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Undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences may apply for one-time emergency funds (up to $500.00) when they experience unexpected life events. The goal is to ensure studentsā€™ academic progress and personal well-being are not disrupted due to unexpected financial challenges. This funding is intended to cover essential, short-term expenses that are necessary to support students in continuing their education.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for emergency funding, students must meet the following criteria:

1. Enrollment Status:
   • Must currently be enrolled as an undergraduate student in the College of Arts and Sciences.
   • Must be in .
2. Financial Hardship:
   • Must be experiencing an unexpected financial emergency or hardship that impacts the student's ability to cover essential living or educational expenses. Common examples include:
     • Medical emergencies including physical or mental health
     • Loss of employment (student or family)
     • Natural disasters or home emergencies (e.g., fire, flooding)
     • Unexpected childcare or dependent care costs
     • Emergency travel due to family illness or death
     • Theft or loss of essential belongings (e.g., laptop, textbooks)
3. Financial Aid Status:
   • Must have already exhausted or used existing financial aid resources (such as scholarships, grants, or loans) before requesting emergency funding.
4. One-Time Assistance:
   • Emergency funds are generally a one-time award. Applicants may only request additional assistance if they encounter new financial hardships not covered by prior assistance.

Expenses Covered by the Emergency Fund

The Emergency Fund is designed to cover essential expenses, including but not limited to:

• Tuition or fees required for the current semester
• Course materials such as textbooks, lab supplies, or technology
• Housing (rent) and utilities
• Groceries and basic living necessities
• Medical and dental costs not covered by insurance
• Transportation or travel expenses for family emergencies
• Essential technology replacement (e.g., laptops) if needed for coursework

Expenses Not Covered

• Non-essential or luxury expenses (e.g., vacations, entertainment)
• Legal fees (except for those directly related to student well-being)
• Outstanding student loans or long-term debt
• Previous debts not related to the emergency situation
  • Medical bills
  • Repair or replacement estimates
  • Receipts for recent expenses
  • Proof of other extenuating circumstances (police report, death certificate, etc.).

Application Process

To apply, please submit the following materials to Adam Brown.

Provide a Statement of Need: A detailed description and documentation of your needs, including how the funds will be used. Please be specific about the urgency and timeline of your request.

Faculty/Success Advisor Endorsement: An email from a faculty member or Success Advisor familiar with your situation confirming their support. (This does not need to be lengthy.)

Supporting Documentation: Attach relevant documentation to support your claim such as:

We accept applications year-round, and decisions are made within three weeks.

Important Considerations

• One-Time Assistance:
  Emergency funds are typically awarded as a one-time grant and do not need to be repaid. However, the amount of funding available is limited, and priority is given to students with the greatest financial need.
• Confidentiality:
  All information provided in the application process will remain confidential and be used solely for the purpose of determining eligibility for emergency funding.
• Follow-Up:
  In some cases, you may be asked to meet with a financial aid counselor or Success Advisor to explore other resources or to discuss long-term financial planning.