Financial Support Resources

Student Assistance Fund

The Student Assistance Fund (SAF) provides financial assistance to students to help prevent emergency situations or unexpected financial needs from impacting a student’s ability to fully participate in their experience at the University of Denver (DU). The fund is designed to offset a short-term financial need and is not intended to replace or supplement financial aid or other sources of income. Consideration for SAF funding should take place after all other applicable financial aid and/or community resources are exhausted. Students can explore how to address long-term needs by meeting with a Student Outreach & Support (SOS) Student Support Advisor to determine available options. DU awards from the SAF as grants, and students do not need to repay the amount of the award. However, awards from the SAF may count as income and may be subject to federal and/or state taxes.

Things to Consider Before You Apply

If the fund won't fully meet your emergency needs, Student Outreach and Support can provide information that can help you seek assistance from different offices on campus and connect you with other outside resources. 

Your request may not be fully funded. Long-term needs will be directed to Financial Aid for further funding options. 

Receiving this grant could affect your existing financial aid package. Contact Financial Aid for any questions or clarifications regarding your financial aid package at 303-871-4020 or at finaid@du.edu

• Eligibility Requirements
  • Applicants must be currently enrolled in classes or otherwise engaged academically at DU for the term in which they are requesting SAF support.
  • The award of SAF funding must not result in the student's financial aid package exceeding their maximum Cost of Attendance (COA) as determined by the Financial Aid Office.
  • Students are limited to one application per quarter; however, SOS may consider multiple requests in a single term on a case-by-case basis.
  • Individuals who are full-time employees of DU are not eligible for SAF support even if they are enrolled in classes at DU.
• What You CAN Use Funds For

  Applicant must demonstrate financial need for immediate and essential support. Immediate and essential support may include, but is not limited to:

  
  Emergency Needs

  • Replacement of essential personal belongings due to fire, flood, theft, or natural disaster,
  • Temporary or emergency housing assistance,
  • Emergency transportation costs related to a family death or illness
  • Costs related to emergency medical care that are not covered by insurance and/or not able to be covered by a payment plan,

  
  Essential Needs

  • Safety-related needs (i.e. changing a lock, repairing a door or window),
  • Off-campus housing or utilities costs that have been impacted due to an unexpected event,
  • 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 to provide documentation to support requests for academic accommodations

   

  Student Outreach and Support has the discretion to review and approve requests for SAF funding for scenarios not set forth above, provided that the issue presents a clear barrier to the student’s ability to access their education.

• What you CANNOT Use Funds For

  The Student Assistance Fund may not be used for the following purposes. This list is not exhaustive and it is suggested to always work with SOS to work through options. 

  • Penalties, fines, tickets, legal fees or jail bonds
  • Normal and anticipated academic expenses (tuition, fees, health insurance, books, rent, etc.)
  • Non-essential utilities, household or furniture costs not related to damage or theft
  • Costs for entertainment, recreation, health insurance or non-emergency travel
  • Replacement of non-essential personal items due to fire, flood, theft or natural disaster
  • Medical bills for ongoing or non-emergency reasons including but not limited to routine lab work, primary care visits, physical therapy or mental health counseling appointments
  • Laptop replacement when the applicant is eligible for the Laptop Loan Program through Information Technology
• Application Process

  Students must submit an application and related documentation via the Student Assistance Fund Form to Student Outreach & Support. A Student Support Advisor will review the application and, if the student’s request satisfies the eligibility criteria, will contact the student to discuss the application, and then will determine a recommended award amount. If the request is approved, SOS will notify students of the amount and the money will be distributed. Typically, award amounts range from $50-$1000 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 where there is no exact cost of the item(s) or service(s) such as household essentials.
  • Following fund disbursement, an applicant 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 comes later). Failure to submit necessary receipt(s) may result in the student being ineligible to receive funds in the future and/or a hold being placed on their account.
    • SOS recognizes that there may be extenuating circumstances that may impact a student’s capacity to gather necessary documentation. In such case, the student must communicate this with the Student Support Advisor who can work with the student to resolve that concern.
  • Falsified Documentation: If DU discovers or is informed that a student has submitted falsified documentation, SOS will refer the matter to Student Rights and Responsibilities for review of possible policy violations.

Additional Financial Assistance

If you or a student you know is experiencing a temporary financial emergency, there are resources available to help. 

Please keep in mind that these recourses are not a replacement for long-term financial aid, scholarships, or other funding opportunities.

 

Emergency Loans

If you're experiencing a temporary financial hardship, the office of the bursar can help out. Short-term emergency loans are available to students who are experiencing temporary financial distress or that are in need of necessities. Find out more about the short-term emergency loans process and eligibility here.

Bursar Emergency Loans

Engagement Enrichment Fund

Thanks to generous donations from parents, families, alumni, and other community members, the Office of Student Engagement offers small grants to qualified undergraduate recipients interested in engagement opportunities at DU. If you are hoping to participate in a unique academic, co-curricular, or pre-professional experience, the grant may help you achieve your goals through student advising and financial support.

Apply Now

Temporary Financial Assistance for the LGBTQ+ Community

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

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