Emergency Grants
Funded by the Undergraduate Student Government, eligible students may request funds to assist them in emergencies through our Emergency Grant Program.
Eligibility
Full-time students in the College are eligible for applying for emergency funding: this includes students who are on extended status and those who are studying abroad, but not those who are on a leave of absence.
International students are eligible; their visa information must be up-to-date.
Students must have exhausted all other possible financial resources (such as Emergency Assistance Program and Odyssey Scholarship funds) before applying for this grant.
Decisions regarding the disbursement of funds would be made on a case-by-case basis, and amounts will be based on eligibility, financial need, and availability of total funds.
Supporting documentation (for example: receipt of medical / utility bill) and police report number should be included in the application. If you didn't file a police report, you must explain why in your application. Learn more about filing a report with University Police or Chicago Police.
Grants awarded would typically not exceed $1,000, although we make an exception depending on the circumstances of the individual.
Students are limited to receiving two grants and a total amount of $1,500 during their time in the College, unless there are extenuating circumstances.
Examples of Expenses Covered (This is not an exhaustive list)
Replacement of belongings lost due to theft, fire, or natural disaster
Safety related needs (i.e. changing locks, short term emergency shelter, temporary food insecurity)
Expenses related to a death or illness in the immediate family.
Emergency medical treatment/medication when students do not have the ability to pay and the costs cannot be covered by insurance or there is no insurance
Change in employment status or loss of income
Examples of Expenses Typically Not* Covered
Tuition, fees, health insurance and housing costs
Expenses due to a lack of financial planning or overspending
Legal fees
Parking tickets and other fines
Costs for entertainment, recreation, and non-emergency travel
Medical bills for any person other than the student applying
Other expenses (i.e. rent, utility bill, cable bill, cell phone bill)
* Note: We understand that some of these expenses may be a cause of extreme financial and emotional hardship for students, so we might offer a partial – or the full – amount of money requested depending on your financial need.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
No, unfortunately, this grant is only available to students in the College.
-
You will be notified about your decision via your University of Chicago email. You may be contacted by email if the application is incomplete or additional information is required. If your request is approved, you would be asked to provide us with certain tax documents.
-
After you provide us with tax documents, you will receive the money on the biweekly payroll schedule on Workday.