Division of Student Affairs - Emergency Fund

Overview
The Dean of Students office within the Division of Student Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University manages the VCU Student Emergency Fund.

Designed to provide one-time financial assistance with unexpected emergency expenses, the goal of the VCU Student Emergency Fund is to prevent one emergency or unexpected expense from derailing a student’s progress toward a degree. Priority will be given to students whose tenure at the university may be at risk due to an emergency situation.

The fund is designated to offset a short-term financial need and is not intended to replace or supplement financial aid. Long-term needs can be addressed by meeting with the Dean of Students office or Financial Aid to determine available options. Please note funds may count as income, may be subject to federal and/or state taxes and may affect your financial aid package.

The funds do not need to be repaid. We do encourage students, when they are able, to pay the deed forward.

Who is Eligible
Students must meet the following criteria to be eligible for funds through the VCU Student Emergency Fund:

• The student is a currently enrolled, full-time, degree-seeking student who is attending courses at VCU during the semester/session when the emergency funds would be awarded, with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
• The student has experienced a recent financial hardship resulting from an unexpected, unforeseen and urgent emergency incident. The financial need must be likely to have a direct and foreseeable impact on the student’s academic success at the university.
• The student has demonstrated a good faith effort to pursue and utilize other funding options, resources, and eligible programs (e.g. insurance, free or low-cost services readily available, roommates, relatives).
• The student must fully complete the VCU Student Emergency Fund application and provide all supporting documentation of the financial hardship. Additional documentation may be required upon review of the application.

Examples of What is Covered
The following indicate examples of what may be covered through the VCU Student Emergency Fund. This list is neither exhaustive nor a promise that the following situations guarantee financial support as funds are limited and each need is reviewed on a case by case basis.

• Academic supplies (books, technology, etc. not included in tuition and fees)
• Replacement of essential personal belongi * ngs or temporary housing needs
• Medications and other costs related to emergency medical care
• Safety needs (i.e., changing a lock)
• Replacement of essential personal belongings or emergency housing needs, due to fire, theft or natural disaster
• Emergency childcare costs Other allowable expenses will be considered on a case by case basis

Examples of What is Not Considered

• Tuition
• Regularly anticipated fixed, recurring expenses (i.e., rent, utilities, etc.)
• Parking permits or tickets.
• Penalties, fines, tickets, alcohol and drug related offenses, legal counsel/fees/ penalties, jail bonds, or other expenses mistakenly incurred or preventable expenses.
• Non-essential utilities (i.e. cable), household or furniture costs not related to damage or theft
• Costs for entertainment, recreation, non-emergency travel or other non-essential expenses
• Other anticipated expenses

Additional Details
Funds are typically limited to $500.00.
The method of disbursement for approved applications will be determined on a case by case basis. Students may be required to meet with a member of the Dean of Students office to discuss their application.
Students may be required to submit information indicating how the funds have assisted them.

Point of Contact
Office of Student Advocacy
Division of Student Affairs
901 Floyd Ave.
dsaemergency@vcu.edu