VCU Housing Assistance Fund

Overview

The Office of Student Advocacy office within the Division of Student Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University manages the VCU Housing Assistance Fund.

Designed to provide one-time (per academic year) financial assistance with housing-related expenses, the goal of the VCU Housing Assistance Fund is to prevent housing expenses 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 related to housing and is not intended to replace or supplement financial aid. Long-term needs should be addressed by meeting with Financial Aid or your Financial Counselor to discuss available resources. 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; however we do encourage students, when they are able, to pay the deed forward to another student by making a contribution to the VCU Housing Assistance Fund.

Eligibility
In order to be eligible for the VCU Housing Assistance Fund, a student must:

• Be a currently enrolled, degree-seeking student at the time of application;
• Be in good academic standing with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher;
• Be experiencing a financial hardship related to housing to have a direct impact on the student’s academic success;
• Apply during the semester in which the related incident occurred;
• Demonstrate 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); and
• Fully complete the VCU Housing Assistance Fund application and provide 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 Housing Assistance 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.

• Temporary placement due to urgent situations, including but not limited to: motel or hotel stays, on-campus housing
• Rent-related expenses, including but not limited to: past due rent, a portion of upcoming rent due to a loss of income, fee/penalties related to past due rent
• Moving expenses, including but not limited to: security deposits, application fees, transportation
• Upcoming or past-due utility bills (i.e. utility bills that fall outside the typical amount paid monthly like an unexpected high bill due to equipment malfunction)
• Essential housing related expenses, including but not limited to: basic furnishing, basic appliances, necessary repairs to make the home habitable
• Safety needs, including but not limited to: security camera, lock changes
• Other allowable expenses will be considered on a case by case basis

Examples of What is Not Considered
Anything unrelated to housing. Students experiencing an emergency who need funding can apply for funding through the DSA Emergency Fund.

All submissions MUST include a detailed explanation of your extenuating circumstances. This is required before any request can be considered for approval. You must also include official documentation of the circumstance and official documentation of the expenses you are requesting funds for as outlined in your statement of explanation. Submissions with no documentation will be automatically denied.

Documentation
Documentation is REQUIRED to be considered. Examples of appropriate documentation is below:

Rental/Mortgage Assistance

• Copy of current lease or legal document showing ownership of residence
• Copy of eviction or “pay or quit” notice, past due notice, court summons
• Screenshot of bank statement with current balances
• Current and past pay stub (no more than a month)

Utility Assistance

• Copy of utility bill reflecting current or past-due balance, or shut-off notice
• Screenshot of bank statement with current balances
• Current and past pay stub (no more than a month)

Additional supporting documents may be required on a case by case basis.

Additional Details

• 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 Office of Student Advocacy to discuss their application.
• Students will be required to provide proof of the use of funds aligned with award specification. Failure to do so or failure to use the funds in the designated manner may result in disciplinary action with the university including but not limited to a referral to the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity.
• Priority will be given to students whose tenure at the university may be at risk due to loss of housing or other basic necessities.

Point of Contact
Office of Student Advocacy
Division of Student Affairs
907 Floyd Ave. Suite 229
advocacy@vcu.edu