Formerly Unhoused Youth Support
Quick overview
Who this is for: Students who have experienced housing instability or lacked safe, stable, and permanent housing—whether before college or while enrolled. This may include experiences such as staying in shelters, cars, motels, or moving frequently without a long-term place to live.
What we offer: Holistic support through mentorship, academic and financial guidance, leadership opportunities, and a welcoming community.
Connect with us
Location: Academic Resource Center 121
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Email: rsp@ucsc.edu
Phone: (831) 459-5899
Instagram: @ucsc_resilientscholars
Appointments: Schedule via Slug Success
Welcome, resilient scholars
If you’ve experienced challenges finding stable housing, you’re not alone—and you belong here. Whether that included staying with others, moving frequently, or navigating school without a permanent place to live, your experience matters. At UC Santa Cruz, the Resilient Scholar Programs (RSP) offer resources, community, and support to help you thrive in and out of the classroom.
Programs and support
Housing and basic needs support
We know that navigating college while managing housing insecurity takes extraordinary resilience. RSP is here to help reduce those barriers so you can focus on your goals.
We can help with:
- Early move-in before fall quarter
- Emergency housing during summer and winter breaks
- Other basic needs, including help with:
- Textbooks and technology
- Food access
- Health care co-pays
- Clearing enrollment holds
To request support, fill out the Resilient Scholars Basic Needs Form.
Chancellor’s Undergraduate Internship Program (CUIP)
Earn a $4,000 or $8,000 scholarship while developing a leadership project with direct support from the Underground Scholars Program Coordinator. Includes a leadership course that fulfills your PR-S general education requirement.
Community Development Internship Program (CDIP)
Gain practical experience with local organizations and build your professional network. This program offers mentorship, real-world learning, and work-study funding to support your growth.
More support and ways to navigate UCSC
The Smith Society at UC Santa Cruz
The Smith Society supports students who have faced major life challenges such as foster care, homelessness, or being a ward of the court. Many Smith Scholars are also system-impacted. The program provides mentorship, community, and resources to help students succeed.
Slug Support
Slug Support helps students facing unexpected crises or barriers. Independent students are encouraged to reach out for help navigating emergency funding, housing challenges, and more.
To get started, fill out the Slug Support Intake Form.
Independent student status for financial aid
If you’ve experienced housing instability or lacked safe permanent housing, you may qualify as an independent student for financial aid purposes. As an independent student, you won’t need to provide parental information on your FAFSA or CADAA. This can expand your access to grants, scholarships, and other aid.
Prospective and incoming students
If the Underground Scholars Program resonates with your experience, we’d love to connect with you. We support UCSC students who are system-impacted, as well as students from local communities and colleges who are working towards transferring to UCSC through our pre-admissions equity outreach programs.
Fill out our Resilient Scholar Programs Interest Form to get in touch with our team. We’ll follow up to answer your questions, share resources, and help you feel welcomed into our community
Connect with our team
The staff behind the Resilient Scholar Programs are deeply committed to supporting students with experiences of housing instability. Whether you need help securing stable housing, accessing emergency resources, navigating financial aid and support services, or just want someone to talk to who understands the challenges of pursuing education while facing housing insecurity, we’re here for you. Our approach is student-centered, community-driven, and grounded in the belief that higher education can be transformative.
Reach out anytime—we’d love to connect.
Email: rsp@ucsc.edu
Our mission
At the Resilient Scholar Programs, you will find community support to guide you through your personal, professional, and academic paths at UC Santa Cruz. We aim to provide holistic support that centers your personal goals and values while navigating the University. Our caring staff and peer leaders will guide you through your transition to the University and throughout your academic journey by offering a variety of intentional resources, services, and one on one mentoring and general counseling.