Emergency Funds and Emergency Housing

Emergency Funding	Emergency Housing
Overview Emergency funds provide financial support to current UC Merced students when they need assistance with unexpected, unforeseen, and unavoidable crisis expenses which could significantly impact their academic progress or meeting their basic needs, including situations such as: Medical emergencies Accidents Illness Critical personal situations Natural disasters (i.e. flood or fire damage) Housing insecurity Currently enrolled students may apply for funds when they have exhausted all other financial resources (student grants and 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.	Overview Short-term emergency housing assistance is available through University Housing and housing partners. The purpose of the emergency housing option is to ensure scholars experiencing displacement or housing insecurity 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 housing insecurity Unforeseen evictions Domestic violence circumstances Stalking incidents Displacement due to unsafe, unhealthy, unpredictable, or hazardous living conditions Unpredictable change in financial dependency Displacement due to natural disaster (i.e. flood, fire damage) that is not being managed by UC EMS.
Eligibility Requirements Emergent Need: Applicants who are experiencing unforeseen crises (see examples above) that require critical financial assistance which could significantly impact their academic progress or meeting their basic needs. The expense must be unexpected, unforeseen, and the urgent nature unavoidable. Application Status: All other resources, including student loans through Financial Aid must have been considered and are insufficient, unavailable, or not available in a timely manner. Must utilize Student Success Funds if applicable Applicants must complete all questions in full and submit supporting documentation Applicants must have an active FAFSA on file. Enrollment Status: Applicant must be a currently enrolled and actively registered in a courses as an undergraduate or graduate student at UC Merced Applicant must be in good academic standing Terms & Conditions: The complete Emergency Funding process can take anywhere from 1 - 3 weeks The maximum grant amount per student is $1000 per semester A student may apply for and receive only one grant per semester for up to a total of 3 semesters throughout their educational journey at UC Merced If there is a current balance on the student's bill, Emergency Funding will go towards the outstanding payment unless otherwise specified Emergency funds cannot be used towards tuition, fees, books or discrentionary spending. Students may be required to provide receipts or other documentation to show that funds were used appropriately and towards intended purpose Misuse of funding or falsified information may result in repayment to the University	Eligibility Requirements Emergent Need: Must be in an unexpected housing crisis (see examples above) with immediate need for housing security Application Status: Applicant must complete all questions in full via the DOS intake form If applicable, must be able to provide documentation of the nature of the housing crisis and the urgent situation Must be willing 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 Enrollment Status: Applicant must be a currently enrolled and actively registered in a courses as an undergraduate or graduate student at UC Merced Terms & Conditions: Emergency Housing stays are typically approved in 3-5 day increments, for up to a maximum of 30 nights per semester. Students will be required to meet with a Dean of Students Representative within 2 business days of their move-in date to asses their circumstances, review progress towards securing longer term housing, create a final plan for housing, and/or determine whether an extension is appropriate. Placement in on-campus housing is subject to availability and occasionally may result in off-campus housing accommodations Failure to adhere to requirements and/or provide falsified information may result in immediate termination of room assignment and/or repayment of nightly stays
Application Process Emergency Funding applications are solely reviewed during regular business hours (8am - 5pm; M-F): For students who meet the eligibility requirements above: Request an appointment and select "Emergency Funds" as reason for requesting an appointment. Complete the short application by detailing their request and circumstances and provide documentation if applicable Within 1 - 3 business days, the DOS office will confirm receipt of student's application via email AND simultaneously reach out to the Financial Aid office to determine student's eligibility and room for funding Financial Aid provides DOS office with students financial aid eligibility within 1 - 7 business days DOS representative will review eligibility and provide student with final determination and/or next steps of the process within 1 - 7 business days from reception of Financial Aid information A.) If approved upon receipt of information: The DOS office will notify Financial Aid to move forward with awarding funds and they will begin processing the disbursement The DOS office will notify the student of the awarded funding amount and when to expect funding to hit their account (depending on if the student has direct deposit, they should see the funds within their bank account between 5 - 7 business days) B.) If more information is needed: Student will be notified via email that they are required to meet with Financial Wellness Coach before the DOS office proceeds with a decision Student will need to reach out to Financial Wellness Coach to schedule an appointment (appointment availability varies) After the meeting, the Financial Wellness Coach will provide the DOS office with financial notes and recommendations, typically taking anywhere from 1 day - 2 weeks If approved, process proceeds from option A above	Application Process Emergency Housing applications reviewed during regular business hours (8am - 5pm; M-F): For students who meet the eligibility requirements above: Request an appointment and select "Emergency Housing" as reason for requesting an appointment. Complete the short application by detailing their request and circumstances and provide documentation if applicable Upon submission, a DOS representative will contact the applicant in 1-3 business days to arrange a meeting to discuss their options. After meeting, a DOS representative will notify Applicant of a decision within 1-2 business days. If approved; DOS Representative will notify applicant of approved length of stay. Student will be required to make follow up appointment with DOS Representative within 2 business days of their move-in date to discuss appropriate resources and long-term housing plan. Applicant will receive instructions from Housing and Residence Education on room assignment, steps to access key, confirmation of length of stay assigned, and notification of unlimited meal plan access during the dates of their Emergency Housing assignment. *After Regular Business hours including Sat-Sun: Student calls UCMPD (209-228-2677) to report crisis UCMPD will notify Housing and Residence Education Housing and Residence Education will determine space availability and notify student of decision the same day. If approved, student will receive instructions from Housing and Residence Education on steps to access key, room assignment, and length of assignment
When Emergency Funding cannot be granted... Students should continue working with the Financial Aid office should they have grants or loans available Students may want to explore private funding should they be ineligible to receive additional funding through the Financial Aid Office Eligibile students can apply for Student Success Funds within the Bright Success Center: Bobcat Underground Scholars Monarch Center Guardian Scholars	When Emergency Housing cannot be granted... Local community resources will be provided to the student for consideration. Students looking for long-term housing may need consider signing an on-campus housing contract. Please contact housing@ucmerced.edu or 209-228-2293 to initiate the housing contract process Students may want to consult with the Off-Campus Housing resources: https://och.ucmerced.edu/ Students may want to consider looking for housing in nearby cities such as Atwater, Livingston, and Turlock. Depending on the situation, financial aid availability, and the use of emergency funds, the student may be granted on-campus housing but may be required to pay the daily room and meal rate. For the academic year contract, the room rate is determined by the lowest available room tier.