Emergency Funds
Overview
Emergency aid at the University of Kansas is intended to be a one-time grant, up to $500 or less, to assist students who are experiencing a small, unforeseen expense. The intention of this funding is to provide a student with access to funds to help them overcome a small financial emergency that impacts student success. Emergency aid is intended to be a last resort option after other financial options have been exhausted.
This application is for the existing funds listed below - this is NOT an application for CARES/HEERF funding. The second round of HEERF funding from the CRRSA Act has already been distributed to students who were determined eligible for this funding by the University of Kansas. If you were eligible for HEERF funding in Spring 2021, the financial aid & scholarships office (FAS) has already provided this funding to you automatically, with amounts based on financial need/EFC as calculated by the FAFSA, and FAS contacted you by email about this funding. If you have questions about HEERF funding from the CRSSA Act, please contact your financial aid counselor.
If you have questions or concerns about your application, resources listed on this website, or need guidance, please contact emergencyaid@ku.edu.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Ability to demonstrate an urgent, unexpected financial need/expense with supporting documentation
- Emergency aid is intended to be a last resort option after other financial options have been exhausted.
- Must be enrolled in the current semester
- If eligible to file a FAFSA, have a 2020-2021 FAFSA on file with KU
- This requirement is reviewed on a case by case basis and can vary between funds available
- International students, undocumented student/DACA students/other non-FAFSA eligible students can still apply for emergency aid without filling out a FAFSA
- Some of the funds in the Network might require that you exhaust all other aid options available to you before they can consider you for their emergency aid fund
- Can only apply once per semester - applying does not guarantee funding - each situation is reviewed on a case by case basis.
- Most funds that participate will only consider a student for funding once per academic year or once during their time at KU, so if you have already previously received emergency aid, you may be denied further funding and referred to other aid options.
- Victim of crime or accident; victim of natural disaster
- Unforeseen transportation/personal expenses (emergency for funeral travel, etc.)
- Small, unexpected/unforeseen bills that are not recurring/ongoing
- Food insecurity/consistent lack of access to food
- Displacement/homelessness/eviction
- Recurring, ongoing, or expected expenses such as rent, utilities, tuition bills, car payments, insurance payments, etc
- These types of expenses will only be considered on a case by case basis if there is a truly unexpected situation or expense that has caused you to not be able to pay for your basic needs
- Tuition/fees/KU expenses - Emergency aid is not intended to be awarded as a scholarship for future/expected tuition expenses. If you are looking for financial aid options for your tuition expenses, please discuss your options with the Financial Aid & Scholarships office by calling 785-864-4700.
- Reimbursement of paid tuition, fees, housing or other expenses that have already been paid
- Payment of student loans/educational loans
- Payment of personal debt/credit card debt not related to an emergency
- Routine/expected medical expenses
- Conference travel, study abroad expenses, or application fees
- Pet expenses; expenses incurred by someone who is not the student that is applying for aid
- Legal/court fees
- Lack of budgeting/planning for expected expenses is not generally a stand-alone reason for approval of funding
Emergency Aid Network Funds
The following is a list of the various funds that participate in the Emergency Aid Network. Students can apply for these funds by filling out the Emergency Grant Application.
This fund has been depleted.
The Adams/Monroe Fund is for students who are experiencing financial hardship - usually an emergency situation or some type of unplanned, non-discretionary expense. Undergraduate and graduate students are eligible.
The Dreammaker Fund is for students with a short-term, financial need. Many KU students encounter challenging times in their personal lives during college. The Dreammaker Fund attempts to make those challenging times a little easier by assisting with a piece of the financial burden on students with a one time fund.
This fund has been depleted.
The Office of Graduate Studies established a Graduate Student Emergency Fund to provide financial assistance to students who have immediate, unexpected expenses due to circumstances beyond their control. Circumstances are reviewed on a case by case basis.
International Affairs has established the International Student Emergency Fund for international students who do not have other financial resources and have an unexpected financial need. This is a one-time award, meaning international students can only receive this fund once in their academic career at KU.
The Jayhawk Student Support Fund is available to undergraduate and graduate students who have encountered an unexpected financial obstacle that may be hindering their personal or academic success at KU.
This fund has been depleted.
The Student Affairs Emergency Fund exists to provide financial assistance to students who have an immediate, unexpected expense due to circumstances beyond their control. The unexpected expense can be of an emergency or unplanned non-discretionary expense.
Other Emergency Aid Options
The following is a list of other emergency aid options available to KU students.
The Interpersonal Violence Fund provides financial assistance to students who have been impacted by sexual assault, violence and harassment, stalking, and/or intimate partner/dating violence.
Eligibility Requirements
- Student must be currently enrolled at KU and experiencing a temporary financial hardship due to an act of interpersonal violence.
Expenses Covered/Not Covered
Typical expenses covered include, but are not limited to:
- Safety-related needs (changing locks, housing relocation, etc.)
- Acute and post assault medical care
- Mental health treatment
- Bedding/clothing replacement
Expenses not typically covered:
- Tuition
- KU housing expenses
How to Apply
- Contact the CARE Coordinator at Watkins Health Services to discuss your situation. The CARE Coordinator is a confidential resource for students who have been impacted by any form of interpersonal violence.
Contact Information for the CARE Coordinator
Phone: 785-864-9255 Email: care@ku.edu
The KU Endowment Association Loan Office provides long-term loans, as well as short-term and emergency loans to KU students. Students can use these loans to cover a variety of different expenses.
Eligibility Requirements
Exceptions to these requirements are made on a case by case basis and must be discussed with the KU Endowment Loan office.
- Must be a current, degree-seeking student enrolled at least half-time
- Maintain a 2.0 cumulative KU GPA
- Have a cosigner on the loan - not applicable to independent or non-traditional students
How to Apply
Contact Information for KU Endowment Loan Office
Phone: 785-832-7450 Email: loanoffice@kuendowment.org