Emergency Funds and Resources

If you are overwhelmed with these choices, consider connecting with the Student Emergency Fund. They have case workers who will work with you to find the best path forward. 

  • All emergency funds dispersed may impact financial aid. 
  • Most of these funds provide under $1,000.
  • All funds require a demonstrated need for financial support.

The Graduate Student Emergency Fund (GSEF): 

Eligibility: Applicants must be full-time enrolled in a Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder graduate degree program on the main campus. This program does not cover students enrolled in certificate programs or in the Law School or the Leeds MBA program.

Student Emergency Fund (SEF):

Eligibility: Applicants must currently be enrolled in Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder for at least one credit hour. If it is a break period, you must be enrolled for the upcoming semester.

Student Relief Fund (SRF):

Eligibility: Applicants with ASSET/DACA status are encouraged to apply and will receive preference. Applicant cannot be able to access federal or state financial aid. Applicant must currently be enrolled at Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder at least half-time (6 credit hours for undergraduates; 4 credit hours for grad/law). Applicant must have graduated from high school or received a GED within the U.S.

Application For Medical Expense Assistance (AMEA):

Elibibility: Applicant must be a student at the University of Colorado at Boulder who is actively paying student fees at the time the expenses are incurred and when the complete application is submitted. Gold plan insurance is not required. 

Bring the completed print application to the Billing & Coding office at the Wardenburg Health Center on the 3rd floor in Room 336.

The Victim Support Fund (VSF):

Eligibility: Applicants must be a Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder affiliate (student, staff or faculty) or have been within the last 6 months. Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder affiliates can only apply/receive an application through working with a Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder Office of Victim Assistance (OVA) advocate.

International Student and Scholars Office Emergency Fund (ISEF)

Applicant must have an F-1 or J-1 visa.

Basic Needs Emergency Fund (BNEF)

Applicants must be currently enrolled in Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder for at least one credit hour. If it is a break period, applicants must be enrolled for the upcoming semester. Applicants must complete an intake meeting with a case manager to begin an application. 

Paid pregnancy & Parenting-Related Leave for Graduate Students on Appointment/FAMLI leave (PPGL)

Eligible graduate students on appointments as Teaching Assistants, Graduate Assistants, Research Assistants, and Graduate Part Time Instructors (hereafter referred to as ‘Graduate Student Assistants’) may be excused from their duties for a period of up to twelve weeks immediately following the birth or adoption of a young child. For the initial six weeks students will continue to receive their full stipend.  If they elect to take additional time, they will be eligible for partial wage replacement for up to an additional six weeks.

Paid pregnancy & Parenting-Related Leave for Graduate Students on Appointment info

Specific categories of need 

Please do your own research as these may change or not be complete. 

If you find an inaccuracy, please email the webmaster to update. (Last Updated May 30, 2024)

International Student and Scholars Office Emergency Fund acceptable need categories are not publicly listed, and so are excluded from this list. 

  • Medical/Dental/Mental Health Emergencies
    • GSEF/SEF/SRF/AMEA
  • Ongoing medical costs/prescriptions
    • SRF/AMEA
  • Major Accidents or events
    • Individual disasters
      • GSEF/SEF
    • Large local disasters such as the Marshall Fire
      • Email deanofstudents@colorado.edu
  • Housing
    • Rent/Utilities
      • SEF/VSF/BNEF
    • Housing instability/emergency housing needed
      • BNEF
  • Living expenses
    • Car repairs
      • SRF/VSF
    • Cell Phone/Cable/Internet Bills 
      • VSF
    • Dependent care
      • SEF/SRF
  • Travel
    • Immediate family emergency/crisis/death
      • GSEF/SRF
  • Personal Possessions
    • Theft
      • SEF
    • Property in evidence of criminal trial or destroyed
      • VSF
  • Food Insecurity
    • SRF/BNEF
  • Legal Fees
    • Immigration case or court hearing
      • SEF
    • Legal Fees relating to a traumatic event
      • VSF
  • Academic Supplies 
    • Textbooks
      • ASAP tutoring has many available to borrow
      • SEF/SRF/VSF
    • Supplies/Access codes
      • SEF/SRF/VSF
  • Tuition and fees
    • SRF
  • Pregnancy, childbirth, care of a newborn or newly adopted young child
    • PPGL