Financial Support Resources

Student Assistance Fund

The Student Assistance Fund (SAF) provides financial support to students experiencing emergencies. The goal is to decrease the impact emergencies have on students' education. SAF funding attempts to offset short-term financial needs. The fund is not intended to replace or supplement financial aid or other sources of income. Students should explore all other financial aid and/or community resources before applying. A Student Outreach & Support (SOS) staff member can share resources for longer-term support. SAF funding is a grant, and students do not need to repay the amount of the award. Awards from the SAF may count as income and may be subject to federal and/or state taxes.

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
  • Be enrolled in credits or otherwise engaged in academics at DU in the quarter you are applying for.
  • Have room to award funding based on your estimated Cost of Attendance (COA). The Financial Aid Office determines this amount based on your financial aid package.
  • A student can only apply once per quarter. SOS may consider more than one request from a student in a single term on a case-by-case basis.
  • Full-time employees of DU are not eligible for SAF funding, even if enrolled in classes.
• What You CAN Use Funds For

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

  
  Emergency Needs

  • Temporary or emergency housing expenses due to an unexpected event

  • Emergency transportation costs related to a family death or illness

  • Emergency medical costs not covered by insurance and/or not covered by a payment plan

  • Replacement of essential personal belongings due to fire, flood, theft, or natural disaster

  • Necessary testing to provide 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. This includes, but is not limited to routine lab work, primary care visits, and therapy.

  • Laptop replacement 

  • Replacement of non-essential personal belongings due to fire, flood, theft or natural disaster

  • Penalties, fines, tickets, legal fees or jail bonds

  • Costs for entertainment, recreation, health insurance or non-emergency travel

• Application Process

  Students must submit their application and documentation via the Student Assistance Fund Form. A SOS staff member will review the application and contact the student to discuss it if needed. Once there is a decision reached, the staff member will inform the student of the outcome. If approved, SOS will inform the student of the amount awarded. Usually, award amounts range from $50-$1000 per student depending on the circumstances. Students must submit receipts to SOS and may work with SOS to coordinate further support.

  Apply

• Documentation Requirements

  • Documentation should include your name, the date, and the cost of the items or services. It should also include the organization or individual that will receive payment. This can include a landlord, leasing office, a healthcare provider, or others. Examples of documentation can include bills, police reports, or receipts for covered expenses. 5GB maximum total size.

  • The staff member collects documentation before approval of the application and fund disbursement. There can be exceptions for special circumstances if there is no exact cost of the item(s) or service(s). Examples can include things such as groceries or household necessities.

  • If approved, applicants must provide detailed receipts to SOS to show how funds were used. The student must submit this documentation before the end of the quarter or within 60 days. Failure to submit receipt(s) may prevent the student from receiving funds in the future. Students may also have a hold placed on their account.

    • SOS understands that circumstances may impact a student's ability to gather necessary documentation. If so, the student must tell SOS. A staff member can work with the student to resolve that concern.

  • Students who submit falsified documentation will be referred to Student Rights and Responsibilities.

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

Engagement Enrichment Fund

The Office of Student Engagement offers small grants to qualified undergraduate students. This is thanks to donations from families, alumni, and other friends of DU. Students can request grants for academic, co-curricular, or pre-professional experiences.

Apply Now

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