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University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Student Emergency Funds

The Student Emergency Funds page lists all known University options for UMassD undergraduate and graduate students experiencing unexpected financial need. Resources listed here assist UMassD undergraduate students by providing financial support due to unexpected emergency expenses. Students may apply for the funds listed here only when they have exhausted all other possible resources. 

Examples of emergencies

  • Accidents
  • Illness & related medical expenses
  • Death of a family member

Student emergency funds: am I eligible?

  • I am in danger of not completing my education due to financial hardship
  • I can provide documentation of the hardship I am facing
  • My FASFA and/or FAFSA verification was completed on time
  • My GPA is at least 2.0
  • I am currently enrolled at UMassD

I am not eligible if: 

  • I am eligible for loans through financial aid that have not been utilized
  • I am going through the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) process
  • I have not completed the FASFA or completed it late

List of all UMassD student emergency funds

MacLean Bridging the Gap Fund

(available to undergraduate students only)

  • Assists students on the threshold of withdrawing due to unexpected financial hardship
  • A "last dollars in" grant, after all financial aid and other funding sources have been exhausted
  • Funds may be used for: tuition, fees, extraordinary needs
  • Funds distributed to student’s account and need not be repaid
  • There is no minimum award threshold and the maximum award will generally not exceed $2,500
  • Application: visit Student Resources
  • Notification: student will receive a call/email from Student Affairs within 48 hours of the request submission

Student Emergency Fund

(available to undergraduate and graduate students)   

  • Assists students who experience an unanticipated emergency
  • Student has already discussed the emergency situation with Financial Aid and this office is unable to fully meet the student's expressed needs
  • Funds may be used for extraordinary needs such as emergency travel or academic supplies/books
  • Funds cannot be used for tuition or fees
  • Funds distributed to student by check
  • There is no minimum award threshold and the maximum award will generally not exceed $1,000
  • Application: visit Student Resources
  • Notification: student will receive call/email from Student Affairs within 48 hours of the request submission

Book Fund

(available to undergraduate and graduate students)

  • Assists students in buying books, iClickers, and art supplies needed for completion of classes
  • Funds distributed by Student Affairs one time only and need not be repaid
  • There is no minimum award threshold and the maximum award will generally not exceed $500
  • Available to domestic undergraduate students only
  • Application: visit Student Resources
  • Notification: student will receive call/email from Student Affairs within 24 hours of the request submission

Emergency Loan Fund

(available to undergraduate and graduate students)

  • A fund to assist students by providing a short-term loan when a time-sensitive expense arises such as paying for a parking pass, medication, or other critical student needs
  • Distributed by the Associate Dean of Students and must be repaid
  • The loan must be between $10-$200
  • Application: visit Student Resources
  • Notification: student will receive a call/email from Student Affairs within 24 hours of the request submission

To contribute to a student emergency fund

Student emergency funds listed here are sustained by generous contributions from alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends of the University.

To contribute, please visit: Ways to Give