Emergency Funding

Emergency funds provide financial support to current UC Merced students when they need assistance with unexpected, unforeseen, and unavoidable emergency expenses surrounding housing. Currently enrolled students may apply for funds when they have exhausted all other financial resources (student loans, personal resources, and payment plans). This funding is not intended to reimburse for expenses that have already been paid, or to replace or supplement existing financial aid. If emergency funds are granted, they do not have to be repaid.

Eligibility Requirements

 ·      Applicants must have an immediate financial hardship resulting from an emergency, accident, or other unexpected critical incident.

·       The expense must be unexpected, unforeseen, and the urgent nature unavoidable.

·        Applicants must be currently enrolled students at UC Merced.

·        All other resources, including student loans through Financial Aid must have been considered and are insufficient, unavailable, or not available in a timely manner.

·        Applicants must complete all questions in full and submit supporting documentation.

Emergency Housing

The purpose of the emergency housing option is to ensure scholars experiencing displacement or homelessness have a safe place to stay temporarily while trying to secure permanent housing. A few examples of reasons why students have been approved for emergency housing include:
 

·        Unexpected economic challenge leading to homelessness

·        Displacement due to unsafe, unhealthy or unpredictable living conditions

·        Unpredictable change in financial dependency

Short-term emergency housing assistance is available through University Housing for (3-5 days) through University Housing and housing partners.

 Eligibility Requirements

·        Must be in an unexpected housing crisis (see examples above)

·        Must be a currently enrolled and/or matriculated UC Merced undergraduate or graduate student

·        If applicable, must be able to specifically document the nature of the housing crisis and the urgent situation

·        Must be willing to work to develop and implement a mutually agreed upon action plan with the Dean of Students Office, which may include utilizing resources through Counseling and Psychological Services, CARE, Basic Needs, Financial Aid, Student Business Services, Academic Advising, and other on and off-campus resources to improve sustainability

If a student does not meet eligibility for emergency housing, community resources will be provided to the student to consider.