Support the Center for Military-Connected Students (CMCS)

At Cal Poly's Center for Military-Connected Students (CMCS), we are dedicated to empowering student veterans, active-duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, military spouses, and military-connected dependents as they pursue their educational goals.

Every day, CMCS provides resources, advocacy, community, and support that help students navigate the unique opportunities and challenges that come with military service and military-connected life. Your generosity helps ensure that these students and their families have the tools they need to succeed both in and out of the classroom.

Your Gift Makes an Immediate Impact

 

Support Our Free Food Pantries

Basic needs insecurity can affect a student's ability to focus on academics and achieve their goals. CMCS operates free food pantries at both our San Luis Obispo and Maritime campus locations, providing accessible food and essential supplies to military-connected students and their families.

Donations of food, personal care items, and financial support help us keep our shelves stocked and ready to serve those who need assistance throughout the year.

Strengthen Support for Military-Connected Students and Families

Your contribution helps CMCS continue providing programs, services, and resources that foster student success and well-being. From building community and connection to helping students navigate educational benefits and campus resources, CMCS serves as a vital hub for military-connected members of the Cal Poly community.

Unrestricted gifts allow us to respond to emerging student needs, develop new programs, and expand our impact for current and future students.

Help Launch Scholarships for Military-Connected Dependents

We are excited to introduce a new scholarship initiative designed to support the student dependents of veterans who have a 100% service-connected disability rating.

While educational benefits provide important support, many dependent students still face a significant gap between available benefits and the full cost of attending Cal Poly. Our goal is to build scholarship funding that helps bridge that gap, reducing financial barriers and making a Cal Poly education more accessible through a partnership with a leading veteran support foundation. Reach out to us for more information on this dollar-for-dollar matching grant scholarship program. 

Through your support, we can help military-connected families invest in the next generation and create opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.

Ways to Give

 

Amazon Wish List

Donate food and essential supplies directly to CMCS through our Amazon Wish List. Items are shipped directly to our centers and put to immediate use supporting students and families.

Cal Poly Giving

Make a tax-deductible contribution through the Cal Poly Giving Student Affairs page. Your gift helps sustain CMCS programs, services, and initiatives that support military-connected students.

CMCS Crowdfunding Campaign

Support our current fundraising priorities, including scholarship development and other high-impact initiatives that directly benefit military-connected students and their families.

Invest in Student Success

 

Whether you donate pantry supplies, make a financial contribution, or help fund future scholarships, your generosity creates meaningful opportunities for military-connected students to thrive at Cal Poly.

Together, we can build a stronger community, reduce barriers to success, and ensure that those who have served, and the families who serve alongside them, have the support they deserve.

Thank you for investing in the success of Cal Poly's military-connected students and families.