Financial Wellness

UCLA LGBTQ Campus Resource Center

Economic Crisis Response

The Economic Crisis Response Team (ECR TEAM) provides support and guidance to students who have self-identified, or are identified by UCLA faculty or staff, as experiencing a financial crisis that impacts their academic success at UCLA. ECR can help enrolled UCLA students with the following:

  • Emergency Housing
  • Emergency Short Term Loan
  • Emergency Grant
  • Meal Vouchers
  • Support with navigating other resources

If you are in financial distress, please complete the ECRT Self-Assessment Form.

A student requesting a meal voucher must:

  1. Be registered and/or enrolled; exceptions may be reviewed by ECR TEAM.
  2. Indicate the lack of a regular source of sufficient nourishment
  3. Not have an alternative source of meal options (i.e. dining hall meal plan). Students living on the Hill with a meal plan are not eligible for the Meal Voucher Program.

Students are limited to a maximum of 20 meal vouchers per quarter with a maximum of 3 quarters of support; if need exceeds this, an assessment of student’s financial situation must be completed by ECRT.

International, Undocumented/AB540 students and Students with Dependents are limited to a maximum of 30 vouchers per quarter each quarter they are enrolled at UCLA through degree completion.

If a student begins a new degree at UCLA, the eligibility will reset.

UCLA Dining Meal Vouchers may only be redeemed at UCLA Dining facilities located on the Hill (undergraduate residential community).

Financial Wellness Peers

In partnership with the Financial Wellness Program, the LGBTQ Center hosts weekly Financial Wellness Peer coaching hours to support students' financial literacy. To learn more about the Financial Wellness Program or to make an appointment with a Financial Wellness Peer, please visit: https://www.financialwellness.ucla.edu/

Case Management

Students’ personal situations may negatively impact their well-being or academic life. In other instances, students’ actions may disturb campus community members. In these situations, Case Managers are available to receive reports of concern and determine an appropriate response to assist the student and those who may also be impacted by the situation. Case Managers are available to consult with or provide training for campus community members who would like to better support students of concern. Case Managers must abide by FERPA laws, which means they are a private, not confidential resource.

All Case Managers can be reached by calling (310) 825-7291 or by emailing CRTeam@ucla.edu.

If you would prefer to schedule an appointment, you can do so via the Case Management Portal.

Please keep in mind that the Case Managers do not maintain 24 hour access to email or phone. For more information about Case Managers, please visit UCLA Consultation and Response.

Financial Independence Resources

UC and Campus-Specific Resources

UCLA Financial Aid Appeals: There are several pathways for requesting additional financial aid, including declaring financial independence and unexpected expenses. There are also resources for applying for loans with low eligibility.

UCLA Student Legal Services: We provide confidential legal counseling and assistance regarding a wide range of legal issues to all currently registered and enrolled UCLA students.

External Organizations:

American Civil Liberties Union: The ACLU is our nation's guardian of liberty, working daily in courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and laws of the United States guarantee everyone in this country.

Lambda Legal: Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.

LGBTQ+ Lawyers Association of Los Angeles: LGBTQ+ Lawyers LA continues its mission to advocate for the concerns of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender lawyers by making judicial endorsements, writing and signing on to amicus briefs, and providing education, networking, and social opportunities for its members. LGBTQ+ Lawyers LA is also an active member of The Multicultural Bar Alliance of Southern California, which is an affiliation of more than fifteen minority bar associations working to promote diversity in the profession and the community.

Tackling Disparities in Finance for Black and African Americans: During the last five decades, the Black community has had limited access to building wealth for generations. A closer look at wealth in America reveals staggering racial wealth disparities. You can find several tools and resources below to help tackle a few financial challenges and develop ways to create wealth for yourself and your future family.