Emergency Aid

What is an Emergency Aid Fund?

We are mindful that life can be erratic. 

Unexpected expenses might have a negative impact on one’s ability to succeed in college and on their personal well-being. Because of this, Rutgers University offers emergency aid support for its enrolled students.

When assistance is needed for unforeseen, unavoidable, and unavoidable costs associated with emergencies like accidents, illness, fire/water damage, or the need for emergency lodging and food. Emergency aid funding assists Rutgers students by providing one-time, need-based financial support. 

Criteria

1. Currently enrolled, matriculated undergraduate, graduate, international, and undocumented students are eligible and welcome to apply.
2. Students must be currently enrolled at the Rutgers University - New Brunswick campuses.

In order to request funding, you must first check in with the One-Stop/ Financial Aid office to ensure you have exhausted all eligible aid. Due to high need, we are not able to consider applications for funding for students who have available aid through the One-Stop/ Financial Aid office. 

Important Eligibility Requirement 

Before submitting this application for emergency assistance, students must first complete the following steps with the Office of Financial Aid:

• Appeal your current financial aid package if you believe it does not adequately reflect your financial situation.
• Accept all forms of aid offered, including federal student loans, grants, and work-study opportunities, unless you have a documented reason for declining.

Emergency aid is intended to serve as a last resort for students who have exhausted all other available financial resources. If you have not yet appealed your aid or accepted your full financial aid package, please contact the Office of Financial Aid before proceeding with this application.

Types of Emergency Aid Assistance

To help simplify and expedite the emergency aid process, a single application is now used to collect information for multiple emergency aid awards. This centralized approach allows us to assess your eligibility for various types of support more efficiently.

To support students facing unexpected financial challenges, the following emergency aid funds are available through a single, streamlined application process:

• Emergency Assistance Fund
  Offers one-time financial support to students experiencing unexpected, non-recurring financial hardships—such as house fires, burglaries, or medical emergencies—after all other resources have been exhausted.

• LGBT+ Student Emergency Fund
  Provides supplemental emergency assistance to LGBT+ identified students experiencing financial hardship, often due to family separation or challenges related to their social identity.

• Mason Gross & SEBS Emergency Assistance Funds
  School-specific funds designed to assist undergraduate students in financial or familial crisis. Support may include housing, healthcare, travel, transportation, and other urgent needs.

• Meal Plan Assistance
  Provides short-term support for students experiencing food insecurity or disruptions to their regular access to meals.

What Constitutes as Emergency Aid?

Applications that are submitted for one of these expenses should explain why the circumstance is unexpected/unforeseen/unavoidable. Some of these expenses may be considered in extreme cases where an emergency is present; different funds have different requirements.

Emergency Aid Assistance: Eligible Expenses

Students may request emergency aid for a variety of urgent needs. Examples of potentially eligible expenses include:

• Emergency housing costs
• Urgent medical needs, including prescription eyeglasses or essential dental care
• Medication and prescription expenses
• Replacement of personal belongings lost due to fire or natural disaster
• Safety-related expenses (e.g., lock changes, short-term emergency shelter)
• Food and transportation
• Travel costs related to a serious illness or death in the immediate family
• Homelessness or sudden loss of housing
• Loss of childcare

This list is not exhaustive. If your situation is not listed, you are still encouraged to submit an Emergency Aid Request for consideration.

Expenses Typically Not Covered (not an exhaustive list):

• Tuition, fees, testing fees, health insurance, and study abroad costs
• Previous educational debts
• Credit card debts, loan payments including mortgages, and car note payments
• Non-essential utilities (e.g., cable), household items, or furniture not related to damage or theft
• Regularly anticipated expenses (e.g., cell phone bills, credit card payments)
• Fines or penalties (e.g., parking tickets, library fines)
• Replacement of lost or stolen items
• Costs related to entertainment, recreation, or non-essential travel
• Anticipated or upcoming expenses

Aid may be provided in various forms, including grants, loans, or referrals to campus and community resources.

Supporting Documentation

Funding eligibility is determined in collaboration with the Office of Financial Aid (OFA). To approve funding or adjust a student’s Cost of Attendance for emergency-related needs, we require documentation for specific expenses. Please ensure you include supporting documentation (e.g., receipts) for the following categories:

• Travel (e.g., plane tickets, U-Haul rentals, train fares)
• Technology (e.g., laptops, WiFi cards, internet service)
• Medical Expenses (e.g., procedures, prescriptions)
• Car Repairs
• Police Reports

Applications submitted without the required documentation will be automatically denied. Please do not submit your application until all necessary materials are included. 

Application Process

Your application will be reviewed for eligibility for available grants and scholarships. You may also consider applying for loans to help cover higher-cost or long-term financial obligations. While we strive to support each applicant to the best of our ability, please note that funding is limited and we may not be able to fulfill your entire request.

The approval timeline varies depending on individual circumstances. If all required documentation is submitted, the process may be expedited. However, if additional information is needed, it may take longer. Due to high demand, please allow 10–14 business days for your application to be reviewed. Processing times may also be affected during Winter and Spring breaks.

Once approved, funds are typically disbursed within 1–2 business days.

Emergency assistance aid funding is limited and awarded until funds are depleted. Applying does not guarantee you will receive funding. Funding is usually offered in the amount of $500 or less, exceptions determined on case-by-case bases. 

Emergency Aid Application 

If you have questions or concerns about your application, resources listed on this website, or need guidance, please contact basicneeds@echo.rutgers.edu. Only completed applications with the requirements will be accepted. Please reference above before completing an application. 

APPLY HERE

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