Graduate Student Emergency Support Fund
PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE PAGE BEFORE SUBMITTING A REQUEST
The Graduate Student Emergency Support Fund provides financial assistance for graduate students in a Graduate School progam during times of emergency. It is used to help offset the costs of an emergency. An emergency is an urgent, sudden, and serious event or an unforeseen change in circumstances that necessitates immediate action to remedy financial harm or avert imminent crisis.
Examples of eligible assistance requests:
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Natural disasters
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Fire damage
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Damaged or stolen property
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Travel emergencies
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Death in the family
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Accidents
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Legal expenses
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Safety needs (changing a lock)
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Emergency housing assistance (reimbursement)
Emergency Support Fund Guidelines:
Receipt(s) or other documents to verify the expenses you incurred due to the emergency in support of your request are required and must be uploaded with the form.
The Graduate Student Emergency Support Fund form must be completed in order for your request to be considered. Email requests will not be accepted.
Your request will be reviewed as soon as possible. We understand that your request may be time-sensitive, so please watch your Notre Dame email for further instructions or updates. Please do not make in-person requests at the Graduate School for updates about your submission; in-person updates will not be given.
Funding limits:
- This fund is available for graduate students experiencing an emergency. There is a maximum over a 24 month period.
- Winter clothing requests are limited to no more than $300.
- Damaged/lost cell phone request are limited to no more than $300.
- Rent assistance is not a recurring form of support from this fund. One month’s rent will be reimbursed at 80%, with a maximum of $800 on an emergency need basis only.
- Most other types of approved requests are reimbursed at 50%.
Ineligible Expenses:
- Medical Expenses - This fund cannot be used for medical expenses. If you have medical expenses, we recommend you talk with Connie Morrow (cmorrow@nd.edu) in UHS about how to lower your bills and/or apply for relief through The Shirt Fund website.
- Food/Groceries - The Graduate School and Cultivate Food Rescue have partnered together to create G21 in order to help graduate students, and their families, in need. This program provides well-balanced, frozen meals that can be anonymously taken and reheated in any microwave. You can find more information and frequently asked questions on the Graduate School’s G21 website. The emergency fund does not support Food Insecurity request.
request.
- Computers/Laptops - This fund is not a computer replacement fund. If you need to replace your computer, we recommend talking with your adviser. If your adviser cannot assist you, please contact your program administrators. You can also rent a laptop from the OIT Help Desk in 115 Debartolo Hall or use one of the many computer labs on campus.
If your emergency costs are significant, consider applying for a loan. The Office of Financial Aid has numerous options for graduate students.
Students from the Notre Dame Law School, the School of Architecture, and Mendoza College of Business master's programs are not eligible for assistance from this fund. Please contact your dean for further support.
Funding is made possible through the generosity of the Graduate School at the University of Notre Dame, Graduate Student Government, Alumni, and Friends.
Use this link to go directly to the Graduate Student Emergency Support Fund form.