Special Circumstance and Emergency Funding

We understand that a variety of unplanned hardships can arise. Students experiencing challenges may apply for support in emergency or crisis situations. Examples of these situations include

• Homelessness (living in your car, temporarily staying with friends or family, living at a shelter, or other temporary housing situation),
• Unforeseen emergency, crisis, or catastrophic event.

If you need emergency funding, please review the following information related to special circumstance and emergency funding programs offered by the University of Central Florida.

The University of Central Florida offers students in emergency and crisis situations with emergency funding options. Based on the student’s self-disclosed financial crisis, a Student Care Services staff member will guide the student through the appropriate process/resource.

Requests for special circumstance and emergency assistance are considered on criteria Student Care Services deems a special or extraordinary circumstance or emergency.  As such, an interdepartmental Emergency Fund Team considers each request separately. The emergency funds are sustained by monetary contributions made by students, faculty, staff, friends, and alumni.

The goals of the team include aiding students who have general financial emergency needs.

Eligibility Requirements:

1. Be an actively enrolled UCF student
2. Be able to demonstrate an urgent financial need (Supporting documentation will be required. Appropriate documentation includes bank account statement, eviction/foreclosure notice, utility cut-off notice, medical bill, etc. must be submitted with application.)
3. Must have exhausted all sources of financial assistance and aid.
4. For first time in college students, being on track for a four-year graduation may be a requirement for some types of funds.
5. For transfer students, being on track for a two-year graduation may be a requirement for some types of funds.

Expenses Covered:

Emergency Fund: Requests for emergency assistance will be considered based on what is recognized as an emergency, in the following categories*:

1. Tuition, Books, Associated Student Fees (including excess hours)
2. Food: When Knight’s Pantry is not an option because of closure, or the student has expended their food allotment or is in greater need (ie. supporting a family).
3. Shelter: this includes possible eviction from present housing; in extreme cases, rent assistance on housing when legitimately unable to make payment on own; to aid in case of disaster.
4. Utilities: to prevent utilities from being disconnected during an emergency. (Phone bills are not considered a utility.)
5. Transportation: to aid in costly repairs only when car is necessary to continue employment; bus passes; aid not to include car payments, insurance premiums, taxes or normal maintenance and repair charges.
6. Deaths: to aid in travel expenses surrounding the death of immediate family member (Spouse, mother, father, child, legal guardian, mother-in-law, father-in-law. brother, sister, etc.)
7. Medical: to aid student in a recent medical emergency not reimbursable by insurance or where insurance coverage does not apply. Routine preventative health expenses are not eligible (i.e. ER visit, emergency surgery).
8. Other: Pending approval, must provide explanation

* These are general guidelines, and each request will be reviewed by the team.

 

All Requests:

1. Applicants may be required to submit additional supporting documentation as deemed necessary by the team to receive final approval of request.
2. All funds awarded will be disbursed to student account or third-party vendor pending team decision. Receipts will be required. Receipts will be required from vendor if paid directly to vendor.
3. Once funds have been disbursed, student is required to provide proof of payment to intended vendor as funds were approved by the team.

 

Necessary Documentation: Students are required to provide proof of financial hardship such as bank statements, bills, shelter documentation, or legal notices providing evidence of their financial emergency. Additionally, each student’s financial records will be reviewed.

 

Procedure: Students will complete the application form and supply necessary additional documentation. Students may need to meet with the team at a pre-determined date to review application and discuss supporting information.

Disbursement Method: If approved, it is anticipated that funding is provided within seven business days of team review. Some exceptions may apply.

General Guidelines:

1. Emergency funds are not intended to be a means of ongoing regular support but is for emergencies only. Assistance for emergencies will be limited to once per academic semester.
2. Individual requests may be made up to $2,500.00 per degree. Preference will be given to first time applicants.
3. A student must be an actively enrolled to be eligible to receive funding.

 

**Exceptions to these guidelines will be considered by the team on a case by case basis.

 

The Application Process:

1. The application form must be filled out completely and in detail according to the type of funding requested. The completed form will be reviewed by the Student Care Services office for evaluation.
2. After the completed application has been received, it will be considered by the Emergency Fund Team. If necessary, the applicant may be contacted for further information. The University of Central Florida Student Financial Assistance and Student Accounts offices will also be contacted to obtain additional financial information concerning the applicant.
3. A meeting may be scheduled with student and team should the request pass the initial review process.
4. Please note there are no appeals procedures for emergency funds.

If you have any questions regarding emergency funds or the application, please call Student Care Services at 407-823-5607 or email caremanager@ucf.edu.

Emergency Fund Application: https://ucf.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eS9opennKZz12qG