Campus Support
Navigating college life can be challenging — and affirming support makes all the difference. UCSC offers a range of services to support transgender and nonbinary students on campus. From health care and counseling to housing and name updates, this page outlines where to find help and how to access it.
Health and wellness
UCSC offers a range of health and mental health resources to support trans students. From gender-affirming medical care to LGBTQIA+ counseling options, you can access care that respects your identity and meets your needs.
Gender-affirming services at the Student Health Center
UCSC’s Student Health Center provides a range of gender-affirming services, including hormone therapy, referrals, and general medical care. Their team is here to support your physical and emotional well-being in a respectful, inclusive environment.
Learn more about gender-affirming care at the Student Health Center
LGBTQIA+ counseling services
While all CAPS counselors have training and experience working with LGBTQ+ students, sometimes it’s important to know your counselor is queer-identified. Our LGBTQ+ counselors are knowledgeable about intersecting and non-binary identities, polyamory, the coming out process, experiences of homophobia and transphobia, adjustment to college, family concerns, trauma, self-esteem, and much more.
Services include:
- Let’s Talk drop-in service: Confidential conversations available in person or on Zoom
- Individual counseling appointments: Call the CAPS office at (831) 459-2628 to schedule
- Therapy and support groups: Including Gender Queer Therapy, Black LGBT Group, and Queer Talk
- Crisis services: Immediate help available through CAPS
Housing
UCSC Housing offers options that center safety, inclusion, and community. Trans students can indicate interest in trans-inclusive and LGBTQIA+ housing areas when completing their housing application.
Trans-inclusive housing communities
These housing communities are intended to create safer and supportive spaces to live for transgender and gender-nonconforming students and their allies. Roommates can be matched regardless of gender or legal gender, and shared spaces like bathrooms are in mixed-gender areas. Students are placed here by request only—a short supplemental application is required.
LGBTQIA+ housing option
This option brings together LGBTQIA+ students and allies in a welcoming living environment. It’s available in both residence halls and apartments at all ten residential colleges, as well as the University Town Center (UTC), Graduate Student Housing, and the VIllage. LGBTQIA+ housing is only offered in mixed-gender areas.
ID and name updates
You can update your name and photo on your UCSC Student ID and in campus systems—no legal name change required. This section walks you through the steps to update your records and access identity-affirming documentation.
Updating your student ID
Want your UCSC ID card to reflect your lived name or a new photo? Here’s how:
Step 1: Update your name on MyUCSC. Wait 48 hours before continuing.
Step 2: Email idcards@ucsc.edu letting them know you need an updated ID card with your lived/preferred name/new legal name. Include:
- Your Student ID number
- A note that your lived/preferred name is updated in MyUCSC
- A new photo, if desired (check photo guidelines here)
Step 3: Card services will reply with pick-up instructions.
Step 4: Pick up and enjoy your new student ID!
Learn more about gender-affirming care at the Student Health Center
Student ID update FAQs:
Do I need to share my legal name?
No. You are not required to share your legal name as that information will be found with your Student ID #. If you are asked to disclose your legal name and feel uncomfortable doing so please ask the ID services staff to look you up using your SID#.
Do I need a legal name change?
No. A legal name change is not required.
Do I need to pay?
No! The fee is typically $25, but since this change is needed to better match your gender identity this fee is waived. You can obtain an updated ID Card at $0 cost to you.
How long does it take?
Timing varies—it may take a few days to two weeks.
Updating your name on MyUCSC
All students (admitted, current, and prior) can update their lived name through the Personal Information section of the MyUCSC portal. It will take up to 48 hours for your lived name to appear in the campus directory and other systems. Your lived name will appear wherever your legal name is not needed. UCSC is also limiting access to legal names to better protect student privacy. Learn more about the UCSC Gender Recognition and Lived Name Policy.