The Office of Basic Needs Initiatives at Modesto Junior College is dedicated to supporting students experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. If you find yourself without a safe place to sleep, we can refer you to community resources offering safe shelter, shower facilities, and even secure parking options for students living in their cars.
While we are dedicated to helping you connect with resources that can support your housing stability, please know that we may not be able to meet every housing need for all students who seek assistance.
We’re here to help guide you through the process and connect you with as many resources as possible. If you're facing homelessness or housing insecurity, we encourage you to complete our Basic Needs Inquiry form below so we can connect you with resources and support tailored to your situation. The Basic Needs Inquiry Form is now available!
Current/Former homeless youth qualify for priority registration. Here's how to qualify:
Core steps include:
"Homeless youth" means at any time during the 24 months immediately preceding the application for admission. "Former homeless youth” means a student under 25 years of age, who has been verified.
Priority Registration will be assigned for 6 years, upon verification of homeless status.
Submit an Official Letter from a high school or school district homeless liaison, the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program, or the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program.
Send the homeless verification letter to the Enrollment Services Department.
The MJC Pirate Housing Opportunity Grant (MPHOG) is reserved for student(s) who are at risk of losing their home, experiencing a brief unexpected housing crisis, or exiting transitional housing, and need assistance with new housing fees such as security deposit etc.. This program is funded by Assembly Bill 74 College-Focused Rapid Re-Housing (AB 74-RRH). This is a state-funded program and current enrollment in Modesto Junior College is required; including a minimum of 9 units successfully completed.
“Homeless” and “Housing Insecure” means students who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.
*The Pirate Housing Opportunity Grant must be used for housing expenses only
Students who are:
at risk of losing their home, experiencing a brief unexpected housing crisis, or exiting transitional housing, and need assistance with new housing fees such as security deposit etc.. This grant primarily supports students who are in good standing with financial aid and demonstrate a plan to achieve their academic goals
Eligibility Requirements Include:
* Students currently receiving housing support through Lutheran Social Services (LSS) are not eligible for MPHOG, except for transitional housing support when exiting the LSS program.
Request for Second Housing Grant:
For appeals the following are required:
For students who are experiencing financial hardships, such as increase in utility costs, funeral costs, replacing car battery, and remaining medical expenses etc.. These are some examples as there are many unexpected hardships students face. This grant-funded amount is more limited in comparison to the Pirates Housing Grant. This grant primarily supports students who have an unmet need.
Students who are:
experiencing financial hardships, such as increase in utility costs, funeral costs, replacing car battery, and remaining medical expenses etc..
Eligibility Requirements Include:
* Students currently receiving housing support through Lutheran Social Services (LSS) are not eligible for BNEG, except for transitional housing support when exiting the LSS program.
Request for Second Housing Grant:
Lutheran Social Services is a third party agency that is in collaboration with our Basic Needs Initiative department. Their College Initiative program provides at-risk or homeless students who qualify with Rapid Rehousing (RRH) or Housing Navigation.
Eligibility Requirements Include:
Emergency Shelters or Transitional Housing Programs: A letter from the shelter where you are staying, with an entry date and a signature from an official.
Social Service Agencies: An agency that provides services to people experiencing homelessness, such as a local Continuum of Care (CoC), a non-profit, or a community outreach organization.
Case Managers or Outreach Workers: Professionals who have direct knowledge of your situation and can attest to it.
Hospitals or Police Departments: In some cases, a letter from a hospital social worker or a police officer who has documented your situation can be accepted.
