Navigating UCLA: A Comprehensive Guide to Student Services and Resources
UCLA is a large institution with many resources available to students. Understanding and accessing these resources can significantly enhance the university experience, contributing to academic success, personal well-being, and a sense of belonging. This guide provides an overview of the various student services and resources available at UCLA, designed to support students from diverse backgrounds and with varied needs.
Resource Centers & Programs: Connecting with Specific Communities
UCLA is committed to cultivating diverse and inclusive communities where every Bruin can discover their sense of belonging. Recognizing that learning is a lifelong journey and individuals arrive at UCLA from various points along their path, the university offers tailored support to meet specific needs. Several resource centers and programs are dedicated to serving particular student populations:
- Black Bruin Resource Center (BBRC): The UCLA BBRC's mission is to uplift, support, and inspire the UCLA Black and African Diaspora Community. With the goal of cultivating community, family, and power, the UCLA BBRC serves as a space the community can call home.
- Bruin Resource Center (BRC): The Bruin Resource Center is the home for a number of campus centers and programs that provide support to different student communities, including those who have experience in foster care and probation systems, are undocumented or are a part of mixed-status families, have dependents, are in recovery, are formally incarcerated or have been impacted by the carceral system, and have experienced houselessness.
- First To Go: First To Go champions the success of first-generation college students at UCLA. We provide resources, support, and community to help you navigate university life and achieve your academic goals. Our programs are open to all undergraduate and graduate students.
- Graduate Student Resource Center (GSRC): The Graduate Student Resource Center is a resource, referral, and information center for graduate and professional school students. We offer advice and assistance to navigate graduate school and provide workshops and programs in collaboration with our campus partners to help all graduate students succeed. The Graduate Student Resource Center (GSRC) provides information about events, programs, and resources for new and current students.
- International Students & Scholars (Dashew Center): The Dashew Center is the central hub for international students, scholars, and their departments at UCLA, providing visa services, resources, support, and advocacy on campus. The Dashew Center serves the entire UCLA community by promoting the values of creating global connection, international understanding, and cultural sensitivity.
- LGBTQ Campus Resource Center: The UCLA LGBTQ Campus Resource Center provides a comprehensive range of education and advocacy services supporting intersectional identity development as well as fostering unity, wellness, and an open, safe, and inclusive environment for UCLA’s LGBTQ community. The LGBTQ CRC supports community members of all sexual and gender identities and serves the entire UCLA community - undergraduate students, graduate and professional students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
- Transfer Student Center: With 93% of UCLA transfer students transferring from the California Community Colleges system, the Transfer Student Center is a cornerstone to advancing UCLA's public mission, providing institutional support for transfer students and connecting them to critical resources and services to achieve their personal, academic, and professional goals. Our Transfer Student Resource Center serves as a central hub for the 7,000+ transfer students at UCLA. Did you know that 1 in 4 UCLA undergraduate students is a transfer?
- Veteran Resource Center: The Veteran Resource Center (VRC) serves UCLA student-veterans, military-connected students, their families, and the broader Los Angeles veteran community. By providing caring and personalized guidance on educational benefits, academic support, career development, and community-building opportunities the VRC increases campus awareness of military-connected student issues.
- Parent & Family Association: The Parent & Family Association is committed to helping parents and families participate in their student’s experience at UCLA. We believe an informed and supportive family plays an integral role in a student’s educational success.
Academic and Career Support
UCLA offers comprehensive academic and career support services to help students achieve their educational and professional goals.
- Career Center: The Career Center helps students explore career pathways, create competitive resumes, develop interviewing and networking skills, find and apply for internships, explore graduate school, and more. We also connect students with employers at career fairs, networking events, information sessions, and on-campus interviewing. Start your career journey at the UCLA Career Center!
- Community Programs Office (CPO): The Community Programs Office provides students with resources that support academic success, leadership development, community service, outreach, workforce readiness, and basic and essential needs. Guided by a vision where all students thrive, the Community Programs Office equips students with skills, opportunities, and support for educational achievement, personal growth, and lifelong success.
- UCLA School of Education and Information Studies’ Office of Student Services (OSS): The UCLA School of Education and Information Studies’ Office of Student Services (OSS) supports prospective and current students from the application and admissions process through the Commencement ceremony celebrating the completion of their degree. The mission of OSS is to enhance the development of Ed&IS students by providing a supportive and safe environment in which they can achieve success. As a central hub for student services within Ed&IS, OSS augments and complements the support provided by each student’s academic department. Prospective and current students are encouraged to approach OSS staff with any questions or concerns related to admissions, enrollment, advising, Ed&IS and UCLA campus resources, and ideas for community building.
Health and Well-being Resources
UCLA is dedicated to supporting the holistic well-being of its students, offering a range of resources to promote physical and mental health.
- Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): Offers confidential mental health support to help students thrive academically and personally.
- Healthy Campus Initiative: Comprehensive suite of resources supporting the emotional, social, and physical health of UCLA Bruins.
- UCLA Campus Assault Resources and Education (CARE) Program: Provides a safe place for survivors of sexual violence to get confidential support.
- UCLA Resilience in Your Student Experience (RISE) Program: Uplifts and supports every Bruin’s well-being by providing the education, resources, and tools needed to foster health, healing, and hope.
- Be Well Bruin: Provides students with access to health and well-being resources.
Basic Needs and Financial Support
UCLA recognizes that financial stability and access to basic needs are crucial for student success. The university provides several resources to address these challenges.
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- Economic Crisis Response Team (ECRT): Assists students facing financial hardships with resources and support.
- Bruin Resources Center: Connects students with resources and programs to support their diverse needs and enhance their UCLA experience.
- UCLA SE&IS Food Pantry: Food pantry located in Moore Hall #3319 which is available to support our community (staff, students, and faculty).
- Case Managers: Case Managers assist students with academic support, referrals to campus and community resources, emergency housing or exploring house options, and provide consultation for the university community regarding students in distress.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
UCLA is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students.
- UCLA Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Toolkits & Resources: Materials from the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) for self-study and enrichment, including EDI Toolkits and other valuable resources for one’s education journey.
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