The International Center Student Emergency Fund provides financial support for unusual and unforeseen emergency expenses. Grants are limited and available to F-1 or J-1 visa holders currently enrolled at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. These emergency grants are intended to provide monetary support to those whose unexpected circumstances have greatly impacted their ability to stay in the U.S. and progress through their studies at U-M.
The funding is evaluated by a committee on a case by-case basis considering the need, circumstance, and any other funding support received.
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicant must have an immediate financial hardship resulting from an unforeseen circumstance.
- Applicant must be currently enrolled at the Ann Arbor campus.
- Applicant must be in good immigration standing and making satisfactory progress towards degree completion.
- Applicant must complete the International Student Emergency Fund application and submit supporting documentation.
- Applicant must not have already received emergency funding from the IC in the current academic year.
Expenses Usually Not Covered
(this list is not exhaustive):
- Tuition, fees, and study abroad costs
- Costs associated with renewing a visa or most standard immigration applications (ex: post-completion OPT)
- Costs related to relocation and employment/internship
- Most flights to/from the U.S.
- Expenses not connected to life in the U.S. (ex: a parent’s medical expenses, housing outside of the Ann Arbor area)
- Non-essential utilities (ex: cable TV, gym membership), automobile repairs, household, or furniture costs
- Technology purchases (ex: phones, laptops, printers/etc.)
- Regularly anticipated, fixed expenses (i.e. car loan, phone bill)
- Costs for entertainment, recreation, non-emergency travel
- Other non-essential expenses
Examples of Expenses Covered
(this list is not exhaustive):
- Unexpected personal medical or dental emergency (first consult the IC insurance advisor ([email protected]) to see if your insurance will cover any of these costs). This can include medical expenses for spouses/children if they are also living with you in the U.S.
- Living expenses (rent, health insurance, groceries) due to change in financial status related to death of a family member, political turmoil, or natural disaster back home.
- Household expenses related to burglary, fire, flood, or other disasters.
Application Process
Students requesting emergency funding should complete the International Student Emergency Fund Application with supporting documentation. Staff will follow up with applicants to confirm receipt of their materials. If materials are missing from your application, this can delay processing time.
A committee will review your application materials on the 1st and 15th of each month (or the closest business day after) during the fall and winter semesters. Applicants will typically be notified within 10 business days following the start of the review process. The process may be delayed if additional information is needed for review. If your application is approved for support, it will generally take a couple of weeks for the funds to be disbursed via your student account.
The number of students who can be supported by the International Center’s emergency fund sources is subject to the availability of funds contributed by donors of the University. This fund is not a scholarship and does not support expenses of tuition/fees. It is designed to assist students through unanticipated emergencies when other funding sources are not available.
Supporting Documents
When applying for emergency funding, it is crucial to provide comprehensive supporting documents. These documents are key to helping the committee understand your unique situation and why financial assistance is needed. Providing thorough documentation not only demonstrates the validity of your situation but also expedites the decision-making process.
Consider including the following types of documents, if applicable to your case:
- Bills and Invoices: Copies of overdue bills, rent statements, medical invoices, student account charges, or any pending payments that are causing financial strain.
- Official Notices: Eviction notices, disconnection warnings, or any other official communications that highlight urgency.
- Medical Documentation: If applicable, medical reports or statements that explain unexpected medical expenses and their impact on your finances.
- Incident Reports: Documentation such as police reports for theft, scams, or other incidents that have caused unexpected financial challenges.
Emergency Grant Taxes
Funds received are generally subject to tax withholding and processed accordingly by the University. For more information about these taxes or to see if your country of citizenship has a tax treaty with the U.S., please review the following links:
- Non-Residents for Tax Purposes
- Payroll for Foreign Students, Faculty & Staff
- United States Income Tax Treaties - A to Z
Additional IC Emergency Resources
Many students qualify for Travel Assistance through their International Health Insurance (IHI) plan. F and J students on GradCare are also eligible for Travel Assistance. The Travel Assistance Insurance Company is GeoBlue.
If your emergency requests are related to travel because of your personal or an immediate family member’s health, please review the “Travel Assistance” information in the Insurance Plan Documents section of the IC website, particularly the Detailed Description of GeoBlue Services.
GeoBlue offers several kinds of services:
- If you are in the hospital, GeoBlue will help cover the costs related to bringing a family member to the U.S. to visit you.
- Assistance to students who must return home due to a family medical emergency.
- Assistance in cases of serious illness or death.
F-1 and J-1 students covered by GradCare should contact the IC insurance office if they need to use the GeoBlue coverage. Their GeoBlue coverage is the same as the coverage described in the Detailed Description of GeoBlue Services, but the IC insurance office must contact GeoBlue first in order for you to use this coverage.
Please make an appointment with the International Health Insurance advising team if you have questions about Travel Assistance or are overwhelmed by your medical expenses to see what your options may be. Click here for more information about International Health Insurance resources.