The Student Critical Support Fund Application provides an opportunity for students experiencing a financial hardship that poses significant risks to their educational success to apply for financial support. These funds address unexpected expenses for active undergraduate, graduate, and professional students with demonstrated financial need: Active undergraduate, graduate, and professional students who are currently enrolled or intend to be enrolled in classes the following term may submit an application (with appropriate documentation, when appropriate and as available) for funds.
Eligible students may apply for funding under one of the following categories:
Student Care Assistance Program (SCAP) may assist with unpaid costs of unexpected medical or mental health expenses (e.g., costs for co-payments, transportation to medical appointments, and/or other costs related to medical care), if a student has been referred to a community provider via the Student Care Network or if the student requires care that cannot be provided on campus . Eligible expenses include those that are medically appropriate for your condition and recommended by a licensed treating provider; on occasion, this may require documentation from your provider. Funds awarded will not exceed $2,000 each academic year per student and payments approved by Student Care Coordination (SCC) must be made directly to health providers. Students cannot be reimbursed for any funds paid out of pocket.
- Student Care Assistance Program (SCAP) review process: Applications for medicallyrelated expenses that have not yet been paid will be reviewed and approved if applicable by SCC. Documentation of expenses will be required and maintained by SCC. Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) will confirm demonstrated financial need for each applicant, but will not receive medical information. Students will be informed of a decision, along with follow-up instructions, via email from SCC .
Student Hardship Fund (OSFA) may assist with expenses for unexpected events that create a financial hardship with a direct impact on the student’s academic success (e.g., urgent airline tickets for a funeral, housing and meal costs due to a natural disaster, etc.). Funds awarded will not exceed $2,000 each academic year per student from OSFA. Funds awarded will be deposited directly into the student’s Vanderbilt student account.
- Student Hardship Fund review process: Applications for expenses that are not medically related will be reviewed and approved by OSFA. Students will be informed of a decision, along with follow-up instructions, via email from OSFA.
- If a student pays for medically related expenses out of pocket before learning about SCAP, they should complete an application using the “Student Hardship Fund” drop down so that OFSA can consider whether reimbursement can be approved.
The Reproductive Health and Parenting Resource Coordinator, Hannah Proctor, may assist with the reimbursement of medical or mental health expenses related to reproductive health and/or early parenting. Prior to submitting an application for funding related to reproductive health or parenting needs, students should first contact Hannah Proctor at hannah.proctor@vanderbilt.edu or by phone at 615-343-6471. If approved, funding is awarded via direct deposit to a student's Vanderbilt student account. Funds awarded will not exceed $2,000 each academic year per student.
- Reproductive Health and Parenting review process: Upon meeting with the Reproductive Health and Parenting Resource Coordinator, your needs for financial assistance will be reviewed, Documentation of expenses will also be reviewed. Students will be informed of a decision, along with follow-up instructions, via email from the Coordinator.
Expenses not covered by any of the above:
- Tuition, fees, health insurance premiums, or study abroad costs
- Utilities, household, or furniture costs
- Anticipated fixed expenses (e.g., rent)
- Books and other academic expenses
- Costs for entertainment, recreation, or other non-essential expenses
- Subscription-based mental health services
Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicants must have a financial hardship with a direct impact on the student’s academic success.
- Applicants must be active undergraduate, graduate, or professional students who are currently enrolled or intend to be enrolled in classes the following term.
- All other resources, including additional financial aid through OSFA, payment plans, insurance or associated benefits, assistance from family/friends, or other personal resources, must have been considered and are insufficient, unavailable, or not available in a timely manner.
- Applicants must complete all questions below in full and submit supporting documentation (if applicable). In some circumstances, students may be asked to provide additional documentation based on needs. Applicants must agree to disclose financial aid eligibility and status to determine eligibility for funds.
- Applicants may be asked to complete a Release of Information for providers needing payment.
Funds are available in a limited capacity to assist students who meet the criteria outlined below during a time of need. Funds do not need to be repaid and are not intended to be used as a consistent and/or ongoing supplement to a student’s education funding sources. Funds are only provided when funding is available and must be used within the academic year granted. Decisions regarding funding through the Student Critical Support Fund may not be appealed. Submitting an application does not guarantee receipt of funds from the Student Critical Support Fund.
For more information on this application and process, please contact SCC at 615-343-WELL (9355), OSFA at (615) 322-3591, or the Reproductive Health and Parenting Resource Coordinator at 615-343-6471.