Basic needs are the essential parts of life that need to be prioritized in one's budget to obtain financial stability. These include: food, clothing, transportation, and housing. It is possible to survive without some of these items, but it is not possible to truly thrive. Lacking in any one of these categories can be detrimental to your mental or physical health which is why we call them basic needs. The Basic Needs Center is located in room 1202 and is available to students to help with obtaining these basic needs. Their mission is to increase equitable access to food, housing, and financial, physical, and mental wellness resources for all students by breaking down barriers and transforming the Napa Valley College community.
A food pantry is run through the Basic Needs Center at NVC where currently enrolled Napa Valley College students can make an appointment to pick up some food items to help. In addition to this pantry, the Basic Needs Center is home to a CalFresh Outreach team who can help you determine if you qualify for additional CalFresh benefits and help you to complete your application. Information about other local food banks and benefit programs are also available through the Food Resources page of the Basic Needs Center linked above.
In addition to food items being available through the pantry at the Basic Needs Center, they also have a number of household products available including school supplies, cleaning products, parenting supplies (diapers, etc.), and those items needed for personal hygiene. Stormy's Closet is also located in the Basic Needs Center where students can find clothing items such as pants, shirts, jackets, and shoes.
Bus passes through Vine Transit are also available through the Basic Needs Center for FREE. These passes provide either 3 single-ride passes every month or 1 twenty-one ride pass to cover the semester. The transportation section of the website, linked above, also covers help with a Clipper Pass, E-Bike Incentive Programs, and low-cost car insurance options sponsored by the state.
Students can talk to the staff in the Basic Needs Center about getting a referral to a community agency or organization for help with housing and housing support. In addition, the new River Trail Village offers on-campus housing and NVC students may qualify for 2 months free rent if they meet certain eligibility requirements.
If you'd like to support the Basic Needs Center they are always accepting donations. Visit their Get Involved site to find out more about how to donate.
Napa Valley College offers a wide variety of cultural groups which provide great resources including potential scholarships and benefits available based on cultural needs to our student populations. The term culture includes not only people of similar ethnic/racial backgrounds, but also those of shared community experiences such as the LGBTQIA+ community, Foster Youth, and Veterans.
The Dream Center is an intentionally shared space with the Puente program, which together is known as the Puente/Dream Center. All staff are ready to serve Dreamers and Puentistas alike at the center: a safe space to receive and be referred to resources specifically for them, as well as a space to meet, organize, study, eat, and socialize. They can help with resources specific to marginalized community members including but not limited to immigration services and possible scholarship opportunities.
The Dream Center in located in the Cultural Center of the 900 building on campus.
EOPS is designed to increase attendance by historically underrepresented students, and enhance their success in college and hopefully beyond. EOPS at Napa Valley College is a state-funded program that provides support services to eligible students. Whether you are interested in obtaining job skills, an occupational certificate, an associate degree, or transferring to a four-year institution, our knowledgeable and caring staff can provide extra encouragement, support, and guidance to help you realize your goal(s). Priority enrollment is given to students who are not being served by similar NVC academic support programs. Services they provide include: counseling (including academic, transfer, scholarship, personal, and career), priority registration, transfer assistance, tutoring services, informational workshops and assistance with books. They are located in room 1132 on campus and help members of ASPIRE, CARE, CalWORKS, and NextUp.
Kasaysayan Kasaysayan creates a safe environment for Pilipinx Americans and allies to achieve their educational and career goals by embracing culturally relevant, student-centered services, and experiences to support their success. We empower students by nurturing healthy identity formation, Bayanihan and Kapwa spirit and self determination to become advocates for themselves, their community, and their education. For more information email them at KasaysayanNVC@gmail.com
The LGBTQ+ Pride Center at Napa Valley College welcomes all Napa Valley College students and staff whether you identify as being part of the LGBTQ+ community, as a straight cisgender ally, or still not sure. This is a place for all.
The purpose and goal of the Pride Center is to provide access to information and connection with community. Napa Valley College has a number of programs to support LGBTQ+ students and we invite you to take advantage of all programs and opportunities that interest you. If you are on a path of self-discovery, we are all here to support you. They are located in room 1014 on campus.
Ooo-moe-juh (a Kiswahili word meaning unity) is a learning community and critical resource program dedicated to enhancing the critical and educational experiences of African, African American, and other students. Resources provided by participation in this program include: counseling, peer mentoring and academic support, financial aid and scholarship assistance, and a dedicated space in room 863 on campus.
A space on campus for those that have served in our military forces.
They provide: personal and academic counseling by appointment, financial aid advising by appointment, Veterans Education Benefits Enrollment Certification, information on programs and services including job and housing assistance, workshop/meeting space, and available computers and printer, quiet study space and comfortable lounge area (microwave, refrigerator and coffee pot available for use)
The Veteran Resource Center is located in room 1235 on campus.
The Financial Aid Office offers a variety of aid programs, including grants, loans, scholarships, and work study opportunities for students who are having a difficult time meeting the cost of attending Napa Valley College.
They have experts on staff to help determine what funds you might be eligible for and help you in the application process.
They are located on campus in room 1132. You can contact them by phone at: (707) 256-7301 or email them: financialaid@napavalley.edu
The Student Health Center is staffed by a Nurse Practitioner and Medical Assistant. On-campus medical services such as consultations, select prescriptions and over-the-counter medications are provided at no cost. Located on campus in building 2250.
Financial issues can take a toll on your mental health. MENTIS are mental health services available on campus. Mentis provides FREE, confidential therapy services to active NVC students in-person, on campus. Virtual appointments also available. They can be found in the 1000 building on campus.
24/7 CRISIS RESOURCES
Napa County Mental Health Crisis Hotline: (707) 253-4711
Napa County Mental Health Mobile Response Team: (707) 299-2111
988 Lifeline: call/text 988
Crisis Text Line: text BRAVE to 741741
The Trevor Project for LGBTQ Youth: call/text (866) 488-7386
iGrad is a personal finance platform provided by Napa Valley College. As a Napa Valley College student this is your one stop shop for all things finance. It has scholarsihps, budgeting tools, and information on personal finance including how to file your taxes and understand your credit score. Knowing that financial issues are highly stressful, the platform also provides mindfulness practices and ways to reduce stress.
Napa Valley College provides a variety of scholarships to current students. These scholarships are made possible by the generous donations from the Napa Valley College Foundation and various local individuals, organizations, and businesses. We are grateful for the support they offer NVC students.
Housing Scholarships were developed by the Napa Valley College Foundation to offset the cost of student housing at the River Trail Village at Napa Valley College.
A Napa Valley College scholarship which pays enrollment and other fees for eligible Napa Valley College students.
A large repository of information on scholarships and financial aid. If you answer their questionnaire they will be create a list of all the possible scholarships you might be eligible for in order to help in your search.