HOPE Crisis Fund

HOPE stands for: Help, Opportunity, & Pathway to Empowerment

HOPE Response is here for students experiencing financial crisis that could derail their path toward SF State graduation.

As a reminder, the following expenses are expected as part of your academic journey and do not automatically qualify for HOPE Response support:

  • Tuition and fees
  • Housing/food/Living expenses
  • Books and school supplies
  • Technology for school
  • Travel/transportation/commuting expenses (check out the Gator Pass for info on transit benefits!)

HOPE Response at SF State is a resource for matriculated students experiencing a financial crisis. The application for Spring 2024 is now available and the review of applications will occur most Thursdays (the first review of applicants will be Thursday, February 8th, 2024).

Please note: Applications will pause review during Spring Break - March 25-29th

The HOPE Response Review Team will provide recommendations for resources, services, and strategies both on campus and in our greater San Francisco communities.

If you are experiencing an emergency such as not having a safe place to sleep tonight, please reach out to basicneeds@sfsu.edu regarding your crisis. Please do not reach out to them to follow up on your application, requests will be addressed based on urgency.

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Donate to the HOPE Crisis Fund

* Please note that the panel reviewing request will not meet during Spring Break (March 25-29) and will experience some delays with application review. If you are experiencing an emergency, please email dos@sfsu.edu or stop by the Dean of Students Office on campus in the Student Services Building (SSB) 403. 
 

What does HOPE provide?

HOPE provides support based on a student’s individual needs. Common support includes:

  • One-time emergency funding

  •  Referrals to on-and-off campus departments, programs, and resources

  •  Support navigating University barriers

Please note HOPE emergency funding provides small, one-time awards.

Am I eligible for HOPE support?

We encourage all SF State students in crisis and need to reach out for support.

Basic eligibility requirements for most services include:

  • A student must be enrolled at SF State University in the current, or upcoming semester

  • A student must be experiencing an unexpected financial crisis, that has the potential to derail their educational opportunities

  • A student must explore other forms of support or resolution prior to requesting HOPE support

  • Other eligibility requirements may apply

Though not all applicants will qualify for emergency funding, the HOPE Response Team will work to ensure students are connected with meaningful resources.

How do I request support from the HOPE Response Team?

If you are experiencing a crisis that needs immediate attention, for example, if you do not have a safe space to sleep tonight, please email basicneeds@sfsu.edu. 

**Please only email Basic Needs if you are actively unhoused, not to check on the status of your application. A high volume of emails makes it difficult to respond to the most urgent needs. Basic Needs does not oversee all HOPE cases.

How long will it take to hear back after I submit my request?

HOPE requests are reviewed every Thursday, in the order received.  Please submit your request by 5 pm on Monday to ensure it is reviewed that week.  

Review of applications will not happen the week of Fall Break (typically during Thanksgiving), Winter Break (mid-December through early January), and Spring Break (mid-to-late March). Be sure to review each Academic Calendar for specific campus-breaks. 

The HOPE Team will make every effort to respond to students in a timely manner.

If you are experiencing a crisis that needs immediate attention, for example, you do not have a safe space to sleep tonight, please email basicneeds@sfsu.edu

**Please only email Basic Needs if you are actively unhoused, not to check on the status of your application. A high volume of emails makes it difficult to respond to the most urgent needs. Basic Needs does not oversee all HOPE cases.

How long will it take to hear back after I submit my request?

HOPE requests are reviewed every Thursday, in the order received.  Please submit your request by 5 pm on Monday to ensure it is reviewed that week.

The HOPE Team will make every effort to respond to students in a timely manner.

If you are experiencing a crisis that needs immediate attention, for example, you do not have a safe space to sleep tonight, please email basicneeds@sfsu.edu

Apply Here