College can be overwhelming, but UCLA has your back with a wide range of free resources designed to make student life smoother. Whether you’re racing to print a last-minute essay, navigating Los Angeles without a car or just trying to stay mentally and physically well, these campus perks are here to help. Knowing what’s available—and how to access it—can save you time, money and stress throughout your college journey.
Free Printing at the Computer Lab
Located in the Student Activities Center, or SAC, the Community Programs Office, or CPO, Computer Lab gives every student 75 free pages of black-and-white printing per quarter, including double-sided prints. You can print directly from the lab computers or upload files online and pick them up later—a lifesaver when your dorm printer runs dry.
The Exam Database
One of UCLA’s best-kept secrets, the Exam Database gives every student equal access to past midterms, finals and papers—resources that were previously locked behind exclusive groups. Here’s how it works: bring in a previously graded exam, essay or assignment from a past course, and you’ll get a test bank sticker on your BruinCard. This sticker gives you access to a five minute browsing period of five exams or papers per session throughout the quarter.
Bruin U-Pass
Getting around LA without a car just got easier. The Bruin U-Pass offers unlimited rides on LA Metro, Big Blue Bus, Culver CityBus and more—all included in your quarterly fees. Simply order your pass online, load it onto your TAP card and enjoy hassle-free travel around West LA and beyond.
Free Access to Premium Software
UCLA offers students free licenses for some of the most important software tools around:
- Adobe Creative Cloud apps like Photoshop, Illustrator and Premiere Pro.
- Canva Pro for creating stunning presentations and projects—just sign up with your UCLA email.
- Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Zoom Pro, essential for remote classes and group meetings.
Basic Needs and Wellness
College life is demanding, and UCLA understands that your well-being is just as important as your grades. From free food resources to mental health services, these programs are here to support your physical and emotional health so you can thrive both inside and outside the classroom:
- CPO Food Closet: Grab snacks, pantry items and groceries—free and no questions asked.
- Economic Crisis Response Team: Emergency grants, meal vouchers, housing support and more.
- Counseling & Psychological Services, or CAPS: Free short-term therapy, group sessions and 24/7 crisis support.
- RISE Center: Offers mindfulness training, meditation and self-care events.
- Mindful UCLA: Free guided meditation programs and stress relief workshops open to all students.
These services aren’t extras—they’re part of your tuition and fees. Using them helps you save money, reduce stress and build a support network that will help you succeed both inside and outside the classroom. Don’t wait—explore, ask questions and make these resources part of your UCLA experience from day one.
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Featured Photo via Daily Bruin Archives
