Basic Needs Resources

Merritt College Emergency Aid Program: 

Project Success (ECMC) Emergency Funds
Grant Amount: up to $500.00*(limit over the life of the program)

Purpose: to assist students in dealing with unforeseen financial emergencies that, if not quickly resolved, could cause students to drop out of school.

How to Apply:

• Complete the online Project Success Application by logging into the application portal: https://app.bybeam.co/merritt/identity/signin
• Submit supporting documentation in the online Project Success Application

Eligibility Requirements:

• Be enrolled part-time or full-time in a certificate, associate or bachelor’s degree program at the time of the aid request. Graduate students are not eligible.
• Have a GPA of 2.0 or greater at the time of application approval.
• Complete the online application provided by ECMC and upload supporting documentation of the financial need (i.e., required uninsured medical treatment, automotive repair estimate, documented notice of unexpected change in housing or utilities expense).
• Complete the required financial education courses through ECMC’s financial literacy platform, ECMC Learning.
• Benefit from having an expense paid with emergency aid through this program, not to exceed $500 during the life of the aid program.
• Be entitled to use of the emergency aid funds with no expectation of repayment.
• The emergency is due to an unforeseen circumstance.

Please note, your request for Emergency Support will not be processed until a receipt, supporting document, estimate or bill is provided. Completion of the application is not a guarantee you will be awarded

Grants in the form of gas cards are now available to students for spring semester. Please fill out this form to be considered for this grant. Students are eligible to apply once per semester. We will review all applications March 7th, 2025 and notify applicants via email with next steps.

Eligibility:

• Must be currently enrolled
• Must be taking at least one class on-campus
• EFC 0 and/or demonstrate need

Emergency Gas Card Application 

Panther Produce Pantry 

Starting Spring 2025, Merritt College's Panther Produce Pantry occurs every Thursday from 12 PM - 4 PM. It is held in the Basic Needs Center R-28. Bring your student ID card with the current semester sticker

Alameda County Food Banks

A list of housing resources is available by clicking this link.

For urgent housing needs call 2-1-1 

More information below:

Building Futures/211/Operation Dignity

Contact Building Futures at 866-A-WAY-OUT (24 HOUR TOLL FREE CRISIS LINE) or Call 2-1-1 For the same intake The 24 hours, 7 days a week resource for those experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness is to call 2-1-1.

Staff there have the most in-depth knowledge of available resources, shelter locations, and available housing applications. There are a number of resources countywide that can be accessed by calling 2-1-1 or visiting their website at http://211alamedacounty.org/.

Mobile Outreach Non-profit organizations Operation Dignity and Building Futures provide basic necessities to those experiencing homelessness while working on stabilizing their situation and helping them to find housing.

Looking for an affordable and furnished room in the heart of downtown Oakland? 

Check out The Brooklyn!

Dine and Connect

Dine and Connect Held on the last Monday of each month, dinners lead by Alameda’s faith based community provide more than just a warm meal to those experiencing homelessness. Alongside dinner, this program connects individuals to services and resources and fosters community with an opportunity for individuals to meet, talk, and connect.

Location: Immanuel Lutheran Church 1420 Lafayette St. Alameda, CA (click to view contact info)

Covia Home Match

East Bay Community Law Center’s Free Immigration Legal Services

To schedule a virtual appointment with the East Bay Community Law Center, click here.

Centro Legal de La Raza: https://www.centrolegal.org/ 

Eviction Defense Center: https://www.evictiondefensecenteroakland.org/ 

Just Cause/Causa Justa: https://cjjc.org/ 

Oakland Lawyers In the Library: https://oaklandlibrary.org/lawyers-in-the-library/