Support Related to Basic Needs

Student Outreach and Support is committed to supporting students related to basic needs. Our resource navigators help undergraduate and graduate students connect to resources related to: 

• Housing
• Food
• Medical Care
• Counseling/mental health care, including substance abuse resources
• Health insurance/ affordable healthcare
• Transportation
• Emergency Funding
• Childcare or care for a vulnerable adult
• Employment concerns (e.g., loss of income)
• Clothing
• Access to course technology
• Utility assistance
• Legal assistance
• Textbooks (supported by The Friends of the UNC Libraries)
• Other emergency support

Resource navigators work to understand student needs and tailor support plans to meet those needs. Navigators are familiar with many institutional, city, county, state and federal resources that can help students meet their essential needs and stay on track academically.  There is no cost for these services.  

If you're a student in need of support related to basic needs, our Basic Needs Assistance Form is your starting point. This form helps us understand your needs and connect you with resources. Once you submit the form, you can expect to hear from a resource navigator within two business days to provide personalized support with the goal of helping you stay on track academically and personally.

For urgent situations requiring immediate assistance, please contact UNC Police at 1-970-351-2245 or call 911.

Emergency Funding

Sometimes life happens.  Unexpected medical bills arise, jobs are lost, housing plans fall apart, access to food is limited, cars break down or computers need repair. UNC seeks to support all students on their educational journeys, even in the midst of financial instability. 

The Student Emergency Support Fund exists to provide financial support for UNC students who are experiencing unforeseeable and/or catastrophic life events that may otherwise cause the student to stop or pause progress toward their educational goals. Unforeseeable means that a reasonable person would not have anticipated the life event and the related financial shortfall. The Emergency Support Fund is made possible by the generosity of donors.  

The maximum award amount is generally $750 per academic year. 

• How do I know if I'm eligible for emergency funding?
  • Student is a graduate or undergraduate student who is either currently enrolled for classes at UNC or between semesters of class enrollment at UNC, with evidence of the student’s intention to re-enroll for the coming semester.
  • Student is experiencing a financial emergency, defined as a recent unforeseen financial shortfall that if, unaddressed, has the potential to result in housing or utility insecurity, food insecurity, inability to access health care, inability to care for dependents, inability to meet personal safety needs or inability to continue as a student at UNC.    
  • There is no evidence the student has other financial resources to meet the need at hand. For example, a student who recently received a significant financial aid refund might be reasonably expected to apply that refund toward a particular financial need.  

  Students must have experienced an unforeseeable or catastrophic life eventin order to be eligible to receive an award from this Fund.  Unforeseeable means that a reasonable person would not have anticipated the life event and the related financial shortfall.Students can request emergency support funds to cope with the following unforeseeable or catastrophic life events: 

  • Unforeseeable loss of employment 
  • Unexpected medical, dental or mental health expenses for the student or their dependent
  • Housing insecurity
  • Food insecurity
  • Death or serious illness of a loved one
  • Unexpected expenses related to safety issues (e.g., need to move to a new apartment for safety reasons)
  • Unexpected expenses related to car repairs or to other transportation problems
  • Financial loss associated with being the victim of a crime
  • Unexpected childcare expenses
  • Financial loss associated with a major accident
  • Loss due to fire, theft, or natural disaster
  • Unforeseeable decrease in funding from a source the student was relying on
  • Unexpected veterinary fees related to an emergency (note that the awarding of funds for this purpose may be subject to federal financial aid limitations)  

  • Note: Students enrolled in the Colorado School of Public Health at UNC are eligible to request and receive Emergency Support funding. Students enrolled at CU-Denver or CSU in the Colorado School of Public Health are not eligible for this funding--these students should explore emergency funding opportunities at CU-Denver and CSU.   
• How do I apply for emergency funding?

  Students requesting emergency support funding must complete the  online application. Documentation is generally required with your application.Documentation can include emails, screenshots, images, photos, invoices, communications, bills or bill estimates, or other similar information to help the committee understand the emergency and how it has impacted you.  However, if itis not possible for you to submit documentation, you may still apply and your application will be considered--but you should be very clear in the application about the total amount of your financial shortfall and how exactly you would plan to use any support that the Committee awards.  In some cases a student may be required to meet with a staff member prior to funds disbursement. 

  The  Emergency Support Fund   is administered by a committee that meets weekly to review applications. If and when funds are exhausted, additional applications will not be reviewed. All decisions of the committee are final. Forms are reviewed most business days. During the academic year, it can take up to a week for initial decisions to be made on applications. If you need food, housing or other support more urgently, please contact sos@unco.edu or call 970-351-2796  during daytime working hours. After hours, contact UNC Police at 970-351-2245.    

  If you have questions, please contact us at sos@unco.edu.   

   

• What can the emergency funding be used for?

  Expenses that are eligible for emergency funding include, but are not limited to: 

  • Expenses related to medical, dental, or mental health emergencies for the student 
  • Emergency family medical or death expenses for those the student is financially responsible for  
  • Expenses for safety and health-related needs 
  • Housing expenses (rent or mortgage) 
  • Food expenses 
  • Utilities (e.g., electricity, gas, water, sewer, phone and internet bills) related to an emergency  
  • Unexpected dependent care expenses 
  • Transportation or commuting expenses related to an emergency 
  • Veterinary fees related to an emergency (note that the awarding of funds for this purpose may be subject to federal financial aid limitations)  
  • Costs related to major accidents or loss due to fire, theft or natural disaster  
  • Replacement of books, supplies and technology due to an emergency 
  • Expenses associated with the loss of a loved one 

  • Textbooks (supported by The Friends of the UNC Libraries)

  Expenses that are generally not eligible for emergency funding include, but are not limited to: 

  • Tuition and fees at other institutions of higher education  
  • Student travel or conferences  (bereavement travel is the exception)
  • Legal fees (safety-related legal fees are the exception)
  • Non-essential utilities (e.g., streaming services)  
  • Costs of entertainment or recreation
  • Personal or non-emergency travel expenses  
  • Outstanding personal debt, including credit card debt 
  • Clubs and organization fees or dues 

Academic Appeals

Although the Dean of Students Office is not directly involved with academic appeals, case managers know students often have questions about how to navigate the process. 

Information Sharing

Authorizing Release of Information

UNC students working with case managers in the Dean of Students Office have the opportunity to authorize the release of information to specified parties of their choosing. In some limited circumstances, including emergencies as described below, UNC may share students' information without a Release of Information on file. 

Emergency Contact

UNC students should regularly review and update their emergency contact information in Ursa. Emergency contact information is necessary to contact someone of your choice on your behalf in case of an emergency. UNC may use this information when students are personally involved in a health or safety emergency, such as emergency medical transports and/or hospitalizations.

Student Resources

If there is an emergency and you need immediate help, please call the UNC Police at 970-351-2245.

 

Frequent Referrals

You may find it helpful to reach out to one or more of the following resources for assistance during difficult times. If you’d like, our case managers are here to help you connect with these resources and to address any questions or concerns you may have throughout the process. Email dos@unco.edu to request a meeting with a case manager if you’re interested in additional support.

Campus Resources (PRINTABLE PDF)

COMMUNITY RESOURCES (printable PDF)