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Student Resources

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Online Student Guide

Here at MiraCosta College we want to be able to support you in the best way that we can by providing equitable access to out college's services an resources. We hope that this Online Student Guide can assist in directing you to the appropriate information to ensure the best academic experience under these circumstances. Know that there are committed faculty and staff connected to this guide that will do their best to see you succeed.

Inside the Online Student Guide you will find:

  • Important Contact Information
  • Academic Support Center and SURF
  • MiraCosta Account Setup SURF
  • Canvas Online Classroom
  • Google Docs and Remind Communication
  • How to create a Gmail Account
  • Zoom Instructions - Computer Users
  • Zoom Instructions - Phone/Tablet Users

DOWNLOAD THE ONLINE STUDENT GUIDE

If You Need a Computer

Students can borrow a laptop and/or hotspot from the MiraCosta College Library by submitting a request through our Student Technology Request Form.

Students can also purchase a low-cost refurbished computer through San Diego Futures Foundation. Computers are given to eligible individuals who apply.

If You Need Assistance Getting Food

Students calling 2-1-1 or visiting https://my211.force.com/s/service-directory?code=BD  or https://feedingsandiego.org/need-help/food-distributions who are in need of food should access food distributions in their local community. You may find the nearest distribution to you by either

If You Do Not Have Internet Access

  • Access through AT&T is offering low cost ($5-$10) internet services to eligible households. Those who are interested in having these in-home internet services and do not currently have AT&T internet should visit Access from AT&T - Discount Internet Access to complete an application, or call 855.220.5211 (English) or 855.220.5225 (Spanish) during Weekdays, 8:00am - 10:00pm ET or Saturday, 800am - 5:00pm ET.
  • Spectrum has announced that they will be providing two months of free internet to eligible households who are not currently in service with Spectrum. Those who are interested in having these in-home internet services should call 1-844-488-8395 to enroll. (requires a Social Security#).
  • Xfinity WiFi public hot spots - Free Access to Public Wifi . All Xfinity WiFi public hotspots are now open to everyone on the “xfinitywifi” SSID (name of the Wifi-network). Public hot spots can be found in small/medium businesses and outdoors in commercial areas. For more information on available public hot spots visit the website. Please enter your zip code to get locations near you and use the above password for the locations.
  • Families w/ K-12 children who are eligible may receive free Cox Internet. Families with K-12 children who are eligible for the National School Lunch Program, SNAP, and/or TANF; who receive Tenant-Based Vouchers, Project-Based Vouchers or Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA); and/or who live in Public Housing all qualify. Learn more about this assistance.
  • Students who have access to a car may park their cars on MiraCosta campuses to access Wi-Fi between the hours of 8am-5pm. To support social distancing, students must remain in their cars. At the OCN campus, please park in front of the Admin building. At the CLC, please park near the main building. At the SAN campus, please park in front of the library (west parking lot). Students are permitted to park in staff parking spaces.
  • If you have an unlimited data plan on your phone you can also try making a hot spot for your laptop.  You can find directions for setting up a personal hot spot on an iPhone here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204023 and directions for an Android here: https://www.androidauthority.com/mobile-hotspot-setup-631280/

If You Are Having Difficulties Paying Your Bills or Rent Due to Loss of Job/Hours

United Way of San Diego County has created a San Diego Workers Assistance Initiative that provides " provides "Low-wage workers who need support for a limited but undetermined length of time" to cover utilities and/or rent/mortgage payments. For more information visit https://uwsd.org/covid19/. You may also go directly to their application and apply. For English apply and for Spanish apply

Potential scenarios for Unemployment or Paid Family Leave (PFL) claims include being sick or quarantined, caregiving for those ill or quarantined, missing work due to child’s school being closed, reduced hours of work, and more. We encourage that you read more about these scenarios on the EDD website. 

If You Need Additional Financial Resources

MiraCosta College also offers Emergency Grant assistance to students. To apply for this one-time grant (you do not have to repay it) please apply online.

If You Are Undocumented and Need Support

UPRISE can help you, including help with immigration related matters. Please Contact Cindy Oropeza at (760) 795-6203 or coropeza@miracosta.edu.

If You Need Legal Assistance

Contact the Legal Aid Society of San Diego
Please call:  877-534-2524 to be screened in order for them to determine if they can help you. Se habla español.

If You Need Additional Help and Want To Talk To Someone from the CARE Office

CARE Support will be offered remotely to all students through different modalities, including email, phone, and Zoom. The CARE team is committed to supporting students during this difficult time to the best of their ability. If you or someone you know has a concern about their basic needs, please submit a referral and we will outreach directly. If a student is self-referring, only complete the “required” areas of the referral and enter your information under “Involved Parties.” You can get more information about the CARE office on their website or by email: care@miracosta.edu.