Financial Support Resources

Student Assistance Fund

Things to Consider Before You Apply

You may not receive the full amount of funding you requested. If the fund can't meet your emergency need, SOS can provide other resource information. Our office may also direct you to Financial Aid for long-term funding options. 

Receiving this grant could affect your existing financial aid package. Contact Financial Aid if you have questions about your financial aid package. You can reach Financial Aid at 303-871-4020 or at finaid@du.edu.

 

• Eligibility Requirements

  • Applicants must be enrolled in classes or otherwise engaged academically at DU for the term in which they are requesting SAF support.  

  • Applicants must be enrolled in in-person courses. Fully remote students are not eligible for SAF funding. 

  • Applicants are limited to receiving one SAF award per academic year; however, SOS may consider on a case-by-case basis multiple requests from a student in the same academic year. 

  • Applicants cannot be full-time benefitted employees at DU. 

  • Applicants must demonstrate financial need for emergency support.

• What You CAN Use Funds For

  Applicant must show financial need for immediate and emergency support. 

  Expenses covered include, but are not limited to:

  • Replacement of essential personal belongings due to fire, flood, theft, or natural disaster, 
  • Temporary or emergency housing assistance due to: 
    • Documented impending or ongoing eviction 
    • Physical safety concerns,
  • Emergency transportation costs related to a family death or life-threatening illness, 
  • Costs related to emergency medical care that are not covered by insurance and/or not able to be covered by a payment plan, 
  • Safety-related needs (i.e. changing a lock, repairing a door or window), 
  • Food and household essentials that cannot be addressed through other DU programs such as Swipe Out Hunger or the on-campus food pantry, 
  • Necessary testing for documentation to support requests for academic accommodations.

   

  SOS has the discretion to approve requests for situations not set forth above. The issue must present a clear barrier to the student's ability to access their education.

• What you CANNOT Use Funds For

  Students cannot request Student Assistance Funding for the following purposes. This list is not exhaustive. You should connect with an SOS staff member to discuss your specific circumstances. 

  • Normal and anticipated academic expenses (tuition, fees, health insurance, books, rent, etc.) 
  • Medical bills for ongoing or non-emergency reasons and health insurance. This includes, but is not limited to routine lab work, primary care visits, therapy, non-emergency dental care 
  • Replacement of a laptop or personal computer; 
  • Replacement of non-essential personal belongings due to fire, flood, theft or natural disaster; 
  • Routine car maintenance;
  • Fines, tickets, jail bonds, legal costs and fees, penalties, restitution, or other payments resulting from judgements in civil or criminal cases;
  • Costs for entertainment, recreation, or non-emergency travel 
• Application Process

  Students must submit their application and documentation via the OneForm Application. A team responsible for the OneForm will review the application and, if the student’s request satisfies the eligibility criteria, will contact the student to discuss the application, and determine a recommended award amount. If SOS approves the request, they will notify the student of the amount awarded and SOS will distribute the funds. Typically, award amounts range from $50 to $500 per student depending on the circumstances. Students must continue to work with their assigned Student Support Advisor to submit receipts and further coordinate support, as needed. 

  Apply

• Documentation Requirements

  Documentation, whenever possible, should include the name of the applicant, name of the organization funds are being used for (i.e., landlord/leasing office, vehicle repair shop, healthcare provider), the cost of the item(s) or service(s), date that the funds are due. 

  The Student Support Advisor collects documentation prior to approval of the application and fund disbursement, except for special circumstances in which there is no exact cost of the item(s) or service(s), such as household essentials. 

  Following disbursement of the funds, the student must provide receipts, bank statements, or some other verification that demonstrates the funds were used for the originally intended purpose. The student must submit this documentation prior to the end of the quarter or within 60 days, whichever is later. Failure to submit necessary receipt(s) may result in the student being ineligible to receive SAF awards in the future and/or a hold being placed on their student account. 

  SOS recognizes that there may be extenuating circumstances that may impact a student’s capacity to gather necessary documentation. In which case, the student should communicate their situation to the Student Support Advisor to resolve any concerns. 

  Falsified Documentation: If DU learns that a student may have submitted falsified documentation, SOS will refer the matter to the Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities for action under the Honor Code. 

Additional Financial Assistance

There are resources available for students experiencing a financial emergency.

Please note these resources cannot replace financial aid, scholarships, or other funding opportunities.

 

Emergency Loans

If you're experiencing a temporary financial hardship, the Bursar's Office may help. Short-term emergency loans are available to students who are experiencing temporary financial distress. Find out more about the short-term emergency loans process and eligibility.

Bursar Emergency Loans

 

Temporary Financial Assistance for the LGBTQ+ Community

There are several non-DU-related funds for members of the LGBTQ+ community in Colorado. Explore the Community Assistance Grant, The Rocky Mountaineers Motorcycle Club Catastrophic Assistance Fund, and the Holiday Letter Assistance program.

Community Funding Options

 

Steps to Financial Wellness

Many students do not have the opportunity to learn financial skills in school or at home. DU is committed to providing resources for our students on how to manage money and create financial freedom, which is why we've partnered with the National Endowment for Financial Education to bring DU students a FREE online financial literacy resource called CashCourse.

Financial Wellness Resources