Welcome to the UC Essential Needs Navigator

The UC Essential Needs Navigator is a powerful AI-driven platform designed to help students locate and access essential resources across all UC campuses. Developed in collaboration with graduate and undergraduate researchers through the UC Essential Needs Consortium, the tool empowers students to find timely, accurate, and actionable support for their basic needs. This tool builds on and will sync with our standing UC Basic Needs website platform that also allows students to create profiles and save resources. More details on the website platform can be accessed here.

Click to explore the Essential Needs Navigator and find the support you need…Launch the Navigator (Note: Please confirm the accuracy of the information provided in the citations noted in your search results, further prompts may be required to ensure you get the information you are seeking)


About the Navigator

In response to the challenges posed during the pandemic and feedback from our UC community, we recognized the need for a centralized, user-friendly resource platform. The Essential Needs Navigator:

  • Aggregates Resources: Automatically scrapes updated information from official UC websites and trusted external resources.
  • AI-Powered: Built on GPT to provide dynamic, query-based answers tailored to student needs.
  • Cross-Campus Support: Offers resources across UC campuses to assist students wherever they are.
  • Real-Time Updates: Ensures that all information—food resources, housing, financial aid, healthcare, and more—remains accurate and relevant.

Key Features

Find resource quickly

1. Find Resources Quickly

Search for support across multiple categories, including:

  • Housing and Food Security
  • Financial Aid Information
  • Mental Health Services
  • Transportation Options
  • Legal and Community Resources

2. Explore New Resources and Dimensions of Support for your Needs

  • Ask questions about your campus services and learn of new programs and support.
  • Engage the navigator in assisting with scholarship seeking, resumes and campus job applications, and more!

3. Automatic Updates

  • Resources are regularly updated from campus websites, ensuring the information you access is reliable and current.

4. Interactive Feedback

  • Students can submit feedback with thumbs-up or thumbs-down features to help improve the platform’s accuracy.
Feedback

How It Works

1. Explore Resources

  • Log in as a UC student or access as a guest.
  • Select your campus and query for specific needs like “free food at UCSC” or “housing support for international students.”

2. Real-Time Results

  • The navigator generates a list of relevant resources with contact details, links, and descriptions.

3. Save and Personalize

  • Save the resources you need and build your profile for easy access later.

Why Use the Navigator?

  • Centralized Platform: No more searching through multiple websites.
  • Updated Information: Resources reflect the most recent changes.
  • Student-Driven Design: Built with input from UC students to address real needs.
  • Cross-Campus Access: Locate resources even if you’re away from your home campus.

Get Started Today

Click to explore the Essential Needs Navigator and find the support you need…Launch the Navigator

If you encounter issues or have feedback, contact:


The UC Essential Needs Navigator is here to help you succeed. Explore, connect, and thrive!

Last modified: Feb 10, 2025