Emergency Funding

• Eviction
• Utility shut-off
• Car repair that will prevent you from traveling to campus
• Past-due medical bills
• Other needs considered on a case-by-case basis

• Tuition and fees
• Student health insurance
• Books and school supplies
• Parking (passes, ticket, etc.) 
• Conference and travel expenses
• Technology (phone, electronic notebook, computer, etc.) 
• Credit card payments
• Legal fees
• Transportation/commuting expenses

 Please note that housing, living expenses, food, transportation, and commuting costs are anticipated costs part of your academic career and do not automatically qualify for emergency funding

• Students must be enrolled in the current term when completing the application.
• This year’s FAFSA must be on file and the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) cannot exceed $10,000.
• The student must have room in their financial aid budget (unmet need in their Cost of Attendance) and utilized already-awarded financial aid. 
   
• Students must include documentation reflecting their financial emergency.  The documentation must clearly show both the student's name and the specific cost of the expense.  A copy of a lease, a utility bill, auto repair bill are examples of appropriate documentation. If you do not have documentation, please speak to the Office of Advocacy and Support 402-472-0878. 

• Application  Please complete the following form: Emergency Basic Needs Request Form and submit all appropriate documentation.
• Award Decision After the application is reviewed, the student will receive a message via their UNL e-mail account notifying them of the outcome within 24 hours. If approved, the message will also include how much funding will be awarded. If not approved, the Office of Student Advocacy and Support will communicate next steps.
• Payment The university works diligently to process funding as quickly as possible.  Awards will be applied directly to the student’s Statement of Account.  If the student is not already signed up for direct deposit, please follow instructions listed here.   
• Financial Education Training To help prevent financial emergencies in the future, UNL is committed to providing all students with the opportunity for free financial coaching through Financial Well-Being Coaching at Big Red Resilience and Well-Being. All recipients of emergency funding are encouraged to attend 1-on-1 coaching sessions after their immediate emergency is resolved.  To learn more and to schedule your financial coaching appointment, please visit this link.  

If you are an active F-1 or J-1 international student, please contact the International Student and Scholar Office at isso@unl.edu for grant information through the Office of International Affairs. 

 

PLEASE NOTE: Information submitted will be used to determine eligibility.  It may be shared with other university offices that have a need to know for purposes of reviewing and processing this request, and/or to comply with university policy or law.

QUESTIONS? For more information about student emergency funding, contact the Office of Student Advocacy and Support at studentadvocacy@unl.edu or 402-472-0878.