WesternU Student Emergency Support Fund

The Student Emergency Support Fund provides direct financial assistance to currently enrolled WesternU students who are unable to meet immediate, essential expenses due to a one-time or temporary hardship arising from an unexpected emergency that threatens to derail their academic progress.
We understand that unexpected emergencies can take many forms. Qualifying immediate and essential expenses may include, but are not limited to:

• Unexpected loss of housing
• Sudden medical or dental expenses
• Urgent transportation needs
• Theft or fire
• Natural disasters
• Death of a family member
• Other urgent and unforeseen circumstances creating a temporary financial hardship

The purpose of this fund is simple but important: to help our students when a one-time or temporary hardship arising from an unexpected emergency threatens to interrupt their education or their ability to meet an immediate essential need.
Award amounts are determined based upon the nature of the unexpected emergency, the individual student’s circumstances, and the documented expense. In extraordinary situations, awards may exceed $1,500. Students requesting assistance must demonstrate a one-time or temporary hardship arising from an unexpected emergency and an immediate essential need and provide documentation related to such expenses. The fund is intended specifically for unforeseen emergencies and cannot be used for ongoing or previously budgeted expenses or as a replacement for standard financial aid options.

Award
Varies
Scopes
University-wide
Deadline
07/01/2026
Supplemental Questions
  1. The WesternU Student Emergency Support Fund provides financial assistance to currently enrolled WesternU students who are unable to meet immediate, essential expenses because of a one-time or temporary hardship related to an unexpected emergency situation that threatens to derail their academic progress. Emergency situations can include but are not limited to injury, illness, theft, death of a family member, fire, natural disaster, or pandemic. Award amounts will vary depending on the type of emergency, the individual circumstances, and the actual needs of the student; but only extraordinary circumstances will warrant an award in excess of $1,000 per student. To be considered for funding, students must either have an urgent need for financial support to cover a documented expense, or have exhausted all other avenues for additional support, including but not limited to Financial Aid assistance. Students will not be granted emergency funds and instead referred to Financial Aid if 1) they have unclaimed loan money available to withdraw, 2) they have requested help to cover expenses for which they had previously been disbursed money (e.g. rent, utilities, transportation), or 3) they have the ability to adjust their budget to access additional loan money (e.g. medical bills, broken computer, rotation travel). Have you requested to increase your budget or withdraw additional loan funds from Financial Aid (at https://westernu.sharepoint.com/sites/finaid/students/SitePages/Home.aspx)?
  2. Please describe the nature of your emergency. Be specific and include dates and details as applicable.
  3. Please describe the specific negative impact of this emergency on your finances.
  4. Please describe the specific negative impact of this emergency on your academic progress.
  5. How much money are your requesting? (Note: At this time, only extraordinary circumstances will warrant an award in excess of $1,000 per student.)
  6. Please describe when and how these funds, if awarded, would be used. Provide specific dates and detail, and itemize multiple expenses as appropriate.
  7. Please upload relevant documentation, such as bills, receipts, and invoices, in a single PDF to substantiate your request.
  8. Please describe other sources of funding you have sought and the status of those requests.
  9. Please list the best way(s) to reach you at this time (i.e. your preferred email address and/or mobile phone number).
  10. Show 4 more