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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 students’ 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 Assistant Dean Randell Price (pricer1@ohio.edu):

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.