Definition of an Emergency

An emergency is an unexpected, non-recurring, and sudden event or unforeseen circumstance that creates an immediate financial hardship, threatens a student’s basic needs (housing, food, safety, health), and directly impacts their ability to maintain enrollment.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for emergency aid, a student must:

• Enrollment: Be a degree-seeking student registered for at least 6 credits at WOU during the application term or be registered for the previous and next term. 
• Standing: Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP/Pace) and be in good standing with the Office of Student Conduct.
• Recency: Have experienced a qualifying emergency within the last 90 days (or during the current academic term).
• Exhaustion of Funds: Demonstrate that all other personal and financial aid resources, including all offered federal student loans, have been fully exhausted.
• Frequency: Be limited to one emergency aid award per year (360 days).

Award Caps & Funding Limits
The purpose of the Emergency Student Aid Fund is to provide temporary financial relief that helps students stay safe and enrolled during an unexpected crisis. Because funding is limited, these caps ensure resources are distributed equitably and remain available for students in need throughout the academic year.

• Standard Maximum: Funds are capped at a maximum of $500 per academic year to cover immediate emergency expenses.
• Extraordinary Exceptions: At the committee’s discretion, awards may be increased up to $1,000 only for extreme, documented threats to basic safety or displacement (e.g., immediate eviction or total property loss from natural disaster/fire).
• Disbursement: Approved aid is intended for the current crisis; the exact amount awarded may vary based on verified need(supporting documentation) and remaining funding available.

When to Apply and what to expect

The Emergency Student Aid Committee reviews applications on an ongoing basis during the current academic term. If a request is submitted during a term break (e.g., summer or winter break), please expect a delay in review and communication during these periods of time. Please note that funding is only available for immediate, current needs; the committee cannot approve requests for future terms.

Approved Expenses

Funds must be used for urgent, non-academic needs directly resulting from the emergency:

• Housing & Safety: Eviction prevention, emergency shelter, temporary housing, or safety needs (e.g., lock changes).
• Basic Needs: Utility shutoff prevention, emergency food insecurity, or replacement of essential belongings lost to disaster/theft.
• Health & Income: Urgent medical/medication costs not covered by insurance, or sudden loss of income impacting basic needs.
• Transportation: Emergency help to get the student to and from campus. If you apply for car repair assistance, you must explain why public transit (bus/trolley) won’t work for your situation. Requests based solely on personal convenience will not be approved.

Ineligible Expenses

Funds cannot be used for:

• Institutional Costs: Tuition, fees, study abroad, clubs, or prior/existing university account balances.
• Routine Bills: Credit cards, cell phone plans, streaming services, or recurring monthly memberships.
• Routine Care or maintenance: Routine or preventative medical, dental, or vision care; standard car maintenance (wear-and-tear).
• Legal/Penalties: Fines, parking tickets, legal fees, or bail.
• Savings/Reserves: Replenishing personal savings, building financial cushions, or creating emergency safety nets.