Student Emergency Relief Fund

 

In the spring of 2020, the ULM Foundation, through donor generosity, established the Student Emergency Relief Fund to help students who have experienced a catastrophic or unforeseen and unavoidable emergency that resulted in financial hardship. This could include an unexpected medical emergency, loss of a job or severe reduction in hours, or a family emergency resulting in unexpected expenses. 

The Student Emergency Relief Fund defines an emergency as "a circumstance that jeopardizes a student's ability to meet their basic needs and requires action."  It is not a substitute for financial aid or a scholarship.  It is not intended to remedy a student's situation completely, but rather to help students mitigate circumstances.  Recognizing that every situation is unique, applications will be reviewed in the order received by a committee whose members have been selected by the leadership of the Division of Enrollment Management and University Relations.   

Eligibility Requirements 

For the year and/or term in which a student seeks assistance, the student must meet the following:

• Be currently enrolled full-time;
• Experienced a recent financial hardship resulting from an emergency, accident, or other unexpected event;
• If a US citizen, be eligible to receive federal financial aid – (i.e., in Good SAP standing);
• Be in good standing with the Office of Student Advocacy and Accountability;
• Have exhausted all other possible financial aid resources,
• Have remaining financial need as calculated by Student Financial Aid

*If further information is needed to determine eligibility, students will be required to meet with a staff member to discuss their application and financial need.  

Recognized Emergency Situations

Requests for emergency assistance generally fit one of the following categories:

• Support shelter for a student in a dangerous situation due to acts of violence or other victimization
• Replacement of essential belongings, due to fire, theft, or natural disaster
• Safety-related needs (e.g., lock change, emergency shelter, etc.),
• Sudden and unanticipated loss of income
• Shelter: this includes possible eviction from present housing due to unanticipated financial hardship or to aid in case of a disaster.
• Utilities: to prevent utilities from being disconnected during an emergency situation. (Phone bills are not considered a utility.)
• Bereavement: To aid in travel expenses surrounding the death of immediate family (spouse, parent, grandparent, child, legal guardian, mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother, sister.)
• Medical: To aid students in a recent medical emergency for charges not reimbursable by insurance or where insurance coverage does not apply.
• Other: pending approval, a detailed explanation must be provided.

Required Documentation

For Emergency Relief Funding Requests to be considered, documentation is required. Please be prepared to document your emergency when filling out the Student Emergency Relief Funding Application. 

The documentation you provide should be recent and directly relate to your need for relief funding.

PLEASE NOTE: Once you have submitted an application, staff will communicate with you through email. You will receive email notifications informing you of a response. You are strongly encouraged to closely monitor your email - including the spam folder - during this time to ensure you receive all messages.

 

Fund Application