What is the Student Emergency Fund?
The Viterbo University Student Emergency Fund is a small fund aimed at supporting students who encounter an unforeseen financial emergency that would otherwise prevent them from continuing their education. These funds are not intended to be used for tuition, routine expenses, or as a consistent supplement to a student's education funding sources. The number of students who can be served by the Student Emergency Fund is subject to the availability of funds.
What Expenses Are Covered by the Student Emergency Fund?
Expenses that may be covered by the Student Emergency Fund include but are not limited to:
- textbooks
- costs related to medical care (e.g., medications, co-pays, office visits, hospital bills)
- safety needs (e.g., changing a lock)
- transportation issues (e.g., car repair)
- assistance with replacement of essential personal belongings due to fire, theft, or natural disaster
- childcare and other dependent-related expenses
- travel costs for essential travel (e.g., work, medical, school, or emergency)
- assistance with rent and/or utilities
- groceries and other essential household expenses
What Expenses May NOT be Covered by the Student Emergency Fund?
Expenses that may not be covered by the Student Emergency Fund include but are not limited to:
- tuition or other university costs that would be applied directly to the student university account
- costs associated with university coursework -- excluding textbooks
- non-essential utilities (e.g., cable), furniture, and other household expenses
- parking tickets or other fines
- entertainment or recreation expenses
- non-essential travel (e.g., recreational)
- health insurance
What Are the Eligibility Requirements?
- Applicants must be experiencing a financial hardship resulting from an emergency or unexpected incident.
- Applicants must be currently enrolled students at Viterbo University during the term when the emergency funds would be applied. If there is a need during the summer months, applications will be considered based on having completed courses at Viterbo during the previous spring semester and registered for the upcoming fall semester.
- Applicants must complete an online application and may be asked to submit supporting documentation (e.g., copies of bills, invoices, receipts, estimates).
- If more than one application for emergency funds is under consideration at the same time, the requests for funding will be prioritized based on information provided in the application and the student's need for funding to remain enrolled at Viterbo University.
What is the Application Process?
- Students may apply for this fund at any time.
- Students who are in need of emergency financial assistance are invited to complete the application (see link below).
- Applicants must complete all questions in full. [See link below.] Supporting documentation may be required.
- The Student Emergency Fund committee reviews applications and determines the appropriate funding amount, if any.
- Applicants are required to meet or review their application over the phone with a committee member to discuss their application.
- All information provided through the application remains confidential.
- The Student Emergency Fund will only provide funding to the level needed within each eligible application.
- Funds distributed do not generally exceed $500. However, the committee will review applications requesting in excess of $500 for unique and unusual circumstances of emergency financial need.
How Are Payments Distributed?
- Payments are made directly to the student.
- Students failing to meet eligibility requirements or produce full and appropriate documentation, if requested, at the time of application may not be considered for this fund.
- Payments are distributed within two weeks of meeting or conversation with a committee member and subsequent application approval.
When Will I Be Contacted After Submitting an Application?
- The committee responds to applicants as soon as possible (normally within two working days).
Ready to submit your application?
APPLY FOR STUDENT EMERGENCY FUNDS
Interested in giving to the Student Emergency Fund?
GIVE TO THE STUDENT EMERGENCY FUND
Questions? Contact:
Eric Schmidt
Director, Major and Planned Gifts
(608) 796-3078
eschmidt@viterbo.edu