{"id":23740,"date":"2025-09-23T10:05:25","date_gmt":"2025-09-23T17:05:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/veterans\/?page_id=23740"},"modified":"2026-03-24T13:45:37","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T20:45:37","slug":"emergency-resources","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/veterans\/emergency-resources\/","title":{"rendered":"Emergency Resources for Student Veterans"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_image=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.wou.edu\/veterans\/files\/2021\/02\/redBG.gif&#8221; parallax=&#8221;on&#8221; parallax_method=&#8221;off&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;60px||43px|||&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;30px||25px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;20px||15px||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; header_font=&#8221;Montserrat||||||||&#8221; header_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; header_font_size=&#8221;46px&#8221; header_font_size_tablet=&#8221;30px&#8221; header_font_size_phone=&#8221;26px&#8221; header_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h1>Emergency Resources for Student Veterans<\/h1>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;|43px||43px|false|true&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300\">Here are a few grants and aid programs useful for student Veterans and WOU students in urgent need. Each summary gives you what it is, who may qualify, and where to apply. We also recommend you connect with our <a href=\"https:\/\/wou.edu\/abbyshouse\/about-us\/people\/\">Basic Needs Coorinator<\/a> in Abby&#8217;s House who can get you connected to a variety of resources for food, childcare, healthcare, housing, school expenses, and other needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_toggle title=&#8221;WOU Emergency Student Aid Fund&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>WOU Emergency Student Aid Fund<\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>What it is<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A broader emergency fund for any WOU student (including Veterans) facing unexpected crises: housing, utilities, medical, or other emergencies threatening their ability to continue classes. This is housed in Student Affairs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Criteria to apply<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Must be enrolled; complete emergency student aid application; describe the emergency; provide supporting documentation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Request subject to funds availability; internal deadlines\/processes\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Logan is on this committee, the turnaround is less than a week <\/span><b>unless there is a request for more evidence\/information<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> which is a common reason for delay.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wou.edu\/student\/emergencystudentaid\/\"><b>Application<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><b><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.wou.edu\/veterans\/files\/2025\/09\/wou_emergency_student_aid_fund.png\" width=\"229\" height=\"229\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23746 aligncenter size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wou.edu\/veterans\/files\/2025\/09\/wou_emergency_student_aid_fund.png 229w, https:\/\/wou.edu\/veterans\/files\/2025\/09\/wou_emergency_student_aid_fund-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 229px) 100vw, 229px\" \/><\/b><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_toggle title=&#8221;ODVA Veterans Educational Bridge Grant&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2><b>ODVA Veterans Educational Bridge Grant<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b><\/b><\/h3>\n<h3><b>What it is<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A state of Oregon grant for veterans who are unable to complete their academic or training programs on time due to external obstacles such as required courses being unavailable or institutional student account debt. It offers up to $5,000 lifetime per veteran.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Criteria to apply<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Must be a veteran (as defined by Oregon law) and Oregon resident.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Enrolled in an Oregon\u2011based academic\/training program\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Facing a barrier such as unavailability of required courses\/training hours, or debt on a student account preventing registration.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The grant amount will depend on demonstrated need; applicants must submit required supporting documentation<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.oregon.gov\/odva\/agency-programs\/grants\/pages\/educational-bridge-grant.aspx?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Apply here<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.wou.edu\/veterans\/files\/2025\/09\/odva_veterans_educational_bridge_grant.png\" width=\"229\" height=\"229\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23747 aligncenter size-full\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wou.edu\/veterans\/files\/2025\/09\/odva_veterans_educational_bridge_grant.png 229w, https:\/\/wou.edu\/veterans\/files\/2025\/09\/odva_veterans_educational_bridge_grant-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 229px) 100vw, 229px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_toggle title=&#8221;ODVA Veterans Emergency Financial Assistance Program (OVEFAP)&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2><b>ODVA Veterans Emergency Financial Assistance Program (OVEFAP)<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b><\/b><\/h3>\n<h3><b>What it is<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A one-time state grant that helps Oregon veterans and their immediate families cover urgent expenses such as temporary housing, rent or mortgage, utilities, medical or dental bills, and emergency transportation.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This is the more complicated of the emergency assistance programs we promote, <\/span><b>we cannot fill out\/submit this for them.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Know the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">program process<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>How it works<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Applications are reviewed monthly <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">and are<\/span><b> due <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">by<\/span><b> the 10th.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Submission must be done through a Veteran Services O<\/b><b>ffice<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> or a Veteran Advocate (we use the Polk VSO). The advocate completes the Veteran Advocacy Statement and helps confirm eligibility and required documents. The VRC cannot complete or submit this application for students. We can explain the benefit and help them schedule an appointment with the Polk County VSO to apply.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Eligibility basics<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Oregon Veteran as defined by state law, or eligible surviving spouse of dependent.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Documented immediate financial need tied to essential expense.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Assistance is <\/span><b>one-time<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> per applicant<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Typical documentation<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">DD-214 or proof of qualifying service, Oregon residency, description of the emergency expense, and any supporting bills or statements. The VSO will advise on the exact checklist.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Polk County Veterans Service Office<\/b><b><br \/><\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Phone | 503-751-1644, Press 2\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<ul><\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>The phone number on google is wrong and does not work<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<ul><\/ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Email | <\/span><a href=\"mailto:vso@co.polk.or.us\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">vso@co.polk.or.us<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hours | Mon-Fri 0800-1700, closed 1200-1300<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The current best way to schedule an appointment with the VSO is to have them send an email to email above and cc us to keep things moving. <\/span><b>IF<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> 2-4 days later the student lets us know nothing has happened then we call and leave a VM with specifics of who needs an appointment, about what, and when they emailed the office.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/14d_KSN7-cT5Hxtyf_ejl6RmJtUx48C81\/view?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Application<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><b><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.wou.edu\/veterans\/files\/2025\/09\/ODVA_veterans_emergency_financial_assistance_program_ovefap.png\" width=\"229\" height=\"229\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23748 aligncenter size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wou.edu\/veterans\/files\/2025\/09\/ODVA_veterans_emergency_financial_assistance_program_ovefap.png 229w, https:\/\/wou.edu\/veterans\/files\/2025\/09\/ODVA_veterans_emergency_financial_assistance_program_ovefap-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 229px) 100vw, 229px\" \/><\/b><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_toggle title=&#8221;4Spirits Student Veterans Emergency Relief Grant&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2><b>4Spirits Student Veterans Emergency Relief Grant<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b><\/b><\/h3>\n<h3><b>What it is<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">An emergency relief program that provides funding to qualified student veterans enrolled at Oregon\u2019s state-run universities. The goal is to keep veteran students engaged and in school by assisting when a real financial gap or urgent need arises.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wou.edu\/student\/emergencystudentaid\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Program Page<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><b>Who may qualify<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Student Veterans enrolled at an Oregon Public University<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Student experiencing an immediate need or resource gap that threatens enrollment of academic progress<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Funding is dependent on availability &amp; verification of need<\/span><\/li>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Funding is applied directly to address the need, funds are not sent to the student<\/span><\/li>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mortgage &amp; credit card companies are not allowable expenses<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>How to access<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The WOU VRC Director acts as a middleman for this program for the student and the 4Spirits Foundation. Students who may qualify should have an appointment scheduled with the VRC director to discuss the emergency and documentation. <\/span><b>Applications not routed through the VRC Director will not be considered by the 4Spirits Foundation.<\/b><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1GHN8HgZrOduzG-bS-ubVT5HaC6Pr5dPN\/view?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Application<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><b><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.wou.edu\/veterans\/files\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-23-at-10.15.54-AM.png\" width=\"229\" height=\"229\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23749 aligncenter size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wou.edu\/veterans\/files\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-23-at-10.15.54-AM.png 229w, https:\/\/wou.edu\/veterans\/files\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-23-at-10.15.54-AM-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 229px) 100vw, 229px\" \/><\/b><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row disabled_on=&#8221;off|off|off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;12px|||||&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_toggle title=&#8221;WOU | VRC Veterans Emergency Aid Program (VEA)&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h2><b>WOU | VRC Veterans Emergency Aid Program (VEA)<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b><\/b><\/h3>\n<h3><b>What it is<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">An emergency aid program designed to provide quick\u2011turnaround funds to student Veterans for urgent financial disruptions (e.g., unexpected expenses, crisis situations) so they can remain enrolled and focused. This is a grant funded program housed in the Veterans Resource Center.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1BsmmBmNOYU5y3eQBvn64CFOjaGrdt2MB5fs6xmBZ0yw\/edit?usp=sharing\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2026-2027 VEA Program Overview<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><b>Criteria to apply<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">WOU student Veteran, Veteran status as<a href=\"https:\/\/www.oregon.gov\/odva\/resources\/pages\/who-is-a-veteran.aspx\"> defined by ODVA<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Documented <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">emergency<\/span> or <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">unforeseeable<\/span> need\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Complete the VEA application<\/span><\/li>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Due to funding limitations, currently we accept one application per academic year<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><b>Application Open | <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.gle\/MpEWuAcLG2FABqdt7\">Apply Here<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Emergency Resources for Student Veterans Here are a&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1610,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"splash-page.php","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"%%post_title%% %%sep%% Western Oregon University","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-23740","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/veterans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/23740","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/veterans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/veterans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/veterans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1610"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/veterans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23740"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/veterans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/23740\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23826,"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/veterans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/23740\/revisions\/23826"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/veterans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23740"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}