Financial Support Resources

Student Assistance Fund

Things to Consider Before You Apply

You may not receive the full amount of funding you have requested. If the fund cannot meet your emergency need, SOS can provide other resource information. SOS 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.

 

The decision by SOS regarding whether to make an award from the SAF and the amount of the award are final for the particular request, and there is no appeal process.

• Eligibility Requirements

  Applicants must meet all of the following eligibility requirements: 

  • Applicants must be enrolled in in-person courses on the University Park Campus. Students enrolled in fully online program(s) that have no systematic in-person component on the University Park Campus are not eligible for SAF funding. 
  • Applicants must be enrolled in classes or are engaged in research, an internship, or lab duties for an ongoing academic program for the term in which they are requesting SAF support.  
  • Applicants must not have already received an award from the SAF during the same academic year; however, SOS may consider on a case-by-case basis additional requests from a student during the same academic year. 
  • Applicants must not be full-time benefitted employees of the University. 
  • Applicants must demonstrate financial need for immediate and emergency support by submitting supporting documentation with the application form. 
• What You CAN Use Funds For

  Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to:

  • Replacement of essential personal belongings due to loss from fire, flood, theft, or natural disaster not covered by insurance; 
  • Temporary or emergency housing assistance due to: 
    • Documented impending or ongoing eviction (except for removal from University owned or operated housing pursuant to the terms and conditions of the University’s housing contract)
    • Physical safety concerns
  • Emergency transportation costs related to a family death or life-threatening illness;
  • Costs related to the student’s 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; 
  • Out-of-pocket costs for testing to provide supporting documentation for requests for academic accommodations through Student Disability Services. 

  SOS has the discretion to approve awards for expenses not included in the list above. 

• What you CANNOT Use Funds For

  Ineligible expenses include, but are not limited to: 

  • Normal and anticipated academic expenses (e.g., tuition, fees, health insurance, books, rent, loans);
  • Medical bills for ongoing or non-emergency reasons and health insurance (e.g., 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 loss from fire, flood, theft or natural disaster; 
  • Routine car maintenance;
  • Fines, tickets, bail bonds, legal costs and fees, penalties, restitution, or other payments resulting from civil cases or from criminal charges; 
  • Costs for entertainment, recreation, or non-emergency travel 

  Students may connect with an SOS staff member to discuss what other resources may be available in the circumstances set forth above. 

• Application Process

  Students must submit their application and documentation via the OneForm Application.  SOS will review the application and, if the student’s request meets the eligibility criteria, SOS will contact the student to discuss the application and determine a recommended award amount. If SOS approves the request, SOS 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

  Students should submit documentation that, whenever possible, includes 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 payment is 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 that case, the student should communicate those circumstances to the Student Support Advisor. 

  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

 

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