Background

The purpose of emergency grants is to have resources available to support students with the goal of removing barriers to keep them in school while they may be going through a life challenge. Students who are meeting criteria for successful degree completion should not have to choose between necessities for living (food, shelter, etc.) and completing their degree.

Purpose

The Emergency Aid Program seeks to provide emergency grants as well as support and resource connection for students which seeks to improve their overall well-being. The program will assist low or moderate-income School of Public Health students (undergraduate and graduate) by providing financial support when they need assistance with unexpected emergency expenses surrounding situations such as, but not limited to, the following:

  • Accidents
  • Illness (self or dependent)
  • Death of a family member
  • Fire damage (home or property)
  • Need for temporary housing
  • Need for food

The intent of this aid is to help remove financial barriers for students to remain enrolled after a qualifying event (see above). This help is not intended to replace or supplement existing financial aid and does not have to be repaid.

What this Emergency Aid Program covers

Please note that this is not a comprehensive list

  • Tuition
  • Emergency expenses
  • Meals on campus through preloaded campus dining cards
  • Textbooks & supplies through the use of vouchers
  • Student parking pass (annual or monthly)
  • Semester RTC bus pass
  • Graduation fee
  • Graduation Cap & Gown

Eligibility Requirements

  • Applicants must have a financial hardship resulting from an emergency, accident, or other unexpected critical incident (qualifying event)
  • Applicants must be currently enrolled students in the School of Public Health
  • Applications must be in good standing – academic (Undergraduate GPA 2.0 / Graduate GPA 2.75) and conduct with UNLV
  • All other resources must have been considered and are insufficient, unavailable, or not available in a timely manner
  • An individual is eligible once per academic career/degree at UNLV to receive emergency aid funding
  • Applicants must complete the request process and submit supporting documentation

Students in need of emergency financial assistance AND who meet the eligibility requirements may submit a request along with supporting documentation. The request must include, but is not limited to the following:

  • Personal statement which includes detail of the emergency or need (500 words or less)
  • Approximate amount needed
  • What additional resources or assistance has been sought and obtained Supporting documentation may include, but is not limited to:
  • Medical bills
  • Income verification
  • Estimates for repairs
  • Documentary evidence (photographs or videos)
  • Letters of support (usually witnesses of your need)

The request will be reviewed by the School of Public Health’s Dean's Office to determine approval and the appropriate funding amount.

Application Procedure

  1. Student applies through this and someone from the Dean's Office will be in touch.
  2. The Dean’s Office reviews the request and requested amount.
  • Acceptance – Student is notified via email. The Dean's Office will submit a Scholarship Award Roster to Financial Aid (if funding for courses is awarded) and funds are disbursed to the student’s account immediately. If other financial support is awarded, Dean’s Office will provide student with necessary vouchers to obtain resources
  • Denied – Student is notified via email and directed to additional financial resources