The Student Emergency Fund was created by a generous gift from Candace and Vincent Gaudiani to assist Case Western Reserve University students who encounter an unforeseen financial emergency or event which would otherwise prevent them from continuing their education at Case Western Reserve.
These funds are not intended to be used for routine expenses or as a consistent supplement to a student’s education funding sources. Requests must be urgent in nature.
These funds are not meant to cover costs typically addressed by financial aid. An event or unforeseeable circumstance must be the cause of the loss of funds in order to be eligible for student emergency funds. These funds do not need to be repaid. Our goal is to help students during an emergent time of need to stay in school and make progress towards a degree. Priority will be given to students whose tenure at CWRU may be at risk because of unexpected expenses.
Types of Expenses Covered
Include but are not limited to:
- Costs related to medical care, including medications
- Books and other essential academic expenses
- Safety needs (e.g. changing a lock)
- Assistance with replacement of essential personal belongings due to fire, theft, or natural disaster
- Travel costs related to a death or illness in the immediate family
- Assistance with rent, utilities, food and other essential household expenses
Expenses Not Covered
Include but are not limited to:
- Tuition, fees, health insurance, and study abroad costs
- Non-essential utilities (e.g. cable), household, or furniture costs not related to damage or theft
- Parking tickets and other fines
- Costs for entertainment, recreation, non-emergency travel or other non-essential expenses
- Expenses that could be anticipated and other non-emergency related expenses
- Expenditures resulting from poor financial management
Eligibility
- Applicants must be degree-seeking students at CWRU.
- Applicants should be currently enrolled and be in good standing or show evidence of recent satisfactory progress at the university during the term when the emergency funds would be applied.
- Applicants must have a financial hardship resulting from an emergency, accident, or other unplanned event.
- All other resources, including Student Financial Aid must have been considered and are insufficient, unavailable, or not available in a timely manner.
- Generally a maximum of one award will be given within a semester to any one student. However, extenuating circumstances will be considered for students who may require additional assistance.
Award Procedures
- Students who are in need of emergency financial assistance must submit an application and supporting documentation to the Office of the Dean of Students to be considered.
- Funds awarded will generally not exceed $500 per request but unique and unusual circumstances may be considered by individuals reviewing the applications. All requests and awards will remain confidential.
- Applicants may be required to meet with a staff member to discuss their application.
- When possible, the university will work with students to provide payment for such awards. However, students may also pay and be reimbursed for the expenses. In this case, students must provide receipts and/or documentation for payment or reimbursement not later than 10 days after funds have been disbursed.
* Please note that while you do not need to repay this financial award, it may be considered as taxable income and be subject to federal tax regulations.
Submit a Student Emergency Fund Application.
**Please note, in addition to the existing Student Emergency Fund (described above), CWRU has created a separate fund, known as the Student Health Emergency Fund accessible via MyHealthConnect, to provide resources for health emergency-related travel, lodging and care (including for emergency healthcare not available in Ohio). Postdoctoral scholars and fellows also are eligible to apply for this assistance.*
To request assistance, log into myhealthconnect.case.edu, click "Messages" on the left column, then click the “New Message” box on the top of the main screen. Finally, select the "Student Health Emergency Fund" option on the following screen.