Bearcat Emergency Fund

The Bearcat Emergency Fund (BEF) is a partnership between the Division of Student Affairs, Enrollment Management, and Office of the Bursar. The BEF is designed to provide assistance with unexpected emergency expenses surrounding situations such as accidents, illness, death of a family member, fire damage, medical deductible, or need with housing or food. Students may apply for funds when they have exhausted all other resources. The application will ask for details on how the expenses were unanticipated during this current term and why the student is unable to meet the expense. This funding is not intended to replace or supplement existing financial aid. All BEF applications are reviewed on a case by case basis. All BEF applications are typically limited to $500.00. Special circumstances may be approved for funds exceeding $500.00. 

• Students must be currently enrolled in classes.
• Students must have a financial hardship resulting from an emergency, accident, or other unexpected critical incident since the beginning of the current term.
• All other resources through Student Financial Aid must have been pursued and determined. Students must complete a BEF application and provide all supporting documentation.
• Must have a zero balance on their student account.
  
• Students who have received other emergency funding from alternate units are not eligible.
• Students are limited to one emergency fund per semester and a maximum of two per academic year.

• Emergency housing
• Food
• Necessary utilities
• Safety needs (changing locks)
• Prescriptions and other cost related to medical or mental health care including co-pays
• Books or other academic expenses
• Replacing essential personal belongings due to fire, theft, or natural disaster
• Limited travel costs related to death or illness of immediate family member
• Travel costs for medical, mental health or social service reasons
• Emergency transportation expenses

• Tuition and fees (*unless specified unusual and unanticipated circumstances)
• Health insurance
• Study abroad costs
• Non-essential utilities
• Household furniture not related to damage or theft
• Parking tickets
• Costs for entertainment, recreation, non-emergency travel
• Legal counsel and fees
• Other non-essential expenses

Students who are in need of emergency financial assistance may submit an application and supporting documentation to the Office of the Dean of Students. The Bearcat Emergency Fund Committee, consisting of staff members from the Office of the Dean of Students, Student Financial Aid, Bursars, and One Stop (and other staff when necessary), will review the submitted application and determine the appropriate funding amount. Funds distributed do not generally exceed $500. The committee will review all applications and will consider request in excess of $500 for unique and unusual circumstances of emergency financial need. Applicants may be required to meet with a staff member in the Office of the Dean of Students to discuss their application and circumstances. Students currently receiving financial aid, should be aware that receiving funding from the Emergency Fund may affect their future aid packages. For information on the application please contact the Associate Dean of Students at 513-556-5064.

Complete the Bearcat Emergency Fund Application here.

Approved applications will have funds disbursed through direct deposit into the student’s account within 2-3 working days from date of approval. For students who do not have a direct deposit account, a check will be mailed to the address on file through the student’s records. When requested receipts must be given to the Dean of Students Office within 2 business days of purchase. The number of students who can be served by the Bearcat Emergency Fund is subject to the availability of funds. Students are limited to one BEF application per semester.

Questions can be directed to:
Daniel S. Cummins, Assoc. Dean of Students
Division of Student Affairs
513-556-5064
daniel.cummins@uc.edu