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Student Emergency Relief Fund

The Student Emergency Relief Fund was established to help students who have experienced a catastrophic or unforeseen and unavoidable emergency that resulted in financial hardship. This could include an unexpected medical emergency, loss of a job or reduction in hours, or a family emergency resulting in unexpected expenses.

The Student Emergency Relief Fund is not a substitute for financial aid and is not intended to assist with anticipated and routine expenses like car repairs, rent or other bills except when the student has experienced a catastrophic situation leading to the inability to pay these bills.

The fund is not intended to remedy a student's situation completely, but rather to help students mitigate circumstances in hopes of helping them get back on their feet. Every situation is different.  Each request will be reviewed by a committee whose members have been selected by the leadership of the Division of Academic and Student Affairs. 

The Student Emergency Relief Fund is not CARES Act Student Emergency Aid Funding. 

Eligibility Requirements 

Students requesting Emergency Funds must meet the following:

  • Experienced a recent financial hardship resulting from an emergency, accident, or other unexpected event,
  • Actively currently enrolled in at least 6 credits,
  • Eligible to receive federal financial aid, – (i.e., in Good SAP standing)
  • Be in good standing with the Student Conduct Office,
  • Have exhausted all other possible financial aid resources,
  • Eligible to receive additional funding from the University as determined by the Financial Aid Office

Recognized Emergency Situations 

Requests for emergency assistance generally fit one of the following categories:
  • Shelter: this includes possible eviction from present housing due to unanticipated financial hardship or to aid in case of a disaster.
  • Utilities: to prevent utilities from being disconnected during an emergency situation. (Phone bills are not considered a utility.)
  • Bereavement: To aid in travel expenses surrounding the death of immediate family (spouse, parent, grandparent, child, legal guardian, mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother, sister.)
  • Medical: To aid students in a recent medical emergency for charges not reimbursable by insurance or where insurance coverage does not apply.
  • Replacement of belongings lost in a fire or natural disaster,
  • Safety-related needs (e.g., lock change, emergency shelter, etc.),
  • Sudden and unanticipated loss of income
  • Support shelter for a student in a dangerous situation due to acts of violence or other victimization
  • Replacement of essential belongings, due to fire, theft, or natural disaster
  • Other: pending approval, a detailed explanation must be provided.

Required Documentation 

For Emergency Relief Funding Requests to be considered, documentation is required. Please be prepared to document your emergency when filling out the Student Emergency Relief Funding Application. 

The documentation you provide should be recent and directly relate to your need for relief funding.

When documenting loss of income due to reduction of hours or termination, the documentation should include:

  • Two (2) or three (3) recent pay stubs verifying employment and demonstrating a decline in pay/hours
  • A letter or email from your previous employer or internship provider explaining the circumstances that led to the loss of hours or termination. It should be on letterhead, dated and signed.

When documenting financial hardship caused by other reasons:

  • Documentation of the situation that caused the financial hardship such as police reports, insurance claims, letters from a medical provider or other professional, victim advocate reports, or other similar documentation.
  • Documentation of demonstrated financial struggle including insurance claims, bills, or receipts.

Apply for Assistance

Students must be registered for 6 or more credits for the semester for which funds are requested.

Applications will be reviewed weekly beginning the second week of the semester for which funds are requested.

Application must be submitted no later than one week prior to the start of final exams to be considered.  

Student Emergency Relief Fund Request Form

Additional Documentation Upload Form

Awards, if granted, are applied to the student account and disburse based on the financial aid schedule. 

Expenses not covered by the Student Emergency Fund include:

  • Expenses mistakenly incurred, preventable expenses or those due to negligence or poor financial management
  • Fines and court fees, penalties, traffic tickets, legal fees, or jail bonds
  • Car repairs bills resulting from normal maintenance
  • Routine preventative health expenses
  • Normal and anticipated academic expenses already covered through financial aid (tuition, housing, fees, health insurance, and books)

Reasons a request may be denied include:

  • The basic eligibility criteria were not met
  • The situation did not meet the criteria as a current emergency causing financial hardship,
  • Documentation was not submitted,
  • The student has not exhausted all other resources including loans through the Financial Aid Office
  • The student’s financial aid package fully covers cost of attendance, and the applicant is not currently eligible to receive additional funding from the University.