Aid Office, attending conferences/workshops (twice during each students’ academic career), expenses associated with parent/guardian/family attendance at major campus events, with the exception of graduation (one-time), expenses associated with preparation for graduate or professional school admissions and preparation, summer storage”
    4. Will not cover “Tuition or fees, health insurance, study abroad, iPads, expenses which are standard considerations for financial assistance through the Financial Aid Office”
    5. Applications are accepted and reviewed on an ongoing basis
  2. Flex-Term Grants
    1. Through the FLI Office
    2. Only available on your flex-term, for undergraduate students, with a combined expected family contribution and expected student contribution below $5,000 on the financial aid award letter
  3. Medical/Dental Expense Form
    1. Through the Financial Aid Office
    2. Only for undergraduates, students must be enrolled at the time expenses were incurred
    3. Must be more than $150 requested
    4. Documentation of the costs is required
  4. Undergraduate Cash Advance from the Financial Aid Office
    1. Through the Financial Aid Office 
    2. For certain expenses that undergraduate students enrolled for fall quarter and who are receiving financial aid might need advance funding for, ahead of financial aid disbursement dates.
    3. Individual outreach and documentation of situations is required.
    4. In order to inquire about this option, please email the Financial Aid Office
      1. financialaid@stanford.edu
  5. Lathrop Learning Hub Internet Access Help and Tech Checkout
    1. Through the Lathrop Learning Hub
    2. For undergraduates who will be enrolled in classes
    3. Can find resources and equipment available to check out at this website: https://thehub.stanford.edu/help-and-resources-summer-quarter
  6. Subsidized Federal Direct Loans
    1. Through the Financial Aid Office
    2. The amount you can take out on a loan varies depending on your class standing. Interest does not accrue at all while you’re enrolled at least half-time and for the 6 months following graduation. 
    3. For more information about these resources, visit this website: https://financialaid.stanford.edu/loans/direct/index.html

Graduate Student-Only

  1. Grad Cash Advance Program
    1. Through Student Financial Services
    2. Enrolled graduate students only
    3. “A Cash Advance option is available to graduate and professional students to assist with expenses before graduate financial support is posted to their student account and/or TA/RA salary is paid.  Active degree-seeking graduate students can request an advance in the amount of $1000, $2000, or $3000 per term via Axess."
  2. Emergency Grant-in-Aid Funds
    1. Through the Financial Aid Office
    2. Only graduate students not enrolled in the School of Medicine, School of Law, or School of Business
    3. Will cover “Unanticipated or unusual expenses (most commonly medical, dental, or legal, but other expenses can be considered) outside of the typical student budget that may hinder the student’s academic progress will be considered. Costs must have been incurred while enrolled at Stanford, and costs for a previous or future academic year will not be considered. Each case is considered on its own merits. Any costs that are not documented cannot be considered. 
    4. Up to $5,000
    5. Can apply to students on medical LoA
  3. Graduate Student Aid Fund
    1. Through the Financial Aid Office
    2. Only graduate students not enrolled in the School of Medicine, School of Law, or School of Business
    3. Will cover: “health related university fees”
    4. Amount is “no more than the amount of Campus Health Service Fee and Cardinal Care Insurance per quarter of enrollment or up to $2,500 toward the cost of health insurance for a spouse through Vaden’s dependent insurance plan”
  4.  Graduate Family Grant Program
    1. Through the Financial Aid Office
    2. Available to all graduate students
    3. Can be used to cover “childcare, healthcare, insurance, and rent”
    4. Amount is up to $15,000 depending on family income and number of dependents
  5. Graduate School of Education Emergency Funding Program
    1. Same application and eligibility as the Emergency Grant-in-Aid, but must be enrolled in Graduate School of Education
    2. Supplements up to $2000 in addition the the Emergency Grant-in-Aid’s $5000 limit
  6. Miles and Nancy Rubin Loan Repayment Assistance Program
    1. Available to law school students
    2. Up to 100% forgiveness of any loans taken out
  7. Stanford Law School Cash Advance
    1. Students can apply through the Student Services Center via Axess to temporarily help meet basic needs
    2. Students can request $1,000, $2,000 or $3,000 per term
    3. Funds arrive in your bank account within 1-2 business days
    4. Once requested, a Cash Advance charge will be posted to your University bill.
    5. No interest or fees
  8. GSB Emergency Grant
    1. On internal GSB website only accessible by GSB students (couldn’t find link)
    2. Up to $5,000 per year 
    3. Very similar to Emergency Grant-in-Aid
    4. Students must be enrolled in GSB and making satisfactory academic progress
  9. Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans
    1. Up to $20,500 in unsubsidized loans for Graduate Students.
    2. For more information, visit: https://financialaid.stanford.edu/loans/direct/index.html

Mental Health Resources 

CAPS: Stanford Counseling and Psychological Services 

CAPS is Stanford’s counseling service, run through Vaden Health. The team of professional psychologists can provide a variety of resources: Crisis support, medication and mental consultations, care management consultation and treatment planning, referral assistance, workshops and events, and coaching support services, among others. The demand for CAPS is high, so it can sometimes be difficult to get non-crisis support immediately. 

Hours of operation:

24/7 for urgent support

9:00 am – 4:00 pm Monday – Friday

Contact: caps.stanford.edu 

  650-723-3785

Enrollment status necessary to access: urgent support is given regardless of location;

Financial: Most services are free for students who have paid the Health Fee.

Keywords: professional; mental health; counseling; crisis support; therapy; medication 

Weiland Health Initiative

Promotes mental health and wellness for the entire spectrum of gender identities and sexual orientations through education, training, and clinical services.

Hours of operation: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (PST)

Contact: https://weiland.stanford.edu/

   650-723-2005

   weilandhealth@stanford.edu

Enrollment status necessary to access: Full-time; Flex term

Financial: Free

Keywords: professional; mental health; counseling; crisis support; gender affirming ; queer

Vaden Well-Being

The mission of Well-Being at Stanford is to empower individuals and communities to flourish through education, connection and positive culture change. They offer non-therapy support to students in and out of California, including life-coaching and other events and groups.

Hours of operation: M-F, 9:00 am-5:00 pm (PST)

Contact: https://vaden.stanford.edu/well-being-stanford

650-723-0821

    yourwellbeing@stanford.edu

Enrollment status necessary to access: 

Financial: Limited free services, others paid, financial aid available

Keywords: Coaching, outreach, training and consulting, red folder

Queer Student Resources (QSR)

Community center for LGBTQ+ students; runs affinity groups, programming, and other resources around gender and sexual identity. Also offers the QT Umbrella Assistance Fund, which can help LGBTQIA+ students access gender and sexuality affirming mental health and medical care.

Hours of operation: Varies

Contact: https://queer.stanford.edu/

    www.qspot.online 

    (650) -725-4222

   QueerStudentResources@stanford.edu

Enrollment status necessary to access: Enrolled or Flex

Financial: Free

Keywords: gender; sexual identity; community; LGBTQ+